Article: Soy Isoflavones

Soybeans are packed full of various phytochemicals which are quickly gaining attention in the medical community. Plants contain chemical compounds known as phytochemicals, which are necessary for the plant to function. Western medicine, with some help from ancient Eastern medicine, has begun extensive research into the benefits of phytochemicals with regard to human health. Soybeans are the single richest source of a type of phytochemical termed isoflavones, also known as phytoestrogens.

Soy Isoflavones are known for acting similarly to natural estrogens as well as performing protective functions within our bodies. When estrogen levels are low, isoflavones and other phyto-estrogens bring the body to state of equilibrium. This balanced state reduces the effect of estrogen on our bodies' cells and therefore reduces the risk of estrogen linked cancers. Isoflavones are not only known for their benefits with regard to estrogen, they have additionally been linked to prevention of various other types of cancers and diseases.

There are various chemical compounds included in soy isoflavones which provide the known healthful benefits. The most well known and most heavily researched are genistein, daidzein, and glycitein.

Genistein has various wide ranging health benefits. Genistein's is primarily known for acting as an antioxidant and as a phytoestrogen. Genistein is the strongest phytoestrogen in the isoflavones cocktail. As an antioxidant, genistein helps to remove detrimental free radical cells and reduces lipid peroxidation. This minimization of peroxidation prevents LDL cholesterol from absorbing into arterial walls and thus, reduces the risk for arteriosclerosis. Genistein inhibits rapid cell growth by blocking tyrosine kinase, resulting in a decreased overall risk of cancers. Genistein simultaneously promotes the growth of hormone independent cells. Additionally, genistein has been linked to prevention of hormone related cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.

Daidzein, an additional isoflavone, has been found to have little ability in the regulation of estrogen levels. Instead, daidzein is very effective in protecting cells against oxidative damage of DNA, an antioxidant. Daidzein has been found to reduce the risk of mammary tumors by nearly one half. Daidzein has been found to reduce the risk of osteoporosis by stimulating the formation of osteoblasts, the cells which are responsible for the production of bone mass. As an added bonus, daidzein has also been linked to a reduction in alcohol dependency.

The least studied isoflavone, glycitein, is thought to have similar health benefits as those offered by daidzein and genistein because of similar chemical structures. The only known fact about glycitein is that it has weak estrogen potential when measured in vivo and in vitro assays. However, when measured in vivo, glycitein has the greatest estrogenic activity levels of all the isoflavones. Activity levels of glycitein are twelve times that of daidzein and three times that of genistein when measured in vivo. This discovery of high estrogenicity levels coupled with findings that glycitein is the most easily absorbed isoflavone is beginning to bring glycitein to the forefront of isoflavone research.