Abstract

Background: Further investigation is required to deeply understand the role of traditional medicines in menopause and their safe and effective usage. Objective: To determine the effects of Zingiber officinale roscoe [ZO] and Curcuma longa [CL] supplementation on 17-β estradiol [ES] levels, quality of life, and body composition indices in postmenopausal women.

Methods: In this four-month randomized controlled trial, women were recruited from the Tabriz health centers between 2018 and 2019 and randomly allocated to one of four groups: ZO tablet 1000 mg and CL placebo, CL tablet 1000 mg and ZO placebo, ZO tablet 1000 mg and CL tablet 1000 mg, and ZO placebo and CL placebo.

Results: One hundred and fifteen women completed this study. ZO [mean change [MC] = 3.18 [95% CI: 0.55 to 5.81]] resulted in a greater increase in serum ES than placebo. ZO [MC= -1.26 [95% CI: -2.78 to -0.72]], CL [MC=-1.21 [95% CI: -2.79 to -0.53]] and ZO + CL [MC=-1.69 [95% CI: -2.48 to -0.85]] resulted in greater improvements in total quality of life score compared to placebo [MC=-0.51[95% CI: -0.04 to 1.32]]. A significant group difference favoring the ZO group compared to the placebo was detected for the vasomotor symptoms [MC= -1.03 [95% CI: -2.57 to -0.97]]. No significant adverse events were noted.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the beneficial effects of ginger, turmeric, and ginger plus turmeric supplementation on the quality of life of postmenopausal women.

Keywords: 17-β estradiol, body composition, ginger, menopause, quality of life, turmeric.