The Joy of Soy :: Argumentative Health Diet Essays

The Joy of Soy In Chinese, the word for soybean is ta-tou, which translates, "greater bean" (Simmons 1991). Many Americans who are trying to make changes in their health are beginning to agree with this definition. Soybeans are becoming a legume of the future. SOY - CAN IT SURVIVE THE HYPE? Scientific research has discovered that adding soy foods to your diet can dramatically improve your health (http://www.ncw.net/alpha/pam5.html). People that incorporate soybeans and soy products into their diet have been shown to live healthier lives. The substitution of soy proteins for animal proteins in the diet can have dramatic affects on a person's health, though many Americans have not yet discovered the use of soy in the diet. The most common form of soy protein is derived from "white flakes," that are made by dehulling, flaking, and defatting soybeans by hexane extraction. These flakes contain 50-54% protein, and these flakes can be extracted to produce soy concentrates containing 65-70% protein (Lusas, l995). Soybeans, which were originally brought to the United States by Chinese immigrants, were discovered by Dr. John Henry Kellogg, who first used the soybean to develop a substitute for the traditional bacon and egg breakfast. He was also the first to develop meat substitutes and soymilk made from soybeans (http://www.vrp.com/soy.htm). The soybean is naturally rich in phosphatidycholine, which is an important component of the cell membranes and also an efficient delivery system of nutrients (http://www.eastcoast.com/freelife/product.htm). Recently, the soybean has undergone a transformation from food to medicine (http://www.vrp.com/soy.htm). THE PRODUCT Dr. Earl Mindell's company, FreeLife, has produced a line of soy-based health supplements that combine the soybean and the Japanese Grape Seed. These products are composed of Dr. Mindell's homemade Ultra Soy Complexes as well as a variety of other vitamins and minerals. These soy-based supplements are advertised and marketed on the internet; designed to catch the eye of the health-conscious reader. Dr. Mindell has hundreds of advertisements, and even his own home page. The first thought that comes to mind when reading these advertisements is, "Why should I believe this and switch my diet to a soy-based diet?" While the effects of Dr. Mindell's products may be slightly exaggerated, there may actually be more to a soy diet than many Americans would like to admit. Dr. Mindell's soy products must each be examined separately in order to discern the true effects of the product on a person's diet. The Joy of Soy :: Argumentative Health Diet Essays The Joy of Soy In Chinese, the word for soybean is ta-tou, which translates, "greater bean" (Simmons 1991). Many Americans who are trying to make changes in their health are beginning to agree with this definition. Soybeans are becoming a legume of the future. SOY - CAN IT SURVIVE THE HYPE? Scientific research has discovered that adding soy foods to your diet can dramatically improve your health (http://www.ncw.net/alpha/pam5.html). People that incorporate soybeans and soy products into their diet have been shown to live healthier lives. The substitution of soy proteins for animal proteins in the diet can have dramatic affects on a person's health, though many Americans have not yet discovered the use of soy in the diet. The most common form of soy protein is derived from "white flakes," that are made by dehulling, flaking, and defatting soybeans by hexane extraction. These flakes contain 50-54% protein, and these flakes can be extracted to produce soy concentrates containing 65-70% protein (Lusas, l995). Soybeans, which were originally brought to the United States by Chinese immigrants, were discovered by Dr. John Henry Kellogg, who first used the soybean to develop a substitute for the traditional bacon and egg breakfast. He was also the first to develop meat substitutes and soymilk made from soybeans (http://www.vrp.com/soy.htm). The soybean is naturally rich in phosphatidycholine, which is an important component of the cell membranes and also an efficient delivery system of nutrients (http://www.eastcoast.com/freelife/product.htm). Recently, the soybean has undergone a transformation from food to medicine (http://www.vrp.com/soy.htm). THE PRODUCT Dr. Earl Mindell's company, FreeLife, has produced a line of soy-based health supplements that combine the soybean and the Japanese Grape Seed. These products are composed of Dr. Mindell's homemade Ultra Soy Complexes as well as a variety of other vitamins and minerals. These soy-based supplements are advertised and marketed on the internet; designed to catch the eye of the health-conscious reader. Dr. Mindell has hundreds of advertisements, and even his own home page. The first thought that comes to mind when reading these advertisements is, "Why should I believe this and switch my diet to a soy-based diet?" While the effects of Dr. Mindell's products may be slightly exaggerated, there may actually be more to a soy diet than many Americans would like to admit. Dr. Mindell's soy products must each be examined separately in order to discern the true effects of the product on a person's diet.