Phyto-oestrogens and Western Diseases

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Medical Abstract Title:

Phyto-oestrogens and Western Diseases

 

Author:

Adlercreutz H, Mazur W

 

Source:

Annals of Medicine. 1997; 29:95-120.

 

Abstract:

 

Incidences of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer are high in the Western

world compared to countries in Asia. We have postulated that the Western diet

compared to the semi-vegetarian diet in some Asian countries may alter hormone

production, metabolism or action at the cellular level by some biochemical

mechanisms.

 

Our interest has been focused on two groups of hormone-like diphenolic

phyto-oestrogens of dietary origin, the lignans and isoflavonoids abundant in

plasma of subjects living in areas with low cancer incidence.

 

The precursors of the biologically active compounds detected in man are found in

non-gmo soybean products, whole-grain organic cereal food, seeds, and berries.

 

The plant lignan and isoflavonoid glycosides are converted by intestinal

bacteria to hormone-like compounds.

 

The weakly oestrogenic diphenols formed influence sex-hormone production,

metabolism and biological activity, intracellular enzymes, protein synthesis,

growth factor action, malignant cell proliferation, differentiation, cell

adhesion and angiogenesis in such a way as to make them strong candidates for a

role as natural cancer-protective compounds.

 

Their effect on some of the most important steroid biosynthetic enzymes may

result in beneficial modulation of hormone concentrations and action in the

cells preventing development of cancer.

 

Owing to their oestrogenic activity they reduce hot flushes and vaginal dryness

in postmenopausal women and may to some degree inhibit osteoporosis, but alone

they may be insufficient for complete protection.

 

Soy intake prevents oxidation of the low-density lipoproteins in vitro when

isolated from soy-treated individuals and affect favourably plasma lipid

concentrations.

 

Animal experiments provide evidence suggesting that both lignans and

isoflavonolds may prevent the development of cancer as well as atherosclerosis.

However, in some of these experiments it has not been possible to separate the

phyto-oestrogen effect from the effect of other components in the food.

 

The isoflavonoids and lignans may play a significant inhibitory role in cancer

development particularly in the promotional phase of the disease, but recent

evidence points also to a role in the initiation stage of carcinogenesis. At

present, however, no definite recommendations can be made as to the dietary

amounts needed for prevention of the disease.

 

This review deals with all the above-mentioned aspects of phyto-oestrogens.

 

http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=205

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