Four trials that were not combined in meta-analyses suggested that extracts with high ( > 30 mg/d ) levels of genistein consistently reduced the frequency of hot flushes .
BACKGROUND Vasomotor symptoms , such as hot flushes and night sweats , are very common during the menopausal transition .
Hormone therapy has traditionally been used as a highly effective treatment , but concerns about increased risk of some chronic diseases have markedly increased the interest of women in alternative treatments .
Some of the most popular of these treatments are foods or supplements enriched with phytoestrogens-plant-derived chemicals that have estrogenic action .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy , safety and acceptability of food products , extracts and dietary supplements containing high levels of phytoestrogens when compared with no treatment , placebo or hormone therapy for the amelioration of vasomotor menopausal symptoms ( such as hot flushes and night sweats ) in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women .
Equol improves menopausal symptoms in Japanese women.
It has been well documented that the frequency of vasomotor menopausal symptoms , such as hot flashes and night sweats , of Japanese menopausal women is less than that of Western women . High intake of soy isoflavones in the traditional Japanese diet has been postulated as the possible explanation of the difference . Epidemiological studies have reported that the content of equol , which is a biologically active metabolite of the isoflavone , daidzein , is lower in the women who complain of severe vasomotor symptoms . To investigate the involvement of equol in the manifestation of menopausal symptoms , especially vasomotor symptoms , and the possible therapeutic role of a supplement containing equol ( natural S-equol developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical ) on the menopausal symptoms of Japanese women , 3 r and omized clinical trials were conducted . The studies indicated that a daily dose of 10 mg of natural S-equol improved menopausal symptoms . In the confirmation study , menopausal women who were equol nonproducers who consumed 10 mg/d of natural S-equol for 12 wk had significantly reduced severity and frequency of hot flashes as well as a significant reduction in the severity of neck or shoulder stiffness . The equol-ingesting group also showed trends of improvement in sweating and irritability and a significant improvement in the somatic category symptoms . Thus , it is concluded that the supplement containing natural S-equol , a novel soybean-derived functional component , has a promising role as an alternative remedy in the management of menopausal symptoms
Four trials that were not combined in meta-analyses suggested that extracts with high ( > 30 mg/d ) levels of genistein consistently reduced the frequency of hot flushes .
BACKGROUND Vasomotor symptoms , such as hot flushes and night sweats , are very common during the menopausal transition .
Hormone therapy has traditionally been used as a highly effective treatment , but concerns about increased risk of some chronic diseases have markedly increased the interest of women in alternative treatments .
Some of the most popular of these treatments are foods or supplements enriched with phytoestrogens-plant-derived chemicals that have estrogenic action .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy , safety and acceptability of food products , extracts and dietary supplements containing high levels of phytoestrogens when compared with no treatment , placebo or hormone therapy for the amelioration of vasomotor menopausal symptoms ( such as hot flushes and night sweats ) in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women .