Columbia University Studies Natural Alternatives To Hormone Replacement Therapy

NEW YORK, July 19, 2002 – In light of recent research showing that hormone replacement therapy may pose an increased risk for breast cancer and other health problems, menopausal women with severe hot flashes and night sweats might be seeking alternative sources of relief for their symptoms. The Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons (P&S) announces two research studies on alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal health. The first focuses on the effects of an herb, black cohosh, on hot flashes, while the second investigates the effects of diets high in phytoestrogens on bone density, cardiovascular health, and risk factors for breast cancer. “Even before this latest controversy about the risks of HRT, there were women who could not or chose not to take HRT because it was contraindicated or because they are at risk for breast cancer,” said Dr. Fredi Kronenberg, associate professor of clinical physiology at Columbia P&S, director of the Rosenthal Center, and a leading expert on the use of non-traditional herbs and supplements to help women relieve menopausal symptoms. “Herbal remedies such as black cohosh seem to be beneficial for menopausal hot flashes, and some natural products of the foods in our diet study are thought to be protective against bone-loss, heart disease, and cancer.” Black cohosh has a long history of use in Western countries for women’s health. A number of clinical studies of the herb have been conducted over the past 50 years, but few are of sufficient duration or scientific rigor to adequately assess long-term use. The black cohosh study will look at the effect of the herb on hot flashes, as well as on bone metabolism and changes in measures of cognitive function (e.g., memory). The second study, Comparing Healthy Options in Cooking and Eating (CHOICE), will examine the health effects of diets high in phytoestrogens, including foods such as grains, vegetables, and soy. There are compelling data on the beneficial effects of soy foods on cholesterol; basic science studies also provide some evidence of beneficial effects of phytoestrogens with respect to cancer. “Results from these studies may provide women with a greater range of choices to optimize health and well-being in their menopausal years,” Dr. Kronenberg said. The Rosenthal Center is currently recruiting for both of these studies. Applicants for either study must be female, 45 to 72 years of age, and one or more years past their last menstrual period. For more information or to enroll, please call 212-342-0104.

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