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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

s-equol, soy isoflavone, intestinal microflora, isoflavone daidzein

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Abstract

S-equol is a soy isoflavone metabolized from the isoflavone daidzein by intestinal microflora. Isoflavones are a class of nonsteroidal estrogens. A study conducted by DellaPenna indicates that populations with isoflavone-rich diets have fewer incidences of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and some cancers including breast, prostate, and colon cancers (1). A study by Setchell et al suggests that the health benefits seen in populations whose diets are rich in isoflavones may be correlated with people’s ability to produce s-equol (2). Despite encouraging preliminary studies regarding s-equol, there has yet to be extensive studies done with s-equol in vivo. This is due to the difficulty to synthesize s-equol and its consequent high cost. In order to ascertain the specific health benefits s-equol may provide, further studies need to be done and a better synthesis of s-equol must be manufactured.

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