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Is soy milk safe for children?

By Shereen Jegtvig, About.com

Updated February 13, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Soy Nuts

Soy Nuts

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Question: Is soy milk safe for children?
I have recently heard disturbing news that Soy products are bad for children. My 10-year-old daughter has soy milk daily with her cereal (because she likes the taste) and occasionally other soy products too. Should I give her normal milk instead. Thank you for your help.

Lynn - About.com User

Answer: Soy has been used as a replacement for cows' milk for many years. In the past few years there has been some concern that the isoflavones in soy may have estrogenic effects on infants who are fed soy formulas.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that soy formulas are safe and effective for infants, and research shows no hormonal effects in long-term feeding of soy formulas.

For older children like your daughter, soy beverages have been shown to have positive effects on cholesterol levels in overweight children. Consumption of soy beverges may also improve lung function in children and adults who have asthma. Using soy on your daughter's cereal is safe, and soy can be fortified with calcium and vitamin D.

Soy Baby Formula and Phytoestrogens

Source:

Giampietro PG, Bruno G, Furcolo G, Casati A, Brunetti E, Spadoni GL, Galli E. "Soy protein formulas in children: no hormonal effects in long-term feeding." J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Feb;17(2):191-6.

Smith LJ, Holbrook JT, Wise R, Blumenthal M, Dozor AJ, Mastronarde J, Williams L. "Dietary intake of soy genistein is associated with lung function in patients with asthma." J Asthma. 2004;41(8):833-43.

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