What are Isoflavones?
Isoflavones are naturally occurring plant components and are a subcategory of phytochemicals, found naturally in plants. The isoflavones found primarily in soybeans include genistein, daidzien, and glycitein. Recent human clinical research suggests that isoflavones are among the bioactive compounds that work in conjunction with soy protein to lower blood cholesterol.
Soy isoflavones are a unique group of phytoestrogens; a type of phytochemical or naturally occurring compounds in plants. Soy is the single most important source of phytoestrogens. The highest levels of isoflavones for human consumption are almost exclusively in soy. Soy isofalvones have versatile and potent pharmaceutical effects, and their actions in the body are well-defined. Isoflavones can exert powerful antioxidant effects and have antiangiogenic activity, which means hat they interfere with blood vessel growth, an important cancer-fighting property. Isoflaovones are known to inhibit enzymes that promote the growth of several types of cancer. In laboratory experiments, isoflavones have been shown to directly suppress the growth of many types of cancers, prostrate disease and estrogen-stimulated cancers.
• Isoflavones are a form of phytoestrogens that have a chemical structure very similar to estrogen. Soy is uniquely rich in isoflavones, primarily genistein and daidzein. These isoflavones in soy foods thought to contribute to many of the protective effects that soy has shown in animal and in vitro studies.
Soybeans are the main food source that contains isoflavones. Isoflavones are plant estrogens that are thought to play a role in the prevention of heart disease and cancers, and may help to decrease menopausal side effects such as hot flashes. Researchers are working to better understand the role isoflavones play in our body, but they seem to work in conjunction with soy protein.
Isoflavones are naturally occurring plant components and are a subcategory of phytochemicals (biologically active compounds found naturally in plants). The isoflavones found primarily in soybeans include genistein, daidzien and glycitein. Recent human clinical research suggests that isoflavones are among the bioactive compounds that work in conjunction with soy protein to lower blood cholesterol.
