Weight loss occurring in conjunction with a diet that is low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables may help to reduce or eliminate hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause, according to a study.
A Women’s Health Initiative study of 17,473 women found that those with menopausal symptoms who ate a diet low in fat and high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables and lost weight were more likely to reduce or eliminate hot flashes and night sweats after a year compared to women who maintained their weight.
Weight loss was defined as 10 or more pounds or at least 10% of baseline body weight. The women were not taking hormone replacement therapy.
Although previous research has shown that high body weight and weight gain are associated with hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause, the researchers said the study is among the first — and the largest-to-date — to analyze whether weight loss on a diet designed to reduce fat and increase intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables might ameliorate symptoms.
It also is among the first to examine the influence of a dietary change on symptoms that include hot flashes and night sweats, Candyce Kroenke, ScD, MPH, the study’s lead author and a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, said in a news release.
"Since most women tend to gain weight with age, weight loss or weight gain prevention may offer a viable strategy to help eliminate hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause," said Bette Caan, DrPH, the senior author of the study and a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research.
She explained that greater body fat provides insulation that may hinder heat loss, and hot flashes and night sweats provide a way to dissipate that heat.
"Weight loss, especially loss of fat mass but not lean mass, might also help alleviate hot flashes and night sweats," added Kroenke.
The investigators emphasized that further research is needed to better understand the relationship between diet, weight and hot flash/night sweat symptoms. They said the beneficial impact of a healthy diet alone (regardless of weight change) may also help ameliorate symptoms.
The study appeared July 9 on the website of the journal Menopause. To read the abstract and access the study via subscription or purchase, visit http://bit.ly/Ml2pxD.
A Women’s Health Initiative study of 17,473 women found that those with menopausal symptoms who ate a diet low in fat and high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables and lost weight were more likely to reduce or eliminate hot flashes and night sweats after a year compared to women who maintained their weight.
Weight loss was defined as 10 or more pounds or at least 10% of baseline body weight. The women were not taking hormone replacement therapy.
Although previous research has shown that high body weight and weight gain are associated with hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause, the researchers said the study is among the first — and the largest-to-date — to analyze whether weight loss on a diet designed to reduce fat and increase intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables might ameliorate symptoms.
It also is among the first to examine the influence of a dietary change on symptoms that include hot flashes and night sweats, Candyce Kroenke, ScD, MPH, the study’s lead author and a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, said in a news release.
"Since most women tend to gain weight with age, weight loss or weight gain prevention may offer a viable strategy to help eliminate hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause," said Bette Caan, DrPH, the senior author of the study and a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research.
She explained that greater body fat provides insulation that may hinder heat loss, and hot flashes and night sweats provide a way to dissipate that heat.
"Weight loss, especially loss of fat mass but not lean mass, might also help alleviate hot flashes and night sweats," added Kroenke.
The investigators emphasized that further research is needed to better understand the relationship between diet, weight and hot flash/night sweat symptoms. They said the beneficial impact of a healthy diet alone (regardless of weight change) may also help ameliorate symptoms.
The study appeared July 9 on the website of the journal Menopause. To read the abstract and access the study via subscription or purchase, visit http://bit.ly/Ml2pxD.
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