Dietary phytoestrogens

• Published in: Annual review of nutrition Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 353 - 381
• Main Authors: Kurzer, M.S, Xu, X
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palo Alto, CA Annual Reviews 01.01.1997; Annual Reviews, Inc
• Subjects: Alfalfa; ANGIOGENESIS; Animals; ANTIOXIDANTES; ANTIOXIDANTS; ANTIOXYDANT; Biological and medical sciences; BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS; Carcinogenesis, carcinogens and anticarcinogens; CARDIOPATHIE; Cardiovascular diseases; CELL DIFFERENTIATION; CHEMICAL STRUCTURE; COMPOSICION APROXIMADA; COMPOSITION GLOBALE; CONTROL DE ENFERMEDADES; CONTROLE DE MALADIES; DIET; DIETA; DIFERENCIACION CELULAR; DIFFERENCIATION CELLULAIRE; DISEASE CONTROL; DISEASE PREVENTION; ENFERMEDADES CARDIACAS; ESTROGENOS; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal - administration & dosage; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal - analysis; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal - chemistry; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal - metabolism; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal - pharmacology; ESTRUCTURA QUIMICA; FISIOLOGIA DE LA NUTRICION; FOOD COMPOSITION; Foods and miscellaneous; General pharmacology; Health Promotion; HEART DISEASES; HORMONAS; HORMONE; HORMONES; Humans; Isoflavones; LITERATURE REVIEWS; Medical sciences; MENOPAUSE; METABOLISM; METABOLISME; METABOLISMO; MITOSE; MITOSIS; NEOPLASMAS; NEOPLASME; NEOPLASMS; NUTRITION; NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGY; OESTROGENE; OESTROGENS; OSTEODISTROFIA; OSTEODYSTROPHIE; OSTEODYSTROPHY; OSTEOPOROSIS; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; PHYSIOLOGIE DE LA NUTRITION; Phytoestrogens; Plant Preparations; Plants, Edible; PROXIMATE COMPOSITION; REGIME ALIMENTAIRE; RITMOS BIOLOGICOS; RYTHME BIOLOGIQUE; SINTOMAS; SOURCES; Soybeans; STRUCTURE CHIMIQUE; SYMPTOME; SYMPTOMS; Tumors; Antineoplastic agent; Human; Antiestrogen; Estrogen; Plant origin; Lignan; Review; Diphenols; Isoflavone derivatives; Biological activity; Feeding
• ISSN: 0199-9885; 1545-4312
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev.nutr.17.1.353

Broadly defined, phytoestrogens include isoflavones, coumestans, and lignans. A number of these compounds have been identified in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains commonly consumed by humans. Soybeans, clover and alfalfa sprouts, and oilseeds (such as flaxseed) are the most significant dietary sources of isoflavones, coumestans, and lignans, respectively. Studies in humans, animals, and cell culture systems suggest that dietary phytoestrogens play an important role in prevention of menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease. Proposed mechanisms include estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects, induction of cancer cell differentiation, inhibition of tyrosine kinase and DNA topoisomerase activities, suppression of angiogenesis, and antioxidant effects. Although there currently are no dietary recommendations for individual phytoestrogens, there may be great benefit in increased consumption of plant foods