Effects of Fermented Garlic Extract Containing Nitric Oxide Metabolites on Blood Flow in Healthy Participants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aged or fermented garlic extract (FGE) is a natural remedy that improves vascular function through increasing vascular nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. This is because nitrite (NO2-), a NO metabolite, can be produced through bioconversion with macrobacteria during the fermentation of foods like garlic. We aimed to evaluate the effects of NO2- in FGE on blood flow (BF), blood pressure (BP), velocity of the common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA), regional cerebral BF (rCBF), and peripheral BF (PBF). The study was divided into two parts: (1) Thirty healthy adults were divided into FGE and placebo groups to compare BP and velocity of the CCA and ICA; and (2) Twenty-eight healthy adults were divided into FGE and placebo groups to compare rCBF and PBF and determine changes before/after ingestion. Significant changes were noted in BP and the velocity of both CCA 30-60 min after FGE ingestion. FGE ingestion resulted in significant increases in rCBF and increases in body surface temperature through alterations in PBF. No detectable clinical side effects were noted. Overall, oral administration of NO2- containing FGE demonstrated acute positive effects in upregulating BF, including the CCA, BP, rCBF, and PBF. Follow-up studies with larger sample sizes and long-term ingestion may be needed.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Fermented Soybean-Lettuce Powder for Improving Menopausal Symptoms.

Menopause syndrome causes a decline in the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Hormone therapy is recommended for the treatment of menopausal syndromes. However, it has several side effects. Soybean has been safely used to relieve the symptoms of menopause. Lettuce has antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects and improves sleep quality. Natural nitric oxide metabolites are produced through fermentation, which increases the effectiveness of the functional substances. This study assessed the alleviation of menopausal syndrome symptoms by natural nitric oxide-containing soybean lettuce extract using the Kupperman index. This study included adult women with menopausal syndrome and a Kupperman index of ≥15. After a four-week study with 40 participants, the final analysis included 39 participants in the experimental group (n = 19) and the placebo group (n = 20). Body mass index, waist circumference, and the total cholesterol, low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were not altered before and after treatment in both groups. There was a significant decrease in the Kupperman index after treatment in the experimental group, but no significant change was observed in the placebo group. Soybean lettuce extract alleviates menopause syndrome without any special side effects.