Compositions and products containing s-equol, and methods for their making

Abstract

A composition for use in making commercial food and skin products comprising 5-equol or mixtures, including both a non-racemic mixture and a racemic mixture, of S-equol and R-equol. The composition can be used to make articles of commerce such as food supplements, pharmaceuticals, and medicaments. The compositions are useful in a method of delivering S-equol to a mammal to prevent or treat a disease or associated condition, including hormone-dependent diseases or conditions such as cardiovascular disease, lipid disorder, osteopenia, osteoporosis, liver disease, and acute ovarian estrogen deficiency. The S-equol enantiomer can be produced in a biological synthesis from the metabolism of an isoflavone by an organism.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method for treating or preventing hot flashes associated with menopause in a patient, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a formulation comprising genistein, daidzein and equol or analogues thereof that selectively bind to estrogen receptor beta, wherein:
 (a) the formulation does not contain compounds that preferentially bind to estrogen receptor alpha;   (b) the patient is a menopausal or post-menopausal woman; and   (c) the formulation is administered in an effective amount from about 1 mg to about 100 mg.