Perhaps you’ve heard of the book “The Menopause Diet
The reproductive system of the female shuts down much before the end of her lifespan. Menopause is a natural process, which means cessation of monthly cycles and fertility. Physical symptoms of menopause are caused due to hormonal changes but there are many emotional changes as well. On average, menopause occurs at the age of 51 and the symptoms often appear one year after your last menstrual period. Some of the most common symptoms of menopause are irregular periods, vaginal dryness, mood swings, hot flashes, thinning hair, decreased fertility, sleep disturbance and loss of breast fullness.
Perimenopause is the period of time leading up to menopause when you start noticing changes related to menopause. This is the time when the ovaries start shutting down, producing less progesterone and estrogen, and indicating the end of the reproductive years. To decide the best perimenopause diet for yourself, it is a good idea to consult your physician who might suggest diet as per your symptoms.
The discomforts of menopause can become quite severe but an appropriate menopause diet can help ease these discomforts. A good menopause diet is about balance through consuming certain types of foods while foregoing others. There are some foods that have been proven to alleviate symptoms and help you feel better.
Foods such as melons and citrus are high in potassium and they also fight water retention and sodium. Women going through menopausal symptoms should also include foods like figs, apricots, collard greens, yams and broccoli in their daily meal plan. Some other beneficial foods that should be part of a menopause diet are seaweed, soy products, tuna and salmon.
Consuming more fruits and vegetables offers many health benefits as they are rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins, and are naturally low in fat. Vegetables and fruits should especially be a part of menopause diet as they have phytoestrogens, which trick the body into thinking that there is more estrogen than there actually is. This helps in alleviating some of the discomforts of menopause that are caused by lowered estrogen levels.
For every woman, menopause and its symptoms are different and there is no particular menopause diet that will be able to balance all the effects of menopause. But, during menopause, a woman must try to stay healthy and keep a positive outlook that will help her emotionally through this difficult phase.
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