Q: My boyfriend uses a protein powder made from soy. Will this harm him? Should I get him some dairy based protein powder instead? - Leigh
A: Soy protein isolate is the soy protein isolated from the carbohydrate and fatty acid components that naturally occur in the bean. Soy beans are first ground and subjected to high-temperature and solvent extraction processes to remove the oils. The resultant de-fatted meal is then mixed with an alkaline solution and sugars in a separation process to remove fiber. Then it is precipitated and separated using an acid wash. Finally the resultant curds are neutralized in an alkaline solution and spray dried at high temperatures to produce high protein powder. This is a highly refined product in which both vitamin and protein quality are compromised-but some trypsin inhibitors remain, even after such extreme refining! Trypsin is an enzyme that is vital for protein digestion. In test animals, diets high in trypsin inhibitors cause enlargement and pathological conditions of the pancreas, including cancer.
This is not the only anti-nutrient present, there is also:
- hemaglutinin, a clot promoting substance that causes red blood cells to clump together (along with trypsin inhibitors, hemaglutinin has been rightly labeled a “growth depressant substances”, and
- phytic acid or phytates - organic acid, present in the bran or hulls of all seeds, which blocks the uptake of essential minerals-calcium, magnesium, iron and especially zinc-in the intestinal tract.
- Phytoestrogens disrupt endocrine function and have the potential to cause infertility. They are also potent anti-thyroid agents that cause hypothyroidism and may cause thyroid cancer.
- Free Glutamic Acid or MSG, a potent neurotoxin is formed during high temperature processing
These anti-nutrients are denatured when soy beans are correctly prepared by traditional fermentation. Traditional soy foods are: Tempeh, Miso, Natto and small amounts of Tofu.
Unfortunately, Leigh, I can not recommend most whey protein powders as they are often dried at high temperatures and under pressure. This damages the fragile protein molecule rendering it unrecognizable by the digestive system. The gut has to launch a defence against these foreign invaders, thus wasting precious resources and unnecessarily stressing the body.
There are some low temperature dried whey powders but it would be best to just drink wholesome, organic, pasture-fed, raw milk.
About the Author...
Sally Fallon is founding president of the Weston A Price Foundation, a non-profit nutrition education foundation with over 400 local chapters and 9000 members. She is also the founder of A Campaign for Real Milk, which has as its goal universal access to clean raw milk from pasture-fed animals. Author of the best-selling cookbook Nourishing Traditions and also of Eat Fat Lose Fat (Penguin), both with Mary G. Enig, Phd, Sally has a encyclopedic knowledge of modern nutritional science as well as ancient food ways. Her grasp on the work of Weston Price is breath taking and her passion for health freedom, inspiring. In each edition of Nourished Magazine Sally answers your questions about nutrition, health, food and medical politics. Send us an email with your question and we'll put it to her.
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