Bioavailability of Quatrefolic® folic acid
The aim of the study was to compare the bioavailability of three forms of folates: Quatrefolic® (a patented glucosamine salt of (6S)5-MTHF), the calcium salt of (6S)5-MTHF, and folic acid, in Sprague Dawley rats. The study showed that Quatrefolic® had a clearly higher bioavailability than the other forms. After administration of Quatrefolic®, the plasma concentration of (6S)5-MTHF was 1.8 times higher than after administration of the calcium salt of (6S)5-MTHF and 3.1 times higher than after supplementation with folic acid. In addition, the AUC (area under the curve) for Quatrefolic® was 9.7 times higher than for folic acid, and only slightly higher than for the calcium salt of (6S)5-MTHF. The study conclusions indicate that Quatrefolic® has significantly better oral bioavailability than other forms of folic acid.
Sources
- N. Miraglia et al., „Enhanced oral bioavailability of a novel folate salt: comparison with folic acid and a calcium folate salt in a pharmacokinetic study in rats”, “Minerva ginecologica”, April 2016, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27008238/ [accessed: 4.12.2024]
Effect of folic acid on plasma homocysteine levels
The aim of the study was to assess the effect of folic acid supplementation on plasma homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women, as elevated homocysteine levels are associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study, 48 healthy postmenopausal women (aged 50–70) participated. Women in the experimental group received folic acid, and the control group received placebo. After 16–17 weeks, a second measurement of homocysteine levels was performed. The results showed a significantly lower plasma homocysteine level in the group of women who took folic acid (10.33 μmol/l vs 13.21 μmol/l, p=0.004). Additionally, it was found that plasma homocysteine level had a weak but significant correlation with age and duration of menopause, but did not correlate with BMI or number of pregnancies. The study suggests that folic acid supplementation may help lower homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women.
Sources
- F. Almassinokian et al., „Folic acid supplementation reduces plasma homocysteine in postmenopausal women”, The Journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gyneacology, no. 36, May 2006, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26758937/ [accessed: 4.12.2024]
Effect of vitamin D on reducing the risk of cardiovascular and heart diseases in the postmenopausal period
The aim of the study was to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the lipid profile in postmenopausal women, as dyslipidemia is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) in this group. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted regarding the effect of vitamin D on triglyceride (TG), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and total cholesterol (TC) levels. The results indicate that vitamin D supplementation led to a reduction in triglyceride (TG) levels in postmenopausal women (WMD: -3.55 mg/dl, P < 0.001). In addition, treatment duration and BMI level influenced changes in cholesterol levels. Short-term supplementation (below 26 weeks) increased TC and HDL-C levels, and vitamin D administered at a dose above 400 IU/day lowered LDL-C. In summary, vitamin D shows a beneficial effect on lowering TG levels, but its effect on LDL-C and HDL-C is less clinically significant.
Sources
- W. Zhang et al., „The effect of vitamin D on the lipid profile as a risk factor for coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials”, “Experimental Gerontology”, May 2022, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35090975/ [accessed: 4.12.2024]
Effect of soy and hop extract on menopausal symptoms
The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a combined soy and hop extract in alleviating menopausal symptoms. It was conducted as a double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 78 women with moderate or severe menopausal symptoms. Participants received soy and hop extract (190 mg) or placebo for 12 weeks. After completion of therapy, the treated group showed significant improvement compared to the placebo group, with a greater reduction in Kupperman index scores (by 20.61 points compared to 14.80 points). Symptoms such as fatigue, paresthesia, joint and muscle pain, palpitations, and vaginal dryness improved significantly in the treated group. In addition, in women aged 50+, a beneficial effect on bone metabolism biomarkers was observed. No significant changes were found in endometrial thickness or hormonal profiles. The preparation was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events. The study confirmed the safety and efficacy of the extract in alleviating menopausal symptoms.
Sources
- Hye In Kim et al., "Efficacy and Safety of a Standardized Soy and Hop Extract on Menopausal Symptoms: A 12-Week, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial", Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, November 2021, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34399063/ [accessed: 4.12.2024]
Effect of clover extract on reducing undesirable symptoms associated with menopause, i.e., hot flashes or excessive sweating
The study aimed to assess the efficacy of a standardized isoflavone extract from red clover (Trifolium pratense) at a dose of 80 mg/day in reducing hot flashes in menopausal women. A systematic literature analysis was conducted, including Medline, Scopus, and other databases, for the years 1996–2016. Five randomized clinical trials meeting specified criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that use led to a significant reduction in the number of hot flashes – the mean reduction was 3.63 hot flashes per day (95% CI 2.70–4.56; p < 0.00001). Supplementation was safe in short-term use (up to 3 months). The analysis accounted for differences in results between cross-over and parallel-design studies, confirming efficacy and safety in treating menopausal symptoms.
Sources
- S.P. Myers, V.Vigar, „Effects of a standardised extract of Trifolium pratense (Promensil) at a dosage of 80mg in the treatment of menopausal hot flushes: A systematic review and meta-analysis”, “Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology”, January 2017, 15:24:141-147, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28160855/ [accessed: 4.12.2024]
Effect of hops on sexual dysfunction in the postmenopausal period
The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of a vaginal gel with hop extract (Humulus lupulus L.) and estradiol in the treatment of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. The study involved 63 women divided into two groups: one used the hop gel and the other used vaginal estradiol. After two months of therapy, no statistically significant differences between the groups were observed in terms of improvement in sexual function, measured using the FSFI questionnaire. The results suggest that the hop gel was as effective as estradiol, and neither method caused adverse effects.
Sources
- Z. Vahedpoorfard, S. Ferdosi, H. Rahimi, H. Motedayyen, „Effect of Humulus lupulus L. (Hop) on Postmenopausal Sexual Dysfunction: A Randomized Clinical Trial”, International Journal of Clinical Practice, April 2023, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37101856/ [accessed: 4.12.2024]
Studies of the Serenzo™ ingredient
An open-label, pilot Serenzo™ study involved 40 participants (men and women) aged 18 to 60 with chronic stress. They took 500 mg of Serenzo™ daily for 12 weeks. The evaluation was conducted using the following methods:
- Screening Scale of Chronic Stress (SSCS) – a questionnaire assessing the severity of 5 stress symptoms: overwork, job dissatisfaction, social stress, feeling unappreciated, anxiety;
- SCL-90-R® - a mental condition assessment questionnaire, allowing assessment based on 90 questions of the severity of psychopathological symptoms in categories: somatization – discomfort related to physical sensations (e.g., heart pain, cramps); obsessions – including obsessive thoughts and behaviors, and so-called rumination – i.e., difficult-to-control revisiting of a memory, often associated with “winding oneself up”; interpersonal sensitivity – low self-esteem and related discomfort in relationships; depressive syndrome – a broad group of depressive symptoms, including low motivation, lack of energy; anxiety; hostility – feelings of frustration, irritability, outbursts of anger; phobias – strong fears related to a factor, e.g., being in a crowd; paranoid ideation – questions referring to projective thinking, but also a sense of threat, excessive suspiciousness, belief in one's own greatness; psychotic symptoms;
- Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-A)
- assessment of the effectiveness of use based on specialists’ opinions
- assessment of the effectiveness of use based on the opinions of people taking Serenzo™
- measurement of salivary alpha-amylase levels.