How are natural estrogens in our food different from synthetic estrogens?
A. There are major differences between phytoestrogens and man-made endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Phytoestrogens are readily broken down and excreted from the body. Consequently they spend very little time inside the body. The situation with man-made chemicals is different. Humans and animals have not evolved alongside vast quantities of man-made endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the environment. Unlike phytoestrogens, many are persistent and cannot be broken down or detoxified. These may bioaccumulate in body fat, remaining in the body for long periods of time About 300 different plants are known to produce and contain a number of natural chemicals called phytoestrogens. These are thought to serve a variety of functions, acting as natural fungicides, regulating plant hormones, deterring herbivores from eating them and as a protection against ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Plants that contain phytoestrogens include many in our diet, such as whole cereal grains, seeds, soy, cabbag
