Soy lethicin is a derivative of soybean oil and is used primarily to preserve and extend the shelf-life of pre-packaged foods, according to SoyConnection.com. Before the use of soy lethicin, many products used egg lethicin, but it was not as effective as soy-based lethicin and more expensive. If you've been diagnosed with a soy allergy, you need to talk with your doctor about how ingesting soy lethicin will affect you. Depending on how the soy lethicin was processed will determine the potential of the presence of soy proteins.
Allergenicity
SoyConnection.com states that there is very little chance that someone with a soy allergy will experience a reaction when consuming soy lethicin. A soy allergy is a hypersensitivity to the proteins found in soybeans. During the manufacturing process most of the soy proteins are eliminated from the product, making it safe for individuals with a soy allergy. There remains the chance of soy protein molecules or by-products still present in the lethicin; therefore, its safety should be determined by your doctor.
Soy Allergy
A soy allergy is a malfunction of the immune system where your body doesn't recognize the proteins in soy as safe. Although soy proteins pose no threat to the human body, your immune system reacts as if the proteins are dangerous, according to MayoClinic.com. The immune system responds by creating immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies, that fight off the proteins. The production of these antibodies causes mast cells to produce histamine, a chemical that triggers inflammation and swelling in soft tissues throughout the body.
Symptoms
If you are allergic to soy lecithin, you will develop common symptoms associated with a soy allergy. Symptoms will commonly form within a few minutes after ingesting the soy lecithin, but could take up to two hours. Typical symptoms include eczema, hives, itching, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, tingling of the throat, lips or tongue and facial swelling. These symptoms should be reported to your doctor as soon as they develop.
Determination
If you're doctor is undecided whether soy lecithin will cause an allergic reaction, she may recommend allergy testing. Allergy tests use a small dose of the suspected allergen and either inject it under your skin or into a blood sample. The test intention is to determine if your body responds by creating IgE antibodies as a result of the soy lecithin. If your tests are positive, you should avoid soy lecithin.
