Dietary Modification Reduces Hot Flashes

Weight loss from healthy dietary modification may help to eliminate hot flashes in postmenopausal women, according to the results of a study in journal Menopause. The trial was designed to assess the effect of a healthy diet with reduced fat and increased fruit, vegetable, and fiber intake. Although weight loss was not a goal, the 48,835 participants assigned to the intervention group lost, on average, 4.5 pounds between baseline and year 1 when compared with the control group.

The dietary intervention versus control group was significantly related to a higher likelihood of symptom elimination among women with vasomotor symptoms. Moreover, women who lost more than 10 pounds or more than 10% of their body weight between baseline and 12 months were more likely to eliminate vasomotor symptoms than women who maintained their weight.