Agencies as diverse as the American Dietetic
Association (ADA), the American College of Obste-
tricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American
Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued
findings on the following supplements and nutrients
in the context of menopause:
Glucosamine. Current evidence suggests that a poten-
tial benefit exists with little risk, even at doses of 1,500
mg/day in nondiabetic, nonpregnant women. The
product should not be used by those at risk for shell-
fish allergy. Available evidence from randomized,
controlled clinical trials supports the use for improv-
ing symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Black cohosh. Black cohosh (known as bothActaea
racemosaandCimicifuga racemosa) is a member of
the buttercup family, a perennial plant that is native
to North America. It is an herb sold as a dietary
supplement in the United States. The American Col-
lege of Gynecology states that black cohosh supple-
mentation may be helpful in short-term use (6 months
or less) for the sweating and palpitations symptoms of
menopause. Few adverse effects have been reported;
however, long-term safety data are not available.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA has been
studied extensively for the treatment of many dis-
eases. Trials are inconsistent regarding the efficacy
of DHEA supplements in the prevention of heart
disease and the treatment of depressive symptoms.
To date, no large-scale, controlled trial of DHEA has
been conducted regarding the action of DHEA in the
treatment of menopausal symptoms. It may have
either additive or antagonistic effects with other hor-
mone therapies.
S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAM-e). SAM-e is an
amino acid produced naturally from methionine. It
is an important molecule in cell function and sur-
vival, present in nearly every tissue in the body. To
date, no controlled trials have been conducted on the
efficacy of SAM-e in the treatment of depressed
mood associated with menopause.
Magnesium. Studies have suggested that magnesium
supplementation may improve bone mineral density,
but not that it decreases risk for fracture. Deficiency
in magnesium may be a risk factor for postmeno-
pausal osteoporosis. Some scientists believe more
research is needed to establish the relationship
between magnesium and bone density.
Other herbal supplements claim to alleviate men-
opausal symptoms, but there is little hard evidence to
support the use of any of the following supplements:
fish oil,omega-3 fatty acids, red clover,ginseng, rice
bran oil, wild yam, calcium, gotu kola, licorice root,
sage, sarsaparilla, passion flower, chaste berry,ginkgo
bilobaand valerian root.Resources
BOOKS
Alexander, E., Knight, K. A.100 Questions & Answers About
Menopause.Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Pub-
lisher; 2005.
Cheung, T.The Menopause Diet: The natural way to beat
your symptoms and lose weight. New York, NY: Ver-
million (Random House), 2007.
Fiatarone Singh, M. A.Exercise, Nutrition and the Older
Woman: Wellness for Women Over Fifty.Boca Raton,
FL: CRC Press, 2000.
Gates, R., Whipple, B.Outwitting Osteoporosis: The Smart
Woman’s Guide to Bone Health.Hillsboro, OR: Beyond
Words Publishing; 2006.
Gillespie, L.The Menopause Diet.Beverly Hills, CA:
Healthy Life Publications, 2003.
Gillespie, L.The Menopause Diet Mini Meal Cookbook.
Beverly Hills, CA: Healthy Life Publications, 1999.
Kagan, L., Kessel, B., Benson, H.Mind Over Menopause:
The Complete Mind/Body Approach to Coping with
Menopause.New York, NY: Free Press Simon &
Schuster; 2004.
Klimis-Zacas, D., Wolinsky, I.Nutritional Concerns of
Women.Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2003.
Magee, E.The Change of Life Diet & Cookbook. New York,
NY: Penguin Group, 2004.
Magee, E.Eat Well for a Healthy Menopause: The Low-Fat,
High Nutrition Guide.New York, NY: Wiley, 1997.
Phillips, R. N.The Menopause Bible: The Complete Practical
Guide to Managing your Menopause.Buffalo, NY:
Firefly Books; 2005.
Shulman, N., Kim, E. S.Healthy Transitions: A Woman’s
Guide to Perimenopause, Menopause & Beyond.
Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books; 2004.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association. 216 W. Jackson Blvd, Chi-
cago, IL 60606-6995. 1-800-877-1600 ext. 5000.
<www.eatright.org>.
National Institute of Aging. Building 31, Room 5C27, 31
Center Drive, MSC 2292, Bethesda, MD 20892. 1-800-
222-4225.<www.nia.nih.gov>.
The North American Menopause Society. 5900 Lander-
brook Drive, Suite 390 Mayfield Heights, OH 44124.
(440-442-7550).<www.menopause.org>.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Women’s
Health (OWH), 5600 Fishers Lane,Rockville, MD- 1-800-216-7331.<www.fda.gov/womens/
default.htm>.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 5600
Fishers Lane,Rockville, MD 20857. 1-800-994-9662..
Monique Laberge, Ph.D.Menopause diet