Soy Protein Formulas in Children: No Hormonal Effects in Long-term Feeding

Abstract

Recently, the finding of high plasma concentration of phyto-oestrogens in soy protein formula (SPF) fed children has focused scientific attention on the phyto-oestrogens (isoflavones genistein, daidzein, and their glycosides) contained in SPFs. The aim of this study was to evaluate some hormonal and metabolic effects of long-term (more than 6 months) SPF feeding. We enrolled 48 children, mean age 37 months (range 7-96 months), 27 males and 21 females. All children underwent physical examination. Bone age, urinary markers of bone metabolism, serum levels of bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, 17beta-oestradiol, and intact parathyroid hormone were measured. Eighteen healthy children represented the control group. No abnormalities were observed in auxological parameters; none of the enrolled girls showed signs/symptoms of precocious puberty and none of the boys presented gynecomastia; bone age was within the normal range. The serum level of bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, 17beta-oestradiol, and intact parathyroid hormone, and the urinary levels of the markers of bone metabolism were all within normal values. We conclude that long-term feeding with SPFs in early life does not seem to produce oestrogen-like hormonal effects.

Proximate Composition, Phytoconstituents and Mineral Contents of Soybean (Glycine Max) Flour Grown and Processed in Northern Nigeria

“…SBIFs provide (Glycine Max) Flour Grown and Processed in Northern Nigeria complete nutrition that adequately supports normal infant growth and development. FDA has accepted SBIFs as safe for use as a good source of nutrition [30].…”

Developmental variations in environmental influences including endocrine disruptors on pubertal timing and neuroendocrine control: Revision of human observations and mechanistic insight from rodents

“…These authors also find puberty to be delayed in boys (Den Hond et al, 2002) but they have reported early male puberty more recently (Den Hond et al, 2011). After exposure to phytoestrogens (Adgent et al, 2012;Kim et al, 2011;Strom et al, 2001;Giampietro et al, 2004) or phthalates (Mouritsen et al, 2013;Rais-Bahrami et al, 2004;Mieritz et al, 2012), the findings are also inconsistent: normal or early timing of menarche and normal or early male puberty irrespective of the presumable period of exposure.…”

Phytoestrogens as Pharma Foods

“…35 Research has shown that there are no adverse effects on human growth, development, or reproduction due to the consumption of soy-based infant formula as compared to conventional cow-milk formula. [36][37] In a clinical studies of infants fed SBIFs [soy-based infant formulas] have resolved questions and raised no clinical concerns with respect to nutritional adequacy, sexual development, neurobehavioral development, immune development, or thyroid disease. SBIFs provide complete nutrition that adequately supports normal infant growth and development.…”