Efficacy of isoflavones in relieving vasomotor menopausal symptoms – A systematic review

Abstract

This review assessed the efficacy of isoflavone supplements to reduce vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women by reviewing all published randomized controlled trials. Systematic literature searches were carried out in 70 databases. Randomized and placebo controlled studies were included if they investigated the treatment of isoflavone supplements derived from soy or red clover on vasomotor symptoms in peri- or postmenopausal women for at least 12 wks. Data were analyzed concerning outcome and methodological quality of the study. Twenty-three trials met the inclusion criteria, thereof 17 investigated soy isoflavones and 6 red clover isoflavones. Without exception, selected trials examining the effect of red clover isoflavones were already assessed in several meta-analyses and were therefore excluded from this evaluation. As the soy isoflavone studies were very heterogeneous concerning interventions and outcome measures, meta-analysis could not be performed and trials were systematically assessed in a structured approach. Included soy isoflavone studies had numerous quality deficiencies and did not consistently show a reduction of flushes after treatment with soy isoflavones. Therefore, there is no conclusive evidence, but only some indication of a benefit of soy isoflavones on hot flush frequency or severity.

Phytochemical profiling of underexploited Fabaceae species: Insights on the ontogenic and phylogenetic effects over isoflavone levels

“…In the case of isoflavone production, the studied species are usually limited to soybean (Glycine max L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Nevertheless, some alternative species are being studied to evaluate their potential use as isoflavone sources Jacobs, Wegewitz, Sommerfeld, Grossklaus, & Lampen, 2009;Spínola, Llorent-Martínez, Gouveia-Figueira, & Castilho, 2016;Visnevschi-Necrasov et al, 2014. The species studied in this work (Biserrula pelecinus L., Lotus conimbricensis Brot., Lotus subbiflorus Lag., Ornithopus compressus L., Ornithopus pinnatus (Mill.)…”

Nurse practitioner use of patient-centered care to improve the quality of life of women experiencing vasomotor symptoms of menopause

“…In the study by Jacobs et al (2009), the authors concluded that additional research is needed to establish whether or not the action of phytoestrogens are actually influenced by equol.…”

“…Whether it is due to personal preference or uncertainties about adverse effects and benefits of HT, many women seek altematives for relief of VMS (Borrelli & Emst, 2008;Geller et al, 2009;Jacobs et al, 2009;Lethaby et al , 2009). Whatever the reason, it is important for NPs to have appropriate knowledge about all treatment options available for VMS relief.…”

“…Evidence indicates that up to 62% of women believe that "natural" plant-based hormones are at least as effective as HT in controlling VMS (Jacobs et al, 2009;Lethaby et al, 2009). Despite this large popularity, caution needs to be taken with consideration ofusing supplements.…”

“…Difficulty in comparing the efficacy of supplements is due to multiple strengths and differences in the compounding of products (Borrelli & Emst, 2008;Jacobs et al, 2009;Lethaby et al, 2007). Exact comparisons and conclusions about efficacy are problematic when the strength of a given product cannot be extrapolated to other products in the same class.…”