I read a LOT of weblogs. I don't want to say how many, but trust me, it's lots. But I'm not on the computer all the time, because:
a) I use Bloglines so I know when someone's written something new (I'm not just stalking the blogs, randomly hoping someone will write).
b) I am a really fast reader.
c) If I don't have time to comment and don't have something to say, I don't write.
So one of the blogs I read is called Aim High. Kelly vlogs a lot (and I rarely have time to watch her posts :( ). The other day (when I did have the time to watch a video) she had a guest vlogger who was saying there's a direct connection between soy and belly fat.
In the last 6 months, I've switched from whey to soy protein, wanting to get away from all things dairy. And in that time, I have noticed more fluff in my abdomen. But I thought that was related to peri-menopause or too many candy bars. Is it possible that there's a soy connection? I'd love to hear your thoughts! (And Colette, my nutrition friend, I really want to hear your thoughts!)
9 comments:
Soy is doubled edged sword, some say it's got downsides, some say upsides.
One upside is the Genestein content, an Iso-flavone, that behaves in the same way as Lignans, (Phyto-Eostrogens), may enve be the same thing, which you can also find in things like some Veggies, Flaxseeds and Whole-grains, possibly other things.
Genestein works by binding to Eostrogen receptors, because it's got a very similar genetic profile, and therefore can potentially help to prevent excess Eostrogen problems like Breast Cancer.
Stomach Fat can be caused by excess Cortisol related to stress, which can contribute to weakened muscles, and lowered metabolism, because Cortisol breaks down Amino Acids into a poorly usable state, and then you might put Fat on elsewhere too, becaude you create a caloric excess, when you have nurition levels higher than needed to support the reduced mass.
Too much Cortisol in severe cases can cause Hypercortisolism, (Cushings Disease), which can cause weakness, fatigue, possible Brain issues, probably I would think resulting from inadequate Neurotransmitter Amino intake like Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, and Glutamine, maybe other issues too and also it causes a kind of rounding of the face.
As to whether Soy is a contributary factor in the increases in abdominal Fat, I cannot say with certainty, but if you have bene increasing Soy intake a bit too much, try reducing it.
You don't necessarily need Soy Protein a lot, if you are getting Protein from things like Rice and Legumes, (Peas, Beans, Lentils, Peanuts), possibly Corn, it's just that things like Soybeans, Tofu and Nattokinase, are complete Proteins, and most Legume and Plant Proteins are complimentary, I.E. not complete.
You could potentially try small portions of Pasta, Particularly Protein enriched, for more amin Acid intake Daily, perhaps instead of Soy some days.
You can residual Protein from things like Nuts, and Whole-grains, but it isn't much however.
For any decent Protein from Nuts, you need to consume about 1 Cup, and that's around 600-700 calories approx, because of all the Fats.
Keep up the hard work regards other things, and best wishes :-) :-).
Matt
OMgosh! I didn't know this!! Now I have something else to blame my flabby belly on ;-)
I think it's the total food intake and lifestyle, not just one thing. I think singling out soy is a miss-step.
For me, no, it's not the soy that causes belly fat. It's stuff like candy, cupcakes and cookies, and way too many of them that causes my caloric intake for the day (and not exercising) for me to get belly fat. ;)
This does cause some thought. I can use soy due to a sensitivity, but for a while I was a huge soy fan. Hmmm..so I can blame my flirtation with soy for the belly fat :)
Okay, here goes ;)
Soy is great, whey digests better, soy is high in fiber and that is what will cause bloat...not fat.
helpful ;)
Soy it ain't so! Seriously, I switched to soy and discovered I'm more bloated after, say, a soy chai latte. Still, it doesn't pain me like cow's milk.
Thanks for the healthy discussion on the topic.
first let me say i know very little about nutritional science. secondly i am a very vain man and i have body image issues- serious ones. so i pay lots of attention to me and how my body is reacting to my workouts. third i'm a vegetarian and have been for going on 13 years now.
i eat a lot of soy.
i work out like a mad man.
that being said...
i have read about soy before- it increases estrogen, is builds "soft muscles", it causes belly fat...
i have read this is all true and i ahve read that this is all not true.
i don't know what to think one way or another.
however, i will say this- despite my lifestyle (i eat cheese and i do drink more alcohol than avg)i still have a layer, albiet a small one, over my lower belly. just a small bit of pudge..
reading what you wrote makes me wonder it all i ate was tunafish and hummus and dark greens and cut out soy it would go away.. i dont know. i do know that probably wont happen. the cheese and booze dont help either. i could probably ditch the dairy but the booze... heh.
i'm sying that i might have some anecdotal evidence to this- maybe.
take it for what it's worth.
Hey there...
I've been trawling the net for causes of belly fat which I can say has NEVER been a problem to me until the last few months.
Despite being perimenopausal and having to accept some 'changes' I am alarmed at the rate I have put on fat around the belly particularly.
Soy milk has been an increasing part of my diet over the last few months. I have had a daily soy shake with added berries and yogurt as well as soy milk in coffee. In trying to make sense of this I can say the fat gain commenced AT the same time. A coincidence? I think not!
In searching for information on this there are so many people saying fat gain must be attributed to something else while others support what I appear to have proven myself.
Perhaps it's not the same for everyone but it sure is worth attempting to correct by ditching soy products for starters!
I think we are all better off eating natural foods, non GMO and organic if possible. I for one am going to try - 'if your grandmother wouldn't recognise it, it is not food' approach.
I find all of this info very helpful. I am alergic to milk so I always drink soy milk. I make a soy coffe frappe every morning...that is my coffee. But in the past 10 years or so of drinking soy milk, my middle (stomach) is the biggest part of my body. So now I don't know what to do or believe. Maybe Almond milk could be an option I may try.
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