Summary
What is Lifenol™ and how does it work?
Lifenol™ is a patented, natural hops extract that delivers 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), a plant phytoestrogen, at a standardised 100mcg daily dose. Research shows that by helping to influence hormonal decline it may positively support women in menopause and bone health (1).
Does Lifenol™ improve bone density?
Yes. A 2023 randomised, placebo-controlled trial published in Nutrients found that postmenopausal women with osteopenia taking 100mcg 8-PN as Lifenol daily for 48 weeks (alongside calcium and vitamin D) saw a 1.8% increase in total bone mineral density versus baseline - 1% higher than calcium and vitamin D alone.
What's the recommended dose of Lifenol™, and can it be taken with calcium and vitamin D?
The scientifically studied intake of Lifenol™ is 100mcg 8-PN per day. Yes, it can be taken alongside calcium and vitamin D - in fact, scientific trials show combining them produces better results than calcium and vitamin D alone. In the pivotal bone health study, both the Lifenol™ and placebo groups received standard daily calcium and vitamin D, and the Lifenol™ group still showed significantly greater improvement.
What is Lifenol™?
Lifenol™ is a patented, standardised hops extract for use in menopause and bone-health nutraceuticals. It is made from the female cones of Humulus lupulus, sourced from Hallertau, Germany - widely regarded as the hop capital of the world.
Key facts at a glance:
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Common name | Hops |
| Botanical species | Humulus lupulus L. |
| Plant part used | Female cones |
| Active compound | 8-Prenylnaringenin (8-PN) |
| Recommended daily intake | 100mcg 8-PN |
| Mechanism | RoPhytoestrogen |
| Format | Tablets |
| Scientific trials | 3 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled |
Where has research shown Lifenol to be most effect?
Menopause is a near-universal biological transition, triggered by a natural decline in oestradiol - the body's main form of oestrogen. With rising life expectancy, women may now spend up to 40% of their lives in the postmenopausal stage.
How common are menopause symptoms?
According to data from the British Menopause Society national survey and the NHS, women report an average of seven symptoms [2, 3]:
- Hot flushes: Experienced by 79% to 80% of women.
- Night sweats: Reported by 70% of women.
- Sleep problems: Affects 84% of women in wider support surveys (and ~66% to 84% in clinical reports).
- Brain fog, memory, or concentration issues: Impact 73% of women.
- Anxiety and low mood: Reported by 69% of women.
- Achy joints or muscle stiffness: Experienced by 18% to over 80% depending on survey depth. [2, 3, 4]
So, the demand for a natural, evidence-backed intervention isn't a wellness trend - it's a genuine, well-documented unmet need.
What Is 8-PN and Why Does It Matter?
8-Prenylnaringenin (8-PN) is a naturally occurring phytoestrogen found in hops - and considered one of the most potent plant-derived phytoestrogens identified to date.
A brief timeline of discovery:
- 1953: Koch and Heim first observed that hops had oestrogenic properties but could not identify the responsible compound.
- 1999: Milligan et al. identified the active molecule as 8-PN, resolving a nearly 50-year-old scientific mystery.
- Hops also have a documented history in North American traditional medicine, used for "breast and womb problems" and as a sleep aid (5).
Does Lifenol™ Work for Sleep? What Does the Scientific Evidence Show?
Short answer: Yes - across two independent randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, a 100mcg 8-PN daily dose of Lifenol™ supported better sleep within weeks.
- Study 1 (Heyerick et al., 2006): After 6 weeks on 85mg/day of Lifenol™, postmenopausal women saw significant reductions in sleep disturbance versus placebo (6).
- Study 2 (crossover design): Women who switched from placebo to Lifenol™ reported reduced menopausal discomfort; women who switched off Lifenol™ back onto placebo saw symptoms creep back up - a pattern that supports a genuine causal effect rather than coincidence (7).
Does Lifenol™ Improve Bone Health? What Does the Bone Density Trial Show?
Short answer: Yes - a 2023 peer-reviewed trial found Lifenol™ improved total bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia (8).
Lecomte et al. (2023), published in Nutrients:
- Design: Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 48 weeks.
- All participants (Lifenol™ and placebo groups) received standard-of-care vitamin D3 and calcium.
- Result: Lifenol™ group showed +1.8% total bone mineral density vs. baseline.
- Result: +1% additional improvement compared to vitamin D3 and calcium supplementation alone.
- Secondary outcome: Significant improvement in physical quality of life and functional capacity (e.g., tolerance for vigorous activity) vs. placebo.
Quick-reference stats:
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| How long does it take to work? | From as little as 6 weeks |
| Bone mineral density (BDM) gain | +1.8% vs. baseline (48 weeks) |
| Added BMD benefit over calcium/vitamin D alone | +1% |
| Number of supporting scientific trials | 3, all randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled |
| Active compound and dose | 8-PN via 85 mg Lifenol™ daily |
Where Does Lifenol™ Come From? Is It Sustainably Sourced?
Lifenol™ is sourced with full field-to-product traceability.
How it's grown:
- Hops climb specially built wire trellises, trained clockwise to follow the sun.
- Harvested from the second year after planting, typically late August through September.
- Fields are replanted approximately every 25 years once yields decline.
- Raw materials are screened to validate species and identify potential adulterants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take Lifenol™ alongside calcium and vitamin D?
Yes. Scientific data show that combining Lifenol™ with calcium and vitamin D produces superior bone health outcomes compared to calcium and vitamin D alone. In the 2023 trial, both the Lifenol™ and control groups received the daily recommended intake of calcium and vitamin D throughout.
What is the recommended dose of Lifenol™?
100mcg of 8-PN daily.
Is Lifenol™ natural?
Yes - it is a 100% natural extract derived from hops (Humulus lupulus), with no synthetic hormones involved.
Is Lifenol™ backed by peer-reviewed research?
Yes - three randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have been published in peer-reviewed journals (Phytomedicine, Maturitas, and Nutrients).
The Bottom Line
Menopause has historically been an underfunded, under-discussed corner of women's health - which makes it genuinely notable when an ingredient shows up with three peer-reviewed RCTs (Randomized Controlled Trials), two national health claims, and a mechanism of action traced to a single, well-characterised molecule. Lifenol™ isn't reinventing hops; it's explaining, in rigorous scientific detail, why traditional hops-based remedies may have been onto something all along.
Explore Nature's Best range of menopause supplements to find the right solution for your unique journey, and visit Nutrition Buzz for nutrition and lifestyle tips to support you through the menopause.
References
Milligan, S. et al. (1999) 'Identification of a potent phytoestrogen in hops (Humulus lupulus L.) and beer', The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 84(6):2249-2252, https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/84/6/2249/2864760. [Accessed 14 Sept. 2026].
British Menopause Society. (2022). British Menopause Society For healthcare professionals and others specialising in post reproductive health. [online] Available at: https://thebms.org.uk/ [Accessed 14 Sept. 2026].
NHS (2025). NHS. [online] NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/ [Accessed 14 Sept. 2026].
Chemist4U (2025). Menopause statistics report 2025. [online] Guides. Available at: https://www.chemist-4-u.com/guides/female-health/menopause-statistics/[Accessed 14 Sept. 2026].
Koetter, U. & Biendl, M. (2010) Hops (Humulus lupulus): A review of its historic and medicinal uses, https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbalgram/issues/87/table-of-contents/article3559. [Accessed 14 Sept. 2026].
Heyerick, A. et al. (2006) 'A first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the use of a standardized hop extract to alleviate menopausal discomforts', Maturitas, 54(2):164-175, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16321485/. [Accessed 14 Sept. 2026].
Erkkola, R. et al. (2010) 'A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over pilot study on the use of a standardised hop extract to alleviate menopausal discomforts', Phytomedicine, 17(6):389-396, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711310000231. [Accessed 14 Sept. 2026].
Lecomte, M. et al. (2023) 'Effect of a hop extract standardised in 8-prenylnaringenin on bone health and gut microbiome in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: a one-year randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial', Nutrients, 15(12):2688, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37375599/ [Accessed 14 Sept. 2026].
Disclosure: This article draws on ingredient information published by Givaudan Health & Nutrition. It is not medical advice, and Lifenol™ is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. As with any supplement, consult a healthcare provider before starting.