A Natural S-Equol Supplement Alleviates Hot Flushes and Other Menopausal Symptoms in Equol Nonproducing Postmenopausal Japanese Women

Abstract Objective: The objective of this clinical trial was to examine the efficacy of a supplement containing natural S-(−)equol, a daidzein metabolite, in reducing menopausal symptoms. Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 160 equol nonproducing, postmenopausal Japanese women who experienced at least 1 hot flush/day were randomly assigned to consume 10 mg/day S-(−)equol (n=77 women) or placebo (n=83 women) for 12 weeks. Participants completed a standardized menopausal symptom checklist and rated five common menopause symptoms by a visual analog scale at baseline, week 12, and week 18 (6-week postintervention). Physical, blood, and urine examinations were conducted. One hundred twenty-six women completed the study. Results: At baseline, daily hot flush frequency was 2.9±2.1 for the S-(−)equol group and 3.2±2.4 for the placebo group. After the 12-week intervention, the S-(−)equol group had a greater decrease from baseline in hot flush frequency compared with the placebo gro...