Review Evaluates Health Benefits of Phytoestrogens

HAIFA, IsraelA recent review covers three decades of research on phytoestrogens and their unique estrogenic profiles. Frutarom and Wageningen University, the Netherlands, researchers published the review in the June 2012 issue of Food and Function journal (Food Funct. 2012 Aug 25;3(8):810-27. Epub 2012 Jun 11.).

The review, " Prenylated isoflavonoids from plants as selective estrogen receptor modulators," summarized recent evidence on the dietary occurrence, bioavailability and metabolism of phytoestrogens. It also focused on why phytoestrogens operate as either agonist (estrogen) or as antagonist (anti-estrogen) in humans.

Rudy Simmons, Ph.D., research and development manager, Frutarom, said estrogenic mechanisms in the body are very complex. "It appears that the molecular structure of phytoestrogens play a big role in the in vitro estrogenic activity as well as the type of clinical health benefits," Simmons, who co-authored the review, said. "Although their activity profiles are similar, they are not the same. For example, phytoestrogens from soy are associated with improved bone health and menopausal health, phytoestrogens from flax can delay the onset benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and hair loss and licorice phytoestrogens are particularly associated with chemoprevention."