Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have written a succinct review.
Let’s cut to the chase. Continue reading The bottom line on calcium supplements
Category Archives: Menopause
Benefits of yoga in healthy women and cancer survivors
Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University, in Portland report positive results in healthy women.
Then, we review yoga in cancer, with emphasis in breast cancer patients.
Continue reading Benefits of yoga in healthy women and cancer survivors
Lack of effect of soy protein on lipids after 1 year
The risk of heart disease increases significantly in women after menopause mostly because of estrogen deficiency. Soy protein is promoted as a dietary means for reducing this risk.
In this study, researchers at Florida State University, in Tallahassee, examined the effects of soy protein consumption on heart disease risk in postmenopausal women. Continue reading Lack of effect of soy protein on lipids after 1 year
Review: Mind body therapies for menopausal symptoms
Researchers from the University of Virginia Health System, in Charlottesville reviewed yoga and/or meditation-based programs, tai chi, and other relaxation practices, including muscle relaxation and breath-based techniques, relaxation response training, and low-frequency sound-wave therapy. Continue reading Review: Mind body therapies for menopausal symptoms
Intensive behavioral weight loss lessens hot flashes
Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with worse hot flushes during menopause, but the effect of weight loss on flushing is unclear.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, studied overweight and obese women who complained of bothersome hot flushes. Continue reading Intensive behavioral weight loss lessens hot flashes
Herbal formula fails to prevent menopausal vasomotor symptoms
Researchers from the University of Western Sydney, in Australia report no benefit after 16 weeks of treatment. Continue reading Herbal formula fails to prevent menopausal vasomotor symptoms
Self-worth and the benefits of physical activity in menopause
Physical activity enhances quality of life (QOL). Researchers from The Pennsylvania State University, in University Park evaluated the influence of physical self-worth and positive affect on this relationship. Continue reading Self-worth and the benefits of physical activity in menopause
Laser acupuncture fails to improve menopausal symptoms
Acupuncture is commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms. Yet, its value is controversial, as summarized here and here.
Now, researchers at Victoria University Faculty of Health, Engineering, and Science, in Melbourne, Australia, studied the effectiveness of laser acupoint stimulation. Continue reading Laser acupuncture fails to improve menopausal symptoms
Soy isoflavones to treat hot flushes in menopausal
Hot flushes are the most frequent menopause symptom, and are characterized by sudden or mild waves of heat on the upper part of the body that last from 30 seconds to a few minutes,
Researchers at San Marcos University, in Lima, Peru, reviewed the evidence for taking soy isoflavones. Continue reading Soy isoflavones to treat hot flushes in menopausal
Weight bearing yoga in postmenopausal women
Researchers from Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand studied changes in bone resorption and the quality of life of the postmenopausal women. Continue reading Weight bearing yoga in postmenopausal women
Red clover extract to treat depressive symptoms
Last year, a review of herbals to treat menopausal symptoms concluded that red clover provided no benefit.
A year later and researchers from the General Teaching Hospital Korneuburg, in Austria report more positive findings in postmenopausal women using red clover extracts (MF11RCE). Continue reading Red clover extract to treat depressive symptoms
The Training and Cimicifuega racemosa Erlangen study
Researchers from the University of Erlangen, in Germany studied the effect of adding black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) to exercise.
They were looking for evidence of greater benefit with black cohosh over exercise alone in bone mineral density and coronary heart disease risk during early post menopause. Continue reading The Training and Cimicifuega racemosa Erlangen study
Benefits of soy added to diet and exercise in postmenopausal women
Researchers from the Central University Hospital, in Oviedo, Spain report reduced insulin resistance in certain postmenopausal women.
It’s important because resistance to the effects of insulin is believed to be the origin of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, as well as its complications. Continue reading Benefits of soy added to diet and exercise in postmenopausal women
Hot flashes: What’s the proper study duration?
Because hot flashes usually persist for years after menopause, meaningful hot flash therapy should be effective for a long time.
So, how long should patients be followed? Continue reading Hot flashes: What’s the proper study duration?
Benefits of soy on menopausal symptoms
Dr. Mindy Kurzer from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis has reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Benefits of soy on menopausal symptoms
Calculate your intake of calcium
As reported here earlier, 4 decades of research support recommending that older people take “minimum doses of 1200 mg of calcium, and 800 IU of vitamin D (for combined calcium plus vitamin D supplementation).” Continue reading Calculate your intake of calcium
Another review of black cohosh
Warning. Others have drawn similar conclusions, as noted here and here.
Now, researchers from McGill University, in Montreal have reviewed the evidence for black cohosh to treat menopausal symptoms, again. Continue reading Another review of black cohosh
Confusing research results on acupuncture for menopausal problems
Researchers from the University of Tromso, in Norway list contradictory study results. Continue reading Confusing research results on acupuncture for menopausal problems
Bone loss in postmenopausal women: Minor effects of soy isoflavones
Previously, researchers from Iowa State University, in Ames reported that soy protein with isoflavones reduced the loss of lumbar spine bone in midlife women.
In this study, they examined the effects of isoflavones (extracted from soy protein) on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women who do not have osteoporosis. Continue reading Bone loss in postmenopausal women: Minor effects of soy isoflavones
Acupuncture vs Effexor to treat vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer
Researchers from Henry Ford Health System, in Detroit, Michigan and Michigan Acupuncture, in Novi tested whether acupuncture reduces vasomotor symptoms more than the antidepressant, venlafaxine (Effexor). Continue reading Acupuncture vs Effexor to treat vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer