Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

LIFENOL

Q: Is Lifenol safe for long-term use?

Clinical data show good tolerability for up to 48 weeks. Long-term safety beyond this period is not yet well documented, so consult your healthcare provider for extended use.

Q: How quickly does it relieve menopausal symptoms?

Symptom relief, particularly for hot flashes, has been reported within a few weeks to a few months in randomized controlled trials.

Q: Can it replace hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

Lifenol is a non-hormonal alternative with milder estrogenic effects. It is not intended as a direct substitute for HRT, especially in cases of severe menopausal symptoms.

Q: Are there any interactions with medications?

Due to its phytoestrogenic activity, Lifenol may interact with hormone-sensitive medications. It is crucial to consult your healthcare provider before use if you are on other medications.

Q: Is it effective for bone health alone?

Lifenol is most effective for bone health when used as an adjunct to vitamin D3 and calcium supplementation, rather than as a standalone treatment.

Also known as: Lifenol, hop extract standardized in 8-PN, 6-prenylnaringenin, isoxanthohumol, xanthohumol, 8-prenylnaringenin

Overview

Lifenol is a proprietary, standardized extract derived from female hop cones (Humulus lupulus), specifically formulated to be rich in prenylflavonoids, with 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) being its most potent and primary active compound. It is categorized as a botanical dietary supplement and a phytoestrogenic hop extract. Its main applications are to alleviate menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes, and to support bone health in postmenopausal women. The bioactive prenylflavonoids in Lifenol exhibit estrogenic activity, meaning they can mimic or modulate estrogen receptors in the body. Research supporting Lifenol's efficacy includes randomized controlled trials and has led to regulatory health claims in some countries, indicating a moderate level of research maturity and quality of evidence.

Benefits

Lifenol offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily for postmenopausal women. Its most significant effect is the significant reduction in hot flashes and overall menopausal discomfort, as demonstrated in clinical trials compared to placebo. This benefit is statistically significant and has led to regulatory health claims. Additionally, Lifenol has been shown to improve bone health; supplementation resulted in an approximate 1% increase in total body bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteopenia, when used in conjunction with vitamin D3 and calcium. While modest, this increase is considered clinically relevant for osteopenic populations. Secondary benefits include an improvement in physical quality of life and functional health, including increased participation in vigorous physical activity. The time course for bone health effects is typically 24 to 48 weeks, while menopausal symptom relief can be observed within weeks to a few months.

How it works

Lifenol exerts its effects primarily through the phytoestrogenic activity of its prenylflavonoids, especially 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN). 8-PN is recognized as one of the most potent plant-derived estrogens, capable of binding to both estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ). By interacting with these receptors, Lifenol modulates estrogen-responsive tissues throughout the body. This modulation is key to its benefits, influencing the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center to alleviate menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, and impacting bone remodeling processes by potentially affecting osteoblast and osteoclast activity to support bone mineral density. The prenylflavonoids in Lifenol are absorbed orally, and the standardized nature of the extract ensures consistent delivery of these bioactive compounds.

Side effects

Lifenol is generally well tolerated, with clinical trials reporting no serious adverse events. Common side effects are not explicitly reported as exceeding 5% in available studies, suggesting a mild safety profile typical of hop extracts. There is no significant data indicating common or uncommon adverse effects (1-5%). Rare side effects (<1%) have also not been documented. However, due to its estrogenic activity, caution is advised regarding potential interactions with hormone-sensitive medications. Individuals taking such medications should consult a healthcare provider. Lifenol is likely contraindicated in conditions sensitive to hormonal changes, such as hormone-sensitive cancers, although specific contraindications are not detailed in the available literature. Its safety in pregnant or breastfeeding women has not been established, and its use is primarily indicated for postmenopausal women.

Dosage

Clinical trials have primarily utilized Lifenol in capsules providing approximately 100 µg of 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) per dose, which appears to be the minimum effective dose for observed benefits. While optimal dosage ranges are not extensively defined, daily oral administration of around 100 µg 8-PN is considered effective. The maximum safe dose has not been clearly established, as clinical trials have not reported dose-limiting toxicity. For bone health benefits, a duration of at least 24 weeks of daily administration is recommended. Lifenol is typically consumed in oral capsule form, standardized for its 8-PN content. While bioavailability may be influenced by food intake, no specific cofactors are identified for absorption. For bone health support, it is often recommended to combine Lifenol with vitamin D3 and calcium.

FAQs

Is Lifenol safe for long-term use?

Clinical data show good tolerability for up to 48 weeks. Long-term safety beyond this period is not yet well documented, so consult your healthcare provider for extended use.

How quickly does it relieve menopausal symptoms?

Symptom relief, particularly for hot flashes, has been reported within a few weeks to a few months in randomized controlled trials.

Can it replace hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

Lifenol is a non-hormonal alternative with milder estrogenic effects. It is not intended as a direct substitute for HRT, especially in cases of severe menopausal symptoms.

Are there any interactions with medications?

Due to its phytoestrogenic activity, Lifenol may interact with hormone-sensitive medications. It is crucial to consult your healthcare provider before use if you are on other medications.

Is it effective for bone health alone?

Lifenol is most effective for bone health when used as an adjunct to vitamin D3 and calcium supplementation, rather than as a standalone treatment.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10304064/ – This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of Lifenol (standardized in 8-PN) on postmenopausal women with osteopenia over 48 weeks. It found that Lifenol increased total body bone mineral density by approximately 1% compared to placebo, was well tolerated, and did not significantly alter gut microbiota. The study supports Lifenol's role in bone health.
https://healthnutritionhub.givaudan.com/ingredients/lifenol – This source summarizes findings from multiple gold-standard trials, indicating that Lifenol provides significant relief for menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and improves physical quality of life. It also notes an increase in bone mineral density beyond the effects of vitamin D3 and calcium alone, supporting regulatory health claims in some countries.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36159792/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis, while not specific to Lifenol, discusses the clinical benefits of dietary polyphenols, including their potential to reduce BMI and liver enzymes. It provides general support for the efficacy of polyphenols, a class to which Lifenol's active compounds belong, though it is indirect evidence for Lifenol itself.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1556133/full – This article, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, discusses the potential health benefits of various dietary polyphenols. While not exclusively focused on Lifenol, it contributes to the broader understanding of how polyphenolic compounds, like those found in Lifenol, can exert beneficial effects on human health, including metabolic and anti-inflammatory properties.