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From:
Joyce Mitchell <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 14 Apr 1996 17:42:14 -0600
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>  I read with interest this post about how children exposed to
phytoestrogens in soy grew fine so far.
I recently read an article in the paper about a study at the
Penn. State universitys Milton S. Hershey Medical Center that
found that extra estrogen causes aggresive behavior in girls
much the way testosterone does in boys.  The article was very
short but it said the study subjects were pre-pubescent.
 Another article I read said a person can be exposed to estrogen
mimicking chemicals from pesticides, soybeans, growth promoters
used in the livestock industry, and even the residue of birth
control pills, which after being excreted eventually find their
way back into normal water supplies.
 A '91 or '92 study "suggested that the prevalence of
estrogen-like compounds in our environment could account for the
50% drop in human sperm counts around the world over the past 5
decades."
The compound furan (TCDE)an estrogen like compound, it's
detected in diapers.  I worry about baby's wearing these diapers
7 days a week, 24 hrs. a day off-gassing into their skin for 2
to 3 years.  Personally, I air our paper diapers out before they
are put on.  Anyways it looks to me like it could be a
complicated issue to study, but I haven't seen growth addressed
in any of my readings, only cancer, deformities, behavior
changes, neurological problems, and infertility.  I don't have
any ideas on what to make of it, just that it's a complicated
issue to  study.
-Joyce

Sanna James wrote:
Mark Messina, PhD, who researches soy and phytoestrogens.
>  He says:>
> "There has been considerable concern expressed --especially among some people
> in New Zealand -- about the safety of infant exposure to large amounts of
> phytoestrogens, as would occur with feeding soy infant formula.  Many studies
> show that children develop normally when fed soy formula"
>
> perhaps normally for formula-fed children (my aside)   He continues:
>
> "However, longer term studies haven't been conducted nor have there been
> short term studies designed to specifically examine the phytoestrogen issue.
>  Based on current evidence, my position is that soy infant formula is safe.
>  I recently had a letter published in the New Zealand Journal of Medicine
> that stated this.  There have not been any letters published in scientific
> journals from physicians who report estrogen-like effects in infants fed soy
> formula.  These effects have also not been reported in growth studies of
> infants fed soy formula.
>      From a biological standpoint, it certainly is possible that estrogens
> could disrupt development.  Cassidy et al showed that 45 mg of isoflavones
> extends the length of the menstrual cycle in 60 kg women, so it seems clear
> that there can be biological effects from isoflavones.  Infants fed soy
> formula ingest about 25 mg of isoflavones per day, but they weigh about 6 kg.
>  So there are issues that need to be examined.
>      With regard to the diabetes issue, the controversy stems from a
> statement in the position paper of the AAP (Pediatrics 94;752,1994) which
> suggested that soy formula may cause diabetes (although the article primarily
> addressed the issue of cow's milk and diabetes).  The statement about soy was
> based mostly on animal studies.  This was followed by a letter in Pediatrics
> (96;515,1995) supporting the possibility that soy might contribute to
> diabetes risk, and then by 2 excellent letters that completely refuted this
> theory (Pediatrics, 86;541,1996)."
>
> Another RD cited an article in the April 96 issue of Diabetes Care on soy,
> wheat, cow's milk and IDDM in rats.  Hope this is useful.
> Sanna James MS, RD (Mill Valley, CA) [log in to unmask]

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