Does Soy Really Cause Man Boobs?
Sirius Radio's Dr. Steve stays abreast of the latest news and research on the popular food source

by Dr. Steve

http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/339

I've recently become a vegetarian, so I'm eating a pretty soy-heavy diet. But I've heard too much soy can cause man boobs in a lot of guys. Any truth to that?
— Tom N., Colorado Springs, CO

Well, all men have breasts, but what you're referring to are BIG breasts as in "man titties," "Andro-Jugs" or "tasty man treats." The medical term for large breasts in a male is "gynecomastia" ("gyneco" = ladylike, "mastia" = boobies). There are a ton of causes for gynecomastia including obesity, genetics and hormones. In addition, certain medications like cimetidine (Tagamet, a medication for acid reflux) and marijuana (well, marijuana is considered "medicine" in some states . . . not where I'm from, dammit, but that's another issue) can also cause breast tissue growth. So where does soy fit in?

Soybeans are a rich source of a set of molecules called "isoflavones." These substances have weak estrogen (female hormone) activity and have been used for years as "natural" remedies for hot flashes in menopausal women. Since male transgender patients take estrogens to stimulate breast growth, it has been assumed that soy might have the same effect. This appears to be a myth, or at least is not supported in the medical literature.

The last time I checked, most men from Asia (where soy is a staple food) do not have man-boobs!

If this was true though, I'd be chugging soymilk like crazy! 

This is a hoot, I had to drink Soy Milk from the time my mother quit nursing me until I was about 15 due to a food allergy problem.  I started developing as a "normal" male at age 12.       (It did not stop my beard growth or start boob growth) I'll bet someone could do some screwball mental gymnastics and come up with the Soy as the medical reason for my having known since about age 4 or 5 that I was the wrong gender.  Oh well!!!

Hmm...I'm not convinced..

The one thing that is clear is that soy exists in a number of forms, and that isoflavones should be avoided if you are on estrogen, as they fight for the same receptors. This is not as clear cut as suggested in that article.

I suggest the following articles may be considered...

http://www.westonaprice.org/Soy-Isoflavones-Panacea-or-Poison.html

http://www.isoflavones.info/

I don't think this is true. I have been drinking soy milk and been "dieting" for almost a month now and if anything my chest has gotten smaller

No idea, but this vegan is thin and has somehow grown A-cup (bordering on B) breasts.  Being as I'm a CD at least...this is pretty cool, as women's clothes fit well and look natural on me.  A little moobie in men's clothes, but that's ok. 

Quote from: Jacob on May 08, 2010, 05:03:40 PM
I don't think this is true. I have been drinking soy milk and been "dieting" for almost a month now and if anything my chest has gotten smaller

The doses would be completely negligible in anyone who already has an estrogen-dominated hormone balance.

There is some serious question about their effect on men though.

Quote from: TheAetherealMeadow on April 29, 2010, 04:36:04 AM
The last time I checked, most men from Asia (where soy is a staple food) do not have man-boobs!

If this was true though, I'd be chugging soymilk like crazy! 

The amount of soy in Asian diets and the forms in which it is eaten are both significantly different from the way in which it's been adopted into the Western diet. In Asian countries where soy is eaten, it's almost universally fermented and eaten in small quanitities as soy - as a garnish or a seasoning. We've been eating unfermented soy in very large quantities as a substitute for other foods we eat a lot of. It's reasonable to wonder if we're not getting much larger doses of isoflavones than is normal in indigenous soy-based diets. But studies have been poorly-designed and inconclusive, with the strongest evidence for an effect being seen in infant boys, not adult men.

I have a friend who is a guy, that would drink soy milk straight out of the container like it was his job. One day he calls me from work and tells me a customer told him that soy milk gives guys boobs. He was alarmed by this and told me because maybe it'd interest me. I told him not to worry he isn't going to grow boobs and that I doubt if I started drinking soy milk I would grow boobs. None the less the paranoia of it all made him stop drinking it and switch to almond milk. Now I drink soy milk not because I think I will get boob growth from it, but because it turns out I actually like it!! 

If it did I think it's price would be much higher as every MTF on the planet would be guzzleing the stuff.

Quote from: Stella Blue on May 28, 2010, 03:49:30 PM
I have a friend who is a guy, that would drink soy milk straight out of the container like it was his job. One day he calls me from work and tells me a customer told him that soy milk gives guys boobs. He was alarmed by this and told me because maybe it'd interest me. I told him not to worry he isn't going to grow boobs and that I doubt if I started drinking soy milk I would grow boobs. None the less the paranoia of it all made him stop drinking it and switch to almond milk. Now I drink soy milk not because I think I will get boob growth from it, but because it turns out I actually like it!! 

..actually Stella that makes me wonder about HRT and Soy products. 

Whether or not Soy isoflavones have an estrogenic effect may still be in debate, BUT... the fact is that that they bond to the same receptors as E in the body...

.....which means if they are present, they will interfere with effects of the E as previously stated.

So maybe anyone on HRT that wants' to see optimal results in transition, should not only stop any herbal meds as previously recommended....

......but also try to avoid Soy foods that may contain isoflavones in their diet? 

Just a thought...

Chrissty