Treating Menopause Symptoms With Diet
December 7, 2009
Your diet plays a major role in determining the quality of your life. It has been observed that physical and emotional changes that a woman experiences during menopause could be dealt with the right diet. To beat menopause, your diet should primarily comprise of plant products and seafood.
Preventing weight gain
Weight gain is often associated with menopause. Cutting down refined carbohydrates and sugary foods from your diet could prevent your body from picking up excess calories. Obtain most of your calories from complex carbohydrates in the form of whole-wheat products and fruits and vegetables rich in dietary fibers.
Treating depression and mood swings
During menopause, women tend to suffer from depression and irritability. Carbohydrates help to boost the serotonin level in the brain. Low level of serotonin, a type of neurotransmitter associated with regulation of moods, leads to depression. Having complex carbohydrate products could help to treat depression and manage mood swings. Intake of vitamin B12 foods, such as eggs, fish and sea vegetables, could also help to prevent depression. Deficiency of biotin or vitamin B7 could also increase the risk of depression. Egg yolk, whole grains and beans are rich sources of this essential vitamin. Magnesium is another nutrient, essential for preventing depression. You can find this trace mineral in spinach, beans, pumpkin seeds, nuts, figs and whole grains.
Hot flash remedies
Having a tablespoon of flax seeds everyday could prevent hot flashes. Foods and beverages containing caffeine such as coffee, tea and chocolates could trigger hot flashes. Avoid these stimulants particularly in the night. To prevent hot flashes and night sweats stay away from alcoholic beverages.
Correcting hormonal imbalance
Foods containing phytoestrogen is often recommended for correcting the hormonal imbalances during menopause. Soy products are especially beneficial for treating the symptoms of menopause. However, excess consumption of soy products could increase the risk of several health hazards. Consuming 20 to 25 grams of soy protein is adequate for preventing several symptoms of menopause. To hold the estrogen in your body, you should consume foods that contain boron. You can find boron in carrot, beet, cauliflower, asparagus, plums, grapes, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage and onions.
Preventing loss in bone density
Menopause is also the time when your bones begin losing their density rapidly. To prevent osteoporosis or loss in bone mass include leafy green vegetables, beans, low fat milk and dairy products in your diet.
Diet is so incredibly important when treating things like menopause and depression. So often it is overlooked. The same thing with exercise…very important but overlooked. Eating right and moving can help so many menopausal issues especially depression and night sweats.