Omega-3 versus isoflavones in the control of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women

Determine the efficacy and tolerability of omega-3 fatty acids versus soybean isoflavones in reducing the vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) frequency in postmenopausal women. A randomized, prospective, two-arm study was performed in healthy postmenopausal women aged 45–65. The two arms were: two capsules/day of omega-3 (425?mg of omega-3/capsule) administered orally (n?=?38) and two tablets/day of soybean isoflavones (54.4?mg of isoflavones/tablet) (n?=?30), over 16?weeks. The mean baseline frequency of moderate and severe VMSs per week in the omega-3 group was 24.56 and 23.90, respectively, and 19.65 and 19.51 in the isoflavone group. After 4?months, the reduction in moderate and severe hot flashes with omega-3 was significant (p?p?=?.02) hot flashes after 4?months, but not in moderate hot flashes (p?=?.077). Omega-3 did not demonstrate significant efficacy differences versus isoflavones over time. The use of omega-3 has a beneficial effect on hot flash reduction after 4?months of treatment. This is comparable to the benefits found with soybean isoflavones after 3–4?weeks and after 4?months in severe hot flash women, but higher than those found with soybean isoflavones in moderate symptom women.