Hot flashes are sudden feelings of heat, mainly in the neck, chest and head, that radiate over the body. Hot flashes can occur at any time of day and in any temperature. Some people experience hot flashes due to medication side effect. Women over 45 may experience them as a symptom of menopause. Although certain medications help minimize hot flashes, some people may chose to use vitamin E as a natural way to decrease them.
Vitamin E and Menopause
Menopausal women need more of certain vitamins and minerals than premenopausal women. For example, menopausal women need more calcium and vitamin E to keep bones and hearts healthy. According to Anne Gittleman, author of "Hot Times," the recommended daily allowance for vitamin E can be increased by 50 percent for menopausal women.
Vitamin E and Hot Flashes
In addition to increasing blood flow to the heart, vitamin E is also effective in reducing hot flashes. Hot flashes occur because incorrect signals are sent to the hypothalamus due an imbalance of hormones. The hypothalamus acts as the body's temperature gauge. Vitamin E has been effective in reducing hot flashes in menopausal women since the 1950s as stated in the book "Hot Times."
How it Works
According to a controlled study in the book "A Guide to Evidence-Based Integrative and Complementary Medicine," vitamin E at a dose of 800 IUs reduced the occurrence of hot flashes in participants. It is therefore recommended to use this amount as it is non-toxic and inexpensive. In the book, "Prevention's Healing with Vitamins," it states that vitamin E behaves as an estrogen substitute that can also relieve night sweats, mood swings and vaginal dryness.
Considerations
Hot flashes are also caused by stress, spicy foods, alcohol, sugar, hot weather and anger. Consult with your physician before using vitamins to treat any condition. Eat food that contains vitamin E, such as nuts and green leafy vegetables. Take a vitamin E supplement to treat hot flashes as multivitamins generally do not contain enough vitamin E to attain the amount needed to relieve hot flashes.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin E
- Harvard Health Publications: Listing of Vitamins
- "Hot Times: Eat Well, Live Well, Feel Sexy During the Change"; Anne Louise Gittleman; 1998
- "A Guide to Evidence-Based Integrative and Complementary Medicine";Vicki Kotsirilos; 2011
- "Prevention's Healing With Vitamins"; Alice Feinstein et al; 1996
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