Physical activity, polyunsaturated fat linked to early onset of menopause
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By David Liu, Ph.D.
A new study found women doing lots of physical activity and eating high amounts of dietary polyunsaturated fat were more likely to have menopause early.
The timing of menopause is a factor for the risk of breast cancer. An early menopause has been linked to lower risk of breast cancer because women who experience menopause earlier are exposed to high levels of estrogen for a shorter period. Estrogen is known to promote the growth of some breast tumors.
The Japanese study found women whose physical activity was in the highest quartile were 17 percent more likely to have an early menopause compared to those in the lowest quartile and those whose diets contained highest amounts of polyunsaturated fat were 15 percent more likely to have menopause early. These effects were small but significant.
However, total fat, other types of fat such as saturated fat, which is largely found in animal fat and monounsaturated fat, which is largely found in olive oil, soy isoflavones and alcohol were not associated with the timing of menopause.
The study led by Chisato Nagata, MD and colleagues and published recently in the journal Menopause involved 3,115 premenopausal Japanese women aged 35 yo 56 years who participated in the Takayama Study. Participants were followed for 10 years.
Polyunsaturated fat can be omega-3 fat, which can be found in fish oil, or omega-6 fat which can be found in soybean oil and corn oil. High intake of omega-6 fat is linked to high cancer risk.
Physical activity is known to lower estrogen. This may explain why physical activity is linked to early onset of menopause.
It should be noted that results of this study may not be applicable to women in other countries.
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