Fitoestrogeny – rola prozdrowotna i zawartość w produktach

*Edyta Kwiatkowska

Summary
Foods of plant origin, despite of nutrients contain many non-nutrition compounds, which may prevent many diet-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer. They are an important group of antioxidants. Phytoestrogens are biological active substances present in many plants. Phytoestrogens belong to called environmental estrogens which may affect different biochemical processes in human organism. Phytoestrogens, plant compounds, they have a structural/ functional similarity to human estrogen. The principal phytoestrogens in food are isoflavones, lignans, coumestans. The existence of these compounds in the diet, especially maintenance of their proper consumption level, is a very important element in the prevention of many diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis and cancer. Isoflavones may help maintain a healthy heart, strong bones, may support a well functioning immune system and may have the potential to reduce the risk factors that are involved in the etiology of certain cancers. The intensity of experimental studies on phytoestrogens showed varied attributes of these compounds. The results give hope for the use of phytoestrogens in prevention and neoplasmatic treatment. Consumption of soy isoflavones may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer both through reduction in serum lipids and by the antioxidant properties. In the review attempt to present current knowledge on classification and occurrence of phytoestrogens as well as their metabolism and biological effects.

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