Urinary excretion of isoflavonoid phytoestrogens in Chinese and Anglo-Celtic populations in Australia

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare the urinary excretion of phytoestrogens in Australians of Chinese and Angle-Celtic origins. Urine samples from individuals already participating in two cross-cultural studies on food habits and health status, were used in order to measure excretion of the two isoflavonoid phytoestrogens genistein and daidzein. The mean (+/- SEM) 24 h excretion of genistein and daidzein, was 614 +/- 202 nmol and 688 +/- 218 nmol in the Chinese population and 107 +/- 31 nmol and 164 +/- 63 nmol in the Angle-Celtic population (p<0.001) respectively. Differences were also observed in food consumption where cereal and legume consumptions were significantly higher in the Chinese population (p<0.001). The urinary excretion of phytoestrogen in the Melbourne Chinese and Anglo-celtic is consistent with excretion rates of other populations. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.