Too Much Soy Could Lead To Kidney Stones

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Too Much Soy Could Lead To Kidney Stones]

 

Too Much Soy Could Lead To Kidney Stones

 

Source: American Chemical Society ( http://www.acs.org/ )

 

Too Much Soy Could Lead To Kidney Stones New research indicates that

soybeans and soy-based foods, a staple in the diets of many health-conscious

consumers, may promote kidney stones in those prone to the painful

condition. The finding will be published in the September issue of the

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a peer- reviewed journal of the

American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.

 

The researchers measured nearly a dozen varieties of soybeans for oxalate, a

compound that can bind with calcium in the kidney to form kidney stones.

They also tested 13 types of soy-based foods, finding enough oxalate in each

to potentially cause problems for people with a history of kidney stones,

according to Linda Massey, Ph. D., at Washington State University in

Spokane. The amount of oxalate in the commercial products easily eclipsed

the American Dietetic Association's 10 milligram-per-serving recommendation

for patients with kidney stones, with some foods reaching up to 50 times

higher than the suggested limit, she noted.

 

" Under these guidelines, no soybean or soy-[based] food tested could be

recommended for consumption by patients with a personal history of kidney

stones, " she said.

 

No one had previously examined soy foods for oxalate, thus the researchers

are the first to identify oxalate in store-bought products like tofu, soy

cheese and soy drinks. Other foods, such as spinach and rhubarb, also

contain significant oxalate levels, but are not as widely consumed for their

presumed health benefits, Massey said.

 

During their testing, the researchers found the highest oxalate levels in

textured soy protein, which contains up to 638 milligrams of oxalate per 85-

gram serving. Soy cheese had the lowest oxalate content, at 16 milligrams

per serving. Spinach, measured during previous research, has approximately

543 milligrams per one-cup (2 oz. fresh) serving.

 

Soy, a natural source of protein, fiber and healthy oils, is used to enhance

a myriad of foods, ranging from hamburgers to ice cream. It can be ground

into flour and used in a variety of grain products, or formed into chunks

and ground like meat. Soy is also being studied for its potential to lower

cholesterol, reduce bone loss and prevent breast cancer. The U. S. Food and

Drug Administration recently approved a new label on foods containing at

least 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving that boasts of a reduced risk of

cardiovascular disease.

 

Oxalate, however, cannot be metabolized by the body and is excreted only

through urine, Massey said. The compound has no nutritional value, but binds

to calcium to form a mass (kidney stones) that can block the urinary system,

she said. Further research is needed to find types of soybeans with less

oxalate, or to develop a processing method to remove the compound before it

reaches consumers, she added.

 

No one knows precisely why kidney stones occur in particular individuals.

But Massey said high levels of oxalate in the urine increase the risk and

those with a family history of the ailment are more likely to suffer from

the condition; individuals with a low probability of kidney stones are

unlikely to be affected by oxalate in soy-based foods.

 

More than one million people were diagnosed with kidney stones in the United

States in 1996, the most recent available data, according to the National

Institutes of Health. Stones can range in size from the diameter of a grain

of rice to the width of a golf ball. An estimated 10 percent of the U. S.

population, mostly men, will develop a kidney stone at some point in their

lives, according to the NIH.

 

Steve Wingate, Webmaster

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In a message dated 7/21/03 1:49:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time, mem121 writes:

 

Too Much Soy Could Lead To Kidney Stones New research indicates that

soybeans and soy-based foods, a staple in the diets of many health-conscious

consumers, may promote kidney stones in those prone to the painful

condition. The finding will be published in the September issue of the

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a peer- reviewed journal of the

American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.

 

Hi Again,

 

In the 70's information regarding soybeans r evealed that

soybean is toxic to humans and animals. In the orient

the folks eat FERMENTED soybeans. Soybeans are

an easy cash crop to grow and it is for this reason that

they are being promoted and can be found in so

many products today.....especially soybean oil.

Many infant formulas also contain soybean.

Also, soybean is considered the cause of

early puberty.....as young as 7 years old in

some female children (like my niece). I have

read that soybean in infant formula may be the

cause of some psychological disorders in

teenagers....specifically violent behavior.

Just another case of TPTB poisoning us for

financial gain.

 

Loree