Legume phytoestrogen

In addition to fiber and carbohydrate content, protein intake from legumes may have weight-loss benefits for obese individuals just because proteins enhance post-meal satiety (Rolls, 1995). However, a possible specific role for phytoestrogens in obesity has been postulated through the modulation of the satiety response, a neuroendocrine mechanism controlled by leptin (a hormone secreted by adipose tissue and already known to be regulated by... 

Soybeans (Glycine max) are protein-rich legumes widely grown around the world as a food crop. They are the major dietary source of isoflavones, which are broken down in the intestine into the phytoestrogens genis-... 

Franke AA, Custer LJ, Cerna CM, Narala K. 1995. Rapid FIPLC analysis of dietary phytoestrogens from legumes and from human urine. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 208 18-26. 

Calculation of the dietary intakes of estrogenic pesticides compared to the intakes of natural phytoestrogens present in soya and other legumes clearly shows that pesticides represent a drop in the ocean of dietary xenoestrogen intake (Table 10.3) (Shaw and McCully, 2000). 

High consumption of legumes, especially soya beans, which are rich sources of phytoestrogens, is associated with lower incidence of breast and uterine cancer, as well as a lower incidence of osteoporosis. The estrogenic action is probably responsible for the effects on the development of osteoporosis, whereas three factors may be involved in the effect on hormone-dependent cancer ... 

Phytoestrogens. Several natural plant substances that have general structural features similar to those of DBS and estradiol also have estrogenic effects and have been termed phyioestrogetLs. These include genistein. from soybeans and a species of clover, daidzein. from. soybeans and coume-strol, found in certain legumes. Genistein and daidzein are... 

Over 300 different plants contain either compounds with estrogenic activity or precursors for the formation of nonsteroidal estrogens. Coumestrol, equol, and zearalenone are examples of phytoestrogens that are found in legumes, tubers, and fungi that infest grains. These substances clearly act as reproductive toxins in sheep (equol in clover disease) and... 

Boue, S.M. et al.. Evaluation of the estrogenic effects of legume extracts containing phytoestrogens, J. Agric. Food. Chem., 51, 2193, 2003. 

Saloniemi, H., K. Wahala, P. Nykanen-Kurki, K. Kallela, and I. Saastamoinen. 1995. Phytoestrogen content and estrogenic effect of legume fodder. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 208(1) 13-17. 

Isoflavones have been found in higher concentrations only in the legume family of plants (Fabaceae) and occur in significant amounts only in soybeans and soya bean products. Isoflavones exhibit oestrogenic activity, but also further toxic effects, and are often classified, together with other active compounds, as phytoestrogens (see Section 10.4). 

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