When: Wednesday, March 15, 2006, 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 16, 2006, 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
Friday, March 17, 2006, 8:30 a.m. noon
Press Availability: Friday, March 17, 2006 approximately 12-1p.m.
Where: Jefferson Ballroom
Radisson Hotel Old Town
901 N. Fairfax Street,
Alexandria VA 22314-1501, USA
Tel: (703) 683-6000
Fax: (703) 683-7597
http://www.radisson.com/alexandriava
Why: Exposure to genistein continues to rise in the United States with estimated soy sales in 2003 approaching $4 billion. A form of genistein is a primary, naturally occurring estrogen in soybeans (estrogenic chemicals in plants are called phytoestrogens) and can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Genistein can be found in foods containing soy such as soy-based infant formulas, tofu, soy milk, soy flour, textured soy protein, tempeh, and miso, as well as over-the-counter dietary supplements. Soy-infant formulas are widely used. It is estimated that 10-20 percent of infants in the United States are fed soy formula. It is often administered to infants as a supplement or replacement for maternal breast milk or cow's milk.
Soy products are often promoted as a natural, safe way to achieve at least some of the benefits of hormone replacement therapy in adults, but there is growing public concern about the long-term effect
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Contact: Robin Mackar
rmackar@niehs.nih.gov
919-541-0073
NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
8-Mar-2006