Infant soy formulas are marketed by manufacturers as an alternative to breast milk and cow’s milk for feeding newborns. The most common reason is allergies.
The fundamental basis for their use for this purpose is the fact that soy is a source of high-quality protein (similar in quality to milk protein), which is necessary for the normal growth and development of newborns, and also contains some important vitamins and minerals for the child.
Opinions among scientists regarding soy formulas for children are very contradictory. Some believe that soy formulas are a worthy alternative to milk, while others argue that their consumption by infants may lead to irreversible disorders in growth and development.
This article is a supplement to a series of articles on the benefits and harms of soy, the harm of soy protein isolate, and phytoestrogens in soy.
Although “children, breastfeeding” is not the theme of the resource promusculus.ru, we decided to publish this material, as in studying the issue of the benefits and harms of soy protein isolate in sports and dietetics, we came across interesting facts that few people talk about, but which mothers need to keep in mind.
Below we will examine the potential risks of feeding children soy formulas, the fundamental differences between such formulas and milk-based ones, and we will provide reviews from experts and parents about soy nutrition.
Main thoughts:
Feeding boys soy formulas may lead to delayed puberty and defects in the formation of sexual organs
What this article is based on
This article is based on materials from the book The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America’s Favorite Health Food, which is a comprehensive study of the harm of soy and its derived products for men, women, and children.
(The book is available in a paid English version on amazon.com).
The author of the book, Kaayla T. Daniel, in turn, drew information for its writing from the following sources:
- professional translations of scientific publications from Japanese and other languages;
- full-text studies from scientific journals, including hard-to-access ones;
- correspondence with representatives of the soy industry and government organizations;
- documents obtained at significant financial cost and effort under the Freedom of Information Act;
- consumer reviews of soy products from men and women who suffered themselves or saw the sad results of feeding their children with soy infant formulas.
Expert reviews on soy formulas for children based on soy flour
It is known that the idea of consuming soy as food was borrowed by the West from the East.
However, it is interesting that soy formulas and milk were never used in the past for feeding infants in Asia.
Scientists first began testing them on newborns in the early 20th century. At that time, they were made from soy flour. This was the first generation of soy infant nutrition.
The protocol of one such experiment, dated 1932, which involved 205 infants, contains the following description:
“The volume of fecal matter in infants on soy formula exceeds at least twice that of infants on cow’s milk.
They observe 3-4 stools of greenish color per day. Those children who have stools 6-7 times a day do not survive.
The size of the fecal mass significantly decreases if the soy infant formula is boiled before consumption.” 1-3.
It is obvious that the reason for the large volume of fecal mass was that the inhibitors of the enzyme trypsin and other natural toxins of soy were not deactivated during the production of infant formulas, which hindered the absorption of soy protein and trace elements.
The following problems are characteristic of soy formulas made from soy flour:
- vitamin A deficiency: initially, some manufacturers tried to solve this problem by adding cod liver oil with a high content of it to the formulas;
- calcium deficiency and the presence of phytates, which hinder the absorption of calcium and other minerals from food;
- poor protein absorption due to the presence of trypsin inhibitors – a digestive enzyme responsible for protein breakdown;
- disruption of thyroid function;
- unpleasant taste;
- digestive disorders (diarrhea).
Scientific reports from the 1940s to 1960s on the effectiveness of soy infant formulas contain facts of vitamin A, K, B12, and mineral deficiencies of zinc, iron, and calcium in children.
“Children fed on soy formulas without the addition of cow’s milk grow worse than children on milk.” 4,5
Manufacturers reacted to such facts in the least costly way for them: they began to enrich soy formulas with the appropriate vitamins, minerals, and other substances that improve their absorption (for example, vitamin C to enhance iron absorption) 6-8.
In 1939, damage to thyroid function was recorded in domestic birds fed with soy feed, and in the following two decades, it was proven that soy infant formulas lead to thyroid function disruption in children 5.
The manufacturers’ response was expected: soy infant formulas began to be enriched with iodine.
Note: in both cases, the cause was not eliminated but simply compensated by adding certain ingredients.
The first soy formulas for children were made from soy flour, containing all the naturally toxic substances of soy to humans and giving the formulas a characteristic unpleasant bean taste.
The next step was the use of the most high-tech achievement of the soy industry – soy protein isolate – for the production of baby food.
We recommend: Soy Protein Isolate: 9 Facts About the Harm of the “Beneficial” Revolutionary Product
Expert Opinions on the Benefits and Harms of Soy Infant Formulas Based on Soy Protein Isolate
The soy protein isolate (and blends based on it), despite the manufacturers’ efforts to create a perfect plant-based protein source, inherits some problems characteristic of soy.
This primarily concerns the natural toxic substances inherent in it, which, like a spoonful of tar in a barrel of honey, make the final product, in the opinion of many experts, dangerous to health.
1 The problem with protein quality and absorption
At the beginning of using soy blends based on soy protein isolate, children also demonstrated growth retardation compared to those fed with breast milk or cow’s milk.
Scientists established that the cause was a deficiency of the amino acid methionine in soy protein 9-13. After the enrichment with this amino acid began, a formula was finally obtained that was practically an “ideal” substitute for breast milk.
Modern children’s soy blends also include carnitine, necessary for the optimal utilization of fats by the mitochondria of cells for energy production, and taurine – a conditionally essential amino acid that functions as an antioxidant and is necessary for bile formation 14.
In addition, in the material about the harm of soy protein isolate, we mentioned that due to the production processing with alkalis, acids, and high temperatures, the content of some amino acids decreases, which in turn form compounds that are harmful to human health.
In the isolate, there are still inhibitors of digestive enzymes necessary for protein digestion.
Although most of them are neutralized during the high-temperature heating process during production, a significant portion of these substances remains 15.
At the same time, the manufacturer is not required to indicate their quantitative content on the packaging, nor to warn consumers that their consumption increases the load on the pancreas and leads to its enlargement 16.
The quality of protein in soy blends decreases as a result of the harsh technology used to obtain soy protein isolate; it also contains a certain amount of substances that hinder protein absorption.
2 The problem with mineral absorption
Phytates, which hinder the absorption of the minerals calcium, zinc, iron, and copper 17, playing an important role in the growth and development of children, are not completely removed from soy blends based on soy protein isolate. Regular consumption of these blends leads to the development of deficiencies in these minerals.
In soy protein isolate, approximately 1.5% of phytates from their amount in the beans remains, and about 30% of phosphorus is “bound” by these anti-nutrients and is unavailable.
For this reason, manufacturers enrich soy formulas with calcium and phosphorus. The final content of these minerals in infant formulas is approximately 20% higher than that in cow’s milk 18-24.
In 1967, researchers discovered that phytates in soy formulas based on soy protein isolate cause zinc deficiency if the formula is not enriched with it 25.
Additionally, phytates negatively affect blood iron levels 26.
In 1980, researchers identified two other problems related to mineral deficiencies when consuming infant formulas: chloride deficiency and manganese toxicity.
That year, 13 infants were hospitalized who were fed a new formula in a state of hypochloremic alkalosis (symptoms: lethargy, anorexia, mucus secretion in the mouth, blood in urine, growth disturbances) 27.
As for manganese, the issue with this mineral is the opposite: it is present in soy and soy protein isolate in very high amounts, tens and hundreds of times more than in breast milk.
Consuming this mineral in such large doses leads to brain damage in infants, manifesting as impaired learning ability, attention, behavioral disorders, and tendencies toward aggression 28.
Healthy adults and older children are generally capable of processing large doses of manganese, while newborns are not.
In this case, it is clear that since manganese is present in the soybeans themselves, the only way to solve the problem of its toxicity is to avoid consuming soy altogether.
Infant soy formulas based on soy protein isolate still contain phytates that hinder the absorption of certain minerals
3 Infant soy formulas contain analogs of female sex hormones
But the problems with soy protein isolate do not end there. Perhaps the most dangerous of all the issues mentioned is the presence of phytoestrogens (isoflavones) in it.
Phytoestrogens are plant-based analogs of the female sex hormone estrogen. They have diverse effects on the bodies of both adults and children.
If infants are exposed to their effects, it can lead to disruptions in the formation of the endocrine, nervous, reproductive, and immune systems.
With certain technological operations, phytoestrogens can be almost completely removed from soy protein isolate, but manufacturers typically neglect this due to the high cost of the necessary chemicals to reduce the final product’s price 29.
Bernard Zimmerli, PhD: “Isoflavones in soy protein isolate have a destructive effect on the hormonal system and threaten the growth and development of children’s reproductive systems.
Moreover, feeding children with soy-based formulas containing soy protein isolate leads to increased secretion of thyroid hormones and autoimmune thyroid diseases.” 30
Soy formulas for children contain analogs of the female sex hormone estrogen, which are responsible for disrupting the formation of the endocrine, nervous, reproductive, and immune systems in children.
Example of the harm of soy formulas for newborns
The fact that soy milk is dangerous for children is evidenced by the fact that some of its manufacturers (for example, WestSoy) place warnings about this on their product packaging.
Stories about serious health problems in children fed with soy formulas filled the front pages of newspapers in the 1990s. One of them was about a five-month-old infant in a state of severe malnutrition who was admitted to a children’s hospital in Arkansas 91.
Doctors found the child had heart failure, rickets (a disorder of bone formation due to insufficient mineralization), vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels), and neurological disorders.
The girl was exclusively fed soy formula starting from her third day of life. An analysis of this formula by the hospital doctors showed a significant deficiency of calcium, vitamins B3 (niacin), D, E, and C.
On June 13, 1990, the FDA issued a warning about the use of soy milk and formulas for feeding children due to “significant deficiencies in essential nutrients for children” and required manufacturers to place warning information about this on their product packaging.
Impact of phytoestrogens in children’s soy formulas on sexual development
Parents who feed their children soy formulas are giving them the hormonal equivalent of 3-5 birth control pills every day.
This is critically important for children, as their growing and developing bodies need certain hormones at the right time and in the right place.
Studies on monkeys, sheep, rats, as well as numerous clinical reports from doctors and parents indicate that estrogens from children’s soy formulas may pose irreversible harm to their children’s development and reproductive health 31-33.
One of the toxicologists at the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) states that children who were fed soy formulas “became part of a large uncontrolled experiment” 34.
The timing immediately after birth is critical for programming the child’s reproductive system. At this time, certain levels of female hormones (estrogens) and male hormones (testosterone) set the direction for the child’s development.
For children on a soy diet, this programming mechanism may be disrupted. The reason lies in the plant analogue of the female sex hormone estrogen, which is contained in them.
Soy phytoestrogens can lead to a disruption of the very mechanism of estrogen and testosterone production in the human body: by acting on and deactivating the receptors of these hormones in the brain, they block the signals sent to the corresponding organs responsible for their synthesis 35-37.
“It has long been known that changes in the ratio of sex hormones in newborn rats affect the mechanisms of their sexual development, determining sexual behavior, and lead to structural changes in certain areas of the brain.
The effect of such hormonal exposure is often not noticeable until the onset of puberty.” 38,39
“In humans, the situation is similar.
Before and after birth, there are several critical periods when changes in the proper ratio of hormones can affect the development of certain organs and tissues.
This can lead to the development of both male and female distinguishing sexual characteristics in the same organism.” 40
Soy infant formulas hinder the sexual development of boys
Soy phytoestrogens slow down the puberty of boys.
In the first months of life, the testosterone level in the body of a newborn male reaches the level of an adult man to program the development of male sexual characteristics during puberty.
If at this time the testosterone receptors in the body are “occupied” by estrogen or soy phytoestrogens, it may disrupt proper development 41-45.
Disruption of spermatogenesis, reduced testicle size, decreased fertility, distorted sexual behavior, and damage to brain areas responsible for sexual function have been shown in experiments on rats, mice, and monkeys 46-52.
Moreover, in all cases – problems began to manifest when the animals reached puberty.
In one experiment, a male monkey infant fed with soy formula had a testosterone level that was 53-70% lower than that of his twin brother on a milk formula.
At the same time, the amount of isoflavones that the first monkey received was 40-87% lower than the average amount received by a 4-month-old infant fed 100% on soy formula 53,54.
To be honest, most of the studies indicating the harm of soy formulas for sexual function are based on animal studies. For ethical reasons, scientists cannot conduct such experiments on humans.
However, today, when the history of active use of soy infant nutrition spans several decades, scientists have sufficient practical information to confirm the existence of the problem.
Doctors note numerous cases of delayed puberty in boys, as well as instances where adolescents do not reach it at all.
Along with this, defects in the formation of sexual organs are becoming very common: development of female breasts, underdevelopment of the testicles, undescended testicles, low testosterone levels 55, small volume and sperm.
Of course, there can be many reasons for this. But alongside poor ecology, high levels of environmental pollution with chemical toxins, scientists point to the widespread consumption of soy products 56.
The higher the level of phytoestrogens in the blood of newborn boys, the greater the likelihood of irreversible disorders. Conversely, the lower the level, the greater the chance of normal development 57-59.
Feeding boys with soy formulas may cause delayed puberty and defects in the formation of sexual organs.
Feeding girls with soy formulas accelerates their sexual development
In girls, the level of estrogen in the blood increases in the first months of life, then decreases and remains approximately the same until puberty. This fact, as in the case of boys, highlights the importance of the first months in sexual development.
If newborn girls are fed soy formulas, the phytoestrogens contained in them enhance the estrogenic effect, leading to a significant acceleration of puberty.
Today, cases are increasingly reported where girls as young as three years old develop breasts and start growing pubic hair.
There can also be many reasons for this, but here too, scientists point to a very high likelihood of the influence of soy products 60-61.
Early puberty in girls leads to various diseases of the reproductive organs in the future, including amenorrhea (menstrual disorders), menstrual cycles without ovulation (without the release of an egg), disruption of follicle development (follicles do not mature and develop into healthy eggs), hormonal surges, and infertility, leading to sterility.
In modern girls, cases of breast cancer are increasingly recorded at an early age, which may also be related to early puberty and increased estrogen activity in their bodies.
There are even fewer studies on the effects of soy phytoestrogens on girls than on boys.
However, there are many experimental confirmations of their harmful effects on animals.
The result of feeding female rats with soy protein isolate in various experiments was accelerated puberty, increased uterine weight, menstrual cycles without ovulation, an increase in the number of follicles with multiple eggs inside, and more 62-67.
The most notable human study was conducted in Puerto Rico. Researchers attempted to find the cause of early breast development in girls at the age of 2 years.
As a result, they established a correlation between the use of soy formulas by parents to feed girls in childhood, as well as the possible influence of certain chemicals present in the environment – a result of industrial activities – that have a similar effect to sex hormones on the body 68-70.
Feeding girls with infant soy formulas accelerates their sexual maturation and may also increase the risk of reproductive organ diseases and breast cancer in older age.
But estrogen is also present in breast milk???
Sometimes, soy advocates argue that the isoflavones in infant soy formulas are not a problem, as infants who are breastfed receive a large amount of maternal hormones estradiol, estriol, and estrone – types of estrogen.
This is indeed true, but the estrogenic effect of these hormones is significantly weaker than the effect of soy phytoestrogens.
Although estradiol is 1200 times stronger than the soy isoflavone genistein, the soy formula contains 130,000 times more isoflavones than estrogens in breast milk 71-73.
Moreover, the level of estradiol in breast milk decreases after the child is born, and this hormone virtually disappears after 2-3 weeks. At the same time, the intake of phytoestrogens from soy formulas does not stop and does not decrease for a long time.
“Children adapt very quickly to the presence of hormones in maternal milk and immediately after birth produce means to neutralize them.
But the last few generations of children have been subjected to the terrifying effects of soy estrogen analogs.” 74
Estrogens are present in maternal breast milk and they are more potent; however, the concentration of isoflavones in soy formulas can exceed the concentration of estrogen by 130,000 times.
How good are soy formulas for children as an alternative to milk in case of allergies?
The information below is important for those mothers whose children have allergies to breast or cow’s milk and who are considering using soy formula, as well as for those parents whose children are allergic to the soy formula itself.
Soy is among the top eight most potent allergens that can cause an immediate allergic reaction 81. Sometimes it is even placed in the top 4 and top 6 allergens 82.
Manufacturers of soy formulas for children and other soy products are aware of this issue. According to a statement from one of them:
“Allergy is one of the most likely side effects associated with the consumption of large amounts of soy products. However, our data do not support that this may pose a serious threat to the health of the U.S. population” 83.
Not very convincing.
Especially considering the considerable number of documented allergic reactions after the consumption of soy products, recorded by scientists and doctors.
The widespread interest of scientists in Sweden in soy as an allergen emerged after the case of a girl’s death due to a choking attack after consuming a hamburger containing 2.2% soy protein 84.
In response, a group of Swedish scientists analyzed data on all cases of deaths and other life-threatening reactions after the consumption of certain foods from 1993 to 1996.
They found that anaphylactic shock (a very rapid allergic reaction that can lead to death) after a soy hamburger was not a coincidence.
Of 61 cases of life-threatening food reactions, of which 5 were fatal, 45 were caused by peanuts, soy, and hazelnuts.
The cause of 4 out of 5 deaths was soy…
At the same time, the amount of soy consumed varied from one to ten grams – approximately the amount found in typical soy products that are not directly related to it: hamburgers, sauces, sausages, bread, etc.
Four children who died after consuming soy had a peanut allergy.
Anaphylactic shock is not a typical allergic reaction to soy. It is more commonly associated with peanuts, hazelnuts, and shellfish.
Nevertheless, scientific studies confirm that in the case of soy, the risk is not very high, but real 85.
Doctor of Science Ingrid Malmheden Yman from the Swedish National Food Administration recommends that parents limit the amount of peanuts and soy products during the third trimester of pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and avoid using soy-based infant formulas 86.
The situation with soy, unlike peanuts, is complicated by the fact that its explicit presence in food is often difficult to establish.
As the frequency of peanut allergies significantly increases nowadays, one can confidently expect that an increasing number of children and adults may suffer from soy allergies.
Those at risk for hidden soy allergies also include individuals with allergies to peas, other legumes, asthma, rhinitis, eczema, dermatitis, or family members with the aforementioned conditions 87.
Which is more allergenic: cow’s milk or soy?
The following figures are often cited: 0.3 – 7.5% of people have a milk allergy, 0.5 – 1.1% have a soy allergy. This implies a greater allergenicity of cow’s milk.
However, according to Kaayla T. Daniel, the facts indicate that soy and its derivatives are no less allergenic.
In any case, despite some controversy on the matter, it can be said unequivocally that soy formulas for children with cow’s milk allergy are not a very good alternative.
Very often, symptoms of cow’s milk allergy (such as diarrhea, bloating, vomiting, skin redness) disappear when children are switched to soy formula, but this is usually a temporary effect.
For many children, these symptoms return within a few weeks and become more severe.
Stefano Guandalini from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Chicago writes:
“A significant number of children with cow’s milk intolerance develop an intolerance to soy milk when it is used for their feeding” 88.
According to various estimates, 14-53% of children with cow’s milk allergy develop an allergic reaction to soy formulas 89,90.
Symptoms of cow’s milk allergy very often disappear in children when switching to soy formula, but after some time they return and manifest more strongly
Consumer Reviews of Soy Formulas for Children
Review of Soy Formula: The Difference Between Twin Boys, One of Whom Was Fed Soy Formula
I have 11-year-old twin boys. One of them (A) I fed with soy formula from 3 months old. There is a significant difference in their development and body constitution 80.
For example, the boy (B), whom I breastfed and fed with regular milk formula, is slim, wiry, active, and very talkative.
His brother (on soy formula) is overweight and sluggish. Despite tests showing a high level of intelligence, he is underperforming.
He also has disproportionately large breasts compared to the rest of his body.
C.S., London, UK
Review of Soy Formula: A Tall Boy with a Small Penis
I fed my seven-year-old son soy formula based on soy protein isolate for several months, and now his height and weight are off the charts 76.
Even though I asked many questions to doctors and dietitians about this, none of them ever mentioned a possible connection between soy and thyroid issues. He is not a big eater, very active, but his height is 1.5 meters and weight is 55 kg at the age of 7.
He also has small genitals, and he is teased at school for both his weight and small penis.
D.G., Manchester, UK
Review of Soy Baby Formula: Rapid Growth of Daughter and Early Menstruation
I breastfed my daughter until she was 5 months old, until I got sick 77.
She was weaned unexpectedly for me, and she was started on cow’s milk-based formula, resulting in her breaking out in a rash.
My doctor advised me to feed her a soy formula, mentioning that it was a more “healthy alternative.” This advice was given to me in August 1996, one month after the official warning from the Ministry of Health about the dangers of infant soy formulas.
However, I trusted my doctor more and was confident that all products sold for children’s nutrition were tested for safety and approved by regulatory authorities.
Now I am sure that I was wrong.
My daughter consumed soy formula for 12 months. By her second year, she grew very quickly and exceeded our expectations based on our relatives’ history.
Some time after her fourth birthday, she began to have regular female discharges. Doctors started examining her without providing conclusions, and she began visiting a gynecologist, which was very strange for me considering her age.
Recently, I learned about the potential dangers of soy infant formulas and studied the issue thoroughly. The results of my research turned my world upside down, and my conclusion is very alarming.
P.W., Auckland, New Zealand
Review of Soy Formula for Children: Early Puberty of My Daughter and Thyroid Problems
I personally got very lucky, as I have a friend who is a scientist in England 78.
Five years ago, he told me, “Soy, even in small amounts, is not good for you. Don’t eat it at all.”
I listened to him and don’t eat it, but 16 years ago I fed my daughter a soy formula because she could not digest milk.
Now she has all the symptoms of a classic soy-raised child: menstruation started at 10 years old, low thyroid hormone levels, frequent severe migraines, learning difficulties, skin disease vitiligo, the cause of which is a thyroid dysfunction.
I am sure I harmed her by feeding her soy formula, and it is very hard for me to come to terms with that.
Recently, I came across a book from 1950 about the thyroid, which clearly stated that soy has a negative impact on the thyroid gland.
This was known 50 years ago, but this information is still being suppressed because manufacturers pay bribes. The realization of this infuriates me.
A.R., London, UK
Review of Soy Formula: “I Just Want to Die…”
My daughter was on soy formula from 4 weeks to 3 years old, as she could not tolerate my milk 79.
At 2 years old, her whole body began to swell, starting from her left arm and beyond. She was hospitalized, but the condition persisted for three weeks, despite being given steroids.
The doctors could not find the cause.
At 4 years old, she had thyroid tests that indicated a problem, but a repeat test showed nothing.
Over time, more health issues arose, and her joints hurt very often.
She broke several bones, the most serious fracture being a spiral fracture of the femur, which occurred when she jumped over the cord of my sewing machine.
She developed breasts very early, and despite her fragile constitution, she started menstruating at the age of 11. They lasted for 7 days and were very painful with severe back pain. At times, she said she just wanted to die.
Her doctor is trying to find contraceptive pills that will help her.
E.S., Sydney, Australia
