Metabolism and health effects of phyto-estrogens. Issue 11 (24th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nie, Qixing; Xing, Mengmeng; Hu, Jielun; Hu, Xiaojuan; Nie, Shaoping; Xie, Mingyong
• Is Part Of: Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. Volume 57:Issue 11(2017)
• Page Start: 2432
• Page End: 2454
• Publication Date: 2017-07-24
• Subjects: Phyto-estrogens -- metabolism -- menopausal syndrome -- cardiovascular health -- breast cancer; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; Diet -- Periodicals; Review Literature -- Periodicals; Nutrition; Food; Diet; Review Literature; 664
• DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2015.1077194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-8398

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Phyto-estrogens are plant-derived compounds that can exert various estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects, and are usually used as a natural alternative to estrogen replacement due to their health benefits, including a lowered risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer, and menopausal symptoms. Phyto-estrogens are also considered as endocrine disruptors due to their structure similar to human female hormone 17-β oestradiol. However, the issue of whether phyto-estrogens are beneficial or harmful to human health remains unknown, as this may depend on the dose, form, level and duration of administration of phyto-estrogens, and influence by genetics, metabolism, gut physiology, age, diet, and the health status of individuals. Clarification on this issue is necessary for the sake of their two-side effects on human health and rapidly increasing global consumption of phyto-estrogens. This review mainly includes the metabolism of phyto-estrogens and weighs the evidence for and against the purported health benefits and adverse effects of phyto-estrogens.