The Women’s Issue Meet Tia Ryans of F.O.R.T.E. House
What’s Me Too Got to Do With Me?
Re-entry Programs Designed for Women
South Carolina State Resources
In This Issue It’s Women’s History Month! March 2020 Letter from the Executive Director
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Word of the Month
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South Carolina State Resources
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What’s “Me Too” Got to Do With Me?
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Women, Prison, and Empowerment
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Interview with Tia Ryans
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The Truth About Soy
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Letter from the Executive Director March is Women’s History Month. Although men are still the largest majority of inmates, unfortunately, the number of women inmates is increasing. This happens primarily in jails, where women are being held without conviction. Last year, we discussed menstrual equity in prisons, and I’m disappointed to say that not much has changed on that front. According to a Washington Post article, they are still having trouble enforcing that law. As more women are incarcerated, more are released. This month, we address the re-entry programs devoted to women, and the specific challenges women face. Many women who are in our criminal justice system have experienced sexual abuse and violence. We wanted to discuss the Me Too movement, and how it relates to ex-inmates. Finally, we have an interview with one of the women who created a female-centered re-entry program, Tia Ryans. We hope you enjoy this issue Sincerely, Porche Proffit
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Masthead and Contributors Editor-in-Chief, Porche Proffit Editor, Ericka Foster
Contributors Contributing Editor, Lakia Goodman Writer, Maggie Allen Nutrition and dietician Isabella Dos Santos Art Director, Willow Wood Positive Transitioning Inc. is a non–profit organization that provides information and resources for individuals reentering the community after incarceration. In addition to this magazine, Positive Transitioning Inc. offers a 24-hour Resource/Listening Line that services all 50 states. The Resource/Listening line is staffed by life coaches, and provides individuals with the immediate support and resources they may be needed during reentry. Positive Transitioning Inc. also provides individuals life coaches that will assist them in every step of the reentry process: housing, education, employment, vocational training, obtaining government benefits, veteran assistance, medical management, sponsorship, financial stability, family reintegration, and legal assisting. Currently Positive Transitioning Inc. is entirely web–based as we are hoping that this makes it easily accessible for anyone to access from anywhere.
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Word of the Month la pels ď‚˜
the part on each side of a coat or jacket immediately below the collar which is folded back on either side of the front opening. I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass. Maya Angelou
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South Carolina State Services The Alston Wilkes Society alstonwilkessociety.org The Alston Wilkes Society operates Residential Reentry Centers for federal offenders. These facilities provide 24-hour supervision, employment assistance, counseling, life skills training (finances, parenting, etc.), family reintegration and other supportive services to facilitate a successful transition back into the community. Angels Charge Ministry angelschargeministry.org Angels Charge Ministry works solely with women, providing housing, assistance with finding & using community resources & healthcare, education and mental health services, job skill development, and job search assistant. Battered But Not Broken batteredbutnotbrokenministries.org/services/ A faith-based organization, with a mission to effectively combat recidivism and support ex-offenders and their families, Battered But Not Broken offers job training, counseling, food/clothing assistance, education assistance, and mentoring. Turning Leaf turningleafproject.com/ Located in North Charleston, this small but mighty team offers classroom training in addition to job skills training and job placement opportunities. Jumpstart jumpstartvision.org This organization offers a religious studies and discipleship program for inmates. Once prisoners are released, the organization provides assistance related to housing, healthcare, transportation, and substance abuse.
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What’s the Me Too Movement Got to Do With Me? By Ericka Foster
When I was in the first grade, a little boy in my class liked to feel on the little girls’ booties when the teacher wasn’t looking. I was a shy five-year-old, afraid of drawing attention to myself and terrified of confrontation. I was also still new to school, and learning the ins and outs of how things were supposed to be. So my goal was to evade this little boy, trying to be three steps ahead whenever our first grade teacher put us in a line. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. One day, as we were all seated on the floor watching a movie, he did his usual thing, copping a feel while the teacher was in the front of the class. I tried scooting a little to the right, or a little to the left, but I was out of options. He got greedy. He tried to do the same thing to Nicole B who was seated next to me. (I remember everyone’s name, but in that moment, Nicole was my hero and needs a shout out). She punched him hard. Several times. Like a girl who grew up with brothers. I had confirmation that it was ok for me to not want him to touch me like that. And I felt a sense of relief that if he did it to other girls, he was the problem, not me. Nicole didn’t punch that boy just to defend herself; she was defending me too, when I was too scared to do so on my own.
This movement is about HEALING not accusing. I know that many of you reading this are like, “Really? She’s tripping over a little boy copping a feel in the first grade?” In fact, when I mentioned it to my college roommate, she blew it off like, “Oh girl, me too. That happens to everybody.” Telling this story is weird. This story is part of who I am, and has influenced who I think I am, and how I view the world. But, I know that in the range of sexual harassment and sexual assault, I’m lucky that this is my story. However, I don’t want to minimize it. As women, that’s what we are told to do – accept it. That somehow, we’re supposed to endure unwanted touching and sexual aggression as a part of womanhood. I shouldn’t have to feel “lucky” that a little boy *only* copped a feel from me in elementary school. My point in sharing this story is – if I can remember the events and feelings 35 years later, then even the smallest things can have a large impact on who you are.
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What is the Me Too movement? It’s easy to think that the Me Too movement is for women in entertainment, or for women who have the privilege of speaking out. It was founded in 2006 by Tarana Burke to “help survivors of sexual violence, particularly Black women and girls, and other young women of color from low wealth communities, find pathways to healing”. This movement is about HEALING not accusing. Tarana admits that she began her organization when a girl at the camp where Tarana was a counselor confided that she experienced sexual Winner of the 2018 Disobedience Awards. Selected images from the 2018 Disobedience Award event at the MIT Media Lab. Click here for even more photos. Credit: Jon Tadiello
assault. Tarana couldn’t utter the two words me too to give the girl comfort. So she created an entire movement to help herself, and that young woman heal.
Sexual abuse and violence is that dirty little secret that no one wants to discuss. But it has an effect. According to an ACLU report, nearly 60 percent of women in state prisons across the country have a history of physical or sexual abuse, and entering the justice system often leads to re-victimization. In the spirit of healing The harassment didn’t stop just because Nicole beat his ass. He was also in my second grade class, and there was a different boy in the third grade. In the fourth grade though, I overheard another student tell the teacher what was going on. I remember thinking. Wait, we can do that? The next time we had to line up, I strutted into that line, because I didn’t have to take it anymore. When I found out my best friend was having problems, I gave her the 4th grade, 80’s equivalent of “hold my beer”. Then I went to tell the teacher. I’m a talker, so speaking my truth helps me heal. In order for Tarana to heal, she created an organization. In 2017, when Alyssa Milano encouraged women to tweet “me too”, those women needed to acknowledge that had happened to them to begin to heal. The conversations that have taken place since then have helped women and men begin to heal. Healing looks like whatever it should for you to feel whole. I wish I could end this article with ways for you to heal. But that’s different for everyone, in every situation. If you’ve got a record and the boss/client/coworker/landlord likes to play grab-ass – or worse – I don’t have a right to tell you how to handle it. If you are popping pills to forget the atrocities of a family member, only you can figure out how to be whole. But there are two things that I can tell you for sure: It is not your fault. Nothing you say, wear, or do makes it okay for someone to victimize you. And, you have what it takes to become the person you want to be. Good luck on your journey.
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Women, Prison, and Empowerment By Maggie Allen
Many re-entry programs and services are designed with men in mind, but what about the estimated 1.9 million women released from jails and prisons on a yearly basis? And moreover, what does successful re-entry look like for women? The answer to the latter can vary, because no two women are the same. Some struggle with substance abuse, trauma, or mental health issues, none of which particularly bolsters one’s sense of confidence and self-worth. Statistically, formerly incarcerated women face higher rates of unemployment and homelessness than their male counterparts, and more women are the primary caretakers of their children. Having access to support groups, education, housing, childcare, and healthcare can make a world of difference to women and their families, and many states programs having been cropping up in recent years to fill those needs. The ultimate mission for the Center for Women in Transition (CWiT) is to assist and advocate for women in the criminal justice system as they transition to home. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, they assist between 150-180 women each year by offering comprehensive wrap-around services like case management, behavioral health, and, perhaps most critical of all, supportive housing. The extensive community program allows women to live with their children in their home communities throughout the city while receiving rent support and the full array of services offered, either in apartment-style supportive houses operated by the Center itself or scattered-site apartments throughout the St. Louis area. In 2019, 117 women were served in their transitional housing, while 29 were served in the larger community. The clients of CWiT tell powerful stories about persevering in the face of adversity. 90% have experienced trauma in some form, and 85% have struggled with substance abuse. “I was kind of isolated,” says Robin. “I had dope, cigarettes, weed, and all that. But then, there was this one day I said no, I don’t want it anymore…I want to get a house, a job, a Master’s degree.” “Coming here was a process of healing,” said Vicki, another client of CWiT. “I learned a lot about trauma and how to deal with it. Getting my own apartment where there’s no chaos and abuse is everything to me.” Growth and healing take many forms, but they work hand-in-hand building up strength and confidence. To help their clients succeed, CWiT offers great on-site life skills courses, vocational services, court advocacy, peer support recovery groups,
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and community partnerships. According to Development Associate Laura Miller, “We believe that women coming out of incarceration need to first have their basic needs met--safe housing, food, and clothing--so that they can concentrate on their recovery and growth. Through supportive housing, individualized case management, and on-site behavioral health services, women gain the stability and support they need to thrive.” One of their exciting upcoming initiatives involves partnering with two local women’s trades groups, Missouri Women in Trades and the National Association of Women in Construction, to remodel four kitchens in transitional apartments for women reentering the St. Louis community. Construction and trades fields are typically dominated by men, but in giving justice-involved women a chance to interact with strong, confident tradeswomen, they may pave their way into construction or other trades with higher earning potential, positions that may not have seemed viable before. The Ladies Empowerment Action Program (LEAP) in Miami, Florida is a re-entry program inside of the Homestead Correctional Institution. It began as a program for entrepreneurial training, teaching women where to seek funding, how to draft business plans, and how to network for their small business. Now, the programs have branched out even further. Any woman scheduled to be released from a Florida State Prison in 1218 months can apply, and once accepted, she receives access to in-prison education and mentorship; life skills classes; trauma informed substance abuse programming; and post-release housing, as well as a life-long support community. It sounds too good to be true, but LEAP’s track record speaks volumes for the quality of services and support that they provide. According to a 2005 study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, LEAP’s recidivism rate is just 6% – compared to twothirds of ex-prisoners nationally, and since then, it has not risen. Tarshea Sanderson of LEAP’s Class 11 says she came out of prison fully employed. “Two months after release I moved into my own place and have slowly and deliberately become the woman that had been buried deep inside of me. The woman I chose to bury because of low self-worth and esteem and an unhealthy self- image. I continue to practice the skills I learned in LEAP on a daily basis.” Another Class 11 graduate, Christie Sierra, says she has found a forever family whose support is crucial. “The LEAP ladies have been a source of encouragement during a time that has been challenging and sometimes downright heartbreaking. Without their support, my life would be full of more questions and doubt.”
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Another key initiative is the Dragonfly Thrift Boutique, in which 100% of the proceeds go to supporting LEAP’s mission. Dragonfly offers its clients a crash course for their paid retail training internship, complete with a first post-prison income, networking opportunities with Dragonfly customers, potential references, and job experience. ”I can pay my rent, I can take care of myself, I can take care of my son,” says Crystal Givens, a graduate who worked at Dragonfly. “That’s like the best feeling in the world. That you can be responsible.” It’s heartening to know that CWiT and LEAP understand the gravity of the situation; that a lot of issues stem from employment and the subsequent inability to secure adequate housing. Their dedication and their empathy provide formerly incarcerated women with the means to become and stay empowered, when they might otherwise feel helpless and hopeless. We need more of these programs across every state, and better funding for the ones that are already in place. As LEAP has demonstrated, recidivism doesn’t have to be inevitable. And women will return to society, to the workforce, to their families, be it today, tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. They will always be a part of us, and we should treat them with respect and dignity; offering support and encouragement, not forever branding them with failure.
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Remaining Resilient: An Interview With Tia Ryans By Maggie Allen Maggie Allen had the pleasure of chatting with Tia Ryans, a member of the Ladies of Hope Ministries (LOHM) Faces of Women Imprisoned program. Once incarcerated, Tia took on higher education and eventually founded her own nonprofit, F.O.R.T.E. (Forcing Out Recidivism Through Education) House, “to provide a healthy and transparent living environment for formerly incarcerated students transitioning through post-secondary education.� Tia is a strong advocate for criminal justice reform, and her journey is a testament to her incredible strength and the passion she feels for others.
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Maggie Allen: So tell me a bit about yourself and how you got involved with LOHM. Tia Ryans: I signed up to be a participant of their Faces of Women Imprisoned. Some people were at different phases, but we touched on storytelling...ways to use our personal story during advocacy efforts; specific asks like monetary support and community support; and public speaking training. Just exercises to get as comfortable with using our own personal experiences, making sure that we were mentally and emotionally healthy to even do that. It was a great experience and a great retreat. MA: Based on your website, I see that F.O.R.T.E. House was a school project of yours? TR: It was. My first investor was Rutgers University. MA: What was it that personally motivated you to found it? TR: It started as a class project, but going through higher education, we have plenty of those. What stuck out, and kind of made me drawn to making this tangible was the fact that I experienced collateral consequences when it came to housing because of my incarceration. I know there were many people in my class as well, because this class was designed for formerly incarcerated students. So I’d seen many of my peers going through the same felon disenfranchisement when it came to this particular thing, and made it that much harder to focus on higher education. But we were really determined and persevered. One of my classmates slept in her car, and it was just things like that that made me say, “Okay, if we’re that dedicated and we served our time, why shouldn’t we be rewarded for that in some way?” So I said, “Okay, I’m going to create a house.” I asked my classmates from the original project to help me, and everyone said no. They were all busy with their own things. No one wanted to help me, so I did it on my own. And I learned so much that way.
MA: That’s great. Yeah, getting access to safe, secure, affordable housing is a major concern for a lot of people. TR: It is. I know that a lot of people are fighting to get that question of “do you have a prior conviction” removed from applications, whether it be housing, school, or work. But there are other questions that hinder you. They might ask for a credit history; I never had credit because I was incarcerated as a teenager. Then they will ask for rental history, which I never had for that same reason. And even if it hadn’t happened to me as a teenager - if I was incarcerated for, say, five years or a decade, or twenty years - my rental history isn’t relevant anymore.
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Credit isn’t credit anymore. Those are all barriers, what I refer to as collateral consequences, because it’s less direct than being sentenced, but no less damaging. MA: It’s hard enough getting housing even without a criminal record. You need to have steady employment; credit history, as you mentioned...it’s especially difficult in these expensive times. TR: I know. I went through the mortgage process and I learned how difficult it is very quickly, even for the average potential homeowner. MA: So do your programs specifically work with college students? TR: It doesn’t have to be a 2-4 year college institution; just some form of higher education. If you want to go to a trade school and get certification in plumbing, or learn cosmetology, that’s fine. I’m just trying to promote access to higher education and minimize that intergenerational inability to obtain it. But you do have to be a matriculating or enrolled college student to reside at F.O.R.T.E. House. MA: On your website, it says that Rutgers University selected your proposal as part of a competition with other students’. I’d love to know more about that. Why do you think they selected your project in particular for initial funding? TR: Well, I did have to present it. There was a panel of judges, and everyone did NOT agree with the idea. I think they thought it was kind of outlandish. I think some people were intrigued because they didn’t understand the magnitude of barriers you face when it comes to housing. I did go through a nine month course, and I think that actually influenced people, because they saw how hard I worked. It wasn’t like they were distant; they saw me capitalizing off of the resources they gave me. I tried to build a rapport, and then, when it came time to present...well, for one, I definitely stood out because I was the only woman. MA: Oh wow. TR: Yes. And honestly? I think I was the most prepared. I’m not just saying that, either. I definitely was the most thorough. We had a specific amount of time, and on mine, I went over the financials, even creating additional slides because I knew I couldn’t make another time slot for questioning. I wanted to have them ready to answer any questions. I over prepared and passed out F.O.R.T.E. House notebooks, business cards, and information sheets for them to take home. And the judges asked me the toughest questions. MA: Did they really? TR: It was an all male panel, too. A couple of other people also said that. “Woah, they went crazy on you!” But no matter what they asked, I was very well prepared.
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Maybe a little too prepared. People told me they thought the judges went extra hard on me to see if they could trip me up. MA: But obviously you persevered. TR: I did. I really did. When you want something bad enough, you’ll work extra, extra hard for it. MA: Absolutely. What are you most proud of, regarding F.O.R.T.E. House? TR: I think I am most proud of the way we are able to get back to the community. We’re able to be walking, living, breathing clichés. You know, a lot of people see someone who was formerly incarcerated and immediately have this preconceived notion of how we are supposed to look, think, and act. Or they might just see what they know from television. I love the fact that we are able to say, “No, we actually focus on this. We’re wanting to achieve this.” We’ve become a part of the community; the residents do have to give back by mentoring at-risk youth. And of course we’re giving back by being self-sufficient; we’re minimizing recidivism. All we would give back would be additional debt, if we recidivate. This way, not only can we become tax paying citizens - for people who care about the monetary benefits - but we also get to pay it forward to other people who come behind us. MA: That’s really great, and I feel like that’s a true hallmark of success. Not just succeeding as an individual, but encouraging others, even in situations unlike your own, to succeed and treat each other with respect and dignity. TR: Yes, absolutely. MA: What are your plans to expand and develop new programs over the next couple of years? TR: Oh my god, yes. F.O.R.T.E. House is designed to be scalable. That’s why the website says “njfortehouse.” I want an NY F.OR.T.E. House, and a CA F.O.R.T.E. House. I never saw myself as a person just to run day-to-day operations. I’m the founder, and I want to see expansions. I actually just flew back into town Friday night; I stayed in Texas for almost a week. Texas A&M University invited me out there to talk about F.O.R.T.E. House and see how we could collaborate. Hopefully sooner rather than later, we can expand there, and further down the road, to everywhere around the United States. I do want the second house to be in Camden, NJ; I feel like it’s really needed down there. And the garden state is my home state, so I want to get two here before I go anywhere else. It’s definitely exciting. MA: Here’s a fun one. Did you have any role models prior to this project? Who would you say most inspired you?
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TR: There were so many, and everyone was formerly incarcerated, because I looked at them and saw them doing things that I thought could not be done. Being incarcerated, there’s a stigma around you, making you feel like, “Oh, I can’t do this or that.” You know, I interned for Congressman Payne. I didn’t think I could work in a government building, right? So when I started seeing people like Topeka Sam (LOHM Founder and Executive Director), who has done so many things...like, how did she make it to the White House? I see things like that, and I’m like, “I have to do that.” When I first met Topeka, I told her I had this idea for a house. And she said, “Really? I want to do something similar. I want to find out what Columbia University thinks of it.” So I am almost literally following in her footsteps, if you can believe it. She did it, and I thought to myself, “I’m going to do it.” Her idea to partner with Columbia University gave me the idea to partner with Rutgers for my house. Then she started Faces of Women, and I said, “You know, people are always coming to me for speaking engagements, and sometimes I can’t do it...I’m going to start my own speakers bureau, just like Topeka did.” Another person who influenced me was Ivelisse Gilestra, though she’ll probably deny it. She is one of the strongest people I know. We have taken two different paths, but there is a spirit in her that I just can't get over. She has this energy; you want to follow in her footsteps, but she also energizes you to create your own footsteps. She’s just so awesome. She’ll deny being my biggest inspiration, but I’m telling you otherwise. MA: I glean that women tend to face very unique issues, both in incarceration and re-entry. Is there any particular advice you would offer to women who find themselves in your previous situation, who are trying to get their lives back together? TR: I would caution everyone that it’s not going to be easy. It’s not, but the payoff is so big if you remain resilient. Sometimes when I speak about change, I tell them, “I’m not asking you to do anything other than what they already do.” When I was incarcerated, society was seeing the worst part of me. They’d see me fighting and say, “Oh my god, she’s so aggressive and angry!” And now, I still fight, but I do it in a different way. I fight for those women to get out, and for laws to be changed. What some said was my worst part, I made my best part. What used to be a liability is now an asset. Now, I’m not called angry. I’m called passionate. MA: It reminds me of a lot of work dynamics I’ve seen, where women either get called too passive or too involved and bossy. It’s great to take something that others see as a negative and reframe it in a healthy way, staying true to yourself. TR: Yeah, at the end of the day, stay true to who you are.
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I would also tell people that I won’t ask anything of them that they aren’t capable of. If you get takeout food, you throw the container away after you’ve eaten it. Same with an empty water bottle or the tags on new clothes. I say take what you need out of any situation in life, and throw what you don’t need away, like trash. Everyone can take out the trash; we’re all capable of doing that every day. Just take that idea and apply it mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically in our lives. Throw away what doesn’t serve you, or isn’t good for you. MA: Right. Well, that’s about all I have. Is there anything else, any side projects you’d want to highlight, for those who are unaware? TR: I’ve actually started another organization called All of Us or None, Northern New Jersey. It’s a completely volunteer organization, but it’s very active. When they have ideas, they kind of pass them through me, but I’m just the founder. I oversee it. We have a Welcome Home initiative in which, when someone is released, they get a welcome home basket with toiletries and small essentials. It’s easy to advocate for housing and job access, things like that, but the first day you’re home, you’re not going to think about that right away. You will need soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, tampons, etc. Those kinds of direct services are what we try to focus on; we also partner with people to get gift cards, to secure meals, you know, more immediate needs upon release. In Florida and New Jersey, we’re also starting a re-entry anonymous group. There didn’t seem to be a specific space for people to talk about re-entry, like they might about alcoholism, etc. My partner just flew back in from Florida, trying to narrow down the specific details so that we can launch that one and New Jersey’s simultaneously. Groups should pop up around the country and be like Alcoholics Anonymous, with guiding principles to help support people trying to get their lives back in order. Definitely check us out at allofusornone-northernnj.com. MA: It’s really impressive, all this work you’ve done in just the last couple of years. I imagine that you didn’t know what exactly was going to pay off. You just had to try. TR: Yes, I didn’t know. I started relationships before F.O.R.T.E. House, and I think that was the key. I formed a relationship with Rutgers University and said, “Hey, if I have this house, will you visit the institution and consider it as an option?” They said yes. About three years ago, I went to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and presented to them. About a year ago, I contacted the regional parole office and asked if I could have one parole officer for my house. So when F.O.R.T.E. House came to fruition, I already had a network and resources set in place. It looked like it happened fast, but it didn’t. It took years to build those relationships.
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Concerned With Soybean Consumption? By Isabella dos Santos Soy has been a very controversial food. Despite of the many concerns about the relation between soy and some diseases, such as cancer (breast and prostate), thyroid problem and dementia, recent studies have not found a negative correlation. On the contrary, some benefits of eating soy have been pointed out. Soybeans are a type of legume (as are the lentils, chickpeas or black beans). However, they differ of other beans in their high levels of isoflavones and high(er) protein content. Isoflavones are a type of plant estrogen (phytoestrogen) that resemble the function of estrogen in the human body, though with a weaker effect. This is the component that has been studied the most to try and understand how soy can affect the body (positively or negatively). However, as the School of Public Health of Harvard University has pointed out, studies have not been able to really find a straight forward relation between soy and the human body, mainly due to the different types of variables that scientific studies have. To name a few, the ethnicity of the people studied, the hormone levels of the population studied, and the type of soy used in the study have made a big difference in the results. Several studies have pointed to a positive correlation between soy consumption and a decreased risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer. Others have pointed out a probable benefit of eating soy with a reduction in age-related memory loss, as well as a possible relation between soy and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. For thyroid problems, however, some studies have found a possible interference between soy and the hormone medication user to treat hypothyroidism. After all this confusing data, shall we eat soy or no? My advice is the following: eat it as part of a healthy and diversified diet, and if you have a particular health condition or take specific hormone-related medications, ask your doctor for further advice. The truth is soy is a very nutritious food. It is high in quality protein, meaning that it has all of the essential amino acids needed by the body, which are absorbed in a great percentage by the body. This makes soy a winner when compared with other plant proteins. Moreover, soy is rich in B vitamins, fiber, potassium and magnesium.
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