Role of Phytoestrogen-Rich Bioactive Substances (Linum usitatissimum L., Glycine max L., Trifolium pratense L.) in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

2022-06-14
Nutrients 14(12)
- Agata Błaszczuk
- Agnieszka Barańska
- Wiesław Kanadys
- Maria Malm
- Monika Elżbieta Jach
- Urszula Religioni
- Rafał Wróbel
- Jolanta Herda
- Małgorzata Polz-Dacewicz

PubMed: 35745197
DOI: 10.3390/nu14122467

Study Design

Type: Meta-Analysis
Population: postmenopausal women
Methods: We used the following databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE and the Cochrane Library

Rigorous Journal

The aim of this report was to determine the impact of flaxseed, soy and red clover, and their bioactive substances on the lipid profile in postmenopausal women in cardiovascular diseases prevention. We used the following databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Meta-analysis indicates that the intake of flaxseed by postmenopausal women is associated with a statistically significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC) levels (weighted-mean difference (WMD) = -0.26; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): -0.38 to -0.13; p = 0.0001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (WMD = -0.19; 95% CI: -0.30 to -0.08; p = 0.0006), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (WMD = -0.06; 95% CI: -0.11 to -0.01; p = 0.0150). The effect of soy protein on the lipid profile showed a significant decrease in TC levels: WMD = -0.15; 95% CI: -0.25-0.05; p = 0.0048, LDL-C levels: WMD = -0.15; 95% CI: -0.25-0.05; p = 0.0067, as well as a significant increase in HDL-C levels: WMD = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02-0.08; p = 0.0034. Changes in the lipid profile showed a significant reduction in TC levels after the use of red clover (WMD = -0.11; 95% CI: -0.18--0.04; p = 0.0017) and a significant increase in HDL-C levels (WMD = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.07; p = 0.0165). This meta-analysis provides evidence that consuming flaxseed, soy and red clover can have a beneficial effect on lipids in postmenopausal women and suggest a favorable effect in preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Research Insights

Red Clover→Increased HDL Cholesterol Levels
a significant increase in HDL-C levels (WMD = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.07; p = 0.0165)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Red Clover→Reduced Total Cholesterol
Changes in the lipid profile showed a significant reduction in TC levels after the use of red clover (WMD = -0.11; 95% CI: -0.18--0.04; p = 0.0017)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Soy Protein→Increased HDL Cholesterol Levels
a significant increase in HDL-C levels (WMD = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.07; p = 0.0165)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Soy Protein→Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
LDL-C levels: WMD = -0.15; 95% CI: -0.25-0.05; p = 0.0067
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Soy Protein→Reduced Total Cholesterol
Changes in the lipid profile showed a significant reduction in TC levels after the use of red clover (WMD = -0.11; 95% CI: -0.18--0.04; p = 0.0017)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
flaxseed→Reduced High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (WMD = -0.06; 95% CI: -0.11 to -0.01; p = 0.0150)
Effect
Harmful
Effect size
Small
flaxseed→Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
LDL-C levels: WMD = -0.15; 95% CI: -0.25-0.05; p = 0.0067
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
flaxseed→Reduced Total Cholesterol
Changes in the lipid profile showed a significant reduction in TC levels after the use of red clover (WMD = -0.11; 95% CI: -0.18--0.04; p = 0.0017)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small