Monitoring of Phytoestrogens Expression to the Milk and Milk Products

Phytoestrogens are very intensively studied in recent years because they show different pharmacological effects on human health. For example, it was demonstrated that phytoestrogens reduce the risk of certain cancers (breast, prostate or colon), act as antioxidants in the body and affect the activity of certain enzymes. In addition, also it was demonstrated number of positive effects of soybean phytoestrogens on the health status of women in the menopause, such as reducing the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or osteoporosis. Various technologically processed soy beans are important part of the feed rations mainly for high-lactating dairy cows, because they are a valuable source of the energy and high-quality protein, despite their negative effect on reproductive performance. Phytoestrogens consumed from the feed rations are hydrolyzed in the rumen of dairy cow and together with their metabolites are absorbed in the small intestine into the blood. They can be excreted from the body in urine or milk. From this perspective, cow's milk may become a source of phytoestrogens substances, especially equol in the human nutrition. On the other hand, some research results suggest possible potential risks associated with phytoestrogens intake in the diet on human health. At the some age (infants and young children) and group (vegetarians) categories may be dietary intake of phytoestrogens undiserable. According to most experts, a beneficial effect on human health prevail the potential risks. However, the risks associated with phytoestrogens intake in food can not be ignored and therefore phytoestrogens are still actual problem in the field of scientific research