CONCLUSION Determining the mechanisms involved in explaining the potential health benefits of a diet high in plant-based foods remains a major challenge to nutritionists and scientists. Phytoestrogens represent just one of many important bioactive nonnutrients found in many plants commonly consumed in the human diet. The myriad of biological properties that have been associated with phytoestrogens has resulted in the current euphoria over their potential for the prevention and/or treatment of many hormone-dependent diseases. Animal and in vitro studies convincingly argue a case for positive effects from phytoestrogens in many disease states. However, the clinical data supporting many of the currently claimed health benefits of phytoestrogens remain to be established definitively. Nevertheless, the limited studies thus far performed in humans clearly confirm that diet can have significant hormonal effects and that these may be of benefit in the prevention of many of the common diseases seen in Western populations in which the diet is typically devoid of these bioactive nonnutrients. 1-50 51-100 101-149 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.