SheriV
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Our study brings together two somewhat controversial areas of biomedical research: 1) the effects of dietary phytoestrogens on human health, and 2) the role of the adrenal androgens DHEA and DHEA-S in human physiology. Despite relatively scant scientific evidence, the idea that DHEA promotes well-being has gained increasing popularity in recent years, and as a consequence, DHEA is readily available as an over the counter food supplement. Based upon our present findings, we postulate that a diet that includes a moderate amount of phytoestrogen-containing foods such as soy would be sufficient to raise endogenous DHEA and DHEA-S production to levels that may obviate the need for DHEA supplementation. Thus, it is possible that some of the actions of dietary phytoestrogens may be mediated via increased adrenal androgen production. It is of interest that DHEA is a precursor of androgenic and estrogenic endogenous sex steroids. Thus, by increasing DHEA production, dietary phytoestrogens may indirectly increase total estrogen and/or androgen levels. Therefore, it is possible that some of the estrogenic actions of dietary phytoestrogens may be mediated via their stimulation of adrenal androgen synthesis.
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