Finally, nutrition apparently plays an important role in determining whether your menopause will be an endurance contest or a walk in the park. Here s what experts say you can do to make the transition as comfortable as possible. In the Land of the Rising Sun, hot flashes and night sweats are virtually unheard of. Dr. Woods is researching the effects of soy on menopausal symptoms. Of course, Japanese women don't have an easier time with menopause just because of where they live.
Researchers believe that it has more to do with their traditional diet.
Besides providing more vegetable protein and less animal protein than a Western diet, it's also low in fat and high in soy products such as tofu. These foods are rich in plant compounds known as phytoestrogens, which seem to mimic some of the biological activities of female hormones. Now it looks as if phytoestrogens might also play a role. While the phytoestrogen content of soy foods varies considerably from brand to brand, one or two servings of tofu, soybeans or soy milk a day is equivalent to the usual intake of the Asian population. It also contains approximately 35 milligrams of phytoestrogens, a reasonable goal to shoot for, says Dr. Woods.