Urinary Equol Production Capacity, Dietary Habits, and Premenstrual Symptom Severity in Healthy Young Japanese Women.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Equol, a gut microbial metabolite of the soy isoflavone, daidzein, is associated with estrogenic activity and potential benefits for women's health. While equol production depends on individual gut microbial composition, its dietary and clinical correlates in young women remain incompletely characterized. This study explored the relationship between urinary equol production, dietary habits, and premenstrual symptom severity in healthy university-aged women. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 41 Japanese women, aged 19-20 years. Urinary equol was measured using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, following enzymatic hydrolysis. Participants were classified as either equol producers or non-producers,

SUBMITTER: Kada-Kondo N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12844494 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature