title: [Dietary phytoestrogen and its potential benefits in adult human health].
abstract: Human diet contains a series of bioactive vegetal compounds that can improve human health. Among these, there has been a special interest for phytoestrogens. This article reviews the evidence about the potential benefits of phytoestrogens for human health. Forty eight manuscripts were selected for their study design and relevance to human health. The cell growth inhibitory effects of phytoestrogens and their implication in breast cancer are reviewed. Also the effects of these compounds on serum lipid levels and the effectiveness of a phytoestrogen derivate, ipriflavone, on the prevention of osteoporosis are analyzed. Although these compounds have a great potential for improving health, there is still not enough evidence to recommend the routine use of phytoestrogens.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Hormonas-Receptores y Laboratorio de Lípidos-Antioxidantes, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile.
authors.forename: Argelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garrido
authors.forename: María Pía
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: de la Maza
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valladares
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013025:Glycine max
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations