compounds isolated from soy beans that exhibit antioxidant and weak estrogenic activity.
Isoflavones can be found in many plants but soybeans are extremely rich in isoflavones. Isoflavones are a type of phytoestrogen, or plant hormone, that resembles human estrogen in chemical structure yet are weaker. By mimicking human estrogen at certain sites in the body, isoflavones provide many health benefits.
Plant estrogens that are chemically structured like estrogen and have similar effects but are weaker. Soybeans contain two primary isoflavones.• Main Glossary• Previous Page
A type of phytoestrogen found in soybeans and soy-based foods, isoflavones lower cholesterol levels and curb menopause symptoms.
Genistein and daidzein are the most prominent; found almost exclusively in soybeans and soyfoods; some are converted in the intestine to compounds with estrogen-mimicking functions; may help prevent hormone-related cancers, such as breast cancer. Sometimes scientists will refer to foods as "containing isoflavones" as a kind of shorthand. See "Genistein."
Plant-based compound with estrogen-like properties that are found primarily in soy beans. Isoflavens can act as low-dose estrogens and can also lessen estrogen's effect on cells and skin layers, possibly reducing the risks of estrogen-related cancers.
A subclass of the flavonoids. In contrast to the flavonoids, isoflavones have a much more limited distribution in nature. Isoflavones found in soybeans include glycinin, daidzin, glycetin, and genistin. These compounds are known antioxidants and genestin has been shown to influence signal transduction through its effect on several enzymes. Isoflavones may have positive effects in humans such as cancer inhibition, increased bone strength, and a decrease in heart disease.
A class of phytochemical that inhibits the uptake of estrogen, which may help prevent estrogen based cancers such as breast cancer.
Phytonutrient antioxidants, including genisteine and diadzein, that act as estrogen receptor protectors (minimize PMS, menopause side effects) and lower cholesterol levels.
Compounds found in soy which have been shown to significantly reduce serum cholesterol levels - the leading risk factor for heart disease - as well as alleviate menopausal symptoms in women and assist in combating numerous other serious health risks.
Plant compounds that are found in soy products. Soy isoflavones are being studied to see if they help prevent cancer.
Hormone like substance found in soybeans.
A form of phytochemical (plant chemical) that has a chemical structure similar to estrogen. Isoflavones are components of plant foods that are not nutrients but are believed to affect health. Soy is uniquely rich in isoflavones, primarily genistein and daidzein. Isoflavones are thought to contribute to many of the positive health effects that soy has shown in human, animal and in vitro studies.
Compounds found in soy beans that may help prevent cancer.
Phytochemicals which are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that have biological activity in the body.
phytochemicals believed to help prevent various diseases.
One of the five chemical classes of Anticarcinogens found in soy. Isoflavones are chemically similar in structure to estrogen and, in fact, are weak estrogens (about 1/1,000 to 1/100,000 the potency of endogenous estrogen). The two primary isoflavones in soybeans are daidzein and genistein. Soybeans and soy foods have attracted much attention because they are unique as the only nutritionally significant dietary sources of isoflavones. Isoflavones may directly inhibit bone resorption and prevent the onset of osteoporosis, and the weak estrogenic effects of isoflavones have been postulated as being protective against various forms of cancer.