When it comes to Menopause - You Are What You Eat
Did you know that Japanese women tend to suffer hot flashes only
about 1/3 as often as American women? Or that those following a
vegetarian diet also complain of hot flashes far less than the
rest of us? Of course, you don’t have to give up the steaks just
yet, but doctors and nutritional professionals suspect that the
difference is largely due to the use of soy products in the
diets of these women, and several women have now realized that
by incorporating some soy in their diets, their symptoms of
menopause have abated considerably.
In fact, altering your diet in small ways can have the greatest
positive effect on your body as it transitions to menopause and
beyond. For instance, by staying away from hot drinks, you’re
not giving your body reason to "heat up" and produce a hot
flash. At the same time, reducing your caffeine intake (which
often comes in the form of hot drinks, including coffee and tea)
will naturally help you sleep better at night, which will keep
your mood and mental state healthy.
Lastly, replacing these drinks with water and juice will keep
your bones and muscles well-lubricated, prevent osteoporosis
from settling in, and temper your general aches and pains. We
know it’s no easy task to give up coffee, but think of the
endless benefits of this one relatively minor change to your
diet.
In fact, one of the most commonly complained about symptoms of
menopause these days is the weight gain that seems to come along
with it. Put simply, your body isn’t burning calories in the
same way it once was, so if you don’t change your diet -- even if
it’s already a healthy one -- you’re bound to gain a few pounds
around the waist.
Changing your diet now, simply by avoiding a few foods that are
bound to make other symptoms worse, while increasing the foods
high in certain vitamins while remaining low in calories, will
help you to maintain your figure while giving your body the
nutrients it needs to fight off some of the worst symptoms of
menopause.
We’ll tell you which foods to add to your diet if you’re
suffering hot flashes, vaginal thinning, aches and pains, or
emotional symptoms of menopause. In addition, of course, we’ll
share the secrets of which vitamins and herbs have been proven
to keep your mind sharp and your bones strong as you age through
menopause and beyond.
For instance, foods high in potassium, including most fruits,
will help you keep your mind sharp while promoting healthy water
flushing throughout your body (which will reduce cramps and
bloating), while keeping your muscles and bones lubricated and
strong -- including your needy joints and your thinning vaginal
walls. In short, this is the time in your life when "an apple a
day" couldn’t ring more true!
Also, oily fish, including salmon and tuna, and vegetable oils,
are often recommended by nutritionists for anyone wanting to
keep their minds sharp. But these oils are also useful in
helping keep your muscles from drying, while helping your
digestive system.
In fact, everything from Vitamins C and E to herbal remedies
such as Dong Quai and Wild Yam Root are discussed in this book;
remember, not only American women suffer menopause -- you’re far
from alone. Every woman in the world goes through menopause
sooner or later, and we all have our own ways of treating the
symptoms unique to us.
We’ll explore the countless ways in which these small changes or
additions to your diet will not only combat the unique symptoms
you’re going through, but the ways in which you can identify
these symptoms quickly to lead a healthy, long life far after
menopause.
But let’s talk about soy again, briefly. It’s been in the news,
and for good reason, but where do you start? Many of us would
buy a chunk of tofu, which, let’s face it, can be tasteless, but
it doesn’t end there, and again, you don’t need to move to Japan
to figure out how to add it to your diet. You don’t need to give
up eating cheeseburgers to enjoy the occasional veggie burger,
but adding some soy to your diet has made the symptoms of
menopause much more tolerable for millions of women. If you’ve
not eaten many soy products, don’t hold your nose just yet -- in
addition to helping your symptoms, you may find that you
actually like it!
About the Author
Dawn M. Olsen is an Advocate for Better
Women’s Health through Education, Recipe Developer, Soy Food
Enthusiast and the Author of "Menopause A to Z - A Definitive
Guide to Modern Menopause" available online now at www.MenopauseAtoZ.com
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