title: A natural S-equol supplement alleviates hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms in equol nonproducing postmenopausal Japanese women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this clinical trial was to examine the efficacy of a supplement containing natural S-(-)equol, a daidzein metabolite, in reducing menopausal symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this multicenter, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 160 equol nonproducing, postmenopausal Japanese women who experienced at least 1 hot flush/day were randomly assigned to consume 10 mg/day S-(-)equol (n=77 women) or placebo (n=83 women) for 12 weeks. Participants completed a standardized menopausal symptom checklist and rated five common menopause symptoms by a visual analog scale at baseline, week 12, and week 18 (6-week postintervention). Physical, blood, and urine examinations were conducted. One hundred twenty-six women completed the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, daily hot flush frequency was 2.9±2.1 for the S-(-)equol group and 3.2±2.4 for the placebo group. After the 12-week intervention, the S-(-)equol group had a greater decrease from baseline in hot flush frequency compared with the placebo group (-1.9±1.8/day, -58.7%, vs. -1.0±2.0/day, -34.5%, p=0.009). The severity of hot flushes and neck or shoulder muscle stiffness significantly decreased in the S-(-)equol group compared with the placebo group. No changes in clinical parameters or serious adverse effects were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first trial to show beneficial effects of a 10-mg natural S-(-)equol supplement consumed daily for 12 weeks on major menopausal symptoms, specifically, hot flushes and neck or shoulder muscle stiffness, in postmenopausal Japanese women. This supplement offers a promising alternative for management of menopausal symptoms.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Aso
authors: Shigeto
authors: S
authors: Uchiyama
authors: Yasuhiro
authors: Y
authors: Matsumura
authors: Makoto
authors: M
authors: Taguchi
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Nozaki
authors: Kiyoshi
authors: K
authors: Takamatsu
authors: Bunpei
authors: B
authors: Ishizuka
authors: Toshiro
authors: T
authors: Kubota
authors: Hideki
authors: H
authors: Mizunuma
authors: Hiroaki
authors: H
authors: Ohta
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D060754:Equol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C007610:4',7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydroisoflavone; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D060754:Equol