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Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New study reveals unexpected way to reduce major menopause symptoms by 88% — here's what you need to know
For many women, menopause brings a wave of frustrating symptoms: hot flashes, weight gain, and sleepless nights, just to name a few. However, new research offers some hopeful news: a shift in diet may help alleviate the discomfort. In a study published in the journal Menopause, researchers found that a low-fat, plant-based diet may significantly ease postmenopausal symptoms. Not only did it help participants lose weight, but it also reduced the frequency and intensity of hot flashes. The 12-week study, conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, split 84 women into two groups. One group continued their usual eating habits, while the other adopted a vegan diet featuring daily servings of soybeans. The results were dramatic. Those on the plant-based plan reported an 88% drop in moderate to severe hot flashes, with severe hot flashes plummeting by 92%. They also lost an average of 8 pounds, compared to just half a pound in the control group. Hana Kahleova, Director of Clinical Research for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, explained that "even plant-based foods that are considered ultra-processed — like soy milk and vegan meat and yogurt alternatives — bring health benefits." For anyone feeling stuck in the throes of menopause, this is more than good news — it's empowering. Rather than reaching for another supplement or struggling through sleepless nights, the key to relief might already be in your kitchen. It's also a welcome reminder that what's good for your body can be good for the planet, too. A low-fat vegan diet tends to have a much smaller environmental footprint than a meat-heavy one, as it uses fewer resources, creates less pollution, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. So, adopting a plant-based lifestyle doesn't just benefit your health; it also supports a more sustainable food system. With more research still to come, this study offers a bright spot in the ongoing conversation about women's health — and a simple, natural path to feeling better in your own skin. Why do you eat plant-based foods? The health benefits It's cheaper It's good for the planet I prefer the taste Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists pinpoint diet tweak that can help people lose 1lb a week without counting calories
Ditching meat for a just a few months could help you lose almost a pound a week, shock new research has suggested. US scientists found that overweight adults who went vegan for roughly four months were just over 13lbs (6kg) lighter by the end of the study. They credited the slimming effect to plant-based diets—those devoid of meat, dairy and eggs—producing less acid during digestion. Researchers said the higher levels 'dietary acid' produced by animal products increased inflammation in the body. This in turn disrupts the delicate internal processes in the body— like the metabolism and hormone production—contributing to weight gain, they explained. Dr Hana Kahleova, an expert in nutrition from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington and lead author of the new study, claimed the findings show the benefits of embracing veganism. 'Replacing animal products with plant-based foods like leafy greens, berries, and legumes can help promote weight loss and create a healthy gut microbiome,' she said. In the study, 62 overweight adults were put on either a vegan-diet or the health-focused Mediterranean diet for 16 weeks. The latter emphasises eating fresh vegetables, healthy fats such as those from olive oil and nuts and lean meats like fish and chicken. Participants' body weight was measured before and after the diet. Then—after a four week break—the group did another 16 weeks on the other diet. This allowed researchers to compare weight loss across the two diets using the same participants. Scientists also compared the 'dietary acid' scores of the foods the participants consumed across the two diets. At the study's conclusion, the vegan diet saw participants lose an average of 13.2 lbs (6kg) in 16 weeks, roughly 13oz (375g) per week. By contrast, those on the Mediterranean diet didn't experience any significant weight loss, the authors said. Writing in the journal the Frontiers in Nutrition, they recommended dieters looking to slim down to incorporate more fruit, vegetables and grains that counteract dietary acid— a process called alkalising—into their diet. The team specifically highlighted vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, beets, asparagus, garlic, carrots, and cabbage. For fruits, they recommended berries, apples, cherries, apricots, or melons. Researchers also said legumes like lentils, chickpeas, peas, beans, soy products such as tofu and alternative grains like quinoa or millet could also have this effect. While Britons have been told for years to up their intake of fresh fruit and vegetables and cut down of fatty cuts and processed meats for their health, there are some health hazards to going completely vegan. Nutritionists have previously warned that vegans can miss out on a range of key vitamins and minerals by shunning animal products. These include a lack of vitamin B12, which is in found milk and eggs, which can lead to fatigue or tiredness and negatively impact mental health. Vitamin D is another nutrient found mainly in animal products, like oily fish, that those on vegan diets can be deficient in. A vitamin D deficiency can lead to issues with bone development and cause pain. A lack of iron, found in red meat and liver, can also lead to anaemia, causing people to feel tired and have heart palpitations. Iodine, mainly found in seafood, is another nutrient known to be lacking in vegan diets and is important in maintaining a health metabolism. While plant-based diets can include all of these mentioned nutrients, vegans need to carefully manage what they eat, or take supplements, to ensure they get enough. There have also been concerns about the potential health impacts of fake 'meats' in vegan diets. Last year, British experts found those who ate plant-based versions of sausages, burgers and mince seemingly had worse blood pressure than their meat-consuming counterparts Another recent UK study revealed that opting for ultra-processed plant foods, like vegan sausages and burgers, as well as cakes and crisps, was linked to a 15 per cent higher risk of suffering heart attacks and strokes. Interest in a plant-based diet has soared in recent years, with vegans citing ethical, environmental or health reasons. The exact numbers of vegans now in the UK is almost impossible to establish. But one recent survey suggested around 600,000 people are believed to be on a plant-based diet. In England, one in four adults are now obese, while just over three in five are overweight. However, four out of five adults are either overweight or obese in some areas of the country. The NHS recommends that those overweight wanting to lose weight focus on consuming fewer calories overall and eating more healthily while upping the amount of weekly exercise. The health service cautions that using what it dubs 'fad diets' may lead to short term weight loss this is rarely sustainable.
Dublin Live
29-04-2025
- Health
- Dublin Live
Popular breakfast food is a 'cholesterol bomb', warns cardiologist
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A cardiologist has dished out a stark warning about the three worst foods for those with high blood pressure, labelling one as a "cholesterol bomb". Expert Dr Steven Lome shared his insights on the Physicians Committee podcast, where he delved into the the topic of cholesterol. When discussing cholesterol, it's important to note there are two main types: HDL and LDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is what is known as 'good' cholesterol because it can help reduce someone's likelihood of developing a heart disease or a stroke. LDL cholesterol, on the other hand, is known as bad cholesterol because having too much of it can block the arteries and increase someone's risk of heart disease. Dr Lome has recommended to steer clear of processed meats, red meats, and eggs if you're watching their cholesterol levels. He warned: "Processed meats, pepperoni, baloney, salami, sausage, things like that, they're extremely high in saturated fat and, most of the time most, saturated fat has the biggest impact and they are high in saturated fat.", reports Cork Beo. "They also have a good amount of dietary cholesterol which we need to remember, dietary cholesterol is not an essential nutrient. Processed meats I think by far would be the worst. "Next, I would put red meats which still would be high in cholesterol and saturated fat significantly so you really want to get rid of those. And then eggs. Eggs are a cholesterol bomb, I hear people call them. That yoke is just so full of cholesterol. In most surveys, eggs are the number one source of dietary cholesterol in the American diet." When it comes to your diet's role in cholesterol buildup, there are several studies on the impacts of different foods. Eggs One study published in the Science Direct journal looked at the impact of eggs on blood lipid levels and whether they should be consumed at all. They concluded: "When combined with healthy eating patterns that include more dietary fibre or fish, eggs may be beneficially associated with lipid outcomes. Overall, these results provide no evidence that egg intake should be limited when consumed as a part of a fibre-rich, heart-healthy diet." Meanwhile, another study suggested that eggs could see a rise in levels of LDL cholesterol levels. Published in the Nutrients journal, researchers concluded: "Notably, longer-term high egg-consumption may lead to higher LDL-c/HDL-c ratio and LDL-c. However, RCTs with long-term follow-up are needed to guarantee the association between egg consumption and human health." Red and Processed Meat Red and processed meats could be riskier for heart health than previously thought, with Oxford University researchers unveiling alarming links to heart disease in their latest study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition journal. Dr Keren Papier, a co-lead author of the research, highlighted: "Red and processed meat have been consistently linked with bowel cancer and our findings suggest an additional role in heart disease." In response to these concerning links, she advised, "Therefore, current recommendations to limit red and processed meat consumption may also assist with the prevention of coronary heart disease." Meanwhile, other experts have also warned against the consumption of processed and red meat when it comes to cholesterol and heart disease risk. Wellness expert at Ski Alex Dyer, chatted with GloucestershireLive about the broader benefits of cutting down on processed meat, saying: "Reducing processed meats is not just about lowering cholesterol. It's about giving your heart the best chance to perform at its peak, whether that's during mountain treks or daily activities." "When clients start cutting out processed meats, they often notice improvements in energy levels and recovery times. It's a change that supports better circulation and reduces the load on the cardiovascular system. The body becomes more efficient, endurance increases, and overall wellness improves." To find out more about reducing your cholesterol, visit the HSE website. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
