Consensus: soy isoflavones as a first-line approach to the treatment of menopausal vasomotor complaints

Abstract

The association between an increased uptake of isoflavones and a reduced frequency of menopausal hot flushes was first described in 1992, based on a lower incidence of hot flushes in countries with a high consumption of soy. Since then, numerous clinical trials with various sources of isoflavones including soy and red clover have been presented, with practically all of the studies with adequate design delivering an outcome in favour of isoflavone supplementation. An in-depth risk assessment (EFSA 2015) concludes that the amply available human data does not indicate any suspected harmful effects from a potential interaction of isoflavones with hormone-sensitive tissues in the mammary gland, the uterus and the thyroid gland. Safety was ascertained with long-term intake of up to 150 mg isoflavones per day ingested for the duration of at least 3 years. Moreover, high isoflavone intake was found to have preventive effects with respect to breast cancer. Clinical findings indicate potential benefits of isoflavone exposure even during breast cancer treatment with tamoxifen or anastrozole.

Chinese abstract

异黄酮摄入的增加降低更年期潮热首次描述于1992年，该描述主要基于大豆消费量较高的国家更年期潮热的发病率较低。自此，进行了大量的含有异黄酮的植物如大豆和红三叶草的临床试验，几乎所有合理设计的研究都表明充足的异黄酮摄入，可以改善结局。深入的风险评估（EFSA2015）得出结论，充足的临床试验并未表明异黄酮的摄入对乳腺，子宫和甲状腺有不利影响。长期每天摄入150mg异黄酮，持续至少3年也是安全的。此外，发现高异黄酮摄入对乳腺癌有预防作用。临床研究表明即使是在他莫昔芬或者阿那曲唑治疗乳腺癌时，摄入异黄酮也是有潜在益处的。

• Anastrozole
• breast cancer
• hormone-sensitive tissues
• isoflavones
• menopausal hot flushes
• safety
• tamoxifen

Declaration of interest

M.S. has received grants for reviewing the literature on soy and isoflavones, but was otherwise not influenced in his conclusions or the compilation of regulatory expert reports and publications. The other authors declare no conflict of interests.