HRT? Menopause? Nutrition Specialist Says “Women have options….” 1/13/04

MANHATTAN, Kan. – News reports connecting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with increased risks of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and even Alzheimer’s disease have raised questions from women who have been taking the medications to ease symptoms of menopause and aging, said Barbara Lohse, Kansas State University Research and Extension nutrition specialist.

While the news about HRT can be confusing, women do have some choices, she said.

Relatively minor dietary changes – limiting spicy foods and caffeinated beverages, for example – can be helpful in managing hot flashes, said Lohse, who is an associate professor of human nutrition at K-State.

Everyday Changes Help Manage Menopause

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Moderate, but regular, physical activity is like oil to a well-oiled machine, said Barbara Lohse, Kansas State University Research and Extension nutrition specialist.

“As little as 30 to 60 minutes of exercise most days – like a walk – can condition the body, release stress and aid sleep disturbances associated with menopause and aging,” she said.

Relaxation techniques such as massage, yoga or daily meditation can also ease stress, Lohse said.

Layering clothing can reduce discomfort from hot flashes, and joining a support group may be helpful.

“Knowing that others are experiencing similar symptoms can be reassuring, and sharing coping strategies beneficial,” Lohse said.

Smoking, known to lower estrogen levels, may also increase the risk of hot flashes, she said.

Vitamin and mineral supplements and complementary and alternative medicines such as herbal remedies also may offer some relief, she said.

Naturally-occurring plant substances – phytoestrogens such as isoflavones found in chickpeas, legumes and especially soybeans – may play a role that is similar to that of estrogen in relieving symptoms of menopause and aging, she said.

“If considering any complementary medications or dietary supplements, checking with a health professional is advisable. Herbal remedies are not subject to the same testing processes as prescription drugs. Consumers should not assume that the absence of a warning label assures safety,” Lohse said.

“Some alternative therapies can be dangerous in the presence of medical conditions (such as a chronic kidney condition) or in combination with certain medications,” she said.

For example, persons using blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin should not use Ginkgo, an alternative treatment to improve memory. Gingko increases the risk of bleeding.

Don Quai, a Chinese herbal medicine used to increase energy, contains chemicals similar to those found in Coumadin; the herbal remedy can increase the tendency to bleed, Lohse said.

While no trial with Black Cohosh, an Eastern North American perennial herb in the buttercup family, has extended for more than six months, Lohse reported that as many as 50 percent of the women using the herb experienced some relief from hot flashes. A study of Black Cohosh and breast health also is in the works.

“Of interest, perhaps, is that factors other than the estrogenic effect may be responsible for the effectiveness of Black Cohosh to reduce hot flashes. Studies are underway to identify them,” she said.

Red Clover, which contains isoflavones, has been studied in Australia. The plant, which is cultivated and planted as a cover plant in North America, seems to contribute to improved bone density and cholesterol levels.

“Yet, some problems with the study may skew results,” Lohse said. “Reports include no mention of accompanying dietary changes or control.”

Evening Primrose Oil and ginseng have not been shown to be beneficial for reduction of hot flashes.

“In a six-month study of 35 menopausal women with three hot flashes a day, the group receiving a placebo had a greater decrease in hot flashes than the group using Evening Primrose Oil and 20 mg. of vitamin E,” she said.

Research on complementary and alternative medications, nutrition and health will be a continuing process.

“Researchers are finding that the term ‘hot flash’ may be too simplistic. There may be a number of types of hot flashes with varying degrees of treatment efficacy for each type,” Lohse said.

While it’s true that genetics plays a role in health, learning more about the relationship between nutrition and lifestyle to health can be beneficial, Lohse said.

For more information on nutrition, health and complementary and alternative medicines, visit Extension’s nutrition Web site: www.oznet.ksu.edu/humannutrition . Lohse also recommends the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site: http://nccam.nih.gov/.

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.