Title:Women in LOVe: Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian Diet Rich in Omega-3 Improves Vasomotor Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women. An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial
VOLUME: 19 ISSUE: 8
Author(s):Ornella Rotolo , Iris Zinzi , Nicola Veronese *, Anna M. Cisternino , Rosa Reddavide , Rosa Inguaggiato , Gioacchino Leandro , Maria Notarnicola , Valeria Tutino , Valentina De Nunzio , Giampiero De Leonardis , Vito Guerra , Rossella Donghia , Fabio Fucilli , Raffaella Licinio , Anna Mastrosimini , Caterina C.M. Rinaldi, Tiziana Daddabbo, Nicola Giampaolo , Palma A. Iacovazzi, Sara Giannico and Maria G. Caruso
Affiliation:Ambulatory of Clinical Nutrition, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Ambulatory of Clinical Nutrition, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Ambulatory of Clinical Nutrition, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Ambulatory of Clinical Nutrition, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Ambulatory of Clinical Nutrition, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Ambulatory of Clinical Nutrition, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Unit of Gastrenterology 1, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Unit of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Unit of Gastrenterology 1, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Unit of Radiology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Unit of Radiology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Unit of Radiology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Unit of Radiology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Unit of Radiology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Ambulatory of Clinical Nutrition, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA), Ambulatory of Clinical Nutrition, National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital, IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” of Castellana Grotte (BA)
Keywords:Diet, menopause, omega 3, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, RCT, Kupperman index.
Abstract:
Objectives: In the postmenopausal period, most women suffer vasomotor symptoms (VMS).
It is well-known that VMS can worsen the quality of life. Diet seems to play a relevant role in the development
of VMS, but the effect of diet on VMS is mainly limited to observational studies, and
analyses of nutritional supplements. The aim of this study was thus to determine the efficacy of a lactoovo-
vegetarian (LOVe) diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids vs. a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet rich in EVO
(extra-virgin olive oil) in reducing VMS frequency in postmenopausal women.
Methods: A two-arms (lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet with EVO vs. lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet rich in
omega-3) randomized-controlled trial with a follow-up period of 16 weeks. We considered as primary
outcome the change in the Kupperman index (follow-up vs. baseline evaluation, reported as delta, D)
and in its subscales. Secondary outcomes included changes in common anthropometric and biohumoral
measurements.
Results: Among 54 women randomly assigned to a study group, 40 (mean age 55.1±5.4 years) completed
the study and complied with their assigned diet. Women randomized to the omega-3 group
(n=18) showed significant improvements, compared to the EVO group (n=22), in Kupperman index
(Δ=-11.4±9.8 vs. -5.9±8.2; p=0.045), hot flashes (Δ=-3.3±3.4 vs. -1.3±2.6; p=0.04), and a marginally
significant improvement in nervousness (Δ=-1.7±1.7 vs. -0.8±1.5; p=0.07). No significant differences
were observed for the secondary outcomes. No relevant side effects were reported.
Conclusion: After 16 weeks, a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet rich in omega-3 reduced VMS frequency in
postmenopausal women more than the lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet rich in EVO.
