Phytoestrogens are plant derived compounds found in a wide variety of foods, most notably soy. A litany of health benefits including a lowered risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer, and menopausal symptoms, are frequently attributed to phytoestrogens but many are also considered endocrine disruptors, indicating that they have the potential to cause adverse health effects as well. Consequently, the question of whether or not phytoestrogens are beneficial or harmful to human health remains unresolved. The answer is likely complex and may depend on age, health status, and even the presence or absence of specific gut microflora. Clarity on this issue is needed because global consumption is rapidly increasing. Phytoestrogens are present in numerous dietary supplements and widely marketed as a natural alternative to estrogen replacement therapy. Soy infant formula now constitutes up to a third of the US market, and soy protein is now added to many processed foods. As weak estrogen agonists/antagonists with molecular and cellular properties similar to synthetic endocrine disruptors such as Bisphenol A (BPA), the phytoestrogens provide a useful model to comprehensively investigate the biological impact of endocrine disruptors in general. This review weighs the evidence for and against the purported health benefits and adverse effects of phytoestrogens.

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植物雌激素的优缺点

植物雌激素是植物来源的化合物，存在于各种食物中，最显着的是大豆。一连串的健康益处，包括降低骨质疏松症、心脏病、乳腺癌和更年期症状的风险，通常归因于植物雌激素，但许多也被认为是内分泌干扰物，表明它们也有可能对健康造成不利影响。因此，植物雌激素对人类健康有益还是有害的问题仍未解决。答案可能很复杂，可能取决于年龄、健康状况，甚至特定肠道菌群的存在与否。由于全球消费量正在迅速增加，因此需要澄清这个问题。植物雌激素存在于许多膳食补充剂中，并作为雌激素替代疗法的天然替代品广泛销售。大豆婴儿配方奶粉现在占美国市场的三分之一，现在许多加工食品中都添加了大豆蛋白。作为具有类似于双酚 A (BPA) 等合成内分泌干扰物的分子和细胞特性的弱雌激素激动剂/拮抗剂，植物雌激素提供了一个有用的模型来全面研究内分泌干扰物的生物学影响。这篇综述权衡了支持和反对植物雌激素所谓的健康益处和不利影响的证据。作为具有类似于双酚 A (BPA) 等合成内分泌干扰物的分子和细胞特性的弱雌激素激动剂/拮抗剂，植物雌激素提供了一个有用的模型来全面研究内分泌干扰物的生物学影响。这篇综述权衡了支持和反对植物雌激素所谓的健康益处和不利影响的证据。作为具有类似于双酚 A (BPA) 等合成内分泌干扰物的分子和细胞特性的弱雌激素激动剂/拮抗剂，植物雌激素提供了一个有用的模型来全面研究内分泌干扰物的生物学影响。这篇综述权衡了支持和反对植物雌激素所谓的健康益处和不利影响的证据。