Soy has been greatly exaggerated as the answer to all our problems for years. Soy, in and of itself, is toxic to the human body unless cooked thoroughly and properly. There are several side affects of soy consumption, but the one I will be discussing is cancer.
The ‘miracle cure’ for cancer is said to be soy protein and isoflavone supplements. Cancer rates are at an all-time high, and the disease is the second leading cause of mortality in the United States. The idea that soy could save lives sounds amazing but, unfortunately, that is not the case.
Lots of studies prove that soy protein (or isoflavones) is conflicting or unproductive, but only a few show that it might prevent cancer. Even some affirm that it can contribute to or cause cancer. But the industry continues in advertizing it as the cancer answer.
The Solae Company presented an appeal to the FDA for authorization for a cancer health claim for soy protein in 2004. Solae argued, “There is scientific agreement among experts qualified by scientific training and experience to evaluate such claims regarding the relationship between soy protein products and a reduced risk of certain cancers.” The consensus does not exist. Many experts cautioned about health risks and soy protein’s carcinogenic potential from too much soy-food use.
It is absurd that scientists could even consider soy for a cancer health claim. Soy isoflavones are listed as ‘carcinogens’ in American Chemical Society’s 1976 “Chemical Carcinogens” and many other toxology books. Isoflavones have been proven to be increasing mutation and mental malformations. Poisonous and cancer inciting residues are made by textured veggie protein, soy protein isolate, and other new soy products used by the current i...
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...-driven, grassroots movement demanding integrity, honesty, common sense, and ‘real food?’ The challenge and choice is ours.
Works Cited
Campbell-McBride, Natasha. “No Soya, Please!.” Gut and psychology syndrome: natural treatment for autism, dyspraxia, A.D.D., dyslexia, A.D.H.D., depression, schizophrenia. Nashville: Medinform Publishing, 2004. 2. Print.
Daniel, Kaayla T.. “Soy and Cancer.” The whole soy story: the dark side of America’s favorite health food. Boston: New Trends Publishing, 2005. 16. Print
Enig, Mary G., and Sally Fallon. “Facts Versus Fears About Fats.” Eat fat, lose fat: lose weight and feel great with three delicious, science-based coconut diets. Philidelphia: Hudson Street Press, 2005. 4. Print.
Hughes, Meredith Sayles. “Beans.” Spill the beans and pass the peanuts: legumes. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Co., 1999. 5. Print.
In the article “Paranoia about Fats is Driven by Junk Science” by Jill Richardson discusses the idea of how many Americans’ have false beliefs on the consumption of fats. Many think fats are bad and unhealthy for our diets, when in reality; we need them to maintain a healthy diet. For me and just like many others, I had the wrong impression on fats. Since many products today contain the label fat-free, I always believed that this was bad for diets. Since reading this article, it helped me take into account that eating omega-3 and omega-6; such as fish, greens, seeds, and oils are part of a well-balanced diet. This can be related to chapter 3, as omega-3 fatty acids are essential in preventing
In the documentary, Food Inc., we get an inside look at the secrets and horrors of the food industry. The director, Robert Kenner, argues that most Americans have no idea where their food comes from or what happens to it before they put it in their bodies. To him, this is a major issue and a great danger to society as a whole. One of the conclusions of this documentary is that we should not blindly trust the food companies, and we should ultimately be more concerned with what we are eating and feeding to our children. Through his investigations, he hopes to lift the veil from the hidden world of food.
A major issue that is occurring in America is a phenomena known as “food deserts”, most are located in urban areas and it's difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. Whereas in the past, food deserts were thought to be solved with just placing a grocery store in the area, but with times it has become an issue that people are not picking the best nutritional option. This issue is not only making grocery store in food deserts are practically useless and not really eliminating the issue of food deserts because even when they are given a better nutritional option, and people are not taking it. In my perspective, it takes more than a grocery store to eliminate ‘food deserts’. It's more about demonstrating the good of picking the nutritional option and how it can help them and their families. For example, “Those who live in these areas are often subject to poor diets as a result and are at a greater risk of becoming obese or developing chronic diseases.”(Corapi, 2014).
Hungry for Change is a thought provoking documentary produced by James Colquhoun and Laurentine ten Bosch that delves into the implications of eating a modern diet. Using pathos, facts and figures, and association, Hungry for Change delivers a meritorious performance that engages viewers and leaves them questioning their own diet and lifestyle choices. The film’s use of rhetorical and advertising strategies and its ability to captivate viewers make this an effective, life changing documentary.
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"Red meat and colon cancer." Harvard Health Publications. Harvard, Mar. 2008. Web. 1 Apr. 2014.
In Wendell Berry’s “The Pleasures of Eating,” this farmer tells eaters how their separation from food production has turned them into “passive consumers” who know nothing about the food they eat, or their part in the agricultural process (3). They are blindsided by a food industry that does not help them understand. Berry argues that the average consumer buys available food without any questions. He states consumers that think they are distanced from agriculture because they can easily buy food, making them ignorant of cruel conditions it went through to get on the shelf. Humans have become controlled by the food industry, and regard eating as just something required for their survival. Berry wants this to change as people realize they should get an enjoyment from eating that can only come from becoming responsible for their food choices and learning more about what they eat. While describing the average consumer’s ignorance and the food industry’s deceit, he effectively uses appeals to emotion, logic, and values to persuade people to take charge, and change how they think about eating.
The article “The Skinny on Low-fat Diets” by Alan Ling is about the drawbacks of low-fat diets. The author talks about how low-fat diets don’t necessarily work and uses facts to strengthen her claim. One of the ways the author strengthen their claim is by showing the other side of the argument. The author includes this information to strengthen her claim and show readers that they can defend their argument from others.
American ideals about diets and body images are constantly changing. It seems as though we are always searching for a “perfect” food, one which will keep us slim while providing the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients necessary for survival. In recent years, the focus has shifted from concerns about fat and carbohydrates to overall health and wellbeing. There has been an increasing emphasis placed on ‘organic’ foods – foods grown without pesticides, chemicals, and inorganic fertilizers. Cancer has become a huge concern, as it is being linked to many of the chemicals and pesticides used in food production. The ‘perfect’ food has become one which is capable of blocking the growth of cancer cells, preventing diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ailments such as psoriasis. Salmon fits the description perfectly.
Repeatedly the news will highlight a story about the obesity epidemic sweeping the nation. Although the news and health experts bombard the common citizen with quick and easy ways to eat healthier and exercise more, the source of the issue is kept hidden behind closed doors. Before placing blame on the eating habits, it’s essential to take a closer look at what is being consumed. With rapid change in the food industry, progress must be met with caution because “The way we eat has changed more in the past fifty years than in the past 10,000” (Pollan and Schlosser). It is easy for the common man to provide the blanket statement of eating “better”, yet few actually proceed to do this. The average American has one of the worst diets in the world although opportunity and variety of options are overwhelming. Food industries are deceiving by masking the true process of how their food is produced. Not only does the eye not see how the food was made, but there is also a false sense of variety in the grocery market. The grossly unbalanced American diets and genetically modified organisms both coexist to create a greater problem than previously thought of.
“If you live in a free market and a free society, shouldn’t you have the right to know what you’re buying? It’s shocking that we don’t and it’s shocking how much is kept from us” (Kenner). For years, the American public has been in the dark about the conditions under which the meat on their plate was produced. The movie, Food Inc. uncovers the harsh truths about the food industry. This shows that muckraking is still an effective means of creating change as shown by Robert Kenner’s movie, Food Inc. and the reforms to the food industry that followed its release.
Not only is nonorganic food not as nutritious as organic food, even though they are made with hormones and special pesticides, it is due to the very hormones and pesticides they use to make them that some people can get sick and develop health issues like cancer. In an effort to make cows grow bigger and faster for a quicker rate of meat production, estrogen is given to them at an early age to quicken the process. However, as studies showed, when people consume such estrogen-infected meat, women in particular, showed signs of developing breast cancer. Not to mention the rapid increase in puberty of children who drink milk, which also has estrogen and testosterone hormones in it. In studies conducted, it was noticed that children who drink this milk, which contains these hormones, were going through puberty at a young age. This being another reason why ...
Environmental advocate and cofounder of Eatingliberally.org, Kerry Trueman, in her response to Stephen Budiansky’s Math Lessons for Locavores, titled, The Myth of the Rabid Locavore, originally published in the Huffington Post, addresses the topic of different ways of purchasing food and its impact on the world. In her response, she argues that Budiansky portrayal of the Local Food Movement is very inaccurate and that individuals should be more environmentally conscious. Trueman supports her claim first by using strong diction towards different aspects of Budinsky essay, second by emphasizes the extent to which his reasoning falls flat, and lastly by explaining her own point with the use of proper timing. More specifically, she criticizes many
Vastag, Brian. "FDA Reviews Expanded Claims On Health Benefits Of Certain Foods." JNCI: Journal Of The National Cancer Institute 96.16 (2004): 1198-1199.
The efforts of the Slow Food Movement are essential to the survival of an aesthetic world of authentic food and respect for the people who produce, grow, and prepare it.