Which bacteria produce equol?

Equol is produced by specific colonic bacteria from its precursor daidzein, a major type of SI [12, 14], and whether individuals do or do not produce equol depends on their gut microbial community [15, 16].

Is equol a phytoestrogen?

Equol is not a phytoestrogen because it is not a natural constituent of plants yet it is inaccurately classified that way by many investigators. Rather, it is a nonsteroidal estrogen of the isoflavone class that is exclusively a metabolic product of intestinal bacterial metabolism.

Is equol production beneficial to health?

Equol, produced from daidzein, is the isoflavone-derived metabolite with the greatest estrogenic and antioxidant activity. Consequently, equol has been endorsed as having many beneficial effects on human health.

How does genistein function as an antioxidant?

Since, genistein is able to activate the Nrf2/NQO1 pathway. After being phosphorylated, Nrf2 activates antioxidant response element (ARE) and enhances transcription of Nrf2-regulated genes including NQO-1, HO-1, and glutathione S-transferase (GST).

Does Lactobacillus acidophilus produce equol?

Consumption of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum do not alter urinary equol excretion and plasma reproductive hormones in premenopausal women | European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

What do isoflavones do?

Isoflavones are a class of flavonoids that exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Increasing evidence has highlighted the potential for isoflavones to prevent the chronic diseases in which inflammation plays a key role, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Are isoflavones anti-inflammatory?

What is the function of isoflavones?

Isoflavones are considered chemoprotective and can be used as an alternative therapy for a wide range of hormonal disorders, including several cancer types, namely breast cancer and prostate cancer, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, or menopausal symptoms.