A new data backed by studies (using mouse model) was presented at 2011 Annual women’s Congress Meeting which reveals that consumption of SE5-OH, a natural soy based compound of S-equol poses no potential threat of breast cancer. Earlier studies have already confirmed the contribution of controlled treatment with SE5-OH towards minimizing the severity of symptoms of menopause.
What is S-equol? How it Works?
S-equol with an IUPAC name as “7-hydroxy-3-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-chroman” is a natural resultant product of metabolism that gets formed in our digestive tract after consumption of whole soybeans by converting an isoflavone named deaizein. The production of S-equol depends upon the presence of certain bacteria in large intestine that catalyzes this process. However, not every individual is capable of S-equol production owing to the lack of specific bacteria in large intestine.
Just like the binding mechanism of endogenous estrogen, S-equol too acts as a binding agent on estrogen b receptor. The only difference is S-equol has higher affinity than its former counterpart. This binding result in mimicking few properties of estrogen receptors that helps in minimizing the severity of symptoms of menopause that occurs due to decreased level of estrogen during menopause.
The study
In this new study a stated earlier, mouse model has been followed. Mice having induced tumor cells (estrogen dependant) were kept on 25 week diet that contained Natural S-equol and other group of mice having induced tumor cells was kept on normal diet. The tumor size has been measured before the diet program and after it (after 25 weeks). It has been concluded that there is no considerable difference in tumor size of mice that have been kept on S-equol diet. In another following study, it has been concluded that levels of other significant hormones like FSH, Luteinizing Hormone, estradiol, or progesterone remains stable while endometrial thickness in uterus didn’t show any change.
Development of SE5-OH supplement
The revelations of these new studies and available database led Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Pharmavite LLC to formulate a joint clinical program in pursuit of developing SE5-OH supplement with Natural S-equol as its ingredient. The new database has already confirmed the safety of Natural S-equol in the treatment of menopause symptoms.
Making of SE5-OH supplement
Continuous research and ongoing development at Saga Nutraceuticals Research Institute on SE5-OH that contains natural S-equol led to a patented process by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. This patented process involves fermentation process of whole soy catalyzed by the strain of Lactococcus 20-92. During fermentation, daiszein gets converted to S-equol. Lactococcus 20-92 get deactivated after undergoing heat denaturation process and SE5-OH supplement is produced with GRAS rating.
