Equol: a Phytoestrogen from Soy Bean: Its Roles in Health

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Published: Jun 30, 2016
Keywords:
Equol Phytoestrogen Soy bean Daidzein

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Thanannat Meemak
Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Jureerut Daduang
Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Patcharee Boonsiri
Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Abstract

Equol is a phytoestrogen with similar chemical structure and estrogen-like effect. It is synthesized from soy bean in food by specific metabolic pathway using bacteria in  human intestine. Daidzein, a precursor, is changed to S-(-)equol, which can bind to b-estrogen receptor. However, this metabolic pathway is found in some people because there are several factors involved in this synthesis, for example, type, amount of intestinal bacteria and behavior of soy-bean consumption. There are many reports about using equol in treatment of menopause, some cancer including breast cancer, prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. At present, there are many research groups study about equol and its role in health, which may be applied in medicine. 


 

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How to Cite
1.
Meemak T, Daduang J, Boonsiri P. Equol: a Phytoestrogen from Soy Bean: Its Roles in Health. Rama Med J [Internet]. 2016 Jun. 30 [cited 2024 Apr. 19];39(2):132-41. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ramajournal/article/view/57629
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Vol. 39 No. 2 (2016): April-June
Section
Review Articles

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