Menstrual differences due to vegetarian and nonvegetarian diets

Article Abstract:

The menstrual cycle can be influenced by a wide variety of different factors including stress, physical activity, changes in body weight, and diet. These factors can affect the menstrual cycle by altering the levels of estrogen in the blood. Estrogen is required for a normal cycle, and when levels of this hormone are low, the cycle can become irregular or it can stop altogether. Studies have shown that many elite female athletes who are very lean have amenorrhea (absence of menstrual flow). Other studies performed in female athletes have shown that diet can influence the menstrual cycle. When the dietary habits of female athletes who had little menstrual flow were compared with those of athletes who had normal flow, it was found that the former group consumed a diet higher in fiber and had lower estrogen levels than the latter group. To evaluate further the effects of dietary habits on the menstrual cycle, 34 vegetarian and 41 nonvegetarian premenopausal women were studied. The two groups were similar in terms of weight, height, body mass index (an index of obesity), and age at menarche. Irregularities in the menstrual cycle were experienced by 27 percent of the vegetarians and 5 percent of the nonvegetarians. The differences in diet between the two groups were based on higher levels of dietary fiber, polyunsaturated fats, carbohydrates and vitamin B-6 for the vegetarians, and higher levels of protein, saturated fats, cholesterol, caffeine and alcohol for the nonvegetarians. A normal menstrual cycle was more likely to occur as the protein and cholesterol intake increased, and was less likely to occur as the dietary fiber and magnesium intake increased. These results support the hypothesis that diet can influence the regularity of the menstrual cycle and that nutrients may alter the blood levels of hormones that are important for regular menstrual flow. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abnormalities, Physiological aspects, Vegetarianism, Menstrual cycle, Menstruation

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Urinary hormonal concentrations and spinal bone densities of premenopausal vegetarian and nonvegetarian women

Article Abstract:

Previous studies have reported that specific nutrients in the diet can alter the levels of sex steroids in the blood. Since a proper hormonal balance is required for normal menstrual cycles, there may be a relationship between diet and menstrual irregularity. One study reported that menstrual irregularity is five times more common among women who are vegetarians than among those who are nonvegetarians, and that increasing the amount of protein in the diet increases the probability of having regular menstruation. Also, it has been reported that dietary habits and menstrual status affect bone density in women athletes. This article describes the results of a study performed to examine the relationship between diet, menstrual regularity and bone density in premenopausal women. The study included 27 vegetarian and 37 nonvegetarian women. Both groups were of similar height, weight, age, and menarche, and had similar medical histories and level of education. Both groups consumed diets that contained less than 30 percent of the total calories as fat. Menstrual irregularity was more common among the vegetarian than the nonvegetarian women. Also, the vegetarians had lower levels of estrogen in their urine. Spinal bone density was similar in both groups of women. Drinking caffeinated beverages increased the amount of calcium in the urine but did not appear to alter bone density. As the amount of fat consumed in the diet increased the amount of luteinizing hormone (a hormone that stimulates the release of sex steroids from the ovaries) also increased. This observation was true only for the vegetarians. The results of this study indicate that vegetarian diets may be associated with irregular menstruation. Differences in dietary practices between vegetarian and nonvegetarian women did not appear to alter bone density. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Medical examination, Bone density, Vegetarians, Abortion, Menstrual regulation

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Determination of peak trabecular bone density: interplay of dietary fiber, carbohydrate, and androgens

Article Abstract:

Peak bone density in the spinal vertebrae is reached during young adulthood. The degree of bone density, or strength, achieved at this age influences vertebral strength for the rest of an individual's life. Adequate levels of sex hormones in women appear to be necessary for reaching optimal bone mass; both estrogens and androgens correlate positively with bone density. Many dietary factors may also be related to bone health; these include calcium, vitamin D, phosphate, protein, fluoride, magnesium, vitamin C and others. There is conflicting evidence about whether dietary fiber also influences bone strength. Nutrients and sex hormones may interact as they determine bone density; these possible interrelationships were investigated in 11 healthy women aged 19 to 21. Bone density was measured using computerized tomography of the spine, and diet was evaluated on the basis of food records kept for seven days. Dietary fiber appeared to lower blood androgen levels, which would decrease bone density in young women. Carbohydrates also appeared to limit bone mass, but by a mechanism not involving the sex hormones. Currently, increased fiber and carbohydrate intakes are being recommended to help prevent certain chronic diseases, but results of this study suggest this practice may affect the risk for developing osteoporosis, a disease that typically causes fragile bones and fractures in elderly persons.

Research, Evaluation, Osteoporosis, High-fiber diet, High fiber diet, Bone densitometry, Complex carbohydrate diet

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