This ‘health food’ can actually be hazardous to your health

It’s the “health” food that’s used to make everything from fake ice cream to bogus burgers — soy.

And for a long time now, the FDA has allowed companies that make soy-based foods like “Fakin’ Bacon” to go hog-wild (or should it be soy-wild?) with their claims that eating more soy protein will do something good for your heart.

Now, however, the FDA is having second thoughts about that idea, having published an official notice that it’s considering rescinding the claim.

But that’s something the feds should have more than considered a long time ago! Because before you touch that next soy-anything, you need to know that soy is one of the least healthful foods you can be eating.

In fact, except for one type, it can be downright dangerous to your health.

Soy what?
Sometimes, I’m not sure if the FDA is regulating foods or simply helping manufacturers to sell more!

Case in point: FDA-approved health claims.

You’ve seen plenty of them — and whether you specifically remember one or not, there’s no doubt it influenced you to toss some item or other into your shopping cart.

Before 1990, what food manufacturers could say on packaging was pretty much a free-for-all. Practically any health-related statement could be slapped on anything edible.

Since then, however, these statements have had to be officially authorized by the FDA (which even provides the approved copy). But you know what? They still can be just as misleading!

Take processed foods labeled “low sodium.” A can of soup, for example, could contain loads of MSG and other unhealthy ingredients… but as long as the salt content is below a certain number, Big Food can advertise it as something that can “reduce the risk of high blood pressure.”

Then there’s soy, which was given one of those free passes over 17 years ago — the same one the FDA is now considering withdrawing.

Labels of processed foods that contain a certain amount of it are allowed to claim that eating 25 grams of soy protein a day may reduce your “risk of heart disease.”

Sounds great, right? Who wouldn’t want to lower the chance of having a heart attack or stroke?

The only problem is that it’s not really true! In fact, soy comes with so much negative health baggage it should carry a warning, not an endorsement.

For example:

• The “phytoestrogens” in soy are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, disruption of thyroid function, and possibly even thyroid cancer.
• Processing soy can result in the formation of nitrosamines, which are known to be potent carcinogens, as well as MSG.
• Practically all of the soy produced in the U.S. is genetically modified, grown from seeds made by Monsanto and thoroughly doused with Roundup (glyphosate) in the field and possibly after harvest to “dry” out.

And concerns about soy are nothing new. Back in 2001, two FDA research scientists wrote a scathing letter protesting that FDA-approved, heart-healthy claim.

They warned that there hadn’t been enough research into the dangers of soy and that it can increase the risk of breast cancer, affect brain function, and cause problems with fertility.

They even asked the FDA to do away with that endorsement!

Of course, the FDA didn’t back then… and it might not now, either, despite the fact that we still don’t know how dangerous soy can actually be.

So, whatever the FDA winds up doing with that labeling claim (which the soy industry is pressuring the agency not to touch) after the public comment period ends is really a moot point.

Either way, soy is bad news.

There is, however, one form of soy that’s good for you!

It’s the same kind that’s been consumed in Asia for centuries — fermented forms of soy such as tempeh (which you can find in most any supermarket), miso, and natto.

Tempeh is a tasty probiotic food that’s an excellent swap for a meat-free meal. It goes great in a stir-fry and is the only kind of soy you should ever be eating!

Just make sure that the brand you buy is made from organically grown soybeans.