Combined nutraceutical approach to postmenopausal syndrome and vascular remodeling biomarkers.

Abstract Objective: Menopause is associated with broad, though generally not massive changes in a large number of metabolic parameters. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a combined nutraceutical approach on a large number of cardiometabolic risk markers and menopause symptoms in otherwise healthy, mildly dyslipidemic postmenopausal women. Design/setting: Forty women were enrolled in the context of a controlled, randomized, prospective study with parallel groups at the Lipid Clinic of the University of Bologna. Intervention: The women were randomized to treatment with a nutraceuticals containing soy isoflavones (60 mg) and berberine (500 mg) or a placebo at a dosage of one tablet daily between meals for 12 weeks. Results: All patients completed the study without significant side effects. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, HOMA index, and basal homocysteinemia significantly improved in isoflavones-berberine–treated group when compared to the baseline, but not when c...