Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens, sometimes called "dietary estrogens", are nonsteroidal compounds produced by many plants and contained in many natural dietary products, such as soybeans, wheat, barley, corn, alfalfa, and oats.

Structurally, they are similar to endogenous estrogens and share a similar mechanism of action through their affinity for and binding to estrogenic receptors. However, phytoestrogens tend to have weaker effects than most estrogens, are not stored in the body, and can be easily broken down and eliminated.

Observational studies indicates that humans who have diets rich in phytoestrogens have lower rates of breast and prostate cancer. These populations also have less heart disease, gallbladder disease, osteoporosis, menopausal difficulties, lung, stomach, colon, and uterine cancers.