Phytoestrogens, estrogen-like compounds, have been found to enhance mental sharpness and mood among postmenopausal women, a new study has found. This finding highlights that the plant derivatives can be used in the treatment of hormonal imbalances occurring during menopause.
Older women who were given phytoestrogen tablets, in the form of 60mg isoflavones had superior cognitive performance and better mood, reports the study, published in the Fertility and Sterility journal.The study included 78 post-menopausal women and was randomized into two different groups, one group was assigned to phytoestrogen tablet while the other group was assigned placebo for a period of 6 months. The study participants provided with the placebo were provided the phytoestrogen tablet at the end of 6 months. The researchers then analyzed the cognition and mood function in all the study participants.
Postmenopausal women administered phytoestrogen scored better in 14 of the 17 tests when compared to their counterparts provided with placebo. No significant difference between the two groups was however noted in the 6 tests.
When questioned about the preference for a specific treatment, 49 women said that they would prefer the phytoestrogen tablet while 9 others preferred the placebo. Additionally, another 18 women said that they had no preference at all.
The present study highlights that these novel compound can be used to provide symptomatic relief to psychological disturbances, associated with menopause.
Source: Eurekalert
