PHE5010 Environmental and Occupational Health (final paper)

The Effects Soy Milk Has on The Health of Infants

Daysha Snipes

South University

Parents and Guardians often trust that formulas that they purchase as a supplement for breast milk are safe for their infant children unless they are advised otherwise. In Recent studies soy milk has been found to be harmful in many ways. It contains harmful chemicals such as phytic acid, trypsin inhibitors, and phytoestrogens or isoflavones. Are consumers adequately protected from hazardous chemicals when they purchase soy milk formulas?

Many mothers who choose to give their children soy- based formulas cannot breast feed, found that their babies have allergies to other formulas, or are vegan and choose no not indulge in animal- based products. In many cases mothers are not informed that these formulas could possibly harm their infants in the long run. Children have no voice in what they choose to eat and only source of right and wrong are their parents. If the parents do not have the proper literature on these things and there are so regulations for these formulas there is no way for parents to make sound decisions on they should feed their children. Pregnancy and motherhood is something that has so many decisions in order to prepare for the child. Mothers have to think about names, schools the child will attend, the brand of pampers, and soaps the child will use and most of these decisions are based off of literature provided by government agencies, and pediatric studies.

Final Project 2

Studies have shown that soy milk has different effects on male and female children. Female infants may suffer negative hormonal impact. A published study done in 2011 time-to-menarche was assessed in nearly 3,000 girls. (NIEHS,2018). The girls identified as early soy fed via soy infant formula had an increased risk of menarche specifically in the early adolescence stages. Early sexual development in girls can promote serious problems such as unexplained infertility and breast cancer. They also had a slightly greater incidence of regularly using asthma and allergy medication. Lastly, girls who indulged in soy formula have a slightly longer duration of menstrual bleeding. In their male counterparts an influx of female hormones infant boy’s bloodstream has the potential to cause serious developmental problems at puberty.  During the first few months of life, a baby boy has testosterone levels that could be as high as that of an adult male in preparation for the future. This “testosterone surge” readies the baby boy’s hormonal system for puberty both for normal development of the sexual organs and also patterns of male behavior (NIEHS,2018). Introducing female like hormones could be responsible for delayed physical maturation and poor development of the sexual organs.

Trypsin Inhibitors are proteins found in plentiful amounts in soybeans that inhibit digestion and absorption of nutrients (NIEHS,2018) These inhibitors are large in size and require the application of high heat for appreciable periods of time to be neutralized.

The process of producing soy infant formula deactivates the majority of trypsin inhibitors. Given that a baby’s brain grows at its most rapid rate the first year of life, growing to about 75% percent of adult size (it is 25% of adult size at birth), even a slight retardation of growth could be devastating to development of the brain and nervous system (NIEHS,2018).

Final Project 3

Phytic acid is an organic acid that is present in large amounts in soybeans. Phytates are present in the outer portion of all seeds and blocks the absorption of critical minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and particularly zinc (NIEHS,2018). Phytic acid can be irritating to the digestive tract. Researchers testing soy formula in 1967 found that soy formula caused zinc deficiency in every single infant who received it (NIEHS,2018). Zinc is known as the intelligence mineral because it is critical for optimal development and functioning of the brain and nervous system. As a result, deficiency of this nutrient in infants at a time when the brain is growing at its most rapid rate could have lifelong implications and possibly reduce IQ (NIEHS,2018).

Some parents believe that genetically modified soy is the issue and buying organic soy formula is better for their infant. There is in truth in this. Organic soy formula does indeed provide a better-quality source of soy, organic soy still has the same problems as GMO soy.  Trypsin and protease inhibitors, high levels of phytic acid, and large amounts of hormone disrupting plant estrogens can devastate baby’s digestive development and hormones potentially for life (NIEHS,2018)!

I believe soy-based milk products are not healthy for infant children. The chemical components of these formulas are harmful and not in the best interest of infant children. Soy-based products need to be improved, taken off the shelf, or parents need to be rightfully informed about the negative effects it could cause on infants.

Final Project 4

References

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). (n.d.). Retrieved June 18, 2018, from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/

Why Soy Formula (even Organic) is So Harmful to Babys Health. (2018, January 25). Retrieved June 27, 2018, from https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/why-soy-formula-even-organic-is-so-dangerous-for-babies/