There have been some book published lately (the ones I know of are published in the US) regarding the dangers of eating soy.
I do believe eating too much soy can cause problems. My partner, who had been vegan and had eaten lots and lots of soy, started having trouble with weight control – possibly due to the soy affecting her thyroid. It took her eighteen months of not eating soy to get her weight back to normal and where she felt healthy. So, my experience means I am inclined to accept what these books have to say.
I do have some problems though.
Some of the writing seems over the top. Soy seems to be being blamed for just about all our health problems. I think this is partly due to the style of writing and partly because it is easier to get attention this way.
Some of the evidence sited isn’t particularly strong. Some of it is based on correlation – eg. sperm count is lower in men with higher consumption of soy. It may be true that these men have other things in common – perhaps they follow football rather than tennis for instance. It may be that soy is the reason, but it may be that this isn’t the reason too. However, this is the only kind of evidence that can be available before more in depth work is done. Most things start out as observation of correlation. And there is some better quality evidence available.
For me, it is worth drawing attention to the possibility that soy is causing you some problems. Especially if you are a vegetarian, especially if you are a vegan, who has a lot of soy in your diet.
There is a website that presents well the case for the dangers of soy, called Shireley’s Wellness Cafe.
I think it is worthwhile having this kind of information out there. Shirley is quite consciously promoting the view that is not mainstream at the moment. She says:
One aim of my website is to present views which do not necessarily conform to the views of the establishment. It is very easy to find views which conform to the establishment’s views. It is very often difficult to find opposing views. Therefore, you can read the views presented on my website and then visit other websites which present opposing views, and then you can make up your own mind. For example, John Robbins, author of Diet for a New America writes: “There are legitimate questions about certain soyfoods, and much we have yet to learn. Becoming soy-a-holics and automatically downing anything made from soybeans is not the road to health, but neither is shunning and stigmatizing soyfoods. The anti-soy crusade has needlessly frightened many away from a food source that has long been a boon to humankind, a food source that can, if we are respectful of our bodies and of nature, nourish and bless us in countless ways.”
Shirley has many links to resources about the dangers of soy. I think it is a great resource.
Would you like to feel less stressed?
Could you do with more joy in your life?
The answer is living authentically. Buy the book or sign up for the course now from my Living Authentically website.
This is just a quick note to alert you to a very thought provoking post.
Meditation is usually taken to be at worst harmless and usually very beneficial. In my experience meditation has been beneficial.
This post is about the experience of a zen practitioner who found that meditation was (at least) not enough. His practice fitted his childhood learning of dissociation. During psychotherapy he learned that he wanted a witness to his trauma and an authentic relationship.
I guess advocates of meditation might argue that this was a misuse of meditation.
It is however a very stimulating post. For me it goes right to the heart of what psychotherapy (and meditation) are about. It is called What Everybody Should Know About the Dangers of Meditation. Highly recommended.
If you liked this post you might also like:
Living Authentically website.”>Meditation for relaxation
Breathing #1
Breathing #2
Would you like to feel less stressed?
Could you do with more joy in your life?
The answer is living authentically. Buy the book or sign up for the course now from my Living Authentically website.
Tags: dangers of meditation, meditation, mindfulness, psychotherapy
In one week I’ll be increasing the price of the Living Authentically book. The price of the course will remain the same.
I’ve decided that for the amount of content it is underpriced. I’ll be putting up the price by 50% or so (which still makes it very affordable I think).
So, now is the time to buy!
This post is about a blog that is rapidly becoming one of my favourites. It’s called Unleash Reality and it is writtern by Alex.
He has an article that introduces the blog and gives you an overview of what it is about.
Alex’s blog is in the self-development field. His emphasis is on taking action rather than the more introverted (visualise, change your thinking and feeling) side of the story. He talks about these things too but emphasises the need for action. As he says on his welcome page, after inviting you to read his introduction page and some of the recommended articles,
…and then – this is the important part – stop reading for a while and actually do something and apply all this stuff to improve your life. Stop reading and get up and make something happen. Get up and Unleash Reality.
This gives a good indication of Alex’s emphasis.
I have been subscribed to Unleash Reality for a while now and have found the articles consistently well written and thought provoking. Alex brings an interesting slant to what he writes about and always has something to say. He is also young – especially to be writing this well and with this depth (I feel both paternal and envious).
So, check out Unleash Reality – I think you will find it very worth your time. I think it is definitely one of the better blogs in the self-development field.
Tags: self development, unleash reality
Acupuncture is going to be trialled in hospitals in Australia. It will be used in what we call the Casualty (or Emergency) departement.
The trial is to examine how well acupuncture treats pain. It will last for three years and is funded by Government funding body the National Health and Medical Research Council. The funding is $400,000: chicken feed in this writers opinion.
This signals I hope the inclusion of acupuncture into Western medicine in Australia. (It also leads me to worry about doctors wanting to take over acupuncture – but that is another battle). For me this is an important and encouraging step forward.
Tags: acupuncture, emergency treatment
I have a guest post on the Psychology, Philosophy and Real life blog called What is a Good Life?
I survey the three common answers to the question (pleasure, self-development and meaning) and argue that instead of being in competition that each one is a part of a good life. I hope you like it. Evan
Tags: eudaemonism, goodness, meaning, pleasure, self development










