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 .
Effects of a high daily dose of soy isoflavones on DNA damage, apoptosis, and estrogenic outcomes in healthy postmenopausal women: a phase I clinical trial
Objective : A phase I double-blind clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of a high oral dose of soy isoflavones administered daily for 84 days to healthy postmenopausal women . Principal outcome measures included DNA damage , apoptosis , and changes indicative of estrogenic stimulation . Design : After eligibility and equol-producer status were determined , stratified r and omization was used to assign women to the isoflavone ( active ) or placebo group . Of the 30 women who completed the study , 18 were in the active group . DNA damage was assessed via COMET and apurinic/apyrimidinic site assays in lymphocytes . Apoptosis was evaluated via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and activated caspase-3 assays in lymphocytes . Estrogenic/antiestrogenic effects were assessed using a self-report question naire and by assaying for estrogen , follicle-stimulating hormone , luteinizing hormone , and sex hormone-binding globulin in blood . Results : In treated postmenopausal women , there was no indication that high doses of soy isoflavones caused DNA str and breakage , increased apurinic/apyrimidinic sites , or increased apoptosis in peripheral lymphocytes . There were no significant changes in mean values for estrogenic effects or other laboratory measurements . Very few adverse events occurred , and the only drug-related adverse events were mild or grade 1 in severity . Conclusions : Unconjugated soy isoflavones appear to be safe and well tolerated in healthy postmenopausal women at doses of 900 mg/day
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 .