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Kudzu

Kudzu is a vine from East Asia whose root holds isoflavones, plant compounds that can act a little like estrogen in the body. People mostly look at it for menopause, and a small trial of 127 people found thinking and memory scores improved, though the evidence is limited. The same small trial found no clear difference in apolipoprotein B, a blood fat marker, so firm conclusions must wait.

Sources: PMID 12851519

Best evidence
Grade C
Conditions studied
1
Outcomes
9
Graded outcomes
0011

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

1 condition

Menopause: outcomes studied for Kudzu
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cognition

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect127 people
Apolipoprotein B

No effect

NoneNo effect1 study127 people
EstrogenChanges; see studies127 people
Follicle-Stimulating HormoneImproves (the measure goes up)127 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)127 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)127 people
Luteinizing HormoneImproves (the measure goes up)127 people
Menopausal SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)127 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)127 people

Key findings

  • CognitionMenopauseImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Apolipoprotein BMenopause

Studies cited

1 study from PubMed

  1. Comparison of Pueraria lobata with hormone replacement therapy in treating the adverse health consequences of menopauseMenopause · PMID 12851519