There's plenty yet that you didn't know about soy!

[Guest guest]

Once again, you have a paper that fails to talk about which " types " of soy

which are harmful, and most importantly, no " clear " doses for harmful use.

You can't persuade people with scientific mumbo-jumbo. You need clear

information, in language people can understand.

 

Merely telling people that soy is harmful, isn't good enough. Selenium,

zinc, copper, iron, potassium supplements, vanadium, vit. A, megadoses of

individual B vitamins, vit. K, vit. D, etc., are all essential to human

health, and all have amazing health enhancing potential. Yet all of them,

and numerous other nutrients, foods, herbs, amino acids, etc., are dangerous

and health destroying if you exceed safe dose levels. Many nutrients are

beneficial in certain forms, but useless or harmful in other forms.

 

How much soy is harmful, a 1/2lb serving of tofu, or 4oz of soymilk, or a

1/4 lb of soynuts, or 2 ozs of soy yogurt, or 4 oz, or 8 oz or 16 ozs.? It

also worries me, that discouraging soy use, will drive many people that have

been consuming soy as an alternative to cow's milk, and other dairy, to

return to dairy. Would that improve their health? Are you sure it would?

 

The problem with the arguments against soy, is that there are numerous

highly respected alternative doctors and researchers that favor soy use, and

advance equally persuasive arguments promoting it, and claim that the

anti-soy arguments and research are flawed.

 

I remain unconvinced about either side of this argument. I will say,

however, that there isn't a single food that has not come under attack from

someone in the health sciences, orthodox or alternative. I recently read a

paper by a respected alternative healer, arguing that vegetagbles of all

kinds, that are grown organically and eaten raw, pose a significant danger

to human health, because they are usually if not always highly contaminated

with parasites and other dangerous microorganisms, largely because they're

often or always grown with the use of animal manure. This doctor advises,

that thoroughly washing or even scrubbing vegetables and fresh, raw, organic

fruit, will not do any good. Should I stop eating fresh, raw, organic

produce, based on those remarks by that doctor? Would you?

 

-

" Elaine " <mem121

<Undisclosed-Recipient:@usermail.com;>

Thursday, July 25, 2002 11:13 PM

There's plenty yet that you didn't know about soy!

 

 

 

 

 

http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site==http%3A%2F%2Fwww.soyon

lineservice.co.nz

 

Birth Defects

There's plenty yet that you didn't know about soy!

 

We at Soyonlineservice knew in 1993 that women who had been fed soy formulas

in the 1970's were infertile, miscarrying, or producing babies with defects

such as spina bifida, deformed legs and missing organs.

 

The risks of exposure to the quantities of estrogens in products being

consumed by pregnant women, and by infants, that were analysed by scientists

consulted by Soyonlineservice were obvious and were specifically drawn to

the attention of the US Food and Drug Administration, US EPA, the Australian

National Food Authority, the Australian CSIRO, ANZFA, the NZ Ministry of

Health, Health Canada, UK MAFF, UK Dept of Health , WHO and FAO/Codex.

 

ANZFA has even secretly assessed that soy estrogens pose health hazards to

foetal and neonatal development, to sexual maturation, and to sexual

differentiation (i.e. the ambiguity of sexual organs recited by the American

Endocrine Society http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic1881.htm : See page 4 re

soy and ambiguous genitalia], and by the London Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?story='5758.

 

All of those " Food Safety " agencies have failed to exercise the

" Precautionary Principle " of notifying women who innocently shop at

supermarkets for soy foods and infant formulas . Women do so without

receiving the slightest Government hint that there may be danger lurking for

their babies.

 

A real worry is that birth defects like hypospadias and cryptorchidism are

external and visible in boys. Congenital abnormalities of the male genital

tract are also increasing, and once again soy phytoestrogens may be

implicated, according to a study that found a higher incidence of birth

defects in male offspring of vegetarian, soy-consuming mothers.

 

In girls the DES effects were internal and only showed up at adulthood. (see

our Soy and DES page). The Wingspread Statement also discusses birth

defects from DES etc. Follow these links Part 1 Part 2 to read more.

 

One should wonder at the " dark power " of an industry that can have such

global powers to suppress the basic legal rights of consumers everywhere.

 

Further Reading

 

Placental transfer of the soy isoflavone genistein following dietary and

gavage administration to Sprague Dawley rats.

 

Doerge DR, Churchwell MI, Chang HC, Newbold RR, Delclos KB. Reprod Toxicol

2001 Mar-Apr;15(2):105-10

 

Fetal brain contained predominately genistein aglycone at levels similar to

those in the maternal brain. These studies show that genistein aglycone

crosses the rat placenta and can reach fetal brain from maternal serum

genistein levels that are relevant to those observed in humans.

 

Full Abstract Here

 

Maternal exposure to genistein during pregnancy increases carcinogen-induced

mammary tumorigenesis in female rat offspring.

 

Hilakivi-Clarke L, Cho E, Onojafe I, Raygada M, Clarke R. Oncol Rep 1999

Sep-Oct;6(5):1089-95

 

The results indicate that in utero exposure to genistein, but not to

zearalenone, dose-dependently increased the incidence of DMBA-induced

mammary tumors, when compared with the controls.

 

Our results suggest that a maternal exposure to subcutaneous administration

of genistein can increase mammary tumorigenesis in the offspring, mimicking

the effects of in utero estrogenic exposures. Further, increased ER protein

levels and reduced PKC activity in the mammary gland may be involved in

increasing susceptibility to carcinogen-induced mammary tumorigenesis in

rats exposed to genistein in utero.

 

Full Abstract Here

 

p53, mutations, and apoptosis in genistein-exposed human lymphoblastoid

cells.

 

Morris SM, Chen JJ, Domon OE, McGarrity LJ, Bishop ME, Manjanatha MG,

Casciano DA.Mutat Res 1998 Aug 31;405(1):41-56

 

Our results may be interpreted that genistein is a chromosomal mutagen

 

Full Abstract Here

 

Neurobehavioral actions of coumestrol and related isoflavonoids in rodents.

 

Whitten PL, Patisaul HB, Young LJ. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2002

Jan-Feb;24(1):47-54

 

Treatment of rat dams with a 100-ppm coumestrol diet from birth to postnatal

day (PND) 21 induced premature anovulation in female offspring, and

treatment from birth to PND 10 suppressed sexual behavior in male offspring.

 

Full Abstract Here

 

Cross-species and interassay comparisons of phytoestrogen action.

 

Whitten PL, Patisaul HB. Environ Health Perspect 2001 Mar;109 Suppl 1:5-20

 

In vivo data show that phytoestrogens have a wide range of biologic effects

at doses and plasma concentrations seen with normal human diets. Significant

in vivoresponses have been observed in animal and human tests for bone,

breast, ovary, pituitary, vasculature, prostate, and serum lipids. The doses

reported to be biologically active in humans (0.4--10 mg/kg body weight/day)

are lower than the doses generally reported to be active in rodents (10--100

mg/kg body weight/day), although some studies have reported rodent responses

at lower doses.

 

Full Abstract Here

 

Effects of dietary genistein exposure during development on male and female

CD (Sprague-Dawley) rats.

 

Delclos KB, Bucci TJ, Lomax LG, Latendresse JR, Warbritton A, Weis CC,

Newbold RR. Reprod Toxicol 2001 Nov;15(6):647-63

 

Human exposure to genistein is predominantly through consumption of soy

products, including soy-based infant formula and dietary supplements.

 

Body weight and feed consumption of the treated dams prior to parturition

showed a decreasing trend with a significant reduction at the highest dose.

Litter birth weight was depressed in the 1250 ppm dose group, and pups of

both sexes in that dose group had significantly decreased body weights

relative to controls at the time of sacrifice. The most pronounced organ

weight effects in the pups were decreased ventral prostate weight in males

at the 1250 ppm dose and a trend toward higher pituitary gland to body

weight ratios in both sexes. Histopathologic examination of female pups

revealed ductal/alveolar hyperplasia of the mammary glands at 250 to 1250

ppm. Ductal/alveolar hyperplasia and hypertrophy also occurred in males,

with significant effects seen at 25 ppm and above. Abnormal cellular

maturation in the vagina was observed at 625 and 1250 ppm, and abnormal

ovarian antral follicles were observed at 1250 ppm. In males, aberrant or

delayed spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules relative to controls was

observed at 1250 ppm. There was a deficit of sperm in the epididymis at 625

and 1250 ppm relative to controls, although testicular spermatid head counts

and epididymal spermatozoa counts did not show significant differences from

controls at these doses. Both sexes showed an increase in the incidence

and/or severity of renal tubal mineralization at doses of 250 ppm and above.

 

Dietary genistein thus produced effects in multiple estrogen-sensitive

tissues in males and females that are generally consistent with its

estrogenic activity. These effects occurred within exposure ranges

achievable in humans.

 

Full Abstract Here

 

 

 

 

§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§

 

*§ - PULSE ON WORLD HEALTH CONSPIRACIES! §*

 

Subscribe:......... -

 

 

[Guest guest]

Another study on Soy poison:

 

http://www.doctorsaredangerous.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-- In Gettingwell, " John Polifronio " <counterpnt@e...> wrote:

> Once again, you have a paper that fails to talk about

which " types " of soy

> which are harmful, and most importantly, no " clear " doses for

harmful use.

> You can't persuade people with scientific mumbo-jumbo. You need

clear

> information, in language people can understand.

>

> Merely telling people that soy is harmful, isn't good enough.

Selenium,

> zinc, copper, iron, potassium supplements, vanadium, vit. A,

megadoses of

> individual B vitamins, vit. K, vit. D, etc., are all essential to

human

> health, and all have amazing health enhancing potential. Yet all

of them,

> and numerous other nutrients, foods, herbs, amino acids, etc., are

dangerous

> and health destroying if you exceed safe dose levels. Many

nutrients are

> beneficial in certain forms, but useless or harmful in other forms.

>

> How much soy is harmful, a 1/2lb serving of tofu, or 4oz of

soymilk, or a

> 1/4 lb of soynuts, or 2 ozs of soy yogurt, or 4 oz, or 8 oz or 16

ozs.? It

> also worries me, that discouraging soy use, will drive many people

that have

> been consuming soy as an alternative to cow's milk, and other

dairy, to

> return to dairy. Would that improve their health? Are you sure

it would?

>

> The problem with the arguments against soy, is that there are

numerous

> highly respected alternative doctors and researchers that favor

soy use, and

> advance equally persuasive arguments promoting it, and claim that

the

> anti-soy arguments and research are flawed.

>

> I remain unconvinced about either side of this argument. I will

say,

> however, that there isn't a single food that has not come under

attack from

> someone in the health sciences, orthodox or alternative. I

recently read a

> paper by a respected alternative healer, arguing that vegetagbles

of all

> kinds, that are grown organically and eaten raw, pose a

significant danger

> to human health, because they are usually if not always highly

contaminated

> with parasites and other dangerous microorganisms, largely because

they're

> often or always grown with the use of animal manure. This doctor

advises,

> that thoroughly washing or even scrubbing vegetables and fresh,

raw, organic

> fruit, will not do any good. Should I stop eating fresh, raw,

organic

> produce, based on those remarks by that doctor? Would you?

>

> -

> " Elaine " <mem121@u...>

> <Undisclosed-Recipient:@usermail.com;>

> Thursday, July 25, 2002 11:13 PM

> There's plenty yet that you didn't know

about soy!

>

>

>

>

>

> http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site==http%3A%2F%

2Fwww.soyon

> lineservice.co.nz

>

> Birth Defects

> There's plenty yet that you didn't know about soy!

>

> We at Soyonlineservice knew in 1993 that women who had been fed

soy formulas

> in the 1970's were infertile, miscarrying, or producing babies

with defects

> such as spina bifida, deformed legs and missing organs.

>

> The risks of exposure to the quantities of estrogens in products

being

> consumed by pregnant women, and by infants, that were analysed by

scientists

> consulted by Soyonlineservice were obvious and were specifically

drawn to

> the attention of the US Food and Drug Administration, US EPA, the

Australian

> National Food Authority, the Australian CSIRO, ANZFA, the NZ

Ministry of

> Health, Health Canada, UK MAFF, UK Dept of Health , WHO and

FAO/Codex.

>

> ANZFA has even secretly assessed that soy estrogens pose health

hazards to

> foetal and neonatal development, to sexual maturation, and to

sexual

> differentiation (i.e. the ambiguity of sexual organs recited by

the American

> Endocrine Society http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic1881.htm : See

page 4 re

> soy and ambiguous genitalia], and by the London Independent

> http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?story='5758.

>

> All of those " Food Safety " agencies have failed to exercise the

> " Precautionary Principle " of notifying women who innocently shop at

> supermarkets for soy foods and infant formulas . Women do so

without

> receiving the slightest Government hint that there may be danger

lurking for

> their babies.

>

> A real worry is that birth defects like hypospadias and

cryptorchidism are

> external and visible in boys. Congenital abnormalities of the male

genital

> tract are also increasing, and once again soy phytoestrogens may be

> implicated, according to a study that found a higher incidence of

birth

> defects in male offspring of vegetarian, soy-consuming mothers.

>

> In girls the DES effects were internal and only showed up at

adulthood. (see

> our Soy and DES page). The Wingspread Statement also discusses

birth

> defects from DES etc. Follow these links Part 1 Part 2 to read

more.

>

> One should wonder at the " dark power " of an industry that can have

such

> global powers to suppress the basic legal rights of consumers

everywhere.

>

> Further Reading

>

> Placental transfer of the soy isoflavone genistein following

dietary and

> gavage administration to Sprague Dawley rats.

>

> Doerge DR, Churchwell MI, Chang HC, Newbold RR, Delclos KB. Reprod

Toxicol

> 2001 Mar-Apr;15(2):105-10

>

> Fetal brain contained predominately genistein aglycone at levels

similar to

> those in the maternal brain. These studies show that genistein

aglycone

> crosses the rat placenta and can reach fetal brain from maternal

serum

> genistein levels that are relevant to those observed in humans.

>

> Full Abstract Here

>

> Maternal exposure to genistein during pregnancy increases

carcinogen-induced

> mammary tumorigenesis in female rat offspring.

>

> Hilakivi-Clarke L, Cho E, Onojafe I, Raygada M, Clarke R. Oncol

Rep 1999

> Sep-Oct;6(5):1089-95

>

> The results indicate that in utero exposure to genistein, but not

to

> zearalenone, dose-dependently increased the incidence of DMBA-

induced

> mammary tumors, when compared with the controls.

>

> Our results suggest that a maternal exposure to subcutaneous

administration

> of genistein can increase mammary tumorigenesis in the offspring,

mimicking

> the effects of in utero estrogenic exposures. Further, increased

ER protein

> levels and reduced PKC activity in the mammary gland may be

involved in

> increasing susceptibility to carcinogen-induced mammary

tumorigenesis in

> rats exposed to genistein in utero.

>

> Full Abstract Here

>

> p53, mutations, and apoptosis in genistein-exposed human

lymphoblastoid

> cells.

>

> Morris SM, Chen JJ, Domon OE, McGarrity LJ, Bishop ME, Manjanatha

MG,

> Casciano DA.Mutat Res 1998 Aug 31;405(1):41-56

>

> Our results may be interpreted that genistein is a chromosomal

mutagen

>

> Full Abstract Here

>

> Neurobehavioral actions of coumestrol and related isoflavonoids in

rodents.

>

> Whitten PL, Patisaul HB, Young LJ. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2002

> Jan-Feb;24(1):47-54

>

> Treatment of rat dams with a 100-ppm coumestrol diet from birth to

postnatal

> day (PND) 21 induced premature anovulation in female offspring, and

> treatment from birth to PND 10 suppressed sexual behavior in male

offspring.

>

> Full Abstract Here

>

> Cross-species and interassay comparisons of phytoestrogen action.

>

> Whitten PL, Patisaul HB. Environ Health Perspect 2001 Mar;109

Suppl 1:5-20

>

> In vivo data show that phytoestrogens have a wide range of

biologic effects

> at doses and plasma concentrations seen with normal human diets.

Significant

> in vivoresponses have been observed in animal and human tests for

bone,

> breast, ovary, pituitary, vasculature, prostate, and serum lipids.

The doses

> reported to be biologically active in humans (0.4--10 mg/kg body

weight/day)

> are lower than the doses generally reported to be active in

rodents (10--100

> mg/kg body weight/day), although some studies have reported rodent

responses

> at lower doses.

>

> Full Abstract Here

>

> Effects of dietary genistein exposure during development on male

and female

> CD (Sprague-Dawley) rats.

>

> Delclos KB, Bucci TJ, Lomax LG, Latendresse JR, Warbritton A, Weis

CC,

> Newbold RR. Reprod Toxicol 2001 Nov;15(6):647-63

>

> Human exposure to genistein is predominantly through consumption

of soy

> products, including soy-based infant formula and dietary

supplements.

>

> Body weight and feed consumption of the treated dams prior to

parturition

> showed a decreasing trend with a significant reduction at the

highest dose.

> Litter birth weight was depressed in the 1250 ppm dose group, and

pups of

> both sexes in that dose group had significantly decreased body

weights

> relative to controls at the time of sacrifice. The most pronounced

organ

> weight effects in the pups were decreased ventral prostate weight

in males

> at the 1250 ppm dose and a trend toward higher pituitary gland to

body

> weight ratios in both sexes. Histopathologic examination of female

pups

> revealed ductal/alveolar hyperplasia of the mammary glands at 250

to 1250

> ppm. Ductal/alveolar hyperplasia and hypertrophy also occurred in

males,

> with significant effects seen at 25 ppm and above. Abnormal

cellular

> maturation in the vagina was observed at 625 and 1250 ppm, and

abnormal

> ovarian antral follicles were observed at 1250 ppm. In males,

aberrant or

> delayed spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules relative to

controls was

> observed at 1250 ppm. There was a deficit of sperm in the

epididymis at 625

> and 1250 ppm relative to controls, although testicular spermatid

head counts

> and epididymal spermatozoa counts did not show significant

differences from

> controls at these doses. Both sexes showed an increase in the

incidence

> and/or severity of renal tubal mineralization at doses of 250 ppm

and above.

>

> Dietary genistein thus produced effects in multiple estrogen-

sensitive

> tissues in males and females that are generally consistent with its

> estrogenic activity. These effects occurred within exposure ranges

> achievable in humans.

>

> Full Abstract Here

>

>

>

>

> §*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§

>

> *§ - PULSE ON WORLD HEALTH CONSPIRACIES! §*

>

> Subscribe:......... -

>

>

[Guest guest]

There's plenty yet that you didn't know about soy!Soy contains several naturally occurring compounds that are toxic to humans and animals. The soy industry frequently refers to these toxins as anti-nutrients, which implies that they somehow act to prevent the body getting the complete nutrition it needs from a food. The soy toxins (such as phytic acid) can certainly act in this manner, but they also have the ability to target specific organs, cells and enzyme pathways and their effects can be devastating.The soy toxins that Soy Online Service have concerns about are protease inhibitors, phytic acid, soy lectins (or haemagglutins), nitrosamines, manganese concentrations and the mysterious soyatoxin. Nitrosamines are not naturally occurring in soybeans but form during the processing of products such as isolated soy protein (ISP).As with any toxin there will be a dose at which negative effects are not observed. Soy Online Services have examined the scientific data on the soy toxins and have uncovered several alarming truths:There is no legislation to protect consumers from soy toxins in raw soy products. With the possible exception of soy lecithin, all soy products, no matter how well treated, contain low to moderate levels of soy toxins; processing cannot remove them all of any of them. The soy industry has little in the way of quality control to protect consumers from exposure to inadequately treated soy products.Protease InhibitorsPerhaps the best known of the soy toxins are the protease inhibitors (also referred to as trypsin inhibitors) which, as the name suggests, are able to inhibit the action of proteases (including trypsin) which are enzymes that are involved in the process of dismantling proteins for use by the body.In the rat, high levels of exposure to protease inhibitors (such as that found in raw soy flour) cause pancreatic cancer whereas moderate levels cause the rat pancreas to be more susceptible to cancer-causing agents. The validity of the rat model to humans has been questioned and the USFDA have examined the effects of protease inhibitors on the Cebus monkey (JP Harwood et al., Adv Exp Med Biol 1986 199: 223-37).The parameters of the Cebus Monkey study were as follows:Group Number of monkeys Dietary Protein Trypsin Inhibitor (mg/g of diet) 1 8 Lactalbumin 0.12 2 10 Soy Isolate 0.54 3 6 Casein 0.08 4 2 Soy Concentrate 2.41 After five years of chronic ingestion to low levels of trypsin inhibitors, there was no discernible pancreatic damage effect in monkeys from groups 1-3. However, one monkey in group 4 exhibited moderate diffuse acinar atrophy, moderate diffuse interstitial fibrosis and moderate chronic pancreatitis in all three sections of tissue examined. Minimal lymphoid hyperplasia was noted in the other group 4 monkey.Therefore, there is good reason to question claims that low levels of soy protease inhibitors pose no threat to human health. Such a statement has even been made by the USFDA in response to a health claim petition by Protein Technologies. The USFDA reported that:'Concerns have been raised in the past about exposure to trypsin inhibitors contained in soybeans because these compounds had been found to stimulate pancreatic hyperplasia and hypertrophy in animals. These concerns have been allayed because heat treatment removes most of the activity of these proteases. In addition, recent studies have questioned the applicability of the animal models, which differ from humans in the type of diet, sensitivity of the pancreas to trypsin inhibitors, and the anatomic sites of pancreatic cell proliferation and have found low rates of cancer in populations with dietary patterns that include soy foods' (FR 63, 217:62977-63015, 1998).This statement brought an angry response from Professor Irvin Leiner, the foremost expert on protease inhibitors. In his reply to the FDA Liener wrote:'"The impression one gets from reading this section is that that there is little cause for concern as far as the human exposure to soybean trypsin inhibitors is concerned.... In the interests of a balanced treatment of the subject, I trust you will give due consideration to the opposing view that the soybean trypsin inhibitors do in fact pose a potential risk to humans when soy protein is incorporated into the diet."So, if there is valid concern about low levels of protease inhibitors in soy foods, what about exposures to levels higher higher than those in the Cebus monkey study? Is there any chance that such exposures could occur in human diets?Soy Online Service has noted that there is considerable variability in the levels of protease inhibitors in commercially available foods and that there is little to protect consumers from exposure to high levels of protease inhibitors. For example, a study entitled 'Trypsin inhibitor levels in soy-based infant formulas and commercial soy protein isolates and concentrates (RW Peace et al., 1992, Food Res Int, 25: 137-141) found that trypsin inhibitor levels were as high as 2.72 mg/g in ready to feed soy formulas and 7.30 mg/g in soy protein concentrate.Since there is no established acceptable levels of protease inhibitors in foods and no protection from short-term high level (acute) exposures or long term low level (chronic) exposures, Soy Online Service offer the following advice:Don't feed your baby or infant a soy formula; there are alternatives!Avoid the direct consumption of raw or partially processed soy products such as soy flour or soy protein concentrate. Traditionally fermented soy foods are relatively free of protease inhibitors. When preparing your own soy foods, such as boiled or roasted soybeans or soy milk, ensure that they are adequately heated. The traditional Chinese method for preparing soybeans was a time consuming job that was left to monks. It involved soaking the beans first and then boiling them twice over 'the full length of an incense'. PhytatesThe term phytate refers to several compounds that are based on phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate). It is the presence of multiple phosphates in phytates that makes them effective chelating agents, i.e. they have the ability to bind to certain metal ions. Obviously if metals are bound up in a phytate-complex, they are less available to the body ( i.e. less bioavailable) for nutritive purposes.Phytates are particularly adept at binding metals in their so-called divalent state, metal ions such as calcium (Ca2+), copper (Cu2+), iron (Fe2+), manganese (Mn2+) and zinc (Zn2+).Soybeans contain very high levels of phytate and their are numerous reports of reduced bioavailablity of various metals from foods containing soy; this has particular significance for vegetarians and infants fed soy-formulas.Vegetarians, particularly young women vegetarians, need to be aware that soy products affect their iron and zinc requirements and it has been recommended that they utilise strategies that minimise the intake of dietary phytate.The effects of phytate in soy-formulas are a great concern. The iron and zinc requirements of developing infants are well documented, particularly those that relate to cognitive function. There is no question that infants fed soy-formulas are at greater risk of reduced uptake of various essential minerals compared with breast-fed infants or infants fed other formulas.Copper bioavailability is significantly lower in rhesus monkeys fed low-phytate soy formula from 2 to 4 months. Iron absorption in infants is approximately doubled by the removal of phytate from soy formula; a similar effect is observed by doubling the ascorbic acid content of a soy formula. Manganese absorption is also doubled by the removal of phytate from soy formula, but increasing the ascorbic acid content of a soy formula containing the native amount of phytic acid did not improve manganese absorption. Zinc bioavailability from soy formulas is also reduced by phytate. In rhesus monkeys, zinc absorption was 2.0 times greater from monkey milk compared with soy formula, 2.2 times greater from whey-predominant formula compared with soy formula and 1.7 times greater from casein-predominant formula compared with soy formula. Zinc absorption from dephytinized soy formula was approximately the same as that from casein-predominant formula. Soy formulas are typically over-supplemented with minerals and vitamins to account for the deficiencies caused by phytate, but it is evident that this does not take care of the problems. Removal of phytate from soy formulas is altogether a better solution but manufactures have not shown any inclination do this. Why not? Phytate removal will cost $$$ and it seems to us that soy formula manufacturers consider economics to be more important than the well being of infants. Phytates and ScoleosisSoyonlineservice receives questions about whether soy formulas are causing scoliosis in children. As far as we know there has been no direct research on an association between soy formulas and childhood scoliosis, presumably because the industry has never admitted that it leaves this chemical in its products. Howerver, the levels of phytic acid in soy protein can run as high as 3% of the volume, and soy protein is 19% of soy formulas. Therefore it is feasible and entirely possible for its depletion to the later onset of scoliosis to resultBioavailability of zinc in milk and soy protein-based infant formulas.Momcilovic B, Belonje B, Giroux A, Shah BG. J Nutr. 1976 Jul;106(7):913-7.Thus, to provide equivalent amounts of available zinc, the total zinc content of the soy protein-based formula would need to be at least 20% higher than that of the formula containing milk protein.Full Abstract Here ManganeseThe soybean plant has the ability to absorb manganese from the soil and concentrate it to an extent that soy-based infant formulas can contain as much as 200 times the level of manganese found in natural breast milk. In babies, excess manganese that cannot be metabolised is stored in body organs. Around eight percent of the excess manganese in the diet is stored in the brain in close proximity to the dopamine-bearing neurons responsible, in part, for adolescent neurological development. The implications are that the one in eight infants raised on soy formula during the first six months of life may be at risk of brain and behavioural disorders that do not become evident until adolescence. The following three articles discuss the issue of manganese toxicity further: Is soy-based infant formula brain damaging? Press Release written by David Goodman, Ph.D. ADD-ing it up: soy infant formula, ADD/ADHD and manganese toxicityKaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN, 2162 Candelero Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505Phone: +1 505 984 2093Email: wholenutrifionistWebsite: http://www.thewholesoystory.comAbstractManganese is an essential trace mineral, but high levels are neurotoxic to newborns. Infants fed soy infant formula ingest as much as 80 times more manganese per day than those who are breast fed. Although healthy toddlers, children and adults exposed to excess manganese can usually eliminate most of it, infants cannot because their immature livers are not fully functional. At the same time, their growing brains and other organs are highly susceptible to damage from neurotoxins. This article reviews research showing that neonates exposed to the high levels of manganese present in soy formula are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental abnormalities, including an impaired ability to make the neurotransmitter dopamine and damage to the substantia nigra, caudate, putamen and globus pallidus areas of the brain. These findings suggest that soy infant formula is a likely contributor to the epidemic of ADD/ADHD and other cognitive and behavioral disorders.This paper is a slightly revised and updated version of Chapter 21 from my book The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America’s Favorite Health Food (Publisher: NewTrends Publishing, Inc. (March 10, 2005); ISBN: 0967089751). © Copyright 2005 Pearblossom Private School, Inc.—Publishing Division. All rights reserved. "How safe is soy infant formula?". Manganese content of soy or rice beverages is high in comparison to infant formulas.Cockell KA, Bonacci G, Belonje B.Nutrition Research Division, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. kevin_cockellOBJECTIVE: Well-meaning but inadequately informed parents may perceive plant-based beverages such as soy beverages (SB) or rice beverages (RB) as an alternative to infant formula. Manganese (Mn) is an essential mineral nutrient found at high levels in plants such as soy and rice. Excessive Mn exposure increases the risk of adverse neurological effects. METHODS: We analysed, by atomic absorption spectrometry, the Mn content of 36 SB, 5 RB, 6 evaporated milks (EM), 14 soy-based infant formulas (SF) and 16 milk-based infant formulas (MF), obtained from commercial outlets in Ottawa, Canada. RESULTS: SB had the highest levels of Mn (16.5 +/- 8.6 micro g/g dry wt, mean +/- s.d.), followed by RB (9.9 +/- 1.7 micro g/g dry wt). Mn levels of individual SB/RB ranged from 2 to 17 times the mean Mn content of SF (2.4 +/- 0.7 micro g/g dry wt) and 7 to 56 times that of MF (0.70 +/- 0.35 micro g/g dry wt). EM contained very little Mn (0.02 +/- 0.03 micro g/g dry wt). Calculated mean Mn intakes from SB/RB by infants up to 6 months of age, assuming complete substitution of these products (0.78 L/day), approached the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for 1-3 year olds (no UL for Mn is available for infants under 1 year of age). Expressed as micro g Mn/100 kcal, SB/RB exceeded the range derived from ULs and typical energy intakes of 1-3 year olds. CONCLUSIONS: SB/RB should not be fed to infants because they are nutritionally inadequate and contain Mn at levels which may present an increased risk of adverse neurological effects if used as a sole source of nutrition. AluminiumAluminum and bone disorders: with specific reference to aluminum contamination of infant nutrients.Koo WW, Kaplan LA. J Am Coll Nutr. 1988 Jun;7(3):199-214.Enteral nutrients including human and whole cow milk have low Al, whereas highly processed infant formulas with multiple additives, such as soy formula, preterm infant formula, and formulas for specific disorders are heavily contaminated with Al.However, even with normal renal function, only 30-60% of an Al load from parenteral nutrition is excreted in the urine, resulting in tissue accumulation of Al. To minimize tissue burden, Al content of infant nutrients should be similar to "background" levels, i.e., similar to whole milk (less than 50 micrograms/L).Full Abstract Here Vitamin B12 DeficiencyVitamin B 12 deficiency has been recognised as a serious result of soy consumption for many years. For instance JJ Rackis discusses it in January 1974 in "Biological and Physiological Factors in Soybeans' in the J. Am. Oil Chemists Soc, pp 161", and Irvin E Liener examines it in 1994 in "Implications of Anti-Nutritional Components in Soybean Foods in Soybean" in Critical Reviews in Food Science and NutritionThere is a simple explanation of some of the physical effects that can result from a deficiency of this important nutrient at. "Vegans Deficient in Nutrients".If the Moorhead trial judge had known this, would these people now be serving a jail term for the death of their child? Read about the Seventh Day Adventist Moorheads Here and Here. Vitamin B1 DeficiencySoy is deficient in Vitamin B1. In extreme cases...as in the one below,where it seems the formula maker ( a Heinz subsidiary) omitted to fortify the formula with Vitamin B1 to compensate for the nutritional risks of consuming too much soy.Arutz-7 News: Monday, November 10, 2003THREE BABIES HOSPITALIZED WITH BERIBERIThree infants between the ages of five months and a year were hospitalized in Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva last night, for fear that they, too, may have been inflicted with the Remedia-B1 syndrome. The number of hospitalized babies in the Remedia case is now eight; 17 instances have been discovered, and three babies have died, including one who died six months ago. The condition of three babies in Schneider Children's Hospital has improved, although a fourth is still unconscious. The Health Ministry issued instructions last night for all parents who have fed their babies Remedia's soy-based milk substitute in the past two months to take them for check-ups. The country's health funds will distribute free Vitamin B1 syrup to babies who need it.The Health Ministry now assumes that the mysterious disease is nothing other than beriberi, a severe thiamine (B1) deficiency, which some feel is a "third world" disease. Beriberi has become very rare in the western world because most foods are vitamin-enriched. However, it can occur in breast-fed infants when the mother has an inadequate intake of thiamine, in infants fed formulas with inadequate thiamine supplements, and in developing countries with limited diets based largely on milled rice.The Remedia formula is not poisonous, but it does not contain the all-important Vitamin B1 - contrary to the list of ingredients on the package. The formula was changed several months ago, but the list of ingredients did not reflect the new composition. Not only did the stock of Remedia's competitor Materna jump 41% yesterday, but the State Prosecution is now considering a criminal investigation against the directors of Remedia. Other ToxinsLetter to FDA CONSUMER magazine http://www.fda.gov/fdac/departs/2000/400_ltrs.html August 2000The FDA Consumer article on soy spoke of the possible risks of plant estrogens, but made no mention of the carcinogenic effects of protease inhibitors found in soy. McGuinness et al. report rats fed raw soya flour develop cancer of the pancreas ("The effects of long-term feeding of soya flour on the rat pancreas," Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 1980; 15:497-502). They say that preheating the flour protected the animals, but others have said that the high heat required (130 degrees Celsius) to deactivate the carcinogenic trypsin inhibitors in soya flour denatures the soy proteins to the point that they become virtually useless. If this is so, one either chooses less heating, resulting in more surviving trypsin inhibitors, or more heating, resulting in useless protein. William Jarvis, Ph.D.Department of Health Promotion and EducationLoma Linda UniversityLoma Linda, Calif. SoyatoxinThe soy industry funds millions of dollars of research each year; what chance is there for the discoverers of soyatoxin to get funding to continue their work?