Menopause is a natural process that results in termination of women’s menstruals cycle and reproductive years. It most often occurs btw 42 – 52 years of age. It happens because the ovaries diminish producing the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, while the adrenals start making estrogen and androgen to replace it.
A woman has reached menopause when she had not had a period for one year.
Many woman experience imbalances in their mood, sleep, body temperature and body fluids, as well as physical tension levels. Standard medical prescription has focused on supplementing estrogen from animal sources, or using estrogen therapy to help with diminished calcium absorption. These practices have proven to enhance risks of gallbladder disease and cancers of breast, uterus, and liver.( as cited in Pitchford, 2oo2)
Below are some ideas of safer remedies, which support the natural production of hormones by the adrenals.
Menopausal Dietary Tips
- hot flashes
- headaches
- insomnia
- night sweats
Lifestyle Suggestions: sufficient exercise, good diet, relaxation. Dietary Tips: In Chinese medicine symptoms of menopause imply deficiency of yin fluids, especially the ones that calm and relax the liver. (Pitchford,2002). Foods that build yin(the body, its tissues and fluids):
- wheat germ and its oil
- mung bean sprouts, string bean, kidney bean
- seaweed, spirulina
- millet, black bean tofu
- barley, black sesame seed
- whole wheat
Eat more:
- Tryptophan-rich foods such as turkey, bananas, figs, whole grain crackers, figs, and dates.
- Foods rich in phyto-estrogens and progesterones: soy flours and beans, red clover sprouts, and yams.
- Foods with high indoles: for example, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.
Recommended nutrients:
- Vitamins E, B-complex, C, and A
- Calcium mineral
If symptoms persist despite having adequate Vitamin E source from food, then large doses of Vitamin E are suggested to eliminate hot flashes (300 I.U. 3x/day at meal times.(Pitchford,2002) According to Canadian health network the maximum recommended daily amount of Vitamin E is 1500 IU. Other helpful remedies:
- Royal Jelly (food from the queen bee; builds yin and energy, strengthens reproductive system). Normal dosage is 100-400mg daily.
- Aloe-Vera Gel – cooling and soothing; not to be taken if feeling cold or have loose stools. Dosage: 2 tsp. of gel stirred into 1 cup of water, 2-3x/daily.
Restrictions:
- Alcohol, tobacco, coffee, chocolate
- Cold-temperature foods, refined sugar
- Hydrogenated fats such as shortening and most margarines
- Over-consumption of fruit or raw food
- Excessive and of poor quality meat
[1] Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with whole foods: Asian traditions and modern nutrition (3rd ed.). North Atlantic Books, CA
[2] Copyright 2001, The Pulse of Oriental Medicine