title: Does equol production determine soy endocrine effects?
abstract: Isoflavones, a group of phytoestrogens, are selective oestrogen receptor (ER) modulators. They may positively impact endocrine-related conditions but the current evidence is sparse. Equol, a non-steroidal oestrogen, is produced by the metabolism of the isoflavone daidzein by intestinal bacteria. In Western countries, 30-50% of individuals metabolize daidzein into equol and are known as equol producers. Equol production may be the source of benefit from isoflavones in endocrine disease.
authors.affiliation: Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shor
authors.forename: Thozhukat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sathyapalan
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Atkin
authors.forename: Natalie J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Thatcher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy; D060754:Equol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D055951:Functional Food / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045730:Soy Foods / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D060754:Equol; C004742:daidzein