From John Hopkins Health Alerts

A number of complementary and alternative therapies have been touted as providing effective relief for hot flashes caused by androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). This Health Alert focuses on two of them: acupuncture and dietary supplements.

Acupuncture. Small trials suggest that acupuncture appears to hold some promise, although its effectiveness has not been established. In one study involving 22 men, nine of them experienced a 50 percent reduction in hot flashes after receiving acupuncture by electrostimulation biweekly for four weeks. After weekly treatments for an additional six weeks, three additional men reached that benchmark.

A larger study evaluated the effects of self-acupuncture in 196 people, most of whom had breast or prostate cancer. The investigators reported that 114 (79 percent) achieved a 50 percent or greater reduction in hot flashes. Longer, larger well-designed studies are needed to confirm the acupuncture findings.

Dietary supplements. Soy, black cohosh and vitamin E are among the dietary supplements that have been investigated for their effect on hot flashes in various populations. In general, neither soy nor black cohosh was shown to be any better than placebo in reducing hot flashes. Studies of vitamin E show that it was only marginally effective in reducing hot flash frequency and severity. Research has shown that high doses may have negative effects on cardiovascular health, and a 400-IU dose is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.

The bottom line. If you have mild or moderate hot flashes, you may find that common keep-cool strategies — such as wearing loose-fitting clothing and nightwear made of cotton and using fans and opening windows to keep air moving — may be enough to help you get through it.

For more go to website: http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com

A local licensed and highly recommended Acupuncturist is Violetta L Kanarek Acupuncturist/ Herbalist Box 30155 Cayman Clinic * Grand Cayman KY1-1201

Tel: 345-946-4420  Fax 345-949-9045

-NCCAOM Diplomate Florida Board Licensed-

-Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)-