Therapeutic methods of treatment, compositions and foodstuffs are described which contain isoflavone compounds described by general formula (1), in which Z is H, R1 is H, or RACO where RA is C1-10alkyl or an amino acid, R2 is H, OH, or ORB where RB is an amino acid, or CORA where RA is as previously defined, W is H, A is H or OH, and B is selected from (a), (b), (c), or W is H, and A and B taken together form a six-membered ring selected from (d), or W, A and B taken with the groups with which they are associated comprise (e), or W and A taken together with the groups with which they are associated comprise (f) and B is (g) wherein R3 is H, CORA where RA is as previously defined, CO2Rc where RC is C1-10alkyl, or CORB where RB is as previously defined, R4 is H, CORD where RD is H, OH, C1-10alkyl or an amino acid, CO2RC where RC is as previously defined, CORE where RE is H, C1-10alkyl or an amino acid, COOH, CORC where RC is as previously defined, or CONHRE where RE is as previously defined, R5 is H, CORC where RC is as previously defined, or CORCORE where RC and RE are as previously defined, and where the two R5 groups are attached to the same group they are the same or different, R6 is H or hydroxy C1-10alkyl, X is preferably O, but may be N or S, and Y is (h) where R7 is H, or C1-10alkyl