Isoflavones side effects (soy consumption by males)


Dear friends,

How are you guys doing?

This post is a way of trying to clarify my mind (and hopefully others’ mind too) on the consumption of soy and its “potential" side effects on men.
I’ve read quite a lot on the subject, but depending on the source, the information can be quite contradictory.

Googling “isoflavones side effects men”, I’ve come across sentences showing both very positive and less positive effects.
Copy pasting just a few things from everything I’ve read:

«Isoflavones are polyphenolic compounds that are capable of exerting estrogen-like effects. For this reason, they are classified as phytoestrogens—plant-derived compounds with estrogenic activity. Legumes, particularly soybeans, are the richest sources of isoflavones in the human diet.»
(…)
«High intakes of soy foods are associated with reduced prostate cancer risk.»
( http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/soyiso/ )

«Don’t eat raw soy! It is deadly for horses. Don't ever eat soybeans raw.»
( http://www.buzzle.com/articles/soy-consumption-effects-on-men.html )

«Soy isoflavones have been reported to improve cognitive performance in females, but in men it has had opposite effects.»
(…)
«Men who had the highest intake of soy isoflavones had a signficantly lower sperm count compared to men who did not consume soy. This decrease in sperm concentration is associated with male infertility and male reproductive disorders.»
(http://www.livestrong.com/article/144867-the-effects-of-taking-soy-isoflavones-on-men/ )

«The dangers of soy for men are a result of the high levels of the female hormone estrogen that soy and soy-based products contain.»
(…)
«Soy is found most abundantly in foods such as soya beans, tofu, tempeh, tofu or soy sausages, bacon, burgers, soy milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream and nuts. However, soy and soy derivatives are to be found in approximately 70% of all foods and therefore reducing intake can be difficult. For example, pork pies, breakfast cereals, mayonnaise and margarines, sausages, lasagna, beef burgers and chicken nuggets are some of the foods that rely on soy as a source of cheap protein.»
(…)
«It should be noted that soy is very much a mainstay of Asian diets and no significant side-effects have been found in these countries. However, it is salutary to bear in mind that the Asian soy diet is based largely on fermented soy products, such as miso soup and tofu; the fermentation process is thought to destroy the chemicals that are considered harmful in the above experiments.»
( http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-dangers-of-soy-for-men.htm )

«High levels of isoflavones in men can lead to anemia, extreme fatigue and loss of sexual drive.»
(can’t find the source)


I would really like to read your comments on this, guys.
Mainly from males.
And wonder which is the amount of soy (and soy derivates) you usually take (in case you actually do it).

Really looking forward to your comments, mates.
:)

Om Shanti.
(Greetings of Peace)


Machado