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Menopausal Hormone Therapy Linked to Autoimmune Diseases
Hormone “replacement” therapy, frequently prescribed for hot flashes, is associated with increased risk of autoimmune diseases. A new retrospective study including 1.8 million women found that hormone users had a 28% higher risk of developing a broad range of autoimmune diseases in the next 10 years.1
Menopausal hot flashes can be safely treated with a low-fat, vegan diet, along with a half-cup of cooked soybeans daily. This combination was shown to reduce moderate-to-severe hot flashes by 88%.2 Other benefits of plant-based diets include weight loss3 and improved mood.4
References
- Jiang X, et al. Association of hormone therapy with autoimmune disease risk in postmenopausal women: a TriNetX-based analysis. Abstract S-26. Paper presented at: 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society; October 21-25; Orlando, Florida.
- Barnard ND, Kahleova H, Holtz DN, et al. A dietary intervention for vasomotor symptoms of menopause: a randomized, controlled trial. Menopause. 2023;30(1):80-87.
- Barnard ND, Scialli AR, Turner-McGrievy G, Lanou AJ, Glass J. The effects of a low-fat, plant-based dietary intervention on body weight, metabolism, and insulin sensitivity. Am J Med. 2005;118(9):991-997.
- Saghafian F, Malmir H, Saneei P, Milajerdi A, Larijani B, Esmaillzadeh A. Fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of depression: accumulative evidence from an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. Br J Nutr. 2018;119(10):1087-1101.
