New Review Sheds Light on Different Estrogenic Profiles of Phytoestrogens
A recently published review, completed by researchers from Frutarom and Wageningen University, the Netherlands, provides a greater understanding of how different phytoestrogens have unique profiles that determine their health effects.
A recently published review, completed by researchers from Frutarom and Wageningen University, the Netherlands, provides a greater understanding of how different phytoestrogens have unique profiles that determine their health effects(1). The study focuses on the particular mechanisms that cause phytoestrogens to act as either agonist or antagonist towards the receptors in the human body. The review also summarizes new findings on the dietary occurrence, bioavailability and metabolism of phytoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens primarily belong to the class of isoflavonoids and are plant-based compounds with estrogenic activity. They are a diverse group of naturally occurring nonsteroidal plant compounds that, because of their structural similarity with estradiol (17-β-estradiol), have the ability to cause estrogenic or/and antiestrogenic effects.