History of Natto and Its Relatives (1405-2012 - SoyInfo Center

• Summary: In the section titled “Natural healing for
menopause” (p. 1-3) Dr. Northrup advises women to take
natural progesterone, since their body stops producing its
own progesterone during menopause. This supplement
provides relief from both hot fl ashes and mood swings for
many women. “For two weeks out of every month, use a
little progesterone cream on the soft areas of your skin,
changing sites often... Another form of natural progesterone
is plant progesterone. There are many sources. The most
common are soy foods and yams (not sweet potatoes).”
Also take a safe form of estrogen–estriol. It can be applied
as a vaginal cream and may protect against breast cancer.
“Natural estrogens such as estriol have been in use for over
50 years, and are considered generic. Although these natural
hormones aren’t very common in the U.S., estriol is one of
the more popular estrogens in Europe.” To fi nd a U.S. source
call the Women’s International Pharmacy at 1-800-279-5708.
“Natural plant hormones with estrogen-like effects are
found in soy products, such as soy milk, tofu and miso, in
addition to cashews, peanuts, oats, corn, wheat, apples and
almonds. Japanese women go through menopause more
easily than American women, partly because their diet is so
high in the natural estrogens found in soy products. (Note:
If you still have your uterus, never take estrogen of any kind
without balancing it with progesterone.)”
In the section titled “Natural healing for breast cancer”
(p. 6-7) notes that you can lower your risk through diet. “Eat
soy products, You can also protect your breasts with tofu. A
study published in the September 1994 issue of the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that women who
ate 60 grams of soy protein per day (about 2 ounces) had
changes in the estrogen levels that were similar to the effects
of tamoxifen–an antiestrogen drug that is undergoing study
as a possible prophylactic agent in women who are at high
risk for breast cancer.
“The effects of soy protein on hormonal levels are
thought to be from estrogen-like substances in soybeans
called isofl avones. These behave like partial estrogen
agonists/antagonists, which means they help increase the
effects of estrogen in women who have estrogen levels that
are too low, while helping to decrease the effects of estrogen
in women whose estrogen levels are too high.
“While we’re waiting for more research on the subject,
I’d recommend adding soy protein to your diet regularly. In
addition to tofu, soy protein is found in tempeh, miso and
natto. These products are sold in many grocery stores and in
almost all health food stores.” Address: M.D. (gynecologist),
Women to Women, Yarmouth, Maine.
1534. Sass, Lorna J. 1995. Lorna Sass’ complete vegetarian
kitchen: Where good fl avors and good health meet. New
York, NY: Hearst Books. xiv + 492 p. Index. 26 cm. [35+*
ref]
• Summary: First published in 1992 as An Ecological
© Copyright Soyinfo Center 2012
HISTORY OF NATTO AND ITS RELATIVES 477
Kitchen: Healthy Meals for You and the Planet (William
Morrow–which see). This innovative vegan cookbook offers
250 cholesterol-free recipes. It features a complete glossary
of wholesome ingredients for stocking the vegan pantry (no
meat, dairy, or eggs). Address: New York City.
1535. Tamang, Jyoti P. 1995. Study of traditional fermented
foods production, in the Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim, with
emphasis on kinema. Post-doctoral dissertation (food and
nutrition), National Food Research Institute, Tsukuba, Japan.
Under the United Nations Fellowship Program, Japan. *
Address: Univ. of North Bengal, West Bengal, India.
1536. GEM Cultures. 1996. Catalog [Mail order]. 30301
Sherwood Rd., Fort Bragg, CA 95437. 10 p. Jan. [4 ref]
• Summary: New additions include The Simple Soybean and
Your Health, by Virginia and Mark Messina, and a maple
tofu kit. Contents: Soycrafters Section: Tempeh, natto, koji
starters, miso, koji, tofu boxes, tofu coagulants (natural
nigari, Terra Alba naturally occurring calcium sulfate
or gypsum). Books. Bread cultures. Dairy cultures. Tea
fungus–Kombucha. Sea vegetables. Kitchen items. Ordering
information. Address: Fort Bragg, California. Phone: 707-
964-2922.
1537. Hagler, Louise. 1996. Soyfoods cookery: Your road to
better health. Summertown, Tennessee: The Book Publishing
Co. 160 p. Illust. Index. 21 cm. Introduction by Mark and
Virginia Messina.
• Summary: Contents: Foreword, by Louise Hagler.
Introduction, by Mark Messina and Virginia Messina:
Introduction, soybeans–a powerhouse of nutrition, soy and
cancer (soybeans–a phytochemical factory, genistein and
non-hormone cancers, soy and cancer treatment, isofl avones
in the diet), soyfoods and heart disease–beyond cholesterol,
soyfoods and bone health, soyfoods and kidney disease,
menopause, perspective on soyfoods, about the Messinas.
Basic soyfoods (glossary): Whole soybeans, fresh green
soybeans, soymilk, okara (soy pulp), soymilk powder, soy
protein concentrates, soy protein isolates, tofu, freeze-dried
tofu, tempeh, textured vegetable protein, miso, soy fl our or
grits, yuba or bean curd stick or sheet, natto, soy sauce, soy
oil, soy lecithin, convenience soyfoods (frozen soyburgers,
frozen tamales and burritos, frozen soy hot dogs or wieners,
frozen fat-free soy ground meat replacement, frozen soy
pizza, tempeh burgers, frozen tofu lasagne, stuffed shells,
manicotti, tortellini or ravioli, frozen soy breakfast links or
“sausages” or tempeh “bacon,” “ground” tofu, meatless chili
mixes, meatless burger mixes, soy “cheeses,” eggless soy
mayonnaise, tofu salad dressings, soy ice creams, frozen
pot pies, frozen pocket breads, instant miso soup, eggless
soy cake, quick bread, pancake and waffl e mixes, liquid
soy coffee creamer, smoked or baked tofu). Feeding babies
and children soyfoods. Breakfast, brunch & bread. Whole