Japan: Equol Production and Metabolic Syndrome in Postmenopausal Women

The production of equol, an active metabolite of soy isoflavone, is tied to a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (METS) in postmenopausal women, researchers claim in a study published in the journal Menopause.

Epidemiologic studies have reported that soy intake has an important role in the prevention of age-related health problems. Daidzein is the principal isoflavone contained in soy that is converted to S-equol by the intestinal bacteria. However, not all individuals can produce S-equol, which is considered the most biologically active metabolite.

Equol being a phytoestrogen holds potential for the prevention of metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and obesity. To test the same, Atsushi Takahashi, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan, and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study with the objective to determine the association between equol production and METS in women aged 50 to 69 years.

The study included 1,345 postmenopausal women who underwent health checkups from February 2018 to November 2021 at four health centers in Fukushima, Japan. Those with urinary equol concentration of 1.0 μM or more were defined as equol producers. METS was defined on the basis of Japanese diagnostic criteria including atherogenic dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, glucose intolerance, and elevated blood pressure. The association between equol production and METS was determined using logistic regression analysis, with adjustments for age, physical activity, exercise, and fast walking.

Study Findings

• Of the 1,345 women, 378 (28.1%) were equol producers.
• The proportion of women who had METS (6.6% vs 10.9%) was significantly lower in the equol-producing group than in the nonproducing group.
• Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that equol production was significantly associated with METS (odds ratio, 0.60).

The researchers conclude, "equol production was associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome among women aged 50 to 69 years."

Reference

Takahashi, Atsushi MD, PhD¹; Kokubun, Masae MD, PhD²; Anzai, Yukio MD, PhD³; Kogre, Atsuko MD, PhD⁴; Ogata, Takashi MD, PhD⁵; Imaizumi, Hiromichi MD¹; Fujita, Masashi MD¹; Hayashi, Manabu MD, PhD¹; Abe, Kazumichi MD, PhD¹; Ohira, Hiromasa MD, PhD¹. Association between equol production and metabolic syndrome in Japanese women in their 50s-60s. Menopause: August 16, 2022 - Volume - Issue - 10.1097/GME.0000000000002052 doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002052