New innovations in the menopause category are inspired by the traditions of indigenous people across the world. Maca has been used by the native people in Peru as a traditional remedy to treat various female-related disorders. A pilot study on early postmenopausal women found a non-hormonal pre-galatinized organic maca preparation(as Maca-Go®, from Nature Corp.) exhibited hormone-balancing effects, leading researchers to suggest the herb may reduce the discomfort experienced by women in the early postmenopausal stage.45 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has also been studied as a possible replacement for HRT. Researchers studied 31 peri- and postmenopausal Dutch women in a double blind and double-dummy randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial.46 Regarding hot flashes, placebo reduced hot flashes 30 percent, TCM had a 29 percent higher average score, while HRT had a 50 percent average score. Other studies have not been as successful in proving the effectiveness of TCM.47,48
A new botanical ingredient fresh on the menopause market is a particular female hop extract standardized in prenylflavonoids including 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) (as Lifenol®, from Naturex). A racemic 8-PN was also recently studied in Leiden, Netherlands; researchers concluded single oral doses of up to 750 mg were well tolerated, and a decrease in LH serum concentrations as a result of the 8-PN provided systemic endocrine effects in postmenopausal women.49
A standardized French maritime pine bark extract (as Pycnogenol®, from Horphag) has been studied for its effects in reducing climacteric symptoms. One hundred fifty-five participants took part in a double blind, placebo-controlled study and were given either 200 mg/d Pycnogenol or placebo.50 The researchers concluded all climacteric symptoms improved as evaluated by the Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ), and the antioxidative status increased as well.
Vitamin E has also made its way into the category. A study out of the Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran reported vitamin E (400 IU/d) was more effective than placebo in the treatment of hot flashes.51 Another study conducted at the Mayo Clinic and May Foundation found in 120 breast cancer survivors given vitamin E (800 IU/d) a reduction in hot flash frequency (25 percent versus 22 percent from the placebo group). The researchers noted the clinical magnitude of the hot flash reduction was marginal.52
As more women turn to natural alternatives for easing their passage into menopause, soy, red clover and black cohosh will continue to be researched and evaluated to defend their position in this women’s health category. The trend of “what’s old is new again” will also drift into the category, as traditional herbal supplements are further studied and evidence emerges on the benefits of certain vitamins and nutrients. Candidates such as vitamin E, American ginseng, evening primose oil, dong quai, ginkgo biloba, chaste-berry, alfalfa and royal jelly could potentially be revisited as possible nutrients for easing menopausal conditions.
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