Tuohy P G
Ministry of Health, Wellington, New Zealand.
J Paediatr Child Health. 2003 Aug;39(6):401-5. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2003.00178.x.
Soy infant formula contains high levels of the isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, which are commonly referred to as phytoestrogens. These are non-steroidal chemicals with structural similarities to estrogen. Infants consuming soy formula have high levels of circulating isoflavones. These are an order of magnitude greater than the levels of isoflavones which have been shown to produce physiological effects in adult women consuming a high soy diet. There is conflicting evidence about the risks and benefits of soy phytoestrogens, with research presenting a contradictory picture. Some reviewers suggest that early exposure to soy may prevent cancer and heart disease. However, there is very little research on the effects of consumption of soy phytoestrogens by human neonates. Against this generally positive view there is an increasing number of recent reports that suggest that in experimental animals, phytoestrogens have adverse effects with respect to carcinogenesis, reproductive function, immune function, and thyroid disease. Despite the absence of adequate scientific research that quantifies the level of risk to infants, most would argue for a precautionary approach to be taken in situations where there are potential developmental effects from the consumption of pharmacologically active compounds in infancy and childhood.
大豆婴儿配方奶粉含有高水平的异黄酮，如染料木黄酮和大豆苷元，它们通常被称为植物雌激素。这些是非甾体类化学物质，其结构与雌激素相似。食用大豆配方奶粉的婴儿体内循环异黄酮水平较高。这比食用高大豆饮食的成年女性体内已显示会产生生理效应的异黄酮水平高出一个数量级。关于大豆植物雌激素的风险和益处，证据相互矛盾，研究呈现出矛盾的情况。一些评论者认为早期接触大豆可能预防癌症和心脏病。然而，关于人类新生儿食用大豆植物雌激素的影响的研究非常少。与这种总体上积极的观点相反，最近越来越多的报告表明，在实验动物中，植物雌激素在致癌作用、生殖功能、免疫功能和甲状腺疾病方面有不良影响。尽管缺乏足够的科学研究来量化对婴儿的风险水平，但大多数人会主张在婴儿期和儿童期食用具有药理活性的化合物可能产生潜在发育影响的情况下采取预防措施。
