Severity of hot flushes is inversely associated with dietary intake of vitamin B₆ and oily fish

<b>Objectives:</b> This study investigated the links between the severity of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and the dietary consumption of a variety of nutrients. <b>Method:</b> A cross-sectional analysis of the first-visit records of 262 women aged 40–65 years was conducted. The severity of their hot flushes (HF) and night sweats (NS) and their dietary consumption of nutrients were evaluated using the Menopausal Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire and the brief-type self-administered Diet History Questionnaire, respectively. The relationships between severity of HF/NS and dietary intake were analyzed separately for 43 major nutrients. We then evaluated different food items as sources of the nutrients. <b>Results:</b> After adjustment for age, body mass index, menopausal status, and background factors significantly related to VMS, only vitamin B₆ (VB₆) was significantly related to severity of HF (adjusted odds ratio per 10 μg/MJ in VB₆ intake, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.86–0.97). Moreover, a significant inverse relationship was found between the consumption of oily fish as a source of VB₆ and the severity of HF. <b>Conclusions:</b> VB₆ and oily fish intake is inversely associated with the severity of HF in middle-aged women. Therefore, increased intake of VB₆ could help attenuate HF.