Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens

Introduction

This article is focused on phytoestrogens, particularly what phytoestrogens are, compounds responsible for phytoestrogenic action, the physiological effect of phytoestrogen in male mammals

and females respectively.

What are phytoestrogens?

Phytoestrogens are structural analogues of estrogen hormones of plant origin.

Estrogens are steroidal compounds produced in the mammalian body that serve to maintain

female sexual characteristics.

Phytoestrogens are a group of non-steroidal compounds produced by a range of plants.

Compounds responsible for phytoestrogenic action

The compounds that are most likely to be responsible for the phyto estrogenic action are, 

• Isoflavones (found in soy and other legumes such as chickpeas, mung beans, and alfalfa)

• coumestans (found in alfalfa and clover sprouts and sprouted legumes such as mung beans and soy sprouts)

• lignans (found in linseed, grains, and vegetables)

Estrogen activity has been reported in fruits, vegetables, cereals, oils, soy, and peanuts.

Soy products

• Tempeh

• Soybeans

• Tofu

• Miso

• Whole soybean soy milk

• Soy drinks

Grains 

• Oats

• Rice

• Barley

• Quinoa

• Rye

• Wheat germ

Seeds and nuts

• Flaxseed

• Sesame seeds

• Sunflower seeds

• Pistachios

• Almonds

Legumes

• Chickpeas

• Lentils

• Red kidney beans

• Alfalfa

• Split peas

The physiological effect of phytoestrogen in male mammals

The physiological effect of phytoestrogen includes the development of female 2ry characteristics in male mammals.

But the degree to which these signs develop depends on the amount of phytoestrogen present, duration of exposure to them, and the species of the animals.

All these effects are usually temporary and disappear with the change to a diet free of phytoestrogen unless the animals have been exposed to a higher level of these compounds for a prolonged period.

However, since most of the naturally occurring estrogenic substances show only weak activity, it is doubtful that the normal consumption of foods known to contain phytoestrogen would provide a sufficient amount of these substances to elicit a physiological response.

The physiological effect of phytoestrogen in female mammals

• potential estrogenic action

• protective action against cardiovascular diseases (soy protein may help to lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol))

• It affects beneficially on bone density and menopausal symptoms

• Consumption of these food obviously satisfy the nutritional requirements of the body (protein, fiber, micronutrients)

Conclusion

This article is focused on phytoestrogens, particularly what phytoestrogens are, compounds responsible for phytoestrogenic action, the physiological effect of phytoestrogen in male mammals and females respectively.

References

Flaxseeds & Peas - Canine Fertility. https://www.balanced-canine.com/post/2018/01/24/flaxseeds-canine-fertility

Handbook of Food Toxicology (Food Science and Technology). https://epdf.pub/handbook-of-food-toxicology-food-science-and-technology.html