Beneficial effects of soy isoflavones Focus on epigenetic and anti-inflammatory effects

Soy isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, glycitein) are commonly consumed within the diet or as supplement because of a range of presumed beneficial health effects, such as attenuation of menopausal symptoms and prevention of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases, obesity as well as breast and prostate cancer Various isoflavones play a crucial role in maintaining an "optimal" immune response, such that deficient or excessive intakes can have negative consequences on the organism's immune status and susceptibility to a variety of pathologies. Recently, new evidence emerged that timing (early life, pre-/post-menopause, puberty) of various dietary exposures may be vitally important in determining health beneficial effects, as a consequence of diet-induced epigenetic changes