1.
Dietary Phytoestrogen Intake is Inversely Associated with Hypertension in a Cohort of Adults Living in the Mediterranean Area.
Godos, J, Bergante, S, Satriano, A, Pluchinotta, FR, Marranzano, M
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2018;(2)
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary polyphenols, including phytoestrogens are abundantly present in a balanced diet. Evidence for their role in preventing non-communicable diseases is emerging. METHODS We examined the association between estimated habitual intakes of dietary phytoestrogens and hypertension in a cohort study. The baseline data included 1936 men and women aged 18 years and older. Intakes of total phytoestrogens, isoflavones, and lignans were calculated from validated food frequency questionnaire. Data on the polyphenols content in foods were retrieved from the Phenol-Explorer database. RESULTS Individuals in the highest quartile of dietary phytoestrogens intake were less likely to be hypertensive (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.44-0.98); moreover, the association showed a significant decreasing trend. Isoflavones and lignans were not associated with lower odds of hypertension; however, some individual compounds, such as biochanin A and pinoresinol showed an independent inverse association with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS Dietary phytoestrogens are associated with lower likelihood of hypertension in adults living in the Mediterranean area. Future studies are needed to confirm the present findings (i.e., prospective cohort studies) and to better understand the mechanisms underlying such associations.
2.
Effects of a phyto complex on well-being of climacteric women.
Quattrocchi, T, Micali, E, Gentile, A, La Ferrera, EG, Barbaro, L, Ciarcià, S, Corrado, F, Di Costa, M, Fazio, R, Licenziato, R, et al
The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research. 2015;(7):1093-8
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a phyto complex on menopausal symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 151 women aged 42-67 years were enrolled. They were in spontaneous or surgical menopause by at least 12 months, reporting symptoms referable to the climacteric syndrome. Two validated and standardized tests were given to the whole sample at the entrance of the study (T0) and after 6 months of treatment (T6): the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Interim evaluations were carried out at 1-3 months (T1 and T3) on five symptoms selected from the GCS. The phyto complex was given to each enrolled woman, from the T0 to T6 time-points, for a total of 180 days. RESULTS At the T0 time-point, the average scores were: GCS, 28.98 (standard deviation [SD] ± 10.71); BDI, 14.48 (SD ± 6.5). At the T1 time-point, five parameters of the GCS were assessed with a reduction of 36.25% in symptoms (5.69, SD ± 3.53). At the T6 time-point the assessment was completed: average GCS results were 11.54 (SD ± 8.01) with a 60.17% improvement; and average BDI results were 6.11 (SD ± 4.6) with a 58.91% improvement in the depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The phyto complex under consideration is an effective tool to counter, in a quick and long-lasting manner, the most common and nagging symptoms of the climacteric syndrome, such as hot flushes, insomnia and depression.
3.
A prospective study of DT56a (Femarelle®) for the treatment of menopause symptoms.
Sánchez-Borrego, R, Mendoza, N, Llaneza, P
Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society. 2015;(6):813-6
Abstract
BACKGROUND DT56a (Femarelle®) is a natural medication that contains a variety of phytoestrogens derived from tofu. Treatment with DT56a affects bones, vascular tissues and the nervous system in a manner similar to that of estrogen but DT56a acts as an estrogen antagonist in breast and uterine tissues. AIM: The objective of this study was to analyze the efficacy of DT56a in the reduction of menopause symptoms in Spanish women who participated in the Post Marketing Menopausal Symptoms International Survey (POMMSIS). PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 631 Spanish menopausal or perimenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms who took DT56a for 4 weeks participated in this study. This study was an observational, questionnaire-based investigation that consisted of a baseline questionnaire, a hot flushes daily diary and a feedback questionnaire. RESULTS A statistically significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the number and intensity of hot flushes was experienced after 2 and 4 weeks of DT56a treatment. After 4 weeks of treatment with DT56a, 80.7% of the patients reported that their hot flushes were 'better' or 'much better'. The severity of hot flushes was also reduced by 38% in all study participants and by 36% in women who had experienced more than seven hot flushes per day initially, before treatment. CONCLUSION Treatment with DT56a resulted in a significant reduction in the number and intensity of hot flushes in postmenopausal women, especially in those with frequent symptoms, and these effects were observed within the first month of treatment.