Customer Reviews

The Hidden Dangers of Soy

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I like to read a lot of general interest books - medical, health, etc, and I have long suspected that soy, in the quantities that we eat it, is probably not healthy. I read an article a while back in a science magazine that said as much - that as a healthy food which we eat in small quantities, it is fine and even beneficial, but used as an additive in everything, as a formula for babies, to replace milk or meat products, or as a supplement, can cause some really unfortunate health effects in otherwise healthy and non soy-sensitive people, and even the soy growers associations had said that it's only healthy in certain doses, and isn't recommended as a supplement/ pill.

So I was interested and sympathetic to this message, and I learned some new information and gained some new tips on avoiding soy additives in my food.

The thing that I did feel could use improvement about this book is that while the message and information were on point and important, the critical information for most people to know could be condensed down into a five-page article. For example, there is a soy-free recipe section that, while it includes some delightful-sounding recipes, the recipes are for things that, when I make them at least, don't contain soy anyway. They were mostly meat-containing recipes, so while a few of the side dishes would be helpful to vegetarians, there wasn't really a good consideration given to how to replace soy products in a vegetarian lifestyle.

The majority of the book is personal stories of people who have had problems with soy. If you suspect you are a person suffering from a problem with soy, then you may see yourself in these stories and this could be a very valuable book for you. Doctors with an interest in soy may also like to read this to hear some of the anecdotes of people who have had an issue with soy.

The problem for me with most of the book being personal stories is that I feel like you can construct a case for anything using hand-selected personal stories from people. I really wanted a meaty scientific analysis, or a lot of case studies from multiple doctors, or something more to make it feel like this was really given a thorough scientific consideration.

This gets four starts because it is dealing with a topic that is really being ignored and deserves to be considered and researched more, and for those with a specific issue, it could be a lifesaver. For the average reader, if you use moderation when eating soy, watch out for hidden soy in your food by reading labels, and don't take soy supplements or give soy formula or milk to children, you probably don't need to read this book.

I am glad Dianne Gregg wrote this book and shared her experience with soy with her readers. After adding more soy to her diet as advised by all the health media she gained 18 pounds and started having health problems that eventually culminated in an anaphylactic shock that would have killed her if she were not in the hospital when it happened. She learned through her own research that she has a soy allergy. What she discovered in her attempt to not consume soy is that the food industry has added it to almost all processed foods in grocery stores through soy flour, soybean oil, and soy protein isolate. It is very difficult to eat anything except whole foods with out eating soy in some form.
The message of the book is that the soy industry has pushed the health benefits of soy to increase their profits. The truth is that many studies have concerns about the safety of soy because of its proteins and its hormonal effects on estrogen in humans. The book contains numerous accounts of individuals who have experienced goiters, weight gain, heart palpitations, and even their children having birth defects due to the over consumption of soy. The most cited problem is the numerous thyroid issues that people report that improve after the removal of soy from the diet.
The book is very useful in showing all the names for soy that could appear on food labels and includes recipes with no soy. Whether you have a soy allergy or not this book gave me enough information to avoid soy. Contrary to common belief soy made up a very small portion of oriental diets and may very well be a human toxin that is only beginning to be understood through the huge experiment going on in our modern diet.

My daughter is safe now that she is keeping away from soy and the many products that contain soy. She became a vegetarian and ate soy for protein. She was a good weight for her height. She began gaining weight and complained of heart palpatations and never feeling good. She had thyroid problems.
A visit to the Dr. showed that she was nutritionally depleated. So she ate more soy and got sicker. I was introduced to The Hidden Dangers of Soy and told my daughter about the dangers. She cut out all soy and in 6 weeks time lost 11 pounds and is off the thyroid medication. she is happier and healthy once again thanks to Dianne Gregg. The book is well written and easy to understand and a way back to good eating and good health. Dianne is also available to answer any questions you may have.

As someone who was recently diagnosed with a soy allergy I was desperate to find information. All the ingredient lists I read on products had soy in one form or another, it was too frustrating... This booked helped! I think it's a great book for someone with a soy allergy, but also for people without an allergy. It's SHOCKING how soy is in nearly EVERYTHING we eat. From chewing gum to bread to herbal tea, NOTHING is safe I swear! And to read in this book, the background regarding soy, it disgusts me that it's OK that it's put into nearly everything. While I have been cooking everything without any type of soy, my husbands nausea has disappeared. Found that's another sign of how soy can make you feel. Scary stuff. Like the author said, if we all quit buying products that are filled with this then they will change it. Until then the manufacturers have no incentive. I HIGHLY recommend this book. Very easy to read, what Dianne explains is basically what you're going through... Buy it, share it, pass it on, buy it as a gift for your friends, they'll thank you!

I must say I found this book thought provoking. I know of many different people that have a variety of food allergies. I had not known that some people had allergies to soy products. For years I have read up on health and nutrition, and never once read that soy may cause issues for some people. If you do have food allergies or experience any food allergy related symptoms this book may be worth reading.

While Dianne Gregg may not be a medical authority she has real life experience, and was willing to investigate what caused her food allergy. Her issue was soy and soy products. I am certain she isn't the only one. I think some of the most interesting topics she raised were the fact that soy is touted as being completely healthy without always having quantitative values on the health benefits. Another topic she brings up is that large industritial farming does not always keep the consumer in mind, it is about large business.

I liked that she did a good job of talking about where soy can be found. It seems much like salt, it can linger just about anywhere. I had never realized that soy was in things like breads, MSG, seasoned salt, frozen dinners, margarine, ice cream, and other baked goods. She gives many great ideas about being aggressive about what you put into your body.

While this book isn't written by a medical authority it is written by someone who has experienced ill effects by eating soy products. You or someone you know may have the same problems. Many people are not bothered by peanuts, but those who are, can experience extreme problems with them. I think this book brings up many great suggestions in dealing with this, and I liked the added touch of including many recipes that you can make and not be worried about any allergic effect.

I purchased Dianne Gregg's book after several months of fighting to find out what was wrong with me. After going to many doctors and being told all of my symptoms are from having three kids and being tired, I was searching for the truth. I have a condition called Food Exercise Anaphalaxis. If I eat the wrong thing, then do ANYTHING that is mildly physical, even walking up the street, I can have an anaphalactic reatcion. Not fun. I had already figured out that soy was part of the problem, but after I thought I had eliminated the soy from my diet the reactions continued. I have read several books on soy, how it is processed and where it is, but Dianne Gregg has put it in plain and understandable language. Everyone needs to read this book, because fixing the food we eat is going to be the key to fixing the healthcare system. We are only making ourselves sick.

Pretty good if you can get past the beginning....in that the author, goes into a very frustrated rant, that if, you aren't on the "soy isn't the best thing (or even a good thing)" bandwagon, can really be a turn off and cause a reader to just dismiss the whole book. I, myself, don't buy reading material to hear someone whine. In the author's defense, as someone who has gone through precisely what the author has gone through [it has caused me to NOT eat out very often at all), it IS a warrented rant, but quite emotional in nature and the information, further covereed isn't necessarily something you want to hear/read/intake in an emotional state. It is a very short and easy read compared with The Whole Soy Story.

What I did like(in no particular order):
a) All the personal testimonials that are written in people's own words. It makes you grateful that you aren't crazy, that others have been there and back [ and that there IS a "back" and end is near/possible].
b) The list of the hidden or "non-soy" soy [ soy that is called something else or ingredient that contain soy or are soy dirivatives, such as "emulsifier", "natural flavor"]. I more expansive list on a websearch for "hiddlen soy", but for someone just figuring out/suspecting their allergy/'sensitivity', this list is QUITE helpful.I would like to add for a time, glutamic acid in general may already be or become a problem. It passes soon. Tomaotes, onions, garlic [do a web search], suddenly caused the same symptoms that soy does [for me the muscular soreness, the emotionalness and sleeplessness/sleep interruption] became a problem just as the symptoms had begun to lift! It caused me to wonder if I was "barking up the wrong tree". I was.
c) The "real" history of soy consumption/use in Asian foods [no offense meant to anyone], in much less detail than The Whole Soy story, but with the important facts still right there.
SUMMARY: A really good starter book to get you going down the right road. If you want to know more, The Whole Soy Story has 100 times more information, but this book is a good wakeup/primer/start, if you never thought about soy being the culprit for all your symptoms.
*DISCLAIMER: This is only my opinion, write your own if you disagree. I did my best to re-read and spell correct before posting.

I strongly appreciate that Dianne wrote this book. As someone who is aware of Soy and its supposed health benefits, I was not fully aware of how many foods and supplements actually contain Soy. One can quickly and easily find themselves with a Soy overload just from consuming a good every day diet. I also appreciate Dianne taking the time to provide some counter points to her beliefs.

I am a Chinese American. Most people I know off eats soy. However, I have never heard of soy allergy among my family members and my friends. I myself consume soy everyday, all different types. I am healthy, and I am not fat.

I am sure that the author is allergic soy. I am also sure that it's rare and uncommon. So there is no need to share the rare experience with everyone in the world and convince people to avoid soy products. I believe eating soy is much better than eating meat and chicken that is rich in cholesterol. Nowadays animals and poultries are raised in factory farms with feed that is rich in hormone and antibiotics.

I feel happy for those of you who have replaced your animal based diet for protein with soy products. Please continue your way and do not be affected by this book.

After reading Dianne's book, I spent 15 min checking my cupboards. I can't believe all the products I buy with soy. I am now paying more attention to how I feel after eating various foods. I have noticed I feel sluggish and "not-so-hot" after eating products with soy.

The book itself is a quick and easy read and not full of boring, technical jargon. It's written in a language anyone can understand!