2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Isoflavones are substances from the group of plant estrogens - phytoestrogens. They have a similar effect to female sex hormones, but are not steroids. Isoflavones act as both estrogens and antiestrogens. They have the most powerful effect among plant estrogens.
Benefits of isoflavones
Isoflavones have a number of benefits. They act as antioxidants and anti-carcinogens, strengthen the immune system. Isoflavones act as estrogens because they have an estrogen-like effect, and as antiestrogens because they compete with endogenous estrogen for estrogen receptors and, after binding to them, act as antiestrogens.
Due to all these actions, isoflavones play a very important role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease; relieve menopausal symptoms; prevent the development of osteoporosis and some cancers.
Scientists have long noticed that people in Asian countries are less likely to suffer from heart problems, some cancers, and the symptoms of menopause in women are much milder.
It is clear that the reason is the consumption of soy isoflavones. Isoflavones support the maintenance of functional estrogen levels in women over the age of 40. They support the natural hormonal balance during and after menopause.
During menopause, ovarian hormonal function gradually declines and the level of estrogen in the blood decreases.
This decrease is associated with a number of unpleasant symptoms such as hot flashes, tension, palpitations, mood swings and more.
In Asian countries, where soy consumption is much higher, the symptoms are much milder, and in Japan, the term heat waves is virtually non-existent.
Isoflavones lower the level of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, improve the elasticity of the arteries.
Sources of isoflavones
The most powerful source of natural isoflavones is soy. Serious accumulation of isoflavones is found in the grains, fruits, pods, roots and leaves of plants. Rich on isoflavones are rye, wheat, beans, lentils, corn, chickpeas.
Soybeans isoflavones are weak estrogens and the most important of them for human health are genisten and daizen. Some of these two valuable isoflavones are found in the free state in soybeans, and others are related to glucose.
In soy foods the concentration of isoflavones is high, reaching 3 mg / g. The ratios and amounts of the two main types of isoflavones vary, but all soy products such as soy milk, tofu, miso and tempeh are a very rich source. Isoflavones are relatively stable substances and do not break down during cooking.
Supplements with isoflavones
A number of soy supplements are available on the market isoflavones. They should be drunk as indicated on the package. These supplements are not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children.
The recommended daily dose should not be exceeded to avoid unwanted side effects. In most cases, the recommended daily dose is 2000 mg.
Harm from isoflavones
Opinions of various scientists about the influence of phytoestrogens, in particular isoflavones, are contradictory. Some of them are of the opinion that excessive use of plant hormones can seriously damage women's health.
Scientists warn women not to overdo soy products because too much estrogen in the body increases the risk of breast cancer.
It is still disputed that isoflavones can stimulate the growth of pre-existing estrogen-sensitive breast tumors.
