According to the Mayo Clinic, there are two basic types of phytoestrogens. The first is known as isoflavones, which are plant-derived compounds that can act like estrogen in the body. The second is known as lignans, which are also plant-derived compounds that act somewhat similar to estrogen within the body. Ingesting these compounds is believed to have medicinal effects on certain conditions and diseases, and is often used as a complementary and alternative form of treatment.
Cholesterol
Phytoestrogens may help to decrease low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, in the bloodstream, advises the Linus Pauling Institute. Elevated levels of LDL cholesterol contribute to high cholesterol and can cause plaque to form along the arterial walls. Over time, this accumulation can narrow the arteries and restrict blood flow, which could cause high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. It also increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Arterial Health
Phytoestrogens can also improve the health of your arteries. When supplemented into the diet, these estrogen-like compounds show promise in treating atherosclerosis, which is a hardening of the arteries. Much like high cholesterol, atherosclerosis increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. It's also known to lead to coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease and peripheral artery disease.
Menopause
Phytoestrogens are often used as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy to reduce symptoms of menopause, especially in the case of hot flashes. Ingesting foods containing isoflavones, in particular, can reduce the frequency of hot flashes, notes the Linus Pauling Institute.
Osteoporosis
Both forms of phytoestrogens could help to improve bone resorption as well as bone formation, which may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak or brittle with age. This increases the risk of breaks or fractures in its sufferers. Further, long-term studies are necessary to determine the exact effect supplementing the diet with isoflavones and lignans actually has on bone health.
Cancer
The Linus Pauling Institute explains that phytoestrogens may help in the prevention of hormone-associated cancers, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and prostate cancer. The reason for the interest in phytoestrogens for cancer prevention is the lower incidence of hormone-associated cancers in countries where their diets are rich in foods containing both isoflavones and lignans. Much like osteoporosis, further studies are necessary to determine the effects these phytoestrogens have on the abnormal cells associated with cancer.
Cardiovascular Disease
Eating foods rich in lignans is known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. But it's more than just the phytoestrogens at play in this scenario. Other chemical and nutrients also play a role in cardiovascular disease prevention, so it’s still unclear to what effect the phytoestrogen is having on your cardiovascular system.
