ABSTRACT
We examined the clinical effect of a functional food containing both soy isoflavone and black cohosh extract (test food) on Simplified Menopausal Index (SMI) in a double blind study. Twenty four peri-menopausal women were divided into two groups and four capsules of either the test food or placebo were ingested everyday for eight weeks. The daily intakes of soy isoflavone and black cohosh extract were 50.0 mg and 80.0 mg respectively. As compared with placebo group, the scores of menopausal symptoms such as “stiff neck” and “backache” significantly improved (p<0.05), and the score of “irritation” tended to improve in test food group but not significant statistically. When these results were stratified according to the severity of pretrial menopausal symptoms, the effects of test food were shown to be more effective in mild case group. These results suggest that the functional food containing soy isoflavone and black cohosh extract alleviate menopausal disturbances and improve the quality of life for peri-menopausal women.<br>