Effect of Trifolium pratense-derived isoflavones on the lipid profile of postmenopausal women with increased body mass index.

BACKGROUND

Since current clinical evidence indicates that conventional estrogen hormone therapy (HT) increases cardiovascular risk, alternatives to estrogens are growing in popularity, especially among high-risk populations.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of Trifolium pratense-derived isoflavone supplementation on the lipid profile of postmenopausal women with increased body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

Sixty postmenopausal women aged > 40 years, HT non-users, were randomly assigned to one of two groups: either two capsules of T. pratense (80 mg red clover isoflavones) daily for a 90-day period or placebo of equal design. After a 7-day washout period, medication was crossed-over for another 90 days. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein A (LpA) levels were assessed at baseline, 90 and 180 days. Women were divided into two groups: those with increased BMI (>or=25 kg/m(2)) and those with BMI < 25 kg/m(2).

RESULTS

Fifty-three women (88.3%) completed the trial. T. pratense isoflavone supplementation had a positive effect on the lipid profile of women with increased BMI, evidenced by a significant decrease in TC, LDL-C and LpA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Isoflavones derived from T. pratense are an attractive alternative therapeutic option for high-risk populations such as postmenopausal women with increased BMI and abnormal lipid profile.