Some Food Additives Mimic Human Hormones

[one...two...tree 2,762]

New research reveals that some common food additives behave like estrogen in the body

By Jessica A. Knoblauch and Environmental Health News

A discovery that two commonly used food additives are estrogenic has led scientists to suspect that many ingredients added to the food supply may be capable of altering hormones.

More than 3,000 preservatives, flavorings, colors and other ingredients are added to food in the United States, and none of them are required to undergo testing for estrogenic activity, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

"We need to be mindful of these food additives because they could be adding to the total effect of other estrogen mimicking compounds we're coming into contact with," said Clair Hicks, a professor of food science at the University of Kentucky and spokesperson for the Institute of Food Technologists, a nonprofit scientific group.

"The benefits of using these additives in food need to be weighed against the risks they present," Hicks said.

In a study published in December, Italian researchers screened 1,500 food additives using computer-modeling software, a much faster and cheaper approach than testing lab rats.

The researchers first used modeling to identify 13 molecules that could hypothetically bind with an estrogen receptor, a group of molecules activated by the hormone. Like a clenched fist that fits into the palm of a hand, potentially estrogenic molecules will "fit" inside the receptor, indicating they could interact and alter hormones.

Then, the researchers exposed cells to the 13 food additives, which confirmed that two have estrogen-mimicking properties. Known as "xenoestrogens," these substances have been linked to reproductive problems in animals and perhaps humans.

The first food additive, propyl gallate, is a preservative used to prevent fats and oils from spoiling that can be found in a range of foods including baked goods, shortening, dried meats, candy, fresh pork sausage, mayonnaise and dried milk.

The second additive, 4-hexyl resorcinol, is used to prevent shrimp, lobsters, and other shellfish from discoloring.

"Some caution should be issued for the use of these two additives," said Pietro Cozzini, one of the researchers who conducted the study and a chemistry professor at the University of Parma in Italy.

He added that further tests on rats are necessary to determine whether these additives could harm humans.

Paul Foster, whose research focuses on the potential human health effects of endocrine disruptors, agreed. He said there is a big difference between adding estrogenic molecules to cells in a culture dish and actually seeing what happens when that dose is administered to an animal.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=food-a...-mimic-hormones

[Peikko 1,575]

Now why am I not surprised.

We need to eat food, not chemically altered, lab coat technician created junk. Sheesh! It's killing us all and we don't care because our tastebuds are satisfied.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Now why am I not surprised.

We need to eat food, not chemically altered, lab coat technician created junk. Sheesh! It's killing us all and we don't care because our tastebuds are satisfied.

That's your opinion, MC.

[Krikit 1,164]

So is this article saying that too much estrogen is a bad thing?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

So is this article saying that too much estrogen is a bad thing?

I think it depends on the level, the age and sex of the person.

[amberdima 6]

soy naturally mimics estrogen. people (including me before i figured out it made me 'doughy') buy soy milk, soy protein bars, etc. thinking they're making a better choice. contrarily, they're not. men should especially stay away from soy products or the overuse thereof.

[Nagishkaw 510]

soy naturally mimics estrogen. people (including me before i figured out it made me 'doughy') buy soy milk, soy protein bars, etc. thinking they're making a better choice. contrarily, they're not. men should especially stay away from soy products or the overuse thereof.

Amen, Sister!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

soy naturally mimics estrogen. people (including me before i figured out it made me 'doughy') buy soy milk, soy protein bars, etc. thinking they're making a better choice. contrarily, they're not. men should especially stay away from soy products or the overuse thereof.

Given that men in Japan don't run into problems and actually live longer, healthier lives, I wouldn't worry about my soy intake.

[Caladan 19]

soy naturally mimics estrogen. people (including me before i figured out it made me 'doughy') buy soy milk, soy protein bars, etc. thinking they're making a better choice. contrarily, they're not. men should especially stay away from soy products or the overuse thereof.

Given that men in Japan don't run into problems and actually live longer, healthier lives, I wouldn't worry about my soy intake.

I think the study that showed a problem showed it only with abnormally high levels of soy intake. Of course, soy was a fad for a while (in shampoo, conditioner, face scrubs, etc) and I suppose it would be theoretically possible to get too much. But just eating tofu instead of beef or chicken should be okay.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

soy naturally mimics estrogen. people (including me before i figured out it made me 'doughy') buy soy milk, soy protein bars, etc. thinking they're making a better choice. contrarily, they're not. men should especially stay away from soy products or the overuse thereof.

Given that men in Japan don't run into problems and actually live longer, healthier lives, I wouldn't worry about my soy intake.

No man boobs yet?

By the way, diabetes is becoming epidemic in Asian countries, like the Philippines, same as the US.

Edited March 30, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[one...two...tree 2,762]

soy naturally mimics estrogen. people (including me before i figured out it made me 'doughy') buy soy milk, soy protein bars, etc. thinking they're making a better choice. contrarily, they're not. men should especially stay away from soy products or the overuse thereof.

Given that men in Japan don't run into problems and actually live longer, healthier lives, I wouldn't worry about my soy intake.

I think the study that showed a problem showed it only with abnormally high levels of soy intake. Of course, soy was a fad for a while (in shampoo, conditioner, face scrubs, etc) and I suppose it would be theoretically possible to get too much. But just eating tofu instead of beef or chicken should be okay.

That makes sense. Food companies tend to go overboard with something if they know it will sell ...they'll put it in everything.

[Caladan 19]

soy naturally mimics estrogen. people (including me before i figured out it made me 'doughy') buy soy milk, soy protein bars, etc. thinking they're making a better choice. contrarily, they're not. men should especially stay away from soy products or the overuse thereof.

Given that men in Japan don't run into problems and actually live longer, healthier lives, I wouldn't worry about my soy intake.

No man boobs yet?

By the way, diabetes is becoming epidemic in Asian contries, like the Philippines, same as the US.

Right, but not from eating soy, but from eating a Westernized diet full of processed junk.

[amberdima 6]

soy naturally mimics estrogen. people (including me before i figured out it made me 'doughy') buy soy milk, soy protein bars, etc. thinking they're making a better choice. contrarily, they're not. men should especially stay away from soy products or the overuse thereof.

Given that men in Japan don't run into problems and actually live longer, healthier lives, I wouldn't worry about my soy intake.

awww...maybe you'll be 100 with nice little boobies

http://reliableanswers.com/med/soy.asp

also found this:

"Soy's been eaten for thousands of years, actually, but pretty much only in a fermented state. Non-fermented soy is high in phytoestrogens which can definitely mess with hormones in both men and women.

Women's reactions to phytoestrogens range from the benign, e.g. stimulated breast growth, to the malignant, e.g. more troublesome periods and increased incidence of ovarian and breast cancer. As for men, there aren't a lot of studies on the effects of phytoestrogens yet, but early evidence is showing a correlation between decreased sperm count and increased exposure to environmental estrogens.

Basically, unfermented soy is not a suitable food for regular consumption.

Fermented soy products:

natto

miso

tempeh

traditional soy sauce

Non-fermented soy products:

soy milk

tofu

modern soy sauce (which is actually mostly wheat!)

soy oil

additives to thousands of commercial shelf products

Notice that the non-fermented products are modern inventions and only consumed in huge amounts recently. Also, guess who leads the world in soy consumption: The US. Guess which country has the highest incidences of breast cancer and osteoporosis, despite all the fuss over getting calcium from your milk or soy milk: The US. Hmm."

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

soy naturally mimics estrogen. people (including me before i figured out it made me 'doughy') buy soy milk, soy protein bars, etc. thinking they're making a better choice. contrarily, they're not. men should especially stay away from soy products or the overuse thereof.

Given that men in Japan don't run into problems and actually live longer, healthier lives, I wouldn't worry about my soy intake.

No man boobs yet?

By the way, diabetes is becoming epidemic in Asian contries, like the Philippines, same as the US.

Right, but not from eating soy, but from eating a Westernized diet full of processed junk.

I agree. Too much processed food. I got the Filipina wife converted from white to brown rice, and a whole bunch of health problems were resolved.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Thanks for the link, amberdima.