Phytoestrogens are a group of heterogeneous plant substances; they are called non-steroidal estrogens or estrogen-like molecules, since their structure is comparable to the structure of 17-β-estradiol, phytoestrogens are diphonelic compounds however they are non-steroidal substances despite their structural similarity to estradiol. Currently the group of phytoestrogens contains more than 100 molecules, which are divided into isoflavones, coumestans and lignans. Isoflavones are a natural plant compound, a subgroup of phytoestrogens, with a structure comparable to 17 estradiol which can bind to estrogen receptors (ER ) as mentioned in Figure 1, isoflavones have a higher affinity for ber more than for aER and may have potency to stimulate both non-genomic and genomic estrogen signaling pathways, furthermore; Isoflavones can interact with the metabolism of steroid hormones, therefore; The activity of isoflavones is quite complex, recently isoflavones have shown numerous positive results on human health, in particular in age-related cognitive decline, osteoporosis, hormone-dependent cancer, adverse manifestations of menopause and cardiovascular diseases . Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Isoflavones occur naturally in more than 300 types of plants, often in seeds and roots, and are found in flax seeds, red clover, wine extracts, and alfalfa germs, as biologically inactive glucoconjugates which are further hydrolysed into the active form (aglycone) by the action of intestinal bacteria, the degradation of isoflavones occurs in the liver, where they can be conjugated with glucuronic acid and sulphates, to then be expelled from the body in the bile or urine. Isoflavones and the cardiovascular system In addition to genetic factors, the disparity in the incidence of cardiovascular disease is supposed to be triggered by nutritional factors, so long-term intake of isoflavones may exert a protective action on the cardiovascular system through many mechanisms, these include lipid metabolism and regulation of vasoactive activity, isoflavones influence vascular tone through several combined mechanisms such as endothelial-independent and endothelial-dependent blood vessel widening and constrictor-blocking mechanisms, these mechanisms include both non-genomic and classical genomics. Activation of nuclear ERs by isoflavones has been found to increase endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS) expression, increase NO bioavailability, and reduce oxidative stress, through a rapid non-genomic mechanism. Furthermore, isoflavones help prevent the formation of atherosclerosis through three mechanisms, the first mechanism is the increase in plasma lipids through alterations in liver metabolism, the second mechanism is that isoflavones have an antioxidant action that reduces the size of LDL particles and protects LDL from peroxidation, making LDL less easily absorbed by the arterial wall and therefore less atherogenic, the third The mechanism is the inhibition of proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells, which are significant in the progression and promotion of the process of atherosclerosis, isoflavones also inhibit platelet activation and aggregation and decrease platelet serotonin uptake, thereby suppressing thrombus formation. The disorder is characterized by deterioration of bone microarchitecture and reduced bone mass, leading to an increased risk of fracture and bone fragility..