Page 74 - Spring2008

the result of dietary, genetic, metabolic, hormonal
THE STEEP PRICE OF or toxic factors, including dietary or absorptive

CHOLESTEROL LOWERING deficiencies of vitamins B , B and folic acid.
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The most commonly accepted explanation Because soybeans are totally devoid of B and
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for soy protein’s cholesterol lowering poten- can increase the body’s requirements for B , they
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tial—if and when cholesterol lowering actually can raise homocysteine levels.
occurs—is stimulation of LDL receptor activ-
ity. As Dr. Knight established, this mechanism LONGSTANDING CONCERNS
would serve as compensation for a soy-depen- The third section of our petition docu-
dent increase in bile acid excretion. Because this mented longstanding concerns in the scientifi c
loss of bile would be accompanied by losses of community—including warnings from the FDA’s
fat-soluble thyroid and steroid hormones and of own Laboratory for Toxicological Research, the
fat-soluble vitamins, cholesterol-lowering by soy National Center for Environmental Health Sci-
protein would be achieved at a steep price. ences, the Israeli Health Ministry, the French
Dr. Knight furthermore suggested that this Food Agency and the German Institute for Risk
cholesterol-lowering mechanism would compro- Assessment—about soy’s possible role in carci-
mise normal levels of the monooxygenase recep- nogenesis, thyroid disease, reproductive health
Because tor for vialethine, an endogenous regulator of key problems (including infertility) and other health
metabolic pathways in the body. Vitalethine is problems.
soybeans are critical to the body’s ability to ward off and fi ght

totally cancers through humoral immunity. Vitalethine HEARING REQUESTED
devoid of B is made from the amino acid cysteine and panto- In conclusion we asked the FDA to hold
thenic acid. Although soybeans actually contain a public hearing on the issues we raised in our
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and can good levels of cysteine, there is limited bioavail- petition.
In 2005, the Weston A. Price Foundation
increase the ability because it is bound up in soy’s protease protested a soy-prevents-cancer health claim fi led
body’s inhibitors. by the Solae Company with the FDA. Solae sub-
requirements HOMOCYSTEINE sequently withdrew their petition in the face of
for B , Dr. McCully’s homocysteine theory of massive evidence that soy can cause, contribute to
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they can raise arteriosclerosis is based on evidence that eleva- and accelerate the growth of cancer, particularly
tion of blood homocysteine concentrations is breast cancer.
homocysteine a major contributing factor in cardiovascular To read our petition, visit www.http://we-
levels. disease. Homocysteine may become elevated as stonaprice.org/soy/FDASoyHeartLetterFinal.pdf.

LOSS OF A MIGHTY WARRIOR

The Weston A. Price Foundation sadly announces the death of Valerie James,
mighty warrior against soy infant formula and modern soy foods. Valerie and her
husband Richard discovered that soy-based bird feed was causing premature
development, thyroid disorders, reproductive problems and early death in their
pedigree tropical birds. Through careful research and the help of toxicologist
Mike Fitzpatrick, PhD, they were able to identify the toxic components—espe-
cially isoflavones—in soybeans and launched the movement to warn the public
about this insidious modern food.
Valerie wrote several articles published in Wise Traditions and now posted on
our website including “Toxins in Your Toast” and “Advertising and Monkey Busi-
ness.” The Jameses also provided financial support for our Soy Alert! campaign
and have requested donations in Valerie’s name to the Soy Alert! campaign of
the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Her persistence and concern for the next generation were an inspiration to
us all and she will be greatly missed.

74 Wise Traditions SPRING 2008