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Estrogens, Progestins, and Their Antagonists pp 51–71Cite as

Phytoestrogen Effects in Humans Relative to Risk for Cardiovascular Disease, Breast Cancer, Osteoporosis, and Menopausal Symptoms

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Part of the book series: Hormones in Health and Disease ((HHD))

Abstract

Phytoestrogens include a wide variety of plant products with weak estrogenic activity. These plant estrogens attract widespread interest because of their potential for reducing risk for coronary heart disease (Anderson et al., 1995b) and their chemopreventive role for several forms of cancer (Steele et al, 1995). In the scientific community the phytoestrogen story has progressed through four phases. First, phytoestrogens attracted scientific attention among veterinary researchers because of their adverse effects on fertility in grazing sheep (Bennetts et al, 1945) and their induction of liver disease in certain cheetahs (Setchell et al, 1987). Next, a number of phytoestrogens were identified in human urine (Setchell et al, 1980). Third, the health benefits of phytoestrogens, based on epidemiologic observations, garnered the attention of scientists as well as nonscientist consumers (Anderson et al, 1995b; Messina, 1995; Steinmetz and Potter, 1991). Fourth, investigators are currently identifying the potent biochemical effects of phytoestrogens, such as genistein (Coward et al, 1993; Nishio et al, 1994; Wei et al, 1995). This chapter reviews historical considerations, overviews current knowledge of the identity and metabolism of phytochemicals, summarizes epidemiologic data related to health, and examines current research related to the biochemical effects and mechanisms of action of phytoestrogens.

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  1. James W. Anderson
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  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, 800 Rose Street, 40536-0084, Lexington, KY, USA

    Edward J. Pavlik

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Anderson, J.W. (1997). Phytoestrogen Effects in Humans Relative to Risk for Cardiovascular Disease, Breast Cancer, Osteoporosis, and Menopausal Symptoms. In: Pavlik, E.J. (eds) Estrogens, Progestins, and Their Antagonists. Hormones in Health and Disease. Birkhäuser Boston. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4096-9_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4096-9_2

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser Boston

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