A Pilot Study to Evaluate Equol and Its Effects on Menopausal Symptoms Experienced by Women in Singapore

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of equol on menopausal symptoms of women. Our hypothesis is that equol producers will have milder menopausal symptoms compared to non-equol producers. Equol is known as a metabolite produced by gut microbiota from soy-related diet and has estrogen-like activity compared to the isoflavones from soybean. Previous studies have shown that some women can produce equol from soy-related diet, but the others cannot because they don't have the bacteria which can metabolite daidzein in gut even if they take isoflavones thorough soybean products. This study will involve participants consuming a soy protein bar and collection of urine samples before and after its consumption.