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Potassium & Menopause Night Sweats

During menopause, many women experience frequent spikes in body temperature--known as "hot flashes" or "night sweats"--which can deplete essential minerals in the body.

  1. Features

    • Night sweats are bouts of sweating that occur during sleep and often awaken menopausal women in the middle of the night.

    Causes

    • Night sweats, like other menopausal symptoms, are caused by a lack of estrogen in the body or a hormonal imbalance.

    Effects

    • Excessive sweating can deplete some of the body's essential nutrients, especially potassium. Potassium deficiency can cause nervous system damage and irregular heartbeat.

    Expert Insight

    • Dr. James Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," recommends menopausal women who suffer from night sweats take a daily supplement with 99 mg of potassium.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Maintain balanced hormone levels by eating foods that contain phytoestrogen--such as soy protein--or supplementing with the herb black cohosh. This may help prevent or reduce the occurrence of night sweats.

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