Expert: Profile Closed - 2/21/2010

Question
I've looked all over the web, and have yet to find a clear answer. Does soy lecithin contain any phytoestrogens or not? I used to be a vegetarian until I found out that soy products can cause dementia. I'm having trouble finding foods that do not contain soy lecithin.

Answer
Hi there, and thanks for your question.

The first thing I would say is not to worry, there is no evidence that soy products causes dementia; that report was based on a flawed study over ten years ago. A balanced vegetarian diet is the healthiest possible general diet there is (for this reason, I follow it myself) and restricting it tends to limit those effects; soy in normal amounts is not known to cause any problems.

A general link explaining the myth of soy's problems is: http://nutrition.about.com/od/nutritionaging/a/soyanddementia.htm

Soy does contain phytoestrogens; in the same levels of many other vegetable products. The levels present do not elicit a response in humans; you are more likely to eat high levels of phytoestrogens in many other beans. Because phytoestrogens are associated with vegetable products, it would be pretty much impossible to avoid some consumption of them; there are no common foods containing sufficient amounts to present a health hazard in normal consumption.

Hope that this helps, please feel free to follow-up if you have any further questions.

Thanks, best wishes,

George.

Addendum: The question was "does soy lecithin contain phytoestrogens or not" - that was answered by the phrase "soy does contain phytoestrogens". The extra information was volunteered by myself, and was not part of the question; if it had been then further articles (which, incidentally, are available on google scholar freely) would have been included. Giving a low rating for accurate extra information and links to further information for the questioner to continue their exploration, is not fair, particularly when the original question has been answered fully.  My thanks for your feedback, but I do disagree with it. Best wishes, George

Because of this, and similar responses, I have now left allexperts. Challenging an answer because it has no basis in fact is one thing, and as I scientist I am happy to be corrected and challenged. But to be faced with negative feedback for providing a questioner with extra information and links to further opinion, is the antithesis of true science, and I and my colleagues do not wish to be associated with such a service. I did, and do respect the opinions of every questioner, and of allexperts.com generally, which provides a valuable and important service, but in the light of such responses, we are no longer willing to respond freely to people expecting the response of a paid research assistant. I hope that those who understand the basis of Allexperts, as a quick-response free service for expert advice, continue to enjoy its services as I will.

Note to questioner: the phrase "a general link" is indicative of.....well, of a general related link, not a full scientifically validated response. Thanks, and best wishes, George. Additionally, you may wish to note the perfect rating that I had previous to this question, which were for answers that were not conclusive, but which provided the questioner with the information needed to explore their question further.