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 .
Soy isoflavones in the prevention of menopausal bone loss and menopausal symptoms: a randomized, double-blind trial.
BACKGROUND Concerns regarding the risk of estrogen replacement have result ed in a significant increase in the use of soy products by menopausal women who , despite the lack of evidence of the efficacy of such products , seek alternatives to menopausal hormone therapy . Our goal was to determine the efficacy of soy isoflavone tablets in preventing bone loss and menopausal symptoms . METHODS The study design was a single-center , r and omized , placebo-controlled , double-blind clinical trial conducted from July 1 , 2004 , through March 31 , 2009 . Women aged 45 to 60 years within 5 years of menopause and with a bone mineral density T score of -2.0 or higher in the lumbar spine or total hip were r and omly assigned , in equal proportions , to receive daily soy isoflavone tablets , 200 mg , or placebo . The primary outcome was changes in bone mineral density in the lumbar spine , total hip , and femoral neck at the 2-year follow-up . Secondary outcomes included changes in menopausal symptoms , vaginal cytologic characteristics , N -telopeptide of type I bone collagen , lipids , and thyroid function . RESULTS After 2 years , no significant differences were found between the participants receiving soy tablets ( n = 122 ) and those receiving placebo ( n = 126 ) regarding changes in bone mineral density in the spine ( -2.0 % and -2.3 % , respectively ) , the total hip ( -1.2 % and -1.4 % , respectively ) , or the femoral neck ( -2.2 % and -2.1 % , respectively ) . A significantly larger proportion of participants in the soy group experienced hot flashes and constipation compared with the control group . No significant differences were found between groups in other outcomes . CONCLUSIONS In this population , the daily administration of tablets containing 200 mg of soy isoflavones for 2 years did not prevent bone loss or menopausal symptoms . TRIAL REGISTRATION clinical trials.gov Identifier : NCT00076050
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 .