Naturally-Occurring Estrogens in Plant Foodstuffs - A Review

Abstract

A number of non-steroidal estrogenic substances are common naturally-occurring constituents of human foods. Concern over dietary estrogens has focused largely on the consumption of trace amounts of diethylstilbestrol (DES) from tissues of cattle fed the compound as a growth stimulant. Human exposure to naturally-occurring fungal and phytoestrogens in foods is, however, substantially larger than exposure to DES in animal tissues. Occurrence, potency and toxicity of the estrogenic isoflavones, coumestans and resorcylic acid lactones are reviewed.

Factors contributing to variation in lipoprotein (a) in Melbourne Anglo-Celtic population

“…Young people ( < 40 y) in the less-educated group had higher concentrations of Lp(a). Education level and daily alcohol consumption accounted for 50% of variation of Lp(a) concentration in young people ( < 40 y age (Setchell & Adlecreutz, 1988;Verdeal & Ryan, 1979). b Significant at the 0.15 level and variables met the significance level for entry into the model.…”

“…Indices of protein status (creatinine and nitrogen excretion) are unfavourable to Lp(a) (more elevated). Several early studies have demonstrated the oestrogenic properties of phytoestrogens, naturally occurring in plants (Verdeal & Ryan, 1979). Anthony et al, (1994) reported in 1994 that premenopausal monkeys who were fed diets with high phytoestrogen content had significantly lower cholesterol, higher HDL and lower Lp(a) than those fed a diet low in phytoestrogens.…”

“…Therefore, investigation of relationship between Lp(a) concentrations, apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) phenotypes and other multiple risk factors in this ethnic population is of importance for cross-cultural comparisons in the present study. Many studies have consistently shown that phytoestrogen is related to decreased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD); (Verdeal & Ryan, 1979;Anthony et al, 1994). To date, however, there are few published works on the effects of dietary factors on Lp(a) in white population.…”

A maternal vegetarian diet in pregnancy is associated with hypospadias

“…It is now widely used in the food industry, with the advent of vegetarian-style meals, and it provides the highest concentrations of phytoestrogens (particularly iso¯avones) of all edible plant matter [18,21]. However, the estimated daily exposure to exogenous oestrogens by consumers of soya is minimal compared to, e.g.…”

“…Phytoestrogens are available in many foodstuffs, although in low concentrations, with soya providing the richest source [18]; if consumed in signi®cant quantities they may have a substantial oestrogenic effect which could contribute to the disruption of the developing male fetus.…”