Oily fish and eggs cut the risk of early menopause
WOMEN could cut their risk of an early menopause by eating a diet rich in vitamin D. Consuming plenty of oily fish and eggs may help to slow down the ageing of the ovaries, scientists have found. Around one in ten women go through the menopause before the age of 45. Not only does this increase their risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, but many experience heartbreak as they are robbed of any chance to have a baby. Now, in a study of more than 116,000 women, US scientists discovered that a high intake of vitamin D – found in oily fish, egg yolks and fortified breakfast cereals – was found to cut the risk by 17 per cent.
The average age for a woman in Britain to reach the menopause is 51, with periods becoming less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether.
This is caused by a change in the balance of the body’s sex hormones. The ovaries stop producing as much of the hormone oestrogen and no longer release an egg each month.
Scientists believe that vitamin D may instead increase the production of hormones, continuing the menstrual cycle.
The research, involving Harvard University, also suggests cows’ milk could help women, as it contains calcium and hormones such as progesterone, which may delay the menopause.
Lead author Alexandra Purdue-Smithe, from the University of Massachusetts, said: ‘Not only is early menopause associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia and osteoporosis, but it can affect women’s chances of conceiving for years before.
‘For example, a woman set to have her menopause when she is 43 could be struggling to conceive from the age of 33 – at precisely the time, as women marry later and focus on their careers, that many are trying to start a family.
‘Scientists are looking for anything that can reduce the risk of early menopause and things like diet, which can be easily altered, have wide-ranging implications for women.’
The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, looked at 116,430 female health workers over two decades.
Their diet was recorded in food questionnaires five times over that period, during which 2,041 of them underwent early menopause.
Researchers found those who consumed the most vitamin D had a 17 per cent lower risk of this happening.
This was after adjustment for other risk factors, such as their weight and breastfeeding history. Miss Purdue-Smithe added: ‘There is really good laboratory evidence that vitamin D increases the production of hormones which slow down ovarian ageing and slow down the rate at which a woman loses her eggs. This is important because menopause comes when a woman has no eggs left.
‘Calcium, we think, could also influence ovarian ageing, because it is present with hormones in cows’ milk like progesterone, which may also help to reduce risk of early menopause.
‘Women may reduce their risk of early menopause by eating foods rich in vitamin D and calcium, such as dairy foods and fatty fish.’
The study was carried out in the US, where the vitamin is added to milk and cheese. This is not the case in the UK, so the effect may be reduced. However, eating dairy products may still be protective, as the calcium and hormones present may still help.
Future studies are needed to see if vitamin D supplements can help to delay early menopause, the research team including Brigham and Women’s Hospital concluded.
Kathy Abernethy, of the British Menopause Society, said: ‘The causes of early menopause are often unknown and research into this will further contribute to our better understanding of a condition which affects many women.
‘Meanwhile all women should ensure an adequate vitamin D and calcium intake, not just for this reason but as a positive step towards all-round good health.’
‘Vitamin D and calcium’