Omega-3 versus isoflavones in the control of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Determine the efficacy and tolerability of omega-3 fatty acids versus soybean isoflavones in reducing the vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) frequency in postmenopausal women. A randomized, prospective, two-arm study was performed in healthy postmenopausal women aged 45–65. The two arms were: two capsules/day of omega-3 (425 mg of omega-3/capsule) administered orally (n = 38) and two tablets/day of soybean isoflavones (54.4 mg of isoflavones/tablet) (n = 30), over 16 weeks. The mean baseline frequency of moderate and severe VMSs per week in the omega-3 group was 24.56 and 23.90, respectively, and 19.65 and 19.51 in the isoflavone group. After 4 months, the reduction in moderate and severe hot flashes with omega-3 was significant (p < .001), whereas in the case of isoflavones, there was a significant difference in severe (p = .02) hot flashes after 4 months, but not in moderate hot flashes (p = .077). Omega-3 did not demonstrate significant efficacy differences versus isoflavones over time. The use of omega-3 has a beneficial effect on hot flash reduction after 4 months of treatment. This is comparable to the benefits found with soybean isoflavones after 3–4 weeks and after 4 months in severe hot flash women, but higher than those found with soybean isoflavones in moderate symptom women.

Chinese abstract

研究ω-3脂肪酸与大豆异黄酮在减少绝经后妇女血管舒缩症状（VMS）频率方面的疗效和耐受性。在45-65岁的健康绝经后妇女中进行了一项随机, 前瞻性队列研究。两组分别为：口服ω-3（425mgω-3/片）两片/日（n = 38）和大豆异黄酮（54.4mg大豆异黄酮/片）两片/日（n = 30）, 超过16周。ω-3组每周中度和重度VMS的平均基线频率分别为24.56和23.90, 异黄酮组为19.65和19.51。4个月后, ω-3组的中度和重度潮热的减少是显著的（p <0.001）, 而在异黄酮的情况下, 4个月后严重（p = 0.02）潮热有显著性差异, 中度潮热没有（p =0 .077）。随着时间的推移, ω-3没有显示出与异黄酮有显著的疗效差异。在4个月的治疗后, 使用ω-3对潮热减少具有有益的作用。这与大豆异黄酮在3-4周后和4个月后在严重潮热妇女中发现的益处相当, 但高于在中度症状妇女中用大豆异黄酮发现的益处。

Keywords:

• Vasomotor symptoms
• hot flashes
• omega-3
• soybean isoflavones

Disclosure statement

S. Palacios: Dr Palacios has disclosed that he is a recipient of research/grant funding from, is a consultant/advisor to, and/or is a lecturer for: Abbott, Amgen, Bayer Healthcare, Bioiberica, Exeltis, Ferrer, Gedeon Ritcher, GSK, Gynea, MSD, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Preglem, Procare Health, Sandoz, Serelys, Servier, Shionogi and Teva. M. Lilue: The author reports no conflicts of interest. A. Mejia: The author reports no conflicts of interest. C. Menendez: The author reports no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by LABORATORIES FERRER.