title: [Phytoestrogens and human health.].
abstract: Recently there has been a growing interest in phytoestrogens, because they have been proven to play a protective role against many diseases that have been related to lifestyle in the westernized countries. The four main classes of phytoestrogens are: isoflavones, flavones, coumestrans and lignans. Known mechanisms of action include estrogen receptor agonism and possibly antagonism, influences on sex hormone binding globulin and/or key enzymes in sex hormone production and metabolism. Other effects not linked to sex hormones, such as antioxidant activity, antiproliferative activity and inhibition of angiogenesis, have also been suggested. A short review of the most studied health effects that have been linked to phytoestrogens is presented, such as prevention of certain types of cancer, osteoporosis and coronary heart disease.
authors.affiliation: Laaboratory of toxicology, University of Iceland, Armúla 30, 128 Reykjavík, Iceland. elinmag@hi.is.
authors.forename: Elín V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Magnúsdóttir