After struggling for three years trying to level out my hormone levels, I was willing to try anything. While I was scrolling on Synthroids website, there was a place that started do not consume walnuts, soy, cottonseed meal, grapefruit juice or dietary fiber. If consuming this foods with the Synthroid causing it to be less effective. While most medications do not recommend taking with grapefruit or fiber, soy was what had caught my eye. After looking on my medicine sheet from the pharmacy never was there a mention of avoiding soy and walnuts, not to mention the doctor's never mentioned it either. Suffering from thyroid imbalance, I also have PCOS and endometriosis all causing fun hormonal changes! Frustrated with how I was feeling I decided it was time to eliminate food groups hoping to find relief. With a doctor's supervision we started by running allergy test to see if I was allergic to anything, come to find out I am allergic to dairy and eggs. After talking to her about soy and hormone disruption she advised me to eliminate soy and gluten because it is an inflammatory food. Since cleaning my diet up I can see and feel a difference and felt it was important to share with you, especially if you are struggling with hormone imbalance.  

What is Soy?

Soy is a bean in the same family as the legume, widely grown in East Asia used for its edible properties. Nearly all of the soybeans are produced for oil and the rest are used to feed animals, bio-diesel, particleboard, industrial lubricants, cleaners, paints, candles, ink and crayons. 

What Food is Soy In?

• Edamame
• Miso
• Natto
• Soy Sauce
• Shoyu Sauce
• Soy-based fiber, flour, grits, nuts or sprouts
• Soy-based milk, yogurt, ice cream or cheese
• Soy protein
• Tamari
• Tempeh
• Textured Vegetable Protein
• Tofu

What Food May Contain Soy?

• Baked goods
• Canned broth and soup
• Canned tuna and meat
• Cereals
• Energy bars and snacks
• Infant Formula
• Low-Fat peanut butter
• Processed Meats
• Vegetable Oil
• Worcestershire sauce

Other Names for Soy?

• Glycine max
• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
• Mono-diglyceride
• Monosodium glutamate

Why Soy is a Cause for Concern 

Soy contains a high concentration of isoflavones, a type of plant estrogen (phytoestrogen) that is similar in function to human estrogen but with much weaker effects. Soy isoflavones can bind to estrogen receptors in the body and cause either weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity. When the body absorbs this compound it causes the endocrine system (responsible for producing estrogen) to be tricked into thinking estrogen is being produced. In turn this then sends a single to stop producing estrogen leaving your body to on a fast track to hormonal imbalance. Soy has also shown signs of lower testosterone and semen quality in men, causing infertility problems. With soy in so many of the food that we consume, avoiding it takes patience, will power and meal prep!

Since eliminating soy from my diet I started to being to heal my body and I can see changes start to happen. My hair is growing back, even my eyebrows!, my periods are almost on time each month, my facial hair is not growing in at super speed and my mood swings are drastically decreased. I do my best to not eat it but every once in a while I will, but life is all about moderation! Eating it once a week at one meal isn't going to do much, unless you are allergic, then don't consume at all! Before starting any eliminating diet, consult a doctor and make sure its healthy for you.

XO Channon

Sources:

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/soy/#:~:text=Soy%20is%20unique%20in%20that,estrogenic%20or%20anti%2Destrogenic%20activity.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21175082/