Genistein supplement isoflavone health benefit, dosage, use with daidzein research studies and review of side effects, safety and toxicity
Soybean source phytoestrogen, role in breast cancer, antioxidant benefit and influence on estrogen

Genistein is a plant-derived estrogen-like compound. Genistein is one of several known isoflavones, such as genistein and daidzein, which are found in a number of plants, with soybeans and soy products like tofu being the primary food source. The chemical structure of genistein is 4', 5, 7-trihydroxyisoflavone. Many people are using this supplement for health benefits.

How is genistein sold?
Genistein is available in many supplements over the counter. You will find it as part of other isoflavones and not by itself. Genistein available in supplements is derived from soy. Soy isoflavones are a group of compounds found in and isolated from the soybean. Here are some examples:

Isoflavone-Rich Soybean Concentrate (Soylife) 2 grams yielding Daidzein 34 mg, Glycitein 20 mg, Genistein 8 mg, and total isoflavones 62 mg
Isoflavone-Rich Soybean 2500 mg Powder (SoyLife) Yielding approximately: Daidzein 42.5 mg , Glycitein 25 mg, Genistein 10 mg, and total soflavones: 77.5 mg
Soy Isoflavone Extract 150 mg (providing min. 40% total Isoflavones (60 mg) including Genistein, Daidzein and Glycitein)

As you can see from these examples, genistein is not available in 100 percent pure form by itself.

Buy Genistein and Daidzen, Isoflavones, 1000 mg

Side effects, safety, and toxicity
No major side effects in humans have yet been reported and this is partly due to the fact that few human studies have been done with this substance. However, we suggest not using excessive amounts as a supplement on a daily basis unless you take a day or two off a week and a few days off a month.

Genistein genotoxicity: critical considerations of in vitro exposure dose.
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2007 Oct 1; Klein CB, King AA. The Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 57 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo, NY 10987, USA.
The potential health benefits of soy-derived phytoestrogens include their reported utility as anticarcinogens, cardioprotectants and as hormone replacement alternatives in menopause. Although there is increasing popularity of dietary phytoestrogen supplementation and of vegetarian and vegan diets among adolescents and adults, concerns about potential detrimental or other genotoxic effects persist. While a variety of genotoxic effects of phytoestrogens have been reported in vitro, the concentrations at which such effects occurred were often much higher than the physiologically relevant doses achievable by dietary or pharmacologic intake of soy foods or supplements. This review focuses on in vitro studies of the most abundant soy phytoestrogen, genistein, critically examining dose as a crucial determinant of cellular effects. In consideration of levels of dietary genistein uptake and bioavailability we have defined in vitro concentrations of genistein >5 microM as non-physiological, and thus "high" doses, in contrast to much of the previous literature. In doing so, many of the often-cited genotoxic effects of genistein, including apoptosis, cell growth inhibition, topoisomerase inhibition and others become less obvious. Recent cellular, epigenetic and microarray studies are beginning to decipher genistein effects that occur at dietarily relevant low concentrations. In toxicology, the well accepted principle of "the dose defines the poison" applies to many toxicants and can be invoked, as herein, to distinguish genotoxic versus potentially beneficial in vitro effects of natural dietary products such as genistein.

Genistein and cancer
The so-called phytoestrogens, like genistein and daidzein in soy, can bind to estrogen receptors and therefore interfere with the action of estrogen itself, a well-established risk factor for breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers. Although not all results are consistent, there is good evidence for protective influence of soy products against all three of these cancers. In addition, there have been many reports of preventive effects in the prostate.

Dry eyes
Pure Genistein Could Offer Relief for Dry Eyes, According to Newly Published Patent, a press release sent in 2009-03-20 by DSM Nutritional Products, Inc.
More than 20 million Americans suffer from the discomfort of dry eye syndrome (lacrimal keratoconjunctivitis, or LKC), an ocular surface inflammation that develops from tear film failure that is regarded as one of the most frustrating clinical problems in daily ophthalmic practice. On October 9, 2008, the World Intellectual Property Organization published the pending patent by DSM Nutritional Products for genistein, which, according to the patent, when ingested, has been shown to provide a simple alternative to eye drops for maintaining healthy eyes. This discovery is based on a novel study in an animal model of induced dry eye syndrome. In this study, supplementation of the diet with genistein restored tear volume in the animals and increased the density of mucus-secreting goblet cells in an apparent dose-dependent manner. Goblet cells are responsible for the mucus layer in the conjunctiva of the eyelid. These findings suggest that genistein can potentially be used in dietary supplements to help maintain healthy eye structures and tear production, which would be a welcome alternative for millions of consumers who currently have little option but to use inconvenient eye-drop treatments. GeniVida ™, formerly known as BONISTEIN ®, is a branded pure non-soy genistein from DSM. It is available in both food- and pharmaceutical-grade and has an extensive, published safety package. GeniVida ™ is available in both crystalline and tablet-grade forms. DSM Nutritional Products is the world’s premier ingredient supplier to producers of functional foods, beverages, and dietary supplements. The organization provides a solid platform for technological innovation and new product development. Utilizing its extensive resources, DSM Nutritional Products keeps its customers ahead of the ever-changing marketplace, anticipating customer needs as nutritional trends develop and customer demands evolve. For more information, please contact DSM Nutritional Products, Inc., at 45 Waterview Boulevard, Parsippany, NJ, 07054-1298. Phone: 1-800-526-0189.
   Comments: We will await human studies to determine whether genistein works equally well in men and women.

Genistein and estrogen
Many isoflavones have been shown to interact with animal and human estrogen receptors, causing effects in the body similar to those caused by the hormone estrogen or sometimes blocking the effects of certain receptors. Soy isoflavones also produce non-hormonal effects.

Soy isoflavones have an antiestrogenic effect and alter mammary promoter hypermethylation in healthy premenopausal women.
Nutr Cancer. 2009; Qin W, Zhu W, Shi H, Hewett JE, Ruhlen RL, MacDonald RS, Rottinghaus GE, Chen YC, Sauter ER. Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine-Columbia, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
We determined if soy isoflavones have dose-related estrogenic and methylation effects. Thirty-four healthy premenopausal women were randomized to 40 mg or 140 mg isoflavones daily through one menstrual cycle. Breast specific and systemic estrogenic effects were assessed measuring the estrogenic marker complement (C)3 and changes in cytology, whereas methylation assessment of 5 cancer related genes was performed on intraductal specimens. Serum genistein significantly increased after consuming both isoflavone doses. Cytology did not significantly change at either isoflavone dose. Serum C3 levels posttreatment were inversely related to change in serum genistein in women consuming low but not high dose isoflavones. The RAR beta 2 hypermethylation increase posttreatment correlated with the posttreatment genistein level considering the entire group and those receiving high-dose isoflavones. At the low but not the high isoflavone dose, CCND2 hypermethylation increase correlated with posttreatment genistein levels. In summary, the inverse correlation between C3 and genistein suggests an antiestrogenic effect. Isoflavones induced dose-specific changes in RARbeta2 and CCND2 gene methylation, which correlated with genistein levels. This work provides novel insights into estrogenic and methylation effects of dietary isoflavones.

Genistein anti inflammatory effects, Inflammatory bowel disease
Oral treatment with genistein reduces the expression of molecular and biochemical markers of inflammation in a rat model of chronic TNBS-induced colitis.
Eur J Nutr. 2009 Feb 21. Seibel J, Molzberger AF, Hertrampf T, Laudenbach-Leschowski U, Diel P. Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, IG I, 9. OG, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf, 50933, Cologne, Germany.
Inflammatory bowel disease in humans has a high incidence in Europe and the USA, whereas in East Asia, incidence has been historically low. The risk of IBD appears to increase in Asian immigrants adopting western lifestyles, suggesting a strong link of environmental/dietary factors in the development of IBD. Exposure to high levels of isoflavones such as genistein in traditional East Asian diets has been associated with a decreased risk of developing breast cancer and may also be beneficial for the prevention of Inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, the effect of orally administered genistein on the inflammatory response in the TNBS-induced chronic colitis rat model was investigated. Our results may provide evidence that oral administration of genistein exerts beneficial anti-inflammatory effects in a rodent model of TNBS-induced chronic colitis.

Genistein and osteoporosis treatment
Genistein supplements may be useful for bone health although many studies of long duration are needed.

Genistein effects on quantitative ultrasound parameters and bone mineral density in osteopenic postmenopausal women.
Osteoporos Int. 2009 Feb 24. Atteritano M, Mazzaferro S, Frisina A, Cannata ML, Bitto A, D'Anna R, Squadrito F, Macrì I, Frisina N, Buemi M. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
This study aimed at evaluating the effects of genistein (54 mg/day) on calcaneus and phalanges ultrasound (QUS) parameters and bone mineral density in osteopenic postmenopausal women. We concluded that genistein prevented bone loss in the osteopenic postmenopausal women and improves QUS parameters at the calcaneus and phalanges. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of genistein (54 mg/die) on quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters of the calcaneus and hand phalange and on bone mineral density (BMD) in osteopenic postmenopausal women. One hundred thirty-eight women (age 49-67 years) were assigned to receive genistein or placebo. Bone status was assessed at baseline and after a 1- and 2-year treatment. At the end of the experimental period, genistein had significantly increased BMD in the femur and lumbar spine. Our study confirms that genistein prevented bone loss in the osteopenic postmenopausal women and it improves the calcaneus and phalanges ultrasound parameters.

Questions
Is a gensitein pill useful for prostate enlargement, bph?
    It may be, but few human trials are available to know for sure.

I am inquiring on behalf of a missionary who works in Guatamala with children who have skin cancers. I have read that genistein can be as effective as chemotherapy drugs even on melanomas. What form should be used most effectively for skin cancers? What typical dosage would be appropriate? Is there a topical form or would capsules be effective or perhaps both? Since this is a missionary work with natives who cannot afford to purchase medications what would be the least expensive source of the product? Is there perhaps another effective treatment that you would recommend for this application?
    We have not studied this aspect of skin cancer treatment.

What is your opinion of Fosteum, which contains genistein, Vitamin D-3, and zinc, for treating osteoporosis?