Among the most common—and uncomfortable—symptoms of menopause, hot flashes and night sweats affect up to 80 percent of all women going through “the change.” But a new study reports that losing a modest amount of weight through a low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can reduce or eliminate these distressing symptoms. These findings appeared in the July 11, 2012 online edition of the journal Menopause. 

The study, which was part of the Women’s Health Initiative, involved 17,473 women between the ages of 50 and 79. Those who lost either 10 or more pounds or at least 10 percent of their body weight were more likely to reduce or eliminate their hot flashes compared to the women who maintained their weight. 

Many women tend to gain weight as they journey through the process of menopause. According to Bette Caan, DrPH, the senior author of the study, greater body fat provides insulation that may hinder the loss of body heat. Hot flashes and night sweats may offer a way to dissipate that heat. 

While hormone replacement therapy can be an effective way to reduce hot flashes, some studies suggest that treatment with a combination of estrogen and progestin may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer. Because of this, many women are looking to safer, more natural alternatives.

“This is a low-risk fix,” notes Jennifer Wu, MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “I think it will work for some patients, and patients may only get a partial relief of their symptoms—but any help is good.”