shelleycat
Hiya Boyz! LTNS! :)
There are a few differences between soybeans and tofu because of how they process the tofu, so it depends on what about the soybeans is giving you allergic reactions. Just to be safe, however, I'd avoid it. My diabetic/milk intolerant friend eats lots of soy because she has to pretty much, but if you don't have to have it to substitute for something else best to avoid.
Butter does have milk solids in it, but you can clarify it yourself or buy it clarified. For Indian cooking they call it "Ghee" and it's quite tasty.
Acetic acid is the main flavor of Vinegar, and people have been consuming vinegar for centuries. The only problem with today's vinegar is it's no longer raw but refined. It still has many beneficial properties to digestion and PH balance, it just isn't as helpful to our intestinal flora any longer. For that, you have to get raw, unpastuerized, vinegar, which looks cloudy.
citric acid is essential for the Krebs Cycle, which is how the body takes glucose and turns it into energy for muscles. Sometimes,
Chronic-Fatigue-Syndrome is really a deficiency of the essentials for the Krebs Cycle. It is possible (but highly unlikely, depends on body type) to get too much
citric acid and vitamin C, however, and this usually manifests in cankors on the tongue. It's also not good to overdo on citrus fruits because they are hard on the liver and spleen.
Hope that answers your question! :)