Isoflavins during the menopause:: Analysis of evidence published

Phytoestrogens are chemicals derivatives of vegetables which may act as weak estrogens. The main class of interest to human health is isoflavones, which are a class of phytoestrogens found predominantly in legumes and beans. They have similar structure to estradiol-17beta and have the capacity to exert both estrogenic and anti estrogenic effects. It depends on the target tissue, receptor status of the tissue, and the level of endogenous estrogens. Given the increasing interest in the effect of phytoestrogens on climacteric symptoms and diseases related to postmenopausal status combined with the growing body of published literature on isoflavones, much of which presents conflicting data, it is necessary to establish the role of such phytoestrogens in menopausal health. There are many observational and epidemiological studies that suggest the potential benefit of isoflavones on the menopause symptoms, the cardiovascular system, and bone tissue, as well as a protective effect of soy protein on breast and endometrial cancers, but another studies reveals neither a positive nor a negative effect of soy isoilavones on human health. To date, no adverse effects of short term administration of these compounds are known in humans, but current data are insufficient to draw definitive conclusions regarding the use of isoflavones as a therapeutic alternative in postmenopausal women: additional clinical trials are needed before specific recommendations can be made regarding increased consumption of foods or supplements that contain high amounts of isoflavones.