Phytoestrogens, endocrine disrupters from food

Phytoestrogens are estrogens present in various plants some of which enter human consumption. They belong to different chemical family such as isoflavone, coumestane, resorcilic acid lactones, stylbens and lignans. In plants as in animal fluids they are encountered as conjugated forms. In plants they are found as glycosides, malonyles or acetyles when in animal fluids they are present as glucuronide or sulfate derivatives. They are present in great amount in all soy by products. They are known to interact at different steps of the estrogen pathway including the target cells and the estrogen receptor level. They also act at different steps of the estrogen cycle. They were demonstrated to disrupt the reproductive process in various mammalian species and to interfere with the estrogen cycle in women. They could also be responsible for positive effect such as protection against cancer or cardiovascular diseases. An objective point is made on literature data in order to highlight potential beneficial or adverse effects.