Consuming the soy germ-based compound Natural S-equol and the supplement SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol did not increase the risk of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer, according to a study in the September issue of the peer-reviewed journal
Food and Chemical Toxicology. SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol reduced menopause symptoms in postmenopausal women in previously reported controlled trials in the United States and in Japan.
"A major concern of health care professionals and women in managing menopausal symptoms is that a treatment might increase the risk of developing or progressing breast cancer," said Belinda H. Jenks, Ph.D., Director of Scientific Affairs & Nutrition Education at Pharmavite LLC, the makers of Nature MadeŪ vitamins and minerals and a subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which supported the study. "This study is the first to directly examine the effects of Natural S-equol alone and SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol, which we are developing to reduce menopause symptoms, directly on the growth of human breast cancer cells in an established mouse model as well as in directly in cell cultures. The study documented that Natural S-equol itself, as well as SE5-OH, did not increase or stimulate the growth of these breast cancer cells."
The safety of SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol previously was confirmed by standard animal testing. Also, studies involving postmenopausal women who consumed SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol have not observed any safety problems, including analysis of breast and reproductive tissues and of hormone levels, and have documented significant reductions in hot flashes frequency, in muscle and joint discomfort. More information about S-equol and SE5-OH, including study results, is at
http://www.naturalequol.com.