Most margarine products are considered safe if you're allergic to soy. The Cleveland Clinic states that even if the margarine contains soybean oil, the product is still safe for consumption because soybean oil lacks the presence of soy proteins. Not all margarine products contain the same ingredients. It is advisable to talk with your doctor and familiarize yourself with hidden names for soy so that you can identify them when you read the ingredients on a margarine product. A soy allergy can lead to a severe allergic reaction and needs to be diagnosed by your doctor.
Soy Allergy
A soy allergy is among the top eight food-related allergens and is considered a common food allergy by MayoClinic.com. Most symptoms develop in infancy when a baby is given a soy-based formula or a product containing soy. Soy is a versatile vegetable protein that is derived from soy beans and is used in diary substitutes, as a filler in processed foods and in many ethnic entrees. Some soy ingredients are not obvious, such as natural flavoring, vitamin E and vegetable gum.
Cause
A soy allergy is caused by a hypersensitivity to the proteins found in soy. If you consume soy-based products with a soy allergy, your immune system fails to recognize the proteins as harmless and begins an attack against them, according to MayoClinic.com. The body creates antibodies that fight off the proteins and cause mast cells to produce a chemical called histamine. Histamine is released into soft tissue, resulting in inflammation and irritation. Most soy allergy symptoms are caused by the production of histamine.
Margarine Consideration
The Lucile Packard Children's Hospital states that the use of margarine with a soy allergy is safe, unless the margarine contains soy. If you are concerned about the ingredients in margarine you can use butter as a safe alternative. Butter is made primarily from cow's milk cream and salt and does not contain any soy. Some butter and margarine substitutes are soy-based and can cause common soy allergy symptoms. If the margarine contains any of the following ingredients do not use: lecithin, textured vegetable protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein or monodiglyceride.
Symptoms
If you eat margarine and develop common soy allergy symptoms, discontinue using the product and call your doctor. Common symptoms of a soy allergy include eczema, hives, itching, fainting, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, chest tightness, shortness of breath and tingling in the lips, tongue or throat, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A severe allergic reaction may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, a rapid heart rate and mental confusion. If not promptly treated, a severe allergic reaction can lead to death.
