Higher intake of dietary n-3 PUFA and lower MUFA are associated with fewer menopausal symptoms

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary fat quality and menopausal symptoms.Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study with 393 Iranian postmenopausal women. Dietary intakes and menopausal symptoms were assessed, using a validated food frequency questionnaire and a menopausal rating scale (MRS) questionnaire, respectively. Participants were divided into low and high total MRS and its domain scores.Results: Women in the highest quartiles of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) had higher somatic symptoms compared with women in the lowest quartile (odds ratio [OR] 3.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–9.95). Women in the highest quartiles of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.32–1.05), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.37–1.20), and n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.25–0.97) had lower somatic symptoms compared to the lowest quartiles. The OR for psychological symptoms decreased from the lowest to the highest quartiles of n-3 PUFA (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.20–1.11) and n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.24–0.86). Higher intakes of EPA (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.29–0.99) and docosahexaenoic acid (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.27–0.95) were found to be related with fewer urogenital symptoms.Conclusion: Consuming diets low in MUFA intake, but high in n-3 PUFA, and with a more favorable ratio of n-3:n-6 PUFA may be helpful for improving menopausal symptoms.