Soy Allergy

उपशेतेयदौचित्यादोकसात्म्यंतदुच्यते ||४९||
(च.सू.६/४९)

Soy Allergy - Causes, Symptoms, and Ayurvedic Treatment

Soybeans are in the legume family, which also includes foods such as kidney beans, peas, lentils, and peanuts. Soy allergy is more common in infants and young children than in older children. Most children eventually outgrow their allergy to soy, although some individuals remain allergic to soy throughout their lives. Allergic reactions to soy are typically mild, but all reactions can be unpredictable. Although rare, severe and potentially life-threatening reactions can also occur. A soy allergy occurs when the body’s immune system mistakes the harmless proteins found in soy for invaders and creates antibodies against them.

In Ayurveda, there is an important disease preventive concept described by all the samhitas known as “satmya”. According to this concept diet or medicine which suits to one person may not be suits to another person & this is the reason diet may vary according to desha (places of living). Therefor if any food or medicine which is non-conducive is taken, it causes alternate effects on body. Allergies comes under this concept and therefore Soya causes allergy in individuals who are ‘asatmya’ to that and there will be an immune reaction.

Dr. Gupta’s IAFA successfully address this condition and provides very safe and effective treatment for Soy Allergy.

Causes of Soy Allergy

An immune system reaction causes food allergies. With a soy allergy, the immune system of the body identifies certain soy proteins as harmful, triggering the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to the soy protein (allergen).

Ayurvedic Reference of Soy Allergy

Symptoms of Soy Allergy

Symptoms of a soy allergy include:

Vomiting
Stomach cramps
Indigestion
Diarrhea
Wheezing
Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
Repetitive cough

Tightness in throat, hoarse voice
Weak pulse
Pale or blue coloring of the skin
Hives
Swelling, can affect the tongue and/or lips
Dizziness
Confusion

Rarely, a soy allergy will cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction.

“Dr. Gupta’s Institute of Applied Food Allergy® offers comprehensive and evidence-based diagnosis and presents therapeutic solutions in order effectively manage a spectrum of allergic and immunology related disorders in Ayurveda”.

A Transforming, Healing Presence in Ayurveda!!! Reach Dr. Gupta’s IAFA for all your worries about your health.

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®

Diet Management in Soy Allergy

Do’s (Pathya) in Soy Allergy

Foods that can be included in a patient having soya allergy include,

Beverages	Soft drinks Tea, coffee Fruit juice
Meat & meat substitutes	Any fresh or frozen beef, chicken, lamb, pork, turkey, veal, or fish served without prepackaged sauces, breading, or gravy
Milk & milk products	Milk, cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt without soy products

Don’ts (Apathya) in Soy Allergy

Avoid foods that contain any of these ingredients: hydrolyzed soy protein, soy flour, soy grits, soy nuts, soy milk, soy sprouts, soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, soy sauce.

Yoga Therapy for Soy Allergy

Yogasanas and pranayama are very effective in Soy Allergy.

Postures include,

Matsyasana
Paschitmoasana
Sarvangasana
Pavanamukthasana
Sirsasana
Bhujangasana

Pranayama include,

Kapalbhati
Nadishodhana Pranayama
Bhastrika Pranayama

Ayurvedic Treatment for Soy Allergy

Any dietary substance will become Asatmya to a person if there is a weak digestive fire or agni. Digestive fire of body (agni) becomes weak due to ama visha (metabolic toxin) formation in the body and causes imbalance of doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha are life forces) in body. Treatment involves Shamanachikitsa (internal medicines), Shodanachikitsa (Panchakarma therapy), lifestyle modifications and very strict diet regime.

Internal Medicines for Soy Allergy

Guluchyadi Kashaya
Drakshadi Kashaya
Hingvadi Vati
Kutajaghana Vati
Chitrakadi Vati

Shivakshara Churna
Trikatu Churna
Dadimadi Ghritham
Guduchi Satva
Pravala Panchamrita

Purificatory Therapies

Vamana (Emesis therapy),
Virechna (Purgation therapy),
Asthapanavasti (Medicated enema)

Single Herbs Used in Soy Allergy

Pippalimoola (Piper longum)
Chavya (Piper chaba)
Sunthi (Zingiber officinale)
Amlavetasa (Garcinia pedunculata)
Pippali (Piper longum)
Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica)

Maricha (Piper nigrum)
Haridra(Curcuma longa)
Kutaja (Holarrhena Antidysenterica)
Bilwa (Aegle marmelos)
Musta (Cyperus rotundus)

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Soy Allergy?

Answer: A common food allergy caused due to Soy, a product of soybeans. Often, soy allergy starts in infancy with reaction to soy-based infant formula

Question: What are the causes of Soy Allergy?

Answer: The cause is due to an allergic reaction, which causes the immune system to react to Soy protein in Soy containing foods.

Question: What is the ayurvedic treatment of Soy Allergy?

Answer: If patient is healthy then sodhan chikitsa (purificatory) should be done with vamana, virechan and then shaman (palliative) chikitsa should be done with advised diet and medicines.