Effects of isoflavones and amino acid therapies for hot flashes and co-occurring symptoms during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: A systematic review

Abstract

Aims Review controlled clinical trials of isoflavones and amino acid preparation effects on hot flashes and at least one other symptom including mood, sleep, pain, and cognitive function that women report during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause. Methods An experienced reference librarian searched PubMed/Medline, CINAHL Plus, PsycInfo, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, EMBASE, AMED, and Alt-Health Watch for English-language randomized controlled trials between 2004 to July 2011. Seventeen trials of isoflavones and amino acid effects on hot flashes and one additional symptom were identified. Results In five trials of soy isoflavone preparations, two (6g soy germ extract and 25g soy protein in soy nuts) significantly decreased hot flashes, but no other symptoms. In the seven trials of other isoflavones, six significantly reduced hot flashes; in addition, Red Clover (80 mg) significantly reduced mood symptoms; Rexflavone (350 mg) for women with Kupperman Index > 20 significantly reduced sleep symptoms; two trials had significant reductions for pain: Isoflavone powder (90 mg) and Red Clover (80 mg). The only trial in this systematic review that significantly reduced cognitive symptoms was Red Clover (80 mg). In one trial, Red Clover isoflavone (80 mg/d) significantly relieved hot flashes, mood, pain, and cognitive symptoms. Amino acids yielded no significant results. Equol supplements of 30 mg/d for non-Equol producing women significantly reduced mood symptoms in one trial. The Magnolia Bark Extract combination significantly reduced hot flashes, mood, and sleep symptoms. Conclusions Isoflavone trials yielded significant reductions on hot flashes and co-occurring symptoms during the menopausal transition and postmenopause, but studies require replication with larger sample sizes and attention to measurement of outcomes.

Use of Phytoestrogens for the Treatment of Psychiatric Symptoms Associated with Menopause Transition

“…Interestingly, red clover has proestrogens, biochannin A and formonetin, which are metabolized by CYP 450 in the gut and liver in genistein and daidzein [51], suggesting more bioavailability compared with soy products. This could be a reason why the use of red clover appears to be more efective than soy in the clinical trials [52].…”

Beneficios de la soja en la salud femenina

“…De 5 estudios con preparados de isoflavonas de soja, disminuyeron los sofocos de forma significativa en dos; en 7 estudios con otras isoflavonas de diversos orígenes, se redujeron los sofocos de forma significativa en 6; y no se observaron resultados con los aminoácidos (13).…”

Combining pain therapy with lifestyle: the role of personalized nutrition and nutritional supplements according to the SIMPAR Feed Your Destiny approach

“…The effects of soy on pain also depend upon the specific pain condition. It is protective against postsurgical (postmastectomy) pain66 and osteoarthritis67 and is an analgesic for menopausal68 and bone cancer pain,69 but it increases other types of pain such as migraines 70. Finally, soy protein has a gender-specific action, as it improves osteoarthritis pain in men although not in women 67.…”