Menopause

Menopause is a condition when the natural production of woman's s.e.x. hormones is ceased, because there is no more eggs in a woman's ovaries.  Obviously not a single diet can correct the lack of hormones, but some dietary changes may help. Two foods can help with the lack of women's main s.e.x. hormone -- estrogen.  They are:

1.  Soy products, preferably fermented soy like tempeh and miso (1,2,3). The beneficial soy effects are because of isoflavones that act like phytoestrogens.  But the problem with soy in the presence of phytates that may not only block the absorbtion of minerals like zink, but also cause hyppothyroidism.  Fermented soy products contain less phytates, then nonfermented soy, therefore they are preferred.

2.  Flax seeds are the another sourse of phytoestrogens, but not that effective as soy.

The diet for posmenopausal women is to prevent complications like osteoporis, diabetes, cancer and heart disease rather then treat menopause.  The dietary recommendations for post menopausal women are:

1.  Increase intake of phytoestrogens like fermented soy and flax seeds.

2.  Stick with fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, legums and whole grains.

3.  Avoid staturated fats, transfats, simple carbohydrates like juices, candies, cakes, sodas and other junk foods.

Of course the definit treatment for Menopause would be supplementation with Bioidentical Hormones -- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy.  To learn more do to our Anti Aging -- Bioidentical Hormonne Replacement page.

References:

1.  Upmalis, Lobo, Bradley.  Vasomotor symptoms relief by soy isoflavone extract in postmenopausal women: a multicenter, double -- blind, randomized, placebo controlled study.  Menopause 2000, 7:236 -- 242.

2.  Albertazzi, Pansini, Bonaccorsi.  The effects of dietary soy supplementation on hot flushes.  Obstetricl and Gynecology 1998, 91: 6 -- 11.

3.  Scambia, Mango, Signorile.  Clinical effects of standardized soy extract in postmenopausal women: a pilot study.  Menopause 2000, 7:105-- 111.