Scientific research in recent years is establishing a link between the use of soya and soya milk to an increase in oestrogen positive breast cancers in women, as well as colon cancers. At a time when many people are switching from cow's milk products to dairy alternatives, we must make people aware there are healthier options to soya milk on our shelves and not be so accepting of the overuse of soya and soya lecithin in the foods we buy in our supermarkets. WHY SAY NO TO SOYA? Soya milk contains carrageenans, which are a family of linear sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from red edible seaweeds. They’re commonly used in the food industry for their gelling, stabilizing and thickening properties. Not only is the body not able to digest carageenan, it has no nutritional value and it is destructive to the immune system. It triggers a negative immune response that causes inflammation. Research has linked carrageenan to a higher rate of colon cancer, along with gastrointestinal inflammation that can cause IBS, spastic colon, chronic diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease. Top Ten Reasons to Avoid Soya Milk 1. Soybeans contain large quantities of natural toxins that affect estrogen levels. Drinking just two glasses of soya milk a day can significantly alter the hormones in a woman’s body, disrupting the menstrual cycle. 2. Soybeans contain haemagglutinin, a clot-promoting substance that causes red blood cells to clump together. 3. About 99% of soy is genetically modified, so it contains one of the highest pesticide contamination levels. 4. Soybeans and soy products contain high levels of phytic acid, which inhibits the assimilation of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. 5. Soya foods contain high levels of aluminum, which is toxic to the body. It negatively affects the nervous system and the kidneys, and it’s been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. 6. Fragile soya proteins are exposed to high temperatures during processing to make soy protein isolate and textured vegetable protein. This makes them dangerous for human digestion. 7. Soya contains toxic isoflavones – genistein and daidzein. They can stimulate the growth of existing breast cancer. 8. Soya contains plant estrogens called phytoestrogens, which disrupt endocrine function and can lead to infertility and breast cancer in women. 9. Soya foods have high levels of goitrogens which block production of thyroid hormones. 10. Nitrates, potent carcinogens, are formed during the spray-drying process. CHOICE IS EVERYTHING The sad fact is so many chocolate and food manufacturers are not listening to research, and without public consultation continue to use soya lecithin in their products. Look on the wrapper or box. If soya is listed in the ingredients THAT is what you are eating, often on a regular basis. There was a time when soya lecithin was not used at all. Now it is everywhere, and a startling 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point in there lives. While there are undoubtedly other factors involved, the adage 'we are what we eat' reminds us complacency is a dangerous thing. In December 2009 I was diagnosed with oestrogen receptive breast cancer, and this was several years after I had switched from drinking cow's milk to soya milk due to a dairy intolerance. I made a choice, but it was not an informed one. However, I later became more conscious of the prevalence of soya lecithin or soya in so many UK foods and began to investigate further. The findings are disturbing... We need to do something, and act NOW.....PLEASE GET INVOLVED! By signing this petition you are asking the Food Standards Agency to contact all major UK food manufacturers recommending they use less controversial alternatives to soya lecithin and soybean derivatives in their products. This petition is long overdue! If you are concerned that soya is going into practically every brand of processed foods on our shelves, then please sign and share. Thank you. Gillian Bate 2016. Sources: http://www.livestrong.com/article/498601-what-are-the-dangers-of-drinking-soy-milk/​ http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/haemagglutinin​ http://www.livestrong.com/article/525809-soy-milk-and-estrogen-levels/​ http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/grocery_shopping/crops/19.genetically_modified_soybean.html​ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074428/​ http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/12/08/the-dirty-little-secret-hidden-in-much-of-your-health-food.aspx​ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15135855​ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21157018​ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1503071 Jun 2, 2016LindseyShaffer