Equol



Equol (4',7-isoflavandiol) is an isoflavandiol metabolized from Daidzein, a type of Isoflavone, by bacterial flora in the intestines. While endogenous estrogenic hormones such as estradiol are steroids, equol is a nonsteroidal estrogen. However, only about 30-50% of people have intestinal bacteria that make equol. Equol may have beneficial effects on the incidence of prostate cancer and physiological changes after menopause. Other benefits may be realized in treating male pattern baldness, acne, and other problems because it functions as a DHT blocker. S-Equol preferentially activates estrogen receptor type β.