Effects of red ginseng supplementation on menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women:  a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of red ginseng (RG) on menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted with postmenopausal women between the ages of 45 and 60 years. A total of 72 women were randomly assigned to either an RG group (supplemented with 3 g of RG, including 60 mg of ginsenosides, per day) or a placebo group for 12 weeks. We analyzed changes in menopausal symptoms (the Kupperman index and the menopause rating scale), cardiovascular risk factors (lipid profiles, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and carotid intima-media thickness), and serum estradiol levels from baseline to 12 weeks.


RESULTS
Significant improvements in the Kupperman index (P = 0.032) and in the menopause rating scale (P = 0.035) scores were observed in the RG group compared with the placebo group. Total cholesterol (P = 0.009) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.015) significantly decreased in the group receiving RG. The RG group also showed a significant decrease in carotid intima-media thickness (P = 0.049). Serum estradiol levels were not influenced by RG supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
RG could be an attractive herbal dietary supplement for relieving menopausal symptoms and conferring favorable effects on markers of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Sun Young
SY
Kim
Seok Kyo
SK
Seo
Young Mi
YM
Choi
Young Eun
YE
Jeon
Kyung Jin
KJ
Lim
SiHyun
S
Cho
Young Sik
YS
Choi
Byung Seok
BS
Lee
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D005894:Panax; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D016387:Women's Health
D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002097:C-Reactive Protein