Phytoestrogens and Health

With recent research questioning the efficacy and safety of conventional hormone replacement therapy, plant-based hormones are capturing increasing attention. Gilani (Health Canada, Ottawa) and Anderson (U. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) introduce 33 contributed chapters that review the sources, composition, measurement methodology, metabolism, mechanisms of action, and effects of food-based and supplement sources of estrogenic hormones. Unlike some alternative medicine information sources, this volume provides evidence-based views of the benefits and risks of such touted phytoestrogens as soy isoflavones and flaxseed lignans. After discussing the biochemistry and merits of these natural hormones (e.g., in regard to bone and cardiovascular health), the section on toxicity addresses possible deleterious effects of over-exposure to endocrine-active agents in the environment and infants fed soy-based formulas. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR