Health supplements containing phyto-oestrogens, analogues or metabolites thereof

Abstract

Compositions enriched with natural phyto-oestrogens or analogues thereof selected from Genistein, Daidzein, Formononetin and Biochanin A. These may be used as food additives, tablets or capsules for promoting health in cases of cancer, pre-menstrual syndrome, menopause or hypercholesterolaemia.

1. A method for treating or reducing the predisposition to a condition selected from the group consisting of benign breast disease,  or cancer of the prostate, or elevated blood cholesterol,  said method comprising administering to a subject having said condition or predisposed to said condition to a therapeutically effective amount of a health supplement composition comprising an extract from soya or clover, said composition comprising any two or more phyto-estrogens  phyto- oestrogens  of the group Genistein, Daidzein, Biochanin A, Formononetin or the natural glycosides of any of said phyto-estrogens  phyto- oestrogens . 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition is administered for treating benign breast disease. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said phyto-oestrogen is  phyto- oestrogens are  extracted from soy. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said phyto-oestrogen is  phyto- oestrogens are  extracted from soy hypocotyls. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said phyto-oestrogen consists  phyto- oestrogens consist  essentially of (a) genistein and (b) daidzein component, wherein component (a) optionally contains biochanin A, and component (b) optionally contains formononetin, and the ratio of a):b)  ( a )  to  ( b ) is about 1:2 to 2.1. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the phyto-oestrogen is  said phyto- oestrogens are  administered in an amount of from about 20 mg to 200 mg per day. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the phyto-oestrogen is  said phyto- oestrogens are  administered in an amount of from about 50 mg to 150 mg per day. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1  whereby the phyto-oestrogen is  said phyto- oestrogens are  administered at least daily, over a period of at least a month. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition is administered for treating or reducing the predisposition to elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood stream. 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition is administered for treating cancer of the prostate. 
     
     
       11. A pharmaceutical preparation, in solid dosage unit form, the  having a biologically active component of said preparation  comprising phyto- oestrogens  consisting essentially of any two or more concentrated, phytoestrogen-derived isoflavones selected from the group consisting of Genistein, Daidzein, Biochanin A, Formononetin  ( a )  genistein component and  ( b )  daidzein component, wherein component  ( a )  optionally contains biochanin A, and component  ( b )  optionally contains formononetin,  or the natural glycosides of any of  said phytoestrogens and  phyto- oestrogens, and wherein the ratio of  ( a )  to  ( b )  is about  1 : 2  to  2 : 1 ,  said preparation including a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       12. A pharmaceutical preparation, as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said solid dosage unit is selected from the group consisting of a pill, tablet, coated tablet, capsule or powder. 
     
     
       13. A pharmaceutical preparation, as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said isoflavone is  phyto- oestrogens are  present in said solid dosage unit in an amount from about 20 mg.  to about 200 mg.  per dosage unit. 
     
     
       14. The pharmaceutical preparation according to  claim 11 , wherein said phyto- oestrogens are extracted from soy.    
     
     
       15. The pharmaceutical preparation according to  claim 14 , wherein said phyto- oestrogens are extracted from soy hypocotyls.    
     
     
       16. A method for treating or reducing the predisposition to a condition selected from the group consisting of benign breast disease, cancer of the prostate, or elevated blood cholesterol, said method comprising administering to a subject having said condition or predisposed to said condition a therapeutically effective amount of a health supplement composition comprising an extract from soy or clover, said composition comprising phyto- oestrogens, wherein the phyto - oestrogens consist essentially of  ( a )  genistein and  ( b )  daidzein, wherein component  ( a )  optionally contains biochanin A, and component  ( b )  optionally contains formononetin, wherein the ratio of  ( a )  to  ( b )  is about  1 : 2  to  2 : 1 .    
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said phyto- oestrogens are administered in an amount of from about  20  mg to  200  mg per day.    
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said phyto- oestrogens are administered in an amount of from about  50  mg to  150  mg per day.    
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 16  wherein said phyto- oestrogens are administered at least daily, over a period of at least a month.