Menopause hot flashes and molecular mechanisms modulated by food-derived nutrients 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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Menopause
Menopause
Menopause impacts many aspects of health, including the gut microbiome, weight management, and hormone balance. Diet, probiotics, intermittent fasting, and HRT offer effective management strategies.
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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:
-
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 review examines the molecular mechanisms underlying hot flashes during menopause, with a focus on how food-derived nutrients can modulate these mechanisms. It explores the role of various molecular pathways and genetic factors involved in hot flashes, including the kisspeptin-GnRH pathway, aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling, and the effects of inflammatory biomarkers, oxidative stress, and glucose availability. The authors also analyze how specific food components, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), flavonoids, and carotenoids, may influence these pathways to alleviate hot flashes.
Who was studied?
The review synthesizes findings from numerous studies involving both human populations and animal models. It references genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of menopausal women and animal studies on the effects of food-derived compounds. The review also draws from research involving the impact of dietary nutrients on gene expression and cell signaling in neuronal and hypothalamic models, focusing on women experiencing menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.
Most important findings
The study found that certain food-derived nutrients, such as equol, genistein, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can modulate pathways that affect hot flashes, like the kisspeptin-GnRH pathway and oxidative stress. Nutrients such as curcumin and vitamin E have shown promising effects in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which are believed to play a role in the occurrence of hot flashes. The research also highlights the potential for compounds like quercetin, resveratrol, and apigenin to activate enzymes that may help mitigate symptoms by affecting estrogen metabolism and signaling pathways. The review suggests that these compounds could offer a natural alternative for managing menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes.
Key implications
The findings suggest that dietary interventions, particularly those focused on specific nutrients, could serve as effective natural treatments for managing hot flashes during menopause. By modulating key molecular pathways and cell signaling mechanisms, food-derived nutrients can provide a non-hormonal alternative to alleviate symptoms associated with menopausal transition.
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.
Menopause
Menopause impacts many aspects of health, including the gut microbiome, weight management, and hormone balance. Diet, probiotics, intermittent fasting, and HRT offer effective management strategies.