Menopause is an important phase in a woman’s life.
The age at which natural menopause occurs has various health implications for women. Several studies have shown that an earlier age of natural menopause is linked to lower bone density, osteoporosis, depression and premature death. Other studies have hown an increase risk of cardiovascular and coronary diseases.
The occurrence of late menopause has been linked to higher risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers.
Researchers believe that several factors – genetic, environmental and behavioural – are responsible for the timing of menopause and some studies have even indicated the role of diet.
To study this further, researchers drew on participants from The UK Women’s Cohort Study (UKWCS) – a large prospective study consisting of 35,372 women aged between 35 and 69 years.
The recruited participants were from England, Scotland and Wales.
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Out of these, 14172 women who participated at both baseline and follow-up four years later were considered for this study.
The women provided information on weight history, physical activity levels, reproductive history and the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
The women also completed a food frequency questionnaire indicating the quantities of 217 food items they ate every day. The food items were collated into groups based on culinary uses.
Further information on when the women went through menopause naturally was collected four years later.
In the final analysis 914 women had experienced menopause naturally after the age of 40 and before the age of 65.
The average age of menopause was 51 years.
The researchers found that certain food were associated with the timing of menopause.
Each additional portion of refined carbs particularly pasta and rice was associated with reaching menopause 1.5 years earlier after taking into account other potential influential factors.
Each additional portion of oily fish and legumes such as peas and beans was associated with a delay of nearly three years and almost 1.5 years respectively. The same association was found with higher intake of Vitamin B6 and zinc per mg/ day.
When looking at different groups similar results emerged such as eating meat was associated with menopause arriving almost a year later than a vegetarian diet.
Among those who were not vegetarian, increased daily portions of snacks resulted in the arrival of menopause almost two years earlier.
Among mothers, a higher intake of oily fish and fresh legumes was associated with later menopause while additional daily portions of savoury snacks, pasta and rice was linked to early menopause.
Among childless women, eating more grapes and poultry was significantly associated with later menopause.
The researchers suggest that a high intake of legumes which contains antioxidants counter egg maturation and release, thus preserving menstruation for longer while the omega 3 fatty acids in oily fish stimulate the antioxidant capacity of the body.
On the other hand, refined carbs will increase insulin resistance which interferes with sex hormone activity and boosts oestrogen levels. Both of which will increase the number of menstrual cycles and deplete egg supply faster.
Vegetarians consume a lot of antioxidants but they are likely to consume more fibre and less animal fat, both of which are associated with lower oestrogen levels. This will also alter the timing of menopause.
This study is important in understanding the role of diet in the natural age of menopause since the age of natural menopause has implications for various health outcomes in the future.
Source: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
