|
ISS
820 East 20th Street
Cookeville, TN 38501 USA
931 526 1106
linh@sproutnet.com
| |
Dietary phytoestrogens.
Annu Rev Nutr 1997;17:353-81
Kurzer MS, Xu X.
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
55108, USA.
Broadly defined, phytoestrogens include isoflavones, coumestans, and lignans. A
number of these compounds have been identified in fruits, vegetables, and whole
grains commonly consumed by humans. Soybeans, clover and alfalfa sprouts, and
oilseeds (such as flaxseed) are the most significant dietary sources of
isoflavones, coumestans, and lignans, respectively. Studies in humans, animals,
and cell culture systems suggest that dietary phytoestrogens play an important
role in prevention of menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, cancer, and heart
disease. Proposed mechanisms include estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects,
induction of cancer cell differentiation, inhibition of tyrosine kinase and DNA
topoisomerase activities, suppression of angiogenesis, and antioxidant effects.
Although there currently are no dietary recommendations for individual
phytoestrogens, there may be great benefit in increased consumption of plant
foods.
|
