Can Soy Based Foods Cause Hair Loss? (2018)

Well, yes, according to many who have either done studies or have researched this topic. Although those of us who do research the topic of hair loss in both men and women do usually recommend higher amounts of protein, it is the sources of that protein that comes into question. Unfortunately, not all soy and soy products are healthy for you. In fact, soy, soy products, corn and a variety of processed foods may actually cause not only hair loss but other devastating illnesses as well, and we’ll address some of these issues in this post.

What Is The Problem With Soy?

It’s not so much that there’s a problem with soy in its original and intended form. Soy plants have been around for ages and ages, and have provided nutrients and a powerful source of protein, probably, since the dawn of time. The problem lies with genetically modified organisms (GMOs for short), and the fact that soy and soy products now contain estrogen laden pesticides even after processing.

Researching Causes Of Hair Loss In Men

Approximately two years ago, during the course of my research on what causes hair loss in men, I came across an old article written by Dr. Wayne Wong who talked about soy and soy products.^[1] In this article, he mentioned a number of things that – well – just made sense to me. I have often thought about our alarming and increasing rates of leukemia, autism, “ADHD,” and why people feel the need to drug their children, etc. I am old enough to remember that these things just didn’t exist when I was a kid. We didn’t have these rates of leukemia, we didn’t have the alarming autism rates that we have now. We didn’t have increasing rates of young girls experiencing puberty at younger and younger ages, we didn’t have 3-year-old children with pubic hair, we didn’t have male children with under-developed genitalia or other problems with organ growth, we didn’t have alarming rates of infertility and a reducing birth rate. But, now that I’ve come across more and more articles that do discuss GMO soy and GMO corn laced foods that are now fully incorporated into our food chain, and reading some of these articles and references, it is entirely possible that these could be the sources of many negative things that are happening to us, the human race, as a whole. To me, it’s more than a bit scary. Just what are we doing to our children?

In yet another article, “Soy: The Poison Seed,” written by Dr. Wong, he quotes another doctor to support his claims. “Doris Rapp MD, the worlds leading pediatric allergist, asserts that environmental and food estrogens are responsible for the increase in male homosexuality and the worldwide reduction in male fertility.”^[2]

There are also newer articles being written with more recent references. Although the “alarm” has not really sounded off in the U.S. to the point of the public demanding some sort of responsible policy change by our FDA or Government, the statistics and health issues continue to pile up. In a series of articles posted on Jeffrey Warber’s website, you’ll find articles discussing the negative effects of soy and GMOs. But, if you read, especially Article #9, “Shocking Soy!”, you’ll likely find that your stomach just turned. That article discusses cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, heart disease, thyroid damage, infertility, depression, babies drinking the equivalent of 3 to 5 birth control pills in their formula, disfigurement, abnormalities, premature puberty, undeveloped or under-developed sex organs, altered sexual behavior, altered sexual orientation, estrogenized males, and the inability to grow up and father children. Apparently, both Isreal and France have noticed this alarming trend. Isreal has issued warnings to its people regarding the ingestion of soy and soy products, and France has passed laws that mandate food labeling to warn the public.^[3]

It makes me sick to think that I was feeding my own children some of this stuff.

…Um… Hair Loss? 

Yes, I know that my blog is supposed to focus on hair, and I certainly didn’t mean it to become a blog about health and nutrition… or political commentary. There are a variety of good blogs out there that are really good on health and nutrition, and I didn’t really want to address how “Big Pharma” may be affecting our lives, but, …they do. Yes, we need protein for healthy hair, healthy nails, and a healthy body. And, since we do need good sources of protein, I can’t, in good conscience, leave some of the research I came across out of my blog post. I needed to address this whole unintended “issue” so that “you” could be better informed and, hopefully, make educated decisions where your health is concerned.

Yes, We Need Protein.

That much has been established. We need healthy protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and a number of other nutrients to keep and remain healthy and (prescription) drug-free throughout our years. So, while it’s nice to simply recommend in a blog post that those with thinning hair or actual hair loss “should” increase protein intake, I do have to preface that recommendation with “organic and unadulterated” soy, corn, and food products.

We “should” be increasing our protein with organic and unadulterated soy, corn, and other food products in order to keep and remain healthy throughout our years. 

And, if you can’t find organic and unadulterated non-GMO soy, non-GMO corn, and non-GMO prepackaged or processed foods, then you really should avoid them like the plague.

How To Avoid GMO Soy & Corn

I found a few good sources that you may be able to use while shopping in order to know what you’re buying and what you should avoid.

1. How to Avoid Genetically Engineered Food: A Greenpeace Shopper’s Guide. This link will take you to Greenpeace’s Canadian page with a download link. The .pdf shows color-coded foods and companies that did not respond to inquiries are under the assumption they include GMOs.
2.  GMO Awareness Shopping List This site has a number of helpful links to begin learning more about GMOs and what to avoid. They also have apps available for you to download for free onto your phone to help identify GMO foods while you’re out shopping.

So, What Is The Specific Problem With Soy & Hair Loss?

In his article: “The Real Reason Men Lose Hair,” Dr. William Wong explains that the male hormone, known as DHT and the usual culprit of hair loss, prostate cancer, and swollen prostates is not really a “male hormone.” What it is – is estrogen.

“DHT is mostly made from estrogen. And, estrogen levels in the body have to increase before DHT levels get critical enough to cost you your hair. It is estrogen that causes muscle loss, fat gain, cranky moods, depression, swollen prostates and lack of mental drive.”

Dr. Wong also references a study done by the University of Iowa and discusses the results. Basically, men’s testosterone begins to decline by age 35, and newer studies are showing that men are making 20% less testosterone than men of the same age twenty years ago.^[1] His article also addresses how to increase testosterone while decreasing the effects of estrogen in order to control hair loss, and he discusses three ways to achieve this goal.

1. Control Estrogen

Avoid environmental estrogens in pesticides, fertilizers, and chemical fumes. Also, especially avoid Soy and Flax, soy milk, miso, and tofu. He explains that soy is “everywhere,” and is now found in most prepared foods. Instead, he urges readers to switch from using flax oil to using olive or cod liver oil instead and to begin using Myomin, a Chinese herbal mix that is used to control your ability to create estrogen.

2. Increase Testosterone

Use plain Maca Powder (not Maca Powder capsules) that the people in Equador, Peru, and Brazil have been using for centuries as a fertility enhancer and aphrodisiac along with the use of Enkindle, another herbal formula which helps the Maca powder to be converted into testosterone.

3. Polysorbate 80

Look for hair products that contain this ingredient. Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic compound that is used in cosmetics as a cleanser, emulsifier, and surfactant. It is also a stimulant. This oil neutralizes DHT in the scalp which, in turn, will help to reduce hair loss.

I found a great Shampoo product that is both non-GMO and has Polysorbate 80, and you can check it out here:

I hope this additional information has been enlightening, to say the least. And, I hope our voices are soon heard loud enough to change the labeling laws in the U.S. and help to reverse these alarming trends.

Thanks for your visit…

~Toni

References:

1. Wong, W., ND, Ph.D.  http://www.totalityofbeing.com/FramelessPages/Articles/real_reason_men_lose_hair.htm. (1999)
2. Wong, W., ND, Ph.D.  http://www.totalityofbeing.com/FramelessPages/Articles/SoyPoison.htm. (1999)
3. Warber, J., D.C., M.D. http://www.jeffreywarber.com/hc%20pages/soy.html.