Development of a database for assessing dietary phytoestrogen intake

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Phytochemistry
• Cancer Prevention

Background:

• Epidemiological studies show reduced cancer risks (lung, breast, prostate, colon) in populations with high fruit and vegetable intake.
• Phytoestrogens, including isoflavonoids, coumestans, lignans, phytosterols, and flavonoids, exhibit anticarcinogenic properties in experimental settings.
• Existing nutrient analysis databases like DietSys lack comprehensive assessment of these key phytoestrogenic compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and enhance existing nutrient analysis tools to include phytoestrogen content for epidemiological research.
• To assess the association between phytoestrogen consumption and cancer risk, particularly prostate cancer.
• To identify major dietary sources of phytoestrogens and guide future database development.

Main Methods:

• Modified the DietSys nutrient analysis program to incorporate published values for various phytoestrogens.
• Adapted the food-frequency questionnaire (HHHQ) component for a prostate cancer epidemiological study to capture phytoestrogen-rich foods.
• Gathered phytoestrogen data from diverse published sources, acknowledging potential limitations in consistency and quality.

Main Results:

• Developed a modified DietSys tool capable of assessing a broader range of phytoestrogenic compounds.
• Identified key food items contributing significantly to dietary phytoestrogen intake.
• Established a foundational approach for epidemiological assessment of phytoestrogen-cancer risk associations.

Conclusions:

• The modified DietSys and HHHQ provide a valuable initial tool for investigating the epidemiological link between phytoestrogen intake and cancer.
• This work highlights the importance of phytoestrogens in diet and cancer prevention.
• Prioritizes future research for developing more comprehensive and accurate phytoestrogen databases.