Soy as an Endocrine Disruptor: Cause for Caution?
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S. Bar-El Dadon
ABSTRACT
Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) alter the function of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects. Phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds abundantly found in soy and soy products, behave as weak estrogen mimics or as antiestrogens. They are considered to be EDCs, and have some beneficial effects on health, including reducing the risk of breast cancer and improving metabolic parameters. However, the supporting evidence that consumption of phytoestrogens is beneficial is indirect and inconsistent. Lifetime exposure to estrogenic substances, especially during critical periods of development, has been associated with formation of malignancies and several anomalies of the reproductive systems. Phytoestrogen consumption in infants, through soy-based formulas, is of particular concern. Prospective epidemiological studies for the evaluation of the effect of phytoestrogens alone, and in combination with other estrogenic chemicals, are lacking, yet possible adverse effects should not be taken lightly.
© Freund Publishing House Ltd.
ABSTRACT
Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) alter the function of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects. Phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds abundantly found in soy and soy products, behave as weak estrogen mimics or as antiestrogens. They are considered to be EDCs, and have some beneficial effects on health, including reducing the risk of breast cancer and improving metabolic parameters. However, the supporting evidence that consumption of phytoestrogens is beneficial is indirect and inconsistent. Lifetime exposure to estrogenic substances, especially during critical periods of development, has been associated with formation of malignancies and several anomalies of the reproductive systems. Phytoestrogen consumption in infants, through soy-based formulas, is of particular concern. Prospective epidemiological studies for the evaluation of the effect of phytoestrogens alone, and in combination with other estrogenic chemicals, are lacking, yet possible adverse effects should not be taken lightly.
© Freund Publishing House Ltd.
Articles in the same Issue
- The Soy That Surrounds Us: An Endless Debate
- Soy as an Endocrine Disruptor: Cause for Caution?
- Mass Ascites in Mulibrey Nanism
- Delayed Gastric Emptying in Patients with Prader Willi Syndrome
- Age and Sex Differences in Fat Distribution in Non-Obese Japanese Children
- Premature Thelarche in Taiwanese Girls
- Growth Hormone, Insulin Like Growth Factor-1, and Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-3 Levels in the Neonatal Period: A Preliminary Study
- Bone Maturation in 1788 Children and Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
- Serum Thyroid Hormone Levels in Preterm Infants Born before 33 Weeks of Gestation and Association of Transient Hypothyroxinemia with Postnatal Characteristics
- Birth Length is a Predictor of Adiponectin Levels in Japanese Young Children
- Genotype-Phenotype Correlation in CAH Patients with Severe CYP21A2 Point Mutations in the Republic of Macedonia
- Benign Transient Hyperphosphatasemia of Infancy. A Common Benign Scenario, a Big Concern for a Pediatrician
- Scarcity Despite Wealth: Osteopetrorickets
- Growth Hormone Therapy and the Risk of Tumor Recurrence after Brain Tumor Treatment in Children
- Insulin Resistance and the Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children Referred to an Obesity Center
- Severe Dietary Protein Sensitivity and Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia in a Patient with Heterozygous Mutation in HADH Gene
- Neonatal Autoimmune Hypothyroidism: A Patient Report
- Adverse Effect of Phenytoin on Glucocorticoid Replacement in a Child with Adrenal Insufficiency
- Investigation of Acquired Von Willebrand Syndrome in Children with Hypothyroidism: Reversal after Treatment with Thyroxine
- Kabuki Syndrome and Crohn Disease in a Child with Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia
Articles in the same Issue
- The Soy That Surrounds Us: An Endless Debate
- Soy as an Endocrine Disruptor: Cause for Caution?
- Mass Ascites in Mulibrey Nanism
- Delayed Gastric Emptying in Patients with Prader Willi Syndrome
- Age and Sex Differences in Fat Distribution in Non-Obese Japanese Children
- Premature Thelarche in Taiwanese Girls
- Growth Hormone, Insulin Like Growth Factor-1, and Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-3 Levels in the Neonatal Period: A Preliminary Study
- Bone Maturation in 1788 Children and Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
- Serum Thyroid Hormone Levels in Preterm Infants Born before 33 Weeks of Gestation and Association of Transient Hypothyroxinemia with Postnatal Characteristics
- Birth Length is a Predictor of Adiponectin Levels in Japanese Young Children
- Genotype-Phenotype Correlation in CAH Patients with Severe CYP21A2 Point Mutations in the Republic of Macedonia
- Benign Transient Hyperphosphatasemia of Infancy. A Common Benign Scenario, a Big Concern for a Pediatrician
- Scarcity Despite Wealth: Osteopetrorickets
- Growth Hormone Therapy and the Risk of Tumor Recurrence after Brain Tumor Treatment in Children
- Insulin Resistance and the Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children Referred to an Obesity Center
- Severe Dietary Protein Sensitivity and Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia in a Patient with Heterozygous Mutation in HADH Gene
- Neonatal Autoimmune Hypothyroidism: A Patient Report
- Adverse Effect of Phenytoin on Glucocorticoid Replacement in a Child with Adrenal Insufficiency
- Investigation of Acquired Von Willebrand Syndrome in Children with Hypothyroidism: Reversal after Treatment with Thyroxine
- Kabuki Syndrome and Crohn Disease in a Child with Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia
