Determine the Physiological Effects phytoestrogens?
Little is known about the biologic and physiologic effect of phytoestrogens in humans. Animal studies suggest the following physiological effects of phytoestrogens:
- hormonal effect, like stimulation of uterine growth in a manner similar to oestrogen (whether phytoestrogens have oestrogenic or anti-oestrogenic effect will depend on the amount of endogeneous oestrogen present), and
- antioxidant effects by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase superoxide dismutase, GSH peroxidase and GSH reductase. Soya isoflavones may also act directly as anti-oxidant.
The health benefits ascribed to phytoestrogens are for protection against cancer, relieving symptoms of menopause like hot flushes, prevention of osteoporosis (through prevention of bone resorption and promoting increased bone density) and prevention of heart disease in postmenopausal women probably acting as oestrogen agonists (mimicking the effect of oestrogens), producing effects on lipoproteins similar to those caused by oestrogen.