PRODUCT WATCH
Menopause supplement may be a risky choice

June 26, 2007

Product:  Effisoy menopausal support supplement, $29.95 for 30 capsules.

Key ingredients:  AglyMax, a fermented soy germ extract containing
isoflavone
aglycones.

The pitch:  A natural way to relieve hot flashes, night sweats, irritability
and other symptoms of menopause.

How it works:  Claims to replenish the aging body's declining estrogen
levels
because isoflavones work similarly in the body as estrogen.

Pros: The supplement has none of the side effects or risks - such as heart
disease or stroke - associated with hormone replacement therapy. An Italian
study in the science journal Fertility and Sterility found that isoflavones
decrease depressive moods and improve cognitive function in postmenopausal
women. Other tests have suggested soy products reduce hot flashes and other
menopausal symptoms.

Cons: Scientific evidence is mixed, with more recent research reporting no
benefits. Isoflavones may inhibit thyroid function. Although diets rich in
soy appear safe and potentially beneficial, the long-term safety of high
doses of soy isoflavone supplements isn't known and may actually cause
breast cancer, depending on the woman's age and hormone level, according to
the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State
University. Supplements are not regulated, and the amount of soy isoflavones
provided varies. No one knows the correct amount needed to get a benefit, if
there is one, and how much is too much.

Bottom line: Because the long-term safety of the supplements isn't known,
it's better for now to stick to soy foods, such as tofu, miso and edamame.