The Role of Omega-3 in Menopause
The effect that Omega-3 has on hormonal balance is also reflected in the symptoms of menopause .
This period of life corresponds to the decrease in the production of the female reproductive hormones : estrogen and progesterone.
These changes are associated with a series of symptoms that can disturb daily life even before the definitive disappearance of the menstrual cycle . The most well-known and frequent are irregularities of the cycle itself and the so-called hot flashes.
In addition to these phenomena, hormonal imbalance can also cause more serious medical problems:
- increased cardiovascular risk
- osteoporosis
Finally, menopause can be associated with mood disorders that can lead to depression, sleep problems, and fatigue.
Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Omega-3 in counteracting some disorders that accompany the transition to this new phase of female life.
Hot Flashes: The Action of Omega-3
The experience of hot flashes can be very different from woman to woman. Some do not suffer from this problem much, others can experience up to 20 times a day this sensation of sudden heat that can pervade the entire body.
What causes hot flashes ? It's easy to say: their manifestation is generated by the absence of estrogen produced by the ovaries; the body's thermoregulation system no longer functions correctly.
Omega-3 provides a solution to this problem.
A study conducted at the Sant'Anna Gynecological Hospital in Turin has in fact demonstrated that these molecules are effective in controlling this disorder.
During the 24 weeks of administration of capsules containing Omega-3, the women involved in this research experienced a progressive and highly significant reduction in the number of hot flashes .
According to the authors of the study, the effectiveness of fatty acids could be due to their action at the level of neuronal membranes.
Alternatively, the researchers explain, these nutrients could reduce hot flashes by modulating the activity of certain neurotransmitters, molecules responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses.
A second study, conducted at the Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (Ville de Québec, Canada), confirmed these results.
The authors found that, in just 8 weeks, supplements enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a dietary Omega-3, reduced the frequency of the disorder by approximately 55%.
Symptoms of Depression and Mood Disorders Alleviated with Omega-3
Other symptoms associated with menopause concern the emotional sphere. In fact, during this period, a percentage ranging from 10 to 40% of women show symptoms of depression .
These disorders can be counteracted by taking Omega-3, the effectiveness of which has been demonstrated by a study at the Université Laval (Québec, Canada).
The research involved both women suffering from moderate psychological disorders and patients who had already shown symptoms of severe depression.
To test the action of the fatty acids, the participants took a supplement based on EPA and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, another Omega-3 of food origin) or a placebo for 8 weeks.
The analysis of the data collected at the end of the 8 weeks of intake demonstrated that in women who at the beginning of the experiment had not yet manifested major depressive episodes , that is, episodes lasting at least 2 weeks compromising social and work relationships, mood disorders were significantly reduced.
A direct action on hormones?
Currently, scientific literature does not include studies that explain in detail the mechanisms through which Omega-3s are able to exert their positive effects on the symptoms of menopause .
Only a study from Aarhus University Hospital in Aalborg (Denmark) has managed to demonstrate that during premenopause , the period before the menstrual cycle finally stops, the intake of these fatty acids in the form of fish oil increases estrogen levels.
Further studies will allow us to better understand the mechanism of operation of these nutrients.
