The pros and cons of phytoestrogens

Abstract

Phytoestrogens are plant derived compounds found in a wide variety of foods, most notably soy. A litany of health benefits including a lowered risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer, and menopausal symptoms, are frequently attributed to phytoestrogens but many are also considered endocrine disruptors, indicating that they have the potential to cause adverse health effects as well. Consequently, the question of whether or not phytoestrogens are beneficial or harmful to human health remains unresolved. The answer is likely complex and may depend on age, health status, and even the presence or absence of specific gut microflora. Clarity on this issue is needed because global consumption is rapidly increasing. Phytoestrogens are present in numerous dietary supplements and widely marketed as a natural alternative to estrogen replacement therapy. Soy infant formula now constitutes up to a third of the US market, and soy protein is now added to many processed foods. As weak estrogen agonists/antagonists with molecular and cellular properties similar to synthetic endocrine disruptors such as Bisphenol A (BPA), the phytoestrogens provide a useful model to comprehensively investigate the biological impact of endocrine disruptors in general. This review weighs the evidence for and against the purported health benefits and adverse effects of phytoestrogens.

The role of environmental estrogens and autoimmunity

“…It is worthy to underline that soy is found in up to 60% of processed food, being a food additive and a meat substitute. Genistein and daidzein are the two most well characterized isoflavones [19,20].…”

A hormonális rendszer válsága: az endokrin diszruptorok egészségügyi hatásai

“…Előbbiek kiemelkedő (leginkább tanulmányozott) képviselője a mű-anyagiparban rendszeresen felhasznált bisphenol A (BPA), míg utóbbiakat a vinclozolin, egy pesticid reprezentálja leginkább. Vannak úgynevezett jóindulatú ED-k, például a szójafitoösztrogének (genistein, daidzein), amelyek csökkentik az osteoporosis, szívbetegségek, emlőrák kockázatát és a menopauzális szimptómát, ugyanakkor káros hatásaik is ismertek [25][26][27].…”

Diskripsi Perbandingan Histologi Organ Saluran Reproduksi Puyuh yang Diberi Perlakuan Serbuk Kunyit Sebelum Masak Kelamin dan yang Tidak Diberi Perlakuan Serbuk Kunyit

“…Perkembangan sel pada saluran reproduksi juga dirangsang oleh hormon estrogen dan progesteron. Kunyit mengandung fitoestrogen yang mempunyai aktivitas mirip estrogen (Patisaul and Jefferson 2010). Pemberian serbuk kunyit dapat memacu perkembangan saluran reproduksi (Saraswati et al 2014).…”