SAFE PHYTOESTROGENS
A meta-analysis from Austria supports the safety of phytoestrogens like soy and red clover isoflavones, revealing that these are not linked to serious side-effects like increased cancer risks and heart problems. The researchers, led by Clemens Tempfer from the Medical University Vienna, looked at all isoflavones, and identified 92 randomised controlled trials with 9,629 participants. Comparing the phytoestrogen groups to the placebo or control groups, Tempfer and his co-workers report that the incidence of side effects was approximately the same, with 36.7 and 38 per cent, respectively. While higher rates of gastrointestinal side effects were recorded in the users of phytoestrogen, no significant differences were observed regarding gynaecological, musculoskeletal, or neurological side effects. Hormone-related side effect rates, including breast and endometrial cancer, were not significantly different between groups. A European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) working group investigating isoflavones have examined studies collected over the last 20 years as well as newer trials, and concluded that emerging human studies in isoflavones demonstrate the "modest but valuable benefit for menopause relief". The scientists concluded the soy and red clover-derived isoflavones do not increase the risk of breast cancer and can offer very real relief to post-menopausal women. The meta-analysis study was published in The American Journal of Medicine.