phytoestrogens and Milk-Hypersensitivity

Awareness of the considerable incidence of bovine protein allergy in infancy makes it necessary to eliminate cow's milk antigens from the diet in special cases. The primary objective of this review is to discuss the nutritional aspects and appropriate use of hypoallergenic formulas as a substitute for cow's milk formulas and to present new alternative feeding modalities in this field.. Related articles in PubMed (National Library of Medicine) were reviewed. This review is a synthesis of these sources along with the discussions with experts in this field and the expert opinion of the authors.. Soy protein-based and hydrolyzed milk protein formulas are the most commonly used alternative protein sources in the case of bovine protein allergy. Despite the adequacy of their nutritional values, there are still some problems to be solved regarding these formulas. In addition, a considerable percentage of the infants with bovine protein allergy may also present allergenic reactions to soy proteins as well as to hydrolyzed milk proteins. Thus, there still exists chaos in the selection of the most appropriate formula for infants sensitized to cow's milk protein. Rice protein-based formulas, probiotics, and prebiotics are expected to be new effective alternatives.. Bovine protein allergy constitutes an important place in childhood food allergies. Soy protein-based and hydrolyzed protein formulas have some disadvantages and risk of allergenic activity that is not to be underestimated. So, substitution of cow's milk protein with an alternative protein source in sensitized infants has become an art rather than a science. Rice protein, prebiotics, and probiotics appear to be valuable alternatives giving hope for the future.

Topics: Amino Acids; Animals; Cattle; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; Humans; Infant; Intestinal Absorption; Isoflavones; Milk Hypersensitivity; Minerals; Nitrogen; Oryza; Phytoestrogens; Plant Preparations; Plant Proteins; Probiotics; Protein Hydrolysates; Soybean Proteins

For many years soy bean-based formulas (SBBF) were the only dietary product used for infants with cow's milk intolerance. At the present time, their place in infant nutrition is reduced as a result of the availability of new dietary products without lactose and/or cow's milk proteins and the recognition of soy bean protein allergy. There is no evidence that SBBF have any efficiency in infant colic. SBBF have no indication in the prevention of allergy, nor in premature infants' nutrition. Their main indication is the feeding of infants of vegetarian parents who do not want to use cow's milk products. Studies have shown that SBBF contain large quantities of phytoestrogens, particularly isoflavone. Because of experimental data suggesting a possible deleterious effect of phytoestrogens on the neuroendocrine maturation, the reduction of their content in SBBF must be considered.

Topics: Colic; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Food; Infant Nutrition Disorders; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Isoflavones; Male; Milk Hypersensitivity; Phytoestrogens; Plant Preparations; Soybean Proteins