Effects of Equol Supplement on Bone and Cardiovascular Parameters in Middle-Aged Japanese Women: A Prospective Observational Study

Objective: To examine changes in the bone and cardiovascular parameters and tolerability in middle-aged Japanese women taking equol supplement for a year. Design: This was a prospective observational study. Subjects and Setting: Participants were 74 women receiving outpatient care at Hamasite Medical Clinic, Minato-ku, Tokyo, from 2013 to 2015. Interventions: Participants received per oral equol-containing supplement, 10 mg/day. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measures were percent changes in bone and cardiovascular parameters after 1 year supplementation with equol. The secondary measures included factors affecting the parameter changes and adverse effects associated with equol use for a year. Results: Reduction in arterial stiffness was observed after 12 months of equol supplement (1402.3 cm/s vs.1367.3 cm/s, p