Phyto-oestrogens through the life cycle

The growing interest in the role of phyto-oestrogens in human health has pr ompted scientists to evaluate the risk:benefit which would result from cons uming high levels of these compounds at different stages of the life cycle. These compounds have been shown to exert a wide range of hormonal and non- hormonal activities in animals and in vitro, and these activities suggest p lausible mechanisms for potential health effects in human subjects consumin g phyto-oestrogen-rich diets. In addition, experimental and epidemiological data are available supporting the concept that phyto-oestrogen-rich diets exert physiological effects in vivo; however, their relative importance to human health remains to be elucidated. Our understanding of factors involve d in their absorption and metabolism, including the role of intestinal micr oflora, is limited, and these factors together with dose-related effects ma y well be important in determining clinical efficacy.