Surprising Insights On Soy (NAPSA)—Although soy is widely considered a “health food,” an increasing number of scientists, doctors and nutritionists have come to a different conclusion. In fact, some researchers say a diet high in soy could even be dangerous, especially for children. Studies Link Soy To Disorders Studies by the U.S Food and tA Drug Administration and scientific : journals such as Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition and The Journal of Nutrition, among others, link soy and m& foods made with soy to malnutrition, digestive distress, thy—___ roid damage, reproductive disorders, ADD/ADHD, even heart disease and cancer. In addition, increasing numbers of people are developingsoyallergies. KaaylaT. Daniel Soy is now widely regarded as one of the top eight allergens and, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, some experts see it moving soon into the top four. There are many reasonsfor this, including the growing popularity of soy infant formula and the in- creased use of soy ingredients in nearly every packaged, processed and fast food. In addition, soy allergies increased 50 percent the year genetically modified soybeans entered the food supply. International Warnings What's more, the experts at the Israeli Health Ministry have warned that babies should not get soy formula, that children to age 18 should not eat soy foods or drink soy milk more than once a day or more than three times per week, and that adults should exercise caution because of adverse effects on fertility and increased breast cancerrisk. A diet high in soy could hold sur- prising danger, especially for children and women atrisk for breast cancer. The French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) recently announced tough new regulations that will require manufacturers to remove the plant estrogens from soy infant formula and to put warning labels on packages of soy foods and soy milk alerting consumers of the dangers to children under 3, to those with thyroid disease and to women who have been diagnosed with—or have a family history of—breast cancer. Intriguing Book Says Shun Soy Helping Americans better understand those dangers is a new book, “The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America’s Favorite Health Food” by Kaayla T. Daniel, Ph.D. (New Trends). In it, the author explains her belief that babies who receive soy formula, vegetarians who use soy as meat and dairy replacements, and adults whoselfmedicate with soy thinkingit will prevent disease, are at special risk. Where To FindIt The book is in bookstores and at www.amazon.com.
