Soy and Gout

Soy, a complete source of protein, has been cultivated in Asian nations for 5,000 years. The valued portion of the plant is edible seed, which contains about 40 percent protein and 20 percent oil. Soy protein contains all nine essential amino acids in adequate quantities. Your body does not manufacture these amino acids although they are essential for survival. Consume soy under the supervision of a doctor if you have gout, a painful arthritic disorder.

Soybean Composition

Soy is higher in protein and edible oils than other vegetables. It also contains a good amount of mucilage fiber, essential fatty acids -- linoleic and linolenic acids, salts, vitamins and minerals. The nonnutritive compounds in soy include resveratrol, phytosterols and isoflavones such as genestin and daidzen. Because soy is a plant product, it does not contain cholesterol.

Gout

Gout is caused by an excessive accumulation of uric acid, a breakdown product of purines. Purines are parts of all human tissue and found in particular foods, such as meat, poultry, egg and soy. Normally, excess uric acid is eliminated from your body by the kidneys. When kidneys fail to excrete enough uric acid, it is deposited in the joint spaces. The small, needle-like urate crystals, called tophi, irritate the joint lining, leading to a painful inflammation and swelling, known as gout.

Soy and Gout

Soy is a purine-containing food. The consumption of foods rich in purines can raise your blood uric levels and set the stage for gout attacks. If you think you have purine-related health disorders, you should not consume large amounts of soy. Gout can be controlled by low-purine diet and drugs that block the enzymes involved in uric acid synthesis, such as allopurinol.

Other Side Effects

Other major adverse effects of soy are associated with the thyroid gland. Soy isoflavones diminish the enzymatic action of thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme necessary for making thyroid-stimulating hormones. The underactivity of the thyroid gland can lead to a range of health complications, such as malaise, indigestion, constipation, dry skin and even goiter. Soy can produce allergic reactions, especially in infants and young children. Soy allergy symptoms, which can begin within hours of food ingestion, include hives, itching, eczema, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, breathing difficulty and gastric problems.