quote:

---

Phyto-estrogens are 'weak' estrogens, and can replace common (powerful) estrogens. (23) And because excessive estrogen can cause breast cancer, these phyto-estrogens are regarded as 'good' substances. Soya contains most phyto-estrogen.

Absorbing phyto-estrogens and lignin’s stimulates SHBG production (Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin), intercepting common estrogens and phyto-estrogens. Decreasing too-high estrogen levels decreases prostate cancer- and breast cancer-risk. (23) In vegetarians SHBG level is increased. (24) Soya can contain very high levels of phyto-estrogens (like genisteine and daidzeine, also present in beer) (25). Genistein and daidzeine also inhibit enzymes activating mutagenic substances. (26) (These enzymes however, are naturally designed to protect the body against natural mutagenics, absorbed through inhaling smoke from forest fires for example. Inhibiting those enzymes eliminates that protection.)

However, consuming high amounts of soy increases the level of some hormones (DHEA-sulphate) (27) Consuming soymilk for 3 months can already decrease estradiol level 27%, and lengthen menstruation cycle by 2 days. (28) Messing with your hormones is of course not a good thing. Estrogen for example is not a 'bad' substance, but essential. Therefore phyto-estrogens can cause infertility (29) and liver-diseases. (30)

The main phyto-estrogen, genisteine, is even mutagenic !!! (31) Like coumestrol (also a phyto-estrogen), genisteine can damage DNA of common cells in our body (31), which can cause cancer. Like daidzeine (also a soy-phyto-estrogen), genisteine damages sperm cells. (32) And different phyto-estrogens, like genisteine, enhance prolactin-producing brain-tumors. (33)

---