Effect of a Soy Dietary Supplement on Menopausal Symptoms and Hormones in Women at High Risk of Breast Cancer

摘要

The usefulness of a dietary soy supplement resulting in an intake of 45 mg/day of phytoestrogens, was tested in a randomized cross-over design in menopausal women aged 45-58 years of age who reported a high level of menopausal hot flashes (>5/day). Women were on the soy or placebo bars for 3 months. A 22 and 26% reduction in the frequency of hot flashes was reported during both the soy and placebo supplemented phases of the study, respectively, compared to baseline, but no difference was observed in the reported number or intensity of the hot flashes when the soy and placebo phases were compared. Endogenous hormones, however, were altered with a significant decrease in serum estradiol (p=0.003) on the soy phase compared to baseline and compared to the placebo (p=0.03). Decreases in Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin were also seen (P=0.OOOl) compared to baseline and increases in Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Leutinizing Hormone (p=0.03 for both). Levels of serum phytoestrogen achieved in the women while on the soy supplement were comparable and probably higher than levels seen in the Asian population. A significant inverse association was observed between levels of estrone-sulfate and the number of hot flashes reported (p=O.02).