Effects of Soy Isoflavones on Menopausal Hot Flashes

Hot flashes occur in 75% of menopausal women and impact quality of life. Interest has arisen in isoflavones, found in rich supply in soy products, as therapy for hot flashes. The effect of a daidzein-rich isoflavone-aglycone supplement from soy germ fermentation with Koji fungus, on the severity and frequency of hot flashes in postmenopausal women is being examined in a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blinded clinical trial. The study is a 13 week trial in which subjects record their hot flash frequency and severity in a diary. Subjects are given 40 mg or 60 mg of isoflavones (or placebo) once a day. This isoflavone-aglycone extract (Agly-Max TM, Nichimo, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan) is a product prepared from soybean germ fermentation with Koji fungus (Aspergliius awamori) producing ß-glycosidase efficiency, followed by ethanol and water extraction and purification by using a proprietary extraction procedure. The product is rich in daidzein (70% daidzein, 10% genistein, and 20% glycitein).