Gyntima Menopause, a proprietary blend of probiotics marketed by Kaneka Probiotics and AB-Biotics, was associated with a slowed reduction of estrogen levels in 100 peri- and postmenopausal women, according to a new clinical study published in Journal of Medical Food – Korea.

The blend of strains, which includes L. brevis KABP 052, L. plantarum KABP 051, and P. acidilactici KABP 021, has been shown to increase deconjucation of estrogen levels in the gut, which enables improved re-absorption of estrogen into the bloodstream, the authors reported.

The menopausal transition takes several years, and a decline in estrogen that comes with it has negative effects on physical, emotional, and mental well-being. According to Kaneka Probiotics, 85% of menopausal-age women experience menopause symptoms ranging from hot flushes to joint and muscle pain. 73% of women are not currently treating these symptoms, the company noted, with options mostly limited to drug-based treatments. Meanwhile, 43% of women are interested in finding out more about how probiotics can influence their menopause symptoms, according to FMCG Gurus.

This led Kaneka and AB-Biotics to develop Gyntima Menopause, a formulation designed to modulate activities of the bacteria linked to estrogen metabolism referred to as the estrabolome.

Study Details

Menopause is associated with a depletion of beta-glucuronidase (GUS), a microbial enzyme found in the gut, which deconjugates estrogen allowing it to be re-absorbed into the bloodstream. Low levels of GUS can cause estrogen levels in the body to deplete faster, thereby exacerbating menopause symptoms, according to prior clinical studies.

In the 100 women who participated in the trial, who were between the ages of 45 and 55, the first step of the study was an in vitro screening of over 80 strains for GUS activity. The researchers then selected L. brevis KABP 052, which showed the highest capacity for deconjugating estrogen, and combined it with the two other strains in the test formula, which were selected because they inhibited pathogens and improve gut homeostasis. This formulation, at a 2:1:1 ratio, became Gyntima Menopause.

After 12 weeks of supplementation with one capsule daily, estrogen levels as measured through estrone and estradiol were significantly more well-sustained in the treatment group compared to placebo when adjusted for age and baseline levels, the authors concluded. Estrogen levels in the group decreased significantly for the placebo group, but decreases didn’t reach clinical significance in those taking the probiotic.

“Menopause is an in-demand and under-researched therapeutic area of women’s health, and with women proactively searching for natural, alternative solutions to menopause symptoms, there’s a world of commercial opportunities to explore in the probiotics space. That’s why we are excited to share Gyntima Menopause, the first commercial probiotic to deliver the benefits of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) mechanism of action, and the study behind it, as a development within this market,” said Jordi Riera, chief business development manager at Kaneka Probiotics. “This probiotic blend expands a range of extremely successful products in our portfolio, and we’re looking forward to continuing our research to further understand the mechanism of action behind the blend, as well as exploring the benefits that this can bring to women worldwide.”