Soybeans are a prominent source of vegetable protein. They can be modified into a variety of different food products, including tofu, soy milk and soy protein isolate. Soy protein isolate is made from defatted soybean flakes that have been washed in water or alcohol to remove fiber and sugars. Soy protein isolate is safe for most people to consume, but in some situations it can be detrimental to your health.
Soy Allergy
One potential risk of consuming soy protein isolate is that it could trigger an allergy to soy. Soy allergies typically begin due to a reaction to soy-based infant formulas. If you have a soy allergy and consume soy protein isolate, you may develop hives, tingling in the mouth, abdominal pain, diarrhea or nausea. Other symptoms include swelling of the lips, face and tongue, wheezing, fainting, dizziness and trouble breathing. If you develop any of these problems after consuming soy protein isolate, seek immediate medical attention.
Gout
Soy protein isolate can also be harmful if you have a history of gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that is the result of crystals made of uric acid appearing in the fluid in your joints. These crystals trigger an immunological response, causing intense swelling, redness and pain. Gout can be exacerbated by consuming foods that contain compounds known as purines. Soy protein contains a moderate amount of purines, so avoid soy protein isolate if you have gout.
Isoflavones
Soy contains compounds known as isoflavones --- compounds that are chemically similar to the human hormone estrogen. In theory, isoflavones could mimic the effects of estrogen on cells that respond to hormones. Increased levels of estrogen signaling are linked with breast, uterine and ovarian cancer, so soy products could increase your risk of these cancers. On the other hand, soy protein isolate is heavily processed and contains lower levels of isoflavones than other soy products.
Other Considerations
Soy is safe for most people to consume, including infants. In fact, many infant formulas are soy-based. On the other hand, the effects of soy protein isolate have not been tested on infants, so they should not be given this product. Ingestion of soy protein isolate may cause digestive problems such as upset stomach, constipation and diarrhea.
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