Nancy Dell: Hot flash relief, hide fish oil flavor

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) -  

1. Anything new for relieving hot flashes in menopause?
Linda, Internet

Naturopathic Physicians have found hot flashes are reduced by supplementing with a compound called DIM which stands for diindolymethane or shatavari.

DIM comes from a compound found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. But to get enough DIM from the vegetables alone, you'd need to eat more than your stomach could handle. So experts recommend a supplement.

In menopause, a woman makes less estrogen but they still make some estrogen. DIM helps by better metabolizing this little bit of estrogen your body makes into breakdown products. These breakdown products protect your heart and reduce cancer risk.

DIM will also increase your body's own production of progesterone. Increased progesterone will further balance your hormones, resolving mood changes, hot flashes, headaches, and insomnia and breast pain. Shatavari is derived from wild asparagus. In addition to reducing hot flashes it can increase libido.

As with any supplement, discuss these with your doctor before taking either one.

2. My doctor wants me to take fish oil but I hate the taste. Are there any that taste OK?
Joshua, Longmeadow

Here are 4 solutions. You can buy fish oil capsules with lemon flavor. In addition, studies at Virginia Tech show that people can not detect a fish oil flavor when the supplement is mixed with yogurt. You can also store them in the freezer and take them before a meal to cut the fishy aftertaste.