Bingham S A, Atkinson C, Liggins J, Bluck L, Coward A
MRC Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, Cambridge, UK.
Br J Nutr. 1998 May;79(5):393-406. doi: 10.1079/bjn19980068.
Phyto-oestrogens have emerged from their esoteric role in animal husbandry following the hypothesis that the human Western diet is relatively deficient in these substances compared with societies where large amounts of plant foods and legumes are eaten. Evidence is beginning to accrue that they may begin to offer protection against a wide range of human conditions, including breast, bowel, prostate and other cancers, cardiovascular disease, brain function, alcohol abuse, osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms. Of the two main classes of these weak oestrogens, the isoflavones are under intensive investigation due to their high levels in soyabean. Like the 'anti-oestrogen' Tamoxifen, these seem to have oestrogenic effects in human subjects in the cardiovascular system and bone. Although previously only available from food, isoflavones are now being marketed in health-food supplements or drinks, and tablets may soon be available over the counter as 'natural' hormone-replacement therapy. In cancer, anti-oestrogenic effects are thought to be important, although genistein especially has been shown to induce wide-ranging anti-cancer effects in cell lines independent of any hormone-related influence. There are few indications of harmful effects at present, although possible proliferative effects have been reported. In infants, the effects of high levels in soya milk formulas are uncertain. The second group, lignans, have been less investigated despite their known antioestrogenic effects and more widespread occurrence in foods. Investigation of the possible benefits of phyto-oestrogens is hampered by lack of analytical standards and, hence, inadequate methods for the measurement of low levels in most foods. This problem may prove to be a major dilemma for regulatory authorities, clinicians and others wishing to advise the general public on whether these compounds really do have the health benefits attributed to them.
植物雌激素在畜牧业中的神秘作用已逐渐显现，这是基于一种假设：与大量食用植物性食物和豆类的社会相比，西方人的饮食中这些物质相对缺乏。越来越多的证据表明，它们可能开始为预防多种人类疾病提供保护，包括乳腺癌、肠癌、前列腺癌和其他癌症、心血管疾病、脑功能、酒精滥用、骨质疏松症和更年期症状。在这两类主要的弱雌激素中，异黄酮因其在大豆中的含量高而受到深入研究。与“抗雌激素”他莫昔芬一样，这些物质在人体心血管系统和骨骼中似乎具有雌激素作用。尽管异黄酮以前只能从食物中获取，但现在已作为保健食品补充剂或饮料进行销售，片剂可能很快就会作为“天然”激素替代疗法在柜台出售。在癌症方面，抗雌激素作用被认为很重要，尽管尤其是染料木黄酮已被证明在细胞系中能产生广泛的抗癌作用，且与任何激素相关影响无关。目前几乎没有有害影响的迹象，尽管有报道称可能存在增殖作用。在婴儿中，豆奶配方中高水平异黄酮的影响尚不确定。第二类木脂素，尽管已知其具有抗雌激素作用且在食物中更广泛存在，但研究较少。缺乏分析标准以及因此缺乏测量大多数食物中低水平植物雌激素的适当方法，阻碍了对植物雌激素潜在益处的研究。对于监管机构、临床医生和其他希望就这些化合物是否真的具有所宣称的健康益处向公众提供建议的人来说，这个问题可能会成为一个主要难题。
