title: Metabolism and health effects of phyto-estrogens.
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.
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University Nanchang , CN, Nanchang , China.
authors.forename: Qixing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University Nanchang , CN, Nanchang , China.
authors.forename: Mengmeng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University Nanchang , CN, Nanchang , China.
authors.forename: Jielun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University Nanchang , CN, Nanchang , China.
authors.forename: Xiaojuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University Nanchang , CN, Nanchang , China.
authors.forename: Shaoping
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University Nanchang , CN, Nanchang , China.
authors.forename: Mingyong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004967:Estrogens; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: Phyto-estrogens; breast cancer; cardiovascular health; menopausal syndrome; metabolism