1. The Israeli food industry makes extensive use of soybean
products. Consumption statistics are limited and thus there
should be encouragement for conducting more surveys and
studies on various ethnic groups and age groups in order to
study the consumption habits and the extent of use.
2. Although in the US (and New Zealand) soybean products are
only given to infants upon a physician's recommendation and
with a prescription, the committee did not see a necessity to
adopt this practice in Israel, as well. However due to the
potentially negative effects of these products, the committee
recommends disseminating information about the possible
damage to all health workers (family physicians and
pediatricians, dietitians and public health practitioners).
Due to the widespread use of these products in certain
chareidi populations, this information should be disseminated
among the rabbonim and community leaders of these groups.
3. Day-care centers make extensive use of these products and
therefore the committee recommends limiting their use to one
portion per day, and no more than three times per week.
4. Blood thyroxine levels should be monitored among babies
and toddlers suffering from hypothyroidism who consume
soybean products.
5. Long-term studies are needed to determine whether soybean
products are safe for use among babies and children.
6. Due to conflicting reports on the various effects of
phytoestrogen on various growths (in humans, animals and
cellular models) it is hard to issue practical
recommendations at this stage.
Despite data from epidemiological studies indicating the
possibility that soybean products may play a role in
defending against cancer of the uterus, at this stage
practical conclusions cannot be drawn.
Although scientific reports regarding the effects of
phytoestrogen in women's cancer are not unequivocal, we
recommend that women cancer patients or women at high risk
consult with a physician before beginning the use of these
products.
7. Studies on humans indicate that diets that include soybean
products or isolated soy protein have an effect on the
reduction of blood cholesterol levels. The same applies
regarding flax seeds. Soy has various factors that can affect
heart and circulatory diseases and at present there is no
clear proof that isoflavones are the active cause. Because of
the lack of clear-cut proofs that at this stage we recommend
not altering the Health Ministry's current recommendations on
this issue.
