Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, is an antioxidant that also contributes to your body's reproductive function. Zinc, an essential nutrient mineral, helps boost your immune function and also provides antioxidant benefits. Both nutrients provide important, though different, benefits for alleviating menopause symptoms. Consult your health care provider or nutritionist for guidance in using vitamin E and zinc to treat a medical condition.
Antioxidant
Your ovaries and adrenal glands rely on vitamin E to minimize their levels of oxidative stress so that they can function efficiently and produce adequate amounts of estrogen and other important hormones. Low levels of vitamin E lead to insufficient hormone production, says naturopath Joseph Collins, author of the book "Discover Your Menopause Type." While vitamin E has not been shown to directly influence hormone production, as your body becomes less able to curtail oxidation due to the natural processes of aging and menopause, supplementing with vitamin E will likely help you maintain normal hormone levels. Consult with your doctor before taking vitamin E to treat menopause or any medical condition.
Cancer
Some women experience fewer hot flashes when they supplement with vitamin E, leading some health professionals to conclude that vitamin E raises estrogen levels and may increase your risk for breast cancer. However, vitamin E has not been proven to raise estrogen levels beyond a normal range. Instead, the decrease in hot flashes is due to the vitamin's antioxidant effects and a possible small boost in progesterone levels. A study published in the September 2010 issue of the "European Journal of Cancer Prevention" found that vitamin E is associated with decreased risk for estrogen- and progesterone-related breast cancer. Check with your doctor about using vitamin E to treat hot flashes or other medical conditions.
Inflammation
Consider zinc supplementation if you experience a vaginal inflammation known as vaginitis during menopause, says Molly Stiple, author of the book "Menopause the Natural Way." Vaginitis commonly affects postmenopausal women and results from thinning of the vaginal tissue, which makes you more susceptible to irritation. Vaginal infections are also common after menopause and may be up to six times more prevalent than urinary tract infections. Zinc is known to boost immune function and can be particularly helpful for these menopause-associated conditions. Other nutrients that reduce your risk of vaginitis or vaginal infections include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, manganese and B complex. Also, add probiotic foods, such as yogurt and sauerkraut with live cultures, or a probiotic supplement to maintain high levels of healthy bacteria and decrease the chances that a pathogenic bacteria will overgrow and cause irritation or infection.
Bone Health
Zinc stimulates bone formation and may help reduce post-menopausal bone loss, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A study published in the July 2011 issue of the "European Journal of Pharmacology" demonstrated that zinc also prevents bone resorption. In the laboratory animal study, zinc supplementation suppressed the activity of cells that break down bone tissue. Zinc also increased activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione and decreased levels of peroxide, a byproduct of oxidation.
References
- "Discover Your Menopause Type: The Exciting New Program That Identifies the ... "; Joseph Collins; 2002
- "European Journal of Cancer Prevention"; Micronutrient Intake and Breast Cancer Characteristics Among Postmenopausal Women; N. Roswall, et al.; September 2010
- "Menopause the Natural Way"; Molly Siple; 2001
- "European Journal of Pharmacology"; Administration of Zinc Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis Through the Suppression of Rank Expression in Bone; M. Hie, et al.; July 2011
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