Soy intolerance is a hypersensitive reaction to soy, different from a soy allergy. Soy protein is no longer recommended as a milk alternative for infants due to intolerance risks. Symptoms include digestive issues, breathing problems, and swelling. Diagnosis is difficult, but treatment involves eliminating soy from the diet.
Soy intolerance is a non-allergic, hypersensitive reaction to soy. By definition, a soy intolerance is not the same as a soy allergy. A food allergy is an immune system response that specifically requires the presence of the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, while food intolerance is caused by the inability to properly digest certain foods and/or absorb nutrients sufficiently.
A bit of controversy surrounds soy products. Some people believe that soy is a heart-healthy, protein-rich miracle plant. Along with its popularity, criticism of the dietary benefits of soy has increased. Some skeptics have gone so far as to say that the human digestive system itself is intolerant of soy.
Soy protein is used as an alternative to cow’s milk protein in infant formula for infants with dairy intolerance. Unfortunately, many of the babies who receive soy protein because of their dairy intolerance also develop intolerance to soy protein. For this reason, soy protein is no longer recommended for use as a milk alternative for infants.
Soy intolerance can cause digestive problems, such as cramps, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. It can cause breathing problems, heart palpitations, or a drop in blood pressure. Soy intolerance can cause hives, rash, and swelling of the neck or face. The swelling can affect the eyes, lips, or tongue. Serious reactions to soy intolerance, such as anaphylaxis, are very rare.
Identification of soy intolerance is often difficult. Physiological reactions to soy intolerance can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 48 hours to appear. It is difficult to determine which food is responsible for the symptoms, because a person will typically have eaten up to six different meals during that time period.
Once it has been identified, soy intolerance is fairly simple to treat. As with all other food allergies and intolerances, soy must be eliminated from the person’s diet. Soy is one of the most common ingredients used in processed foods in the United States and many other countries. A person with a soy intolerance should be very careful when checking food labels.
An individual could self-diagnose with soy intolerance. If the manifestations are mild, the individual can eliminate soy from their diet and see if that alleviates the symptoms. It’s usually a good idea to talk to a nutritionist or medical professional about the symptoms that are present in order to receive a proper diagnosis.
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