soy questions

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 11:30 am

I just read something that is really puzzling. A person said that her allergist told her not to be worried about soy lecithin and soybean oil because they are not the problem, just the soy protein. I had read that soybean oil isn't a problem buy didn't pay attention because I don't use it. After going through the pantry and freezer I have found it in some things. I'm sure Tex and others can set me straight on this one.

I think soy (tofutti ice cream) and cannelini beans were responsible for the awful reaction I had. Thanks.
Sheila

Post by **tex** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 1:01 pm

Hi Sheila,

In theory, (according to conventional knowledge), that allergist is correct, because according to theory, and specifications on the products, oils and lecithin should be safe for most individuals who are sensitive to soy protein. Unfortunately, in real life, as is so often the case, conventional knowledge is wrong, especially for those of us with MC, because accumulated experience here shows that most members of this board who are sensitive to soy, are also sensitive to soy oil and soy lecithin. Here's some insight into the problem:

In 1998, Awazuhara et al published a study on the antigenicity of the residual proteins in soy lecithin and soybean oil, in which they tested soybean-sensitive individuals for reactions to soybean oil and soy lecithin. Researchers investigated the IgE- and IgG4-binding abilities of the soy lecithin and concluded that the proteins in soy lecithin have little antigenicity in regard to soybean allergy.6

Although limited data exist on the allergenicity of soy lecithin, Steve Taylor, PhD, head of the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska and co-director of the Food Allergy Research Resources Program, concludes that, “avoidance is probably unnecessary for most soy-allergic individuals7.”

http://www.soyconnection.com/soyfoods/p ... -Sheet.pdf

Note that the researchers reported that "the proteins in soy lecithin have little antigenicity in regard to soybean allergy". Note also, that they checked for IgE and IgG antibodies. Those are classic markers for histamine-based reactions, such as runny nose, watery eyes, rash, itching, possible anaphylaxis, etc. Obviously, that implies that they checked for those antibodies in the blood, because they were looking for classic allergic reactions, not food-intolerance reactions. The proper way to check for such antibodies, (when investigating the possibility of food sensitivity), is to look for IgA antibodies in stool. Since they didn't do that, (they never do), they didn't find any reason to connect soy oils or soy lecithin with food-sensitivity reactions.

Also, Dr. Taylor's apparent approval of that conclusion, “avoidance is probably unnecessary for most soy-allergic individuals", is a very wishy-washy comment for an "expert" to make. The word "probably" pretty much destroys any integrity that the statement might otherwise contain. Why didn't he just admit that there are exceptions, so that one cannot conclude that those products will be safe for everyone, if he was aware that such exceptions exist?

At least that's my opinion of why most "experts" are wrong when they claim that soy lecithin and soy oils are safe for everyone. Those soy derivatives may not trigger classic allergic responses, but they can definitely trigger adverse GI tract reactions for anyone who is sensitive to the soya protein.

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:13 pm

and isnt soy one of the main crops that has had major genetic modification??

Post by **tex** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:20 pm

Yes it is.

Tex

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:29 pm

Thanks Tex,
You convinced me that alot of allergists don't deserve the name and the same goes for scientists. I just keep hoping I can find something for my sweet tooth, especially if chocolate is involved.

After going through the pantry I found a number of things that had soy, even good old Crisco. I also had never bothered to look at the margarine container and that had soy also. I expect to spend a lot of time in the super market this week reading labels and not assuming anything.

Thanks again, Tex, for finding the truth amongst BS.
Sheila

Post by **tex** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:47 pm

The allergists are trained to diagnose and treat classic allergies, but the problem is that our GI issues don't fit the pattern of classic allergies, so our symptoms are off their radar.

There are some safe chocolates available, but I don't keep up with them. Hopefully, someone who knows of a safe brand will see your post and respond. If I recall correctly, Earth Balance makes a good, soy-free, casein-free margarine. Maybe someone who's more familiar with it can either give you more details, or correct me.

You're most welcome,
Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:10 pm

Bonvita (european brand) make a range of GF/DF/SF chocolate in varying flavours (white, Milk, Dark, Dark with fruit)

I use the Enjoy Life (USA) choc chips for cooking

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:49 am

Sheila,

I had read the same thing when I first discovered I was sensitive to soy. However, I am here to tell you that I react to both soybean oil and soy lecithin. Sigh.

Hugs,

Polly

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 10:21 am

We recently found a Lindt chocolate bar with no dairy or soy! It was very, very tasty - it was maybe an 85% or 90% chocolate bar (the rest must have been cane sugar only?).

Worth seeking out, for sure. Ghirardelli makes one, too, but I only found that once, and have never seen it again...

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:17 pm

I believe that Trader Joe's also sells soy-free chocolate bars, but I haven't tested them because I react to chocolate and soy. I seem to remember someone on the board mentioning them.

Gloria

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:45 pm

Your suggestion re the Enjoy Life chocolate chips was right on. They aren't bad on their own either.

My supermarket had a very limited selection of the So Delicious ice cream flavors and the ones they did have all had soy. I bought some raspberry sorbet and will sprinkle some Enjoy Life chocolate chips on top. Yum!! I tried the Hemp Ice cream and have it say it was the worst I've ever tasted.

Today was clean out the pantry and refrigerator day for anything with soy. I was shocked at how much soy lecithin I'd been consuming. It was even my beloved Hillshire Farms Polska Kielbasa.

Tomorrow I'll go to Whole Foods and buy the things Publix didn't have. Had to throw out my crisco but found a substitute for that on line. Actually I didn't throw out most of this stuff and my neighbor got most of it. She says I've made her a Nutella addict after just one spoonful. I will look for the Lindt and the Ghirardelli candy bars, too. If I can have even a little bit of chocolate every day, I will be happy.

My docs office called today, finally, to tell me the blood test for celiac came back negative. Big surprise. It is probably a good thing because my doc wants to wean me off entocort because all he can remember is celiac disease and forgot about the CC.

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions and thank you Tex for your excellent advice. I'm finally feeling almost normal today even though I accidentally ate some kielbasa for lunch (before I noticed the soy on the label in the supermarket).
Sheila

karenswans · Post by **karenswans** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 6:33 am

I found the Lindt bar too. It is great! I think the one I bought is 85% cacao.