The "Big Eight" Food Allergies - Soy Allergy
The Allergy Free Shop exists to provide parents and caretakers with allergen-free foods and products for those with food allergies and sensitivities. We also strive to provide resources that help to provide guidance to those just beginning their education about specific food allergies affecting their children.
Soy allergy is a hypersensitivity to the dietary substances that derive from the soybean, and is one of the more common food allergies in the US. As with most food allergies, symptoms of allergic individuals can be minimal, moderate or severe; and include wheezing, a tingling or itchy sensation in the lips, mouth or throat, sneezing, light headedness and flush skin. Hives, rashes and asthma attacks can all occur.
In more serious cases the reaction to soy proteins in allergic individuals can become bronchospasm, or obstruction of the airway, and hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure. This may lead to anaphylaxis, a severe, whole-body allergic reaction that we have discussed before. In event of a severe allergic reaction, the victim should see a physician or immediately go to the emergency room, as anaphylaxis can be fatal if not treated immediately.
Severity of Reaction
Unlike some other food allergies, many people with soy allergy can tolerate small to moderate amounts of soy protein: the typical dose needed to induce an allergic response is about 100 times higher than for many other food allergens. In fact, 90% of sufferers can tolerate doses up to 400 mg.* As a result, not all of those allergic to soy need to avoid very minor sources of soy protein such as soy oil or soy lecithin.
But allergic individuals would still be wise to have epinephrine on hand in case of major ingestion, and also an antihistamine (such as Benadryl, or diphenhydramine) for more minor exposures or reactions.
Prevalence of Soy Proteins
Each "Big Eight" allergy presents its own set of issues and challenges. For some food allergies, like peanut, the primary concern is the severity of the reaction. In this regard, soy allergy reactions are not usually as “severe” as other food allergies. But there’s a trade off. Because of its nutritional profile and low cost, soy is used in all kinds of products these days.
Those allergic to soy protein should always read food ingredient labels carefully, and avoid any foods containing soybean. Many of these items clearly have "soy" in their names, such as soy flour, milk, nuts or sauce. Other items such as edamame, miso, natto or tofu contain soy proteins.
Textured vegetable protein is used in many restaurants and also contains soy, as do many flavorings and broths used in cooking. (In fact, a majority of fast food restaurants use soy protein in at least some of their products.) Most allergic individuals should also avoid dining at Asian restaurants completely, since most Asian foods and sauces can contain soy. Even some candies contain soy.
Making the situation even worse, some products don't list soy protein or soy flour on their labels - yet they still contain soy! There are still many latent issues resolving how soy should be regulated.
Treatment of Soy Allergy
An exclusion diet with continual avoidance of soy containing products is the only sure way to avoid allergic reactions. It is highly recommended that both children and adults with soy allergy carry epinephrine injectors in case of anaphylaxis.
Allergy Free Shop offers a wide variety of foods that are Soy Free. A few of our best sellers include Orgran’s Apple & Cinnamon Pancake Mix, Health Times' Brown Rice Cereal for babies, and EnerG Foods Brown Rice Loaf bread.
Our goal is to provide you with a wide variety of allergy-free products for you and your children, a place where you can find EVERYTHING that you need in one place. And with ongoing vigilance, and armed with an understanding of your child’s or loved one’s food allergy, you CAN avoid exposure and reactions to these specific food allergens!
* C. Cordle, Soy Protein Allergy Incidence and Severity, Journal of Nutrition May 2004.
Soy allergy is a hypersensitivity to the dietary substances that derive from the soybean, and is one of the more common food allergies in the US. As with most food allergies, symptoms of allergic individuals can be minimal, moderate or severe; and include wheezing, a tingling or itchy sensation in the lips, mouth or throat, sneezing, light headedness and flush skin. Hives, rashes and asthma attacks can all occur.
In more serious cases the reaction to soy proteins in allergic individuals can become bronchospasm, or obstruction of the airway, and hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure. This may lead to anaphylaxis, a severe, whole-body allergic reaction that we have discussed before. In event of a severe allergic reaction, the victim should see a physician or immediately go to the emergency room, as anaphylaxis can be fatal if not treated immediately.
Severity of Reaction
Unlike some other food allergies, many people with soy allergy can tolerate small to moderate amounts of soy protein: the typical dose needed to induce an allergic response is about 100 times higher than for many other food allergens. In fact, 90% of sufferers can tolerate doses up to 400 mg.* As a result, not all of those allergic to soy need to avoid very minor sources of soy protein such as soy oil or soy lecithin.
But allergic individuals would still be wise to have epinephrine on hand in case of major ingestion, and also an antihistamine (such as Benadryl, or diphenhydramine) for more minor exposures or reactions.
Prevalence of Soy Proteins
Each "Big Eight" allergy presents its own set of issues and challenges. For some food allergies, like peanut, the primary concern is the severity of the reaction. In this regard, soy allergy reactions are not usually as “severe” as other food allergies. But there’s a trade off. Because of its nutritional profile and low cost, soy is used in all kinds of products these days.
Those allergic to soy protein should always read food ingredient labels carefully, and avoid any foods containing soybean. Many of these items clearly have "soy" in their names, such as soy flour, milk, nuts or sauce. Other items such as edamame, miso, natto or tofu contain soy proteins.
Textured vegetable protein is used in many restaurants and also contains soy, as do many flavorings and broths used in cooking. (In fact, a majority of fast food restaurants use soy protein in at least some of their products.) Most allergic individuals should also avoid dining at Asian restaurants completely, since most Asian foods and sauces can contain soy. Even some candies contain soy.
Making the situation even worse, some products don't list soy protein or soy flour on their labels - yet they still contain soy! There are still many latent issues resolving how soy should be regulated.
Treatment of Soy Allergy
An exclusion diet with continual avoidance of soy containing products is the only sure way to avoid allergic reactions. It is highly recommended that both children and adults with soy allergy carry epinephrine injectors in case of anaphylaxis.
Allergy Free Shop offers a wide variety of foods that are Soy Free. A few of our best sellers include Orgran’s Apple & Cinnamon Pancake Mix, Health Times' Brown Rice Cereal for babies, and EnerG Foods Brown Rice Loaf bread.
Our goal is to provide you with a wide variety of allergy-free products for you and your children, a place where you can find EVERYTHING that you need in one place. And with ongoing vigilance, and armed with an understanding of your child’s or loved one’s food allergy, you CAN avoid exposure and reactions to these specific food allergens!
* C. Cordle, Soy Protein Allergy Incidence and Severity, Journal of Nutrition May 2004.
Labels: allergy free, anaphylaxis, big eight, food allergen, food allergy, ingredients, soy, soy protein
