Soy and Heart Arrythmia

[George's Girl]

I thought I heard on Dr. Oz's TV show that soy has been known to cause heart fibrillation or heart arrythmia in some people. I need to find out if I heard him correctly. I have been on a diet with foods high in soy protein since October. It worked and I lost weight, but January 2nd my husband took me to the hospital emergency room as we thought that I was having a heart attack.

After monitoring and doing some testing (which is not completed yet), I do have very fast beats, but the doctor said that I also have some very low beats. They (my doctor and my cardiologist doctor) are still not sure how to treat both ends of the spectrum.

I stopped using the high soy content products and began drinking more water as per my doctor, and that seems to be helping some.

My main question is....is soy a culprit in my heart problems? Have you heard of this before?

Thank you,
George's Girl

[Erik]

I have never heard about this problem. Soy foods are actually good for your heart health. Soy protein has cholesterol lowering properties and soy contains antioxidants, such as isoflavones and saponins, which may help to prevent arteriosclerosis. There is suggestive epidemiologic evidence that soy foods lower the risk of coronary heart disease independent of effects on cholesterol.

I didn't watch this specific Dr. Oz TV show, but maybe he was talking about the flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG). Case reports show that MSG and also aspartame can cause heart problems such as lone heart arrythmia. Both glutamate and aspartame are neurotransmitters in the brain and central nervous system. MSG is often added to cheap soy sauces, so maybe you should stay away from these and other foods containing MSG.

[infoncili]

I am doing the diet elimination challenge per my dr. Do I need to avoid Soy Lecithin? I read that the soy protein in removed and I dont see it on the list of soy products that the dr gave me. Im new and little confused- hoping to have some breakfast cereal.