Insights & Discussion
A combined treatment of soy and hop extract is a safe and effective alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy for improving postmenopausal symptoms.
In this double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, researchers administered a combination of soy and hop extract to 78 postmenopausal women with moderate to severe symptoms. Conducted in the gynecological outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital, all subjects had modified Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) scores over 20. Participants either received the treatment or a placebo, as the researchers sought to evaluate their menopausal symptoms over the course of 12 weeks. The changes to their menopausal symptoms were tracked through self-reported KMI scores at multiple intervals. They also gauged measures such as the serum levels of bone metabolism markers, ultrasonographic parameters, hormone profiles, and safety assurances, amongst others.
In terms of test results, after undergoing the 12-week treatment, the group receiving the combined soy and hop extract saw more considerable improvements in their symptoms compared to the placebo group. They particularly noted notable enhancements in conditions like fatigue, paresthesia, arthralgia, and myalgia, palpitations, and vaginal dryness. Lowered increases in urine N-telopeptide, a biomarker for bone metabolism, were observed in treatment group participants aged 50 and older. Meanwhile, endometrial thickness and hormonal profiles did not display any significant shifts in either group. Importantly, throughout the trial, no harmful side effects or events arose, speaking to the safety of the treatment.
Discover Related Insights
A combination of soybean germ extract and a probiotic significantly improved menopause-related conditions and mood in an ovariectomized rat model.
2023 Nutrients Anti-Menopausal Effect of Soybean Germ Extract and Lactobacillus gasseri in the Ovariectomized Rat Model Lee SH, Lim TJ, Yun EJ, Kim KH, Lim S
Animal Study Bacillus Menopause Soybean
The study employed an ovariectomized rat model to understand the effects of a combination of soybean germ extract containing 30% isoflavone and a probiotic. The methodology included assessing the effects of this combination on several health markers including body weight, estrogen markers, uterine and bone health, vascular markers, and neurotransmitter levels in these rats.
Once implemented, the combination of soybean germ extract and the probiotic showcased significant improvement in body weight and uterine and bone health of the rats. There were also noticeable effects on the lipid profile, liver function, and vascular markers. Most interestingly, the combination had a positive impact on the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, indicating potential mood-enhancing effects, which are crucial in managing symptoms post-menopause. This essentially shows the potential of a dietary approach towards menopausal management, especially given the observed benefits without the side effects typically associated with hormone replacement therapy.
Soybean lettuce extract effectively reduces symptoms of menopause syndrome without notable side effects.
2022 Nutrients Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Fermented Soybean-Lettuce Powder for Improving Menopausal Symptoms Han AL, Lee HK, Chon HS, Pae HO, Kim MS, Shin YI, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Lettuce Menopause Soybean
The study targeted adult women suffering from menopausal syndrome with a Kupperman index of 15 or more. Participants were split into two groups – the experimental group and the placebo group. The research spanned over a four-week period and embraced a total of 39 participants (with one dropping out). Measurements of body mass index, waist circumference, and several cholesterol levels were taken before and after the study, but these didn't show any significant changes.
In the results discussion, the most notable finding was a significant reduction in the Kupperman index in the experimental group. They were given the natural nitric oxide-containing soybean lettuce extract. This decrease denotes the alleviation of menopausal symptoms, offering an effective, natural alternative to hormone therapy. Conversely, the placebo group didn't show any substantial change, reinforcing the efficacy of the soybean lettuce extract.
Isoflavone supplementation noticeably impacts menopausal symptoms and hormonal changes in postmenopausal women.
2022 Nutrition Research and Practice Effect of isoflavone supplementation on menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Kang I, Rim CH, Yang HS, Choe JS, Kim JY, Lee M
Meta-Analysis Isoflavone Menopause Soybean
In order to examine isoflavones effects on menopausal symptoms and the associated hormonal alterations, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. To do this, the PubMed and EMBASE databases were used, but the selected studies were restricted to random controlled trials (RCTs) assessing isoflavone supplementation's impact on menopausal symptoms. Overall, 11 studies were chosen for the final quantitative evaluation, and the isoflavone intervention amount varied among these studies.
The Meta-analysis displayed that supplementing isoflavones meaningfully increased estradiol levels and the Kupperman index (a composite scoring of multiple menopausal symptoms intensity). Yet, there were no significant impacts observed on hot flashes, or the release of two specific hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. It should be noted that there was a significant inconsistency in estradiol levels and Kupperman index findings among different studies.
Phytoestrogens, used in various forms, have shown improvement in urogenital menopause symptoms and improved women's sexual function, promoting overall quality of life.
2021 European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology Impact of phytoestrogens on treatment of urogenital menopause symptoms: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials Abdi F, Rahnemaei FA, Roozbeh N, Pakzad R
Systematic Review Female Sexual Function Flaxseed Menopause
A thorough and systematic review was conducted on databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane library, Scopus and ProQuest, spanning from the years 2000-2020. The focus was solely on randomized clinical trials. An evaluation of the quality of selected papers was carried out using the CONSORT checklist. In total, 33 high-quality papers were reviewed which discussed the different forms and uses of phytoestrogens.
The results of this systematic review reveal that phytoestrogens including Pueraria Mirifica, fennel, Hop plant, Glycine Max, soy, red clover, black cohosh, ginsing, cimicifugaracemosa, genistein, diadzein, glycitein and isoflavone, used as various products such as oral capsules, pills, food supplements, enriched powders, vaginal gels, creams and suppositories, improved menopausal urogenital symptoms. Particularly, the recovery rate was found to be higher when these were applied vaginally. Further implication of these findings is the enhancement of women's sexual function following treatment, validating the use of phytoestrogens as a safe, low-risk and accessible method to alleviate urogenital symptoms.
Isoflavones found in soybeans can reduce risks of certain cancers and alleviate menopause-related symptoms among women, such as vasomotor syndromes, spinal bone loss, and hypertension.
2021 International Journal of Molecular Sciences Utilization of Isoflavones in Soybeans for Women with Menopausal Syndrome: An Overview Chen LR, Chen KH
Systematic Review High Blood Pressure Hot Flushes Menopause
The study overviewed soybeans' chemical composition and focused mainly on isoflavones. The research examined the processes of soybean preparation that includes cleaning, drying, crushing, and dehulling, and extraction methods to derive various soy products, particularly focusing on isoflavones - daidzein, genistein, and S-equol. Various soy products such as refined soy oil, soy lecithin, free fatty acids, glycerol, and soybean meal were discussed, along with the presence of the minor biological constituents in remaining components.
The study explored the relationship between isoflavone consumption and disease prevention, particularly in relation to heart disease, cancer incidence—of the breast, bladder, and endometrial and colorectal—and menopause-related symptoms. The therapeutic effects of isoflavones were studied in the context of vasomotor syndromes, spinal bone loss, hypertension regulation, depressive symptoms during pregnancy, and in vitro glycemic control. In contrast, it failed to find definitive effects of isoflavones on cognition improvement and urogenital symptoms. The inconsistencies in defining the ingredients, doses, study durations, and outcomes of isoflavone studies proved challenging for the research.
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