Dietary advanced glycation end-products and postmenopausal hot flashes Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Menopausal Hot Flashes
Menopausal Hot Flashes
Menopausal hot flashes are one of the most common and disruptive symptoms that women experience during the transition to menopause. Characterized by sudden sensations of heat, sweating, and flushing, hot flashes can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life, causing sleep disturbances, mood swings, and even long-term health consequences. Understanding the complex mechanisms behind hot flashes, as well as the role of microbiome-targeted therapies, offers new avenues for improving menopausal health.
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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This study investigates the effects of dietary advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) on postmenopausal hot flashes. It specifically explores the impact of a low-fat, plant-based diet, including daily soybean consumption, on the frequency and severity of hot flashes in postmenopausal women. The analysis is a post-hoc analysis from a 12-week randomized clinical trial, in which participants were assigned to either the intervention group (following the plant-based diet) or the control group (maintaining their usual diet). Dietary AGEs were estimated based on participants’ food intake, and the correlation between AGEs and hot flash frequency and severity was analyzed.
Who was studied?
The study involved 84 postmenopausal women aged 40 to 65 who reported at least two moderate-to-severe hot flashes daily. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group followed a low-fat, plant-based diet that included 1/2 cup of cooked soybeans daily, while the control group maintained their usual dietary habits. Of the 84 women, 71 completed the entire study, and 63 provided complete hot flash and dietary data for the AGEs analysis. Participants were monitored for dietary adherence and changes in hot flash frequency and severity over the 12 weeks.
Most important findings
The study found that the intervention group experienced a 73% reduction in dietary AGEs, which was associated with significant reductions in hot flash severity and frequency. Specifically, severe hot flashes decreased by 92%, and moderate-to-severe hot flashes decreased by 88%. The correlation between dietary AGEs reduction and hot flash severity was significant, even after adjusting for changes in energy intake and body mass index. The findings suggest that the reduction in dietary AGEs through a plant-based diet plays a crucial role in alleviating menopausal vasomotor symptoms, independently of weight loss or other lifestyle factors.
Key implications
The results suggest that dietary AGEs may contribute to the pathogenesis of hot flashes in postmenopausal women, and reducing dietary AGEs through a plant-based diet may be an effective non-hormonal intervention. The study supports the use of diet as a tool for managing menopausal symptoms and highlights the importance of dietary modifications in reducing the risk of associated health conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This study suggests that a plant-based diet, low in AGEs, could be a sustainable and effective strategy for alleviating hot flashes and improving overall health in postmenopausal women.
Menopausal Hot Flashes
Menopausal hot flashes are one of the most common and disruptive symptoms that women experience during the transition to menopause. Characterized by sudden sensations of heat, sweating, and flushing, hot flashes can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life, causing sleep disturbances, mood swings, and even long-term health consequences. Understanding the complex mechanisms behind hot flashes, as well as the role of microbiome-targeted therapies, offers new avenues for improving menopausal health.