Soy-Based Dietary Supplement Could Reduce Menopausal Hot Flushes

Natural S-equol, a novel soy germ-based compound, could be the primary component for reducing hot flushes in the dietary supplement SE5-OH, which is under development for reduction

Natural S-equol, a novel soy germ-based compound, could be the primary component for reducing hot flushes in the dietary supplement SE5-OH, which is under development for reduction of menopause symptoms, says a new study.

The above results have come through pre-clinical efficacy data from studies using an animal model.

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It has been previously found that postmenopausal Japanese women receiving SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol significantly reduced the frequency of their hot flushes compared to women in the same study receiving a placebo (P=0.0092).

"Recent clinical trials have documented the benefits of SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol for relief of hot flushes in U.S. and Japanese women. SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol is made by the fermentation of soy, and our new data strongly suggest that it is the Natural S-equol in SE5-OH that may be responsible for the beneficial effects on menopausal symptoms," said Dr. Belinda H. Jenks, director of Scientific Affairs n Nutrition Education at Pharmavite LLC.

Pharmavite LLC, the makers of NatureMade vitamins and minerals and a subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., is studying in clinical trials SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol in supplement form for the management of menopausal symptoms.

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Soybeans contain a naturally occurring compound called daidzein that certain bacteria living within the human digestive tract can metabolize, or convert, into S-equol [7-hydroxy-3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-chroman].

Studies in Japan have documented an association between milder menopausal symptoms in equol producers as compared to non-producers.

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The frequency of the hot flash can be from 1 to 2 two hot flashes a week to 10 or greater in a day. The silver lining is that it usually decreases over time.

Investigators consider Natural S-Equol in SE5-OH to be the primary component in SE5-OH to reduce hot flushes based on measurement of modelled hot flushes in an animal study.

The study also measured two reproductive hormones, estradiol (E2) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as uterine weight in healthy female rats from which the ovaries had been surgically removed to simulate menopause and those that underwent a sham surgery, in which their ovaries were not removed, to account for the effects from the stress of the surgery.

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Treatments included SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol, purified Natural S-equol, a placebo and a conjugated estrogen, a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause.

The study used a recognized validated animal model that simulates hot flush symptoms women can experience during menopause and post-menopause.

The study was presented at the Experimental Biology (EB) 2010 annual meeting.

Source-ANI
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