Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Studies Short on Soy Formula Risks

Studies Short on Soy Formula Risks: "Studies Short on Soy Formula Risks
Experts See Little Health Danger With Formula By Todd Zwillich
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD
on Friday, March 17, 2006

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March 17, 2006 -- There is not enough scientific data to determine whether or not soy formula consumed by millions of infants poses a health risk, a government panel concluded Friday.
Experts say they have little concern that an estrogen-like substance in soy -- known as genistein -- poses a developmental risk to infants who consume it or whose parents consumed it in soy-based foods.
Still, very few studies have looked at the long-term health effects of soy formula, which is used to feed an estimated 25% of all U.S. infants, the panel says.
Soy has raised concerns not only because of its exploding consumption by U.S. infants and adults but also because studies have shown that genistein can interfere with hormonal function in rats and their offspring.
A variety of toxic effects, including stunted growth, sexual organ abnormalities, and decreased fertilization, have all been observed in laboratory animals. All of the effects appear to be caused by genistein's ability to mimic the effects of natural estrogen. Some researchers also suspect soy of playing a role in reduced breast cancer rates in Japan, where soy consumption is very high.
The committee says it had 'negligible' concern that usual intakes of genistein cause adverse health effects in newborns and infants who consume soy formula, though one expert -- Ruth Etze, MD -- dissented from the conclusion. Etzel, a pediatrician at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anc"

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