Foods to Help Manage Menopause: What You Need to Know

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Menopause is a natural part of aging for women that signals the end of their reproductive years. During this time, women's bodies go through various changes, which can be accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and fatigue. While these symptoms can be challenging to deal with, there are ways to manage them effectively, including eating a healthy, well-balanced diet that is rich in essential nutrients.

In this article, we will discuss the top foods that can help manage menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, and bone loss.

  1. Phytoestrogen-rich Foods Phytoestrogens are compounds found in plants that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. As estrogen levels decline during menopause, consuming foods that contain phytoestrogens can help alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Some of the best sources of phytoestrogens include:

Soybeans Tofu Flaxseeds Chickpeas Lentils Red clover

  1. Calcium and Vitamin D-rich Foods As women age, they become more susceptible to bone loss and osteoporosis. Consuming foods that are rich in calcium and vitamin D can help maintain bone health and reduce the risk of fractures. Some of the best sources of calcium and vitamin D include:

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt Dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale Fortified cereals and juices Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna Egg yolks

  1. Foods Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that the body cannot produce on its own. Consuming foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation, improve heart health, and alleviate symptoms such as mood swings and depression. Some of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids include:

Fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel Flaxseeds and chia seeds Walnuts Soybeans Spinach

  1. Foods Rich in Magnesium Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar control, and blood pressure regulation. Consuming foods that are rich in magnesium can help alleviate symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, and muscle aches. Some of the best sources of magnesium include:

Dark chocolate Nuts and seeds such as almonds, cashews, and pumpkin seeds Legumes such as black beans and kidney beans Leafy greens such as spinach and Swiss chard Whole grains such as brown rice and quinoa

  1. Foods Rich in Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including brain development and function, immune system health, and red blood cell production. Consuming foods that are rich in vitamin B6 can help alleviate symptoms such as mood swings and depression. Some of the best sources of vitamin B6 include:

Poultry such as chicken and turkey Fish such as salmon and tuna Potatoes and other starchy vegetables Non-citrus fruits such as bananas and watermelon Whole grains such as brown rice and oatmeal

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6. Parsley
The liver plays an important role in balancing hormone levels in the body. You can support a healthy liver by eating parsley, which removes harmful toxins in the body that could be upsetting it's hormone balance. 

7. Cheese
High estrogen levels during menopause can raise the risk of bone fractures, osteopenia and osteoporosis. To keep the bones strong and healthy we recommend eating high quality grass fed cheeses. These are loaded with calcium, phosphorus, Vitamins D and K which are essential for bone health. 

8. Eggs
The body uses cholesterol to make hormones like estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. Pasture raised eggs are a good natural source of this raw material, and contain all the building blocks of life. 

9. Nutritional Yeast
If you suffer with constant chatter in the brain, anxiety or a racing mind then nutritional yeast can help. This contains a complex of B vitamins which support the nervous system, and reduce the stress hormone cortisol. This supports the adrenal glands that are taking over from the ovaries. 

10. Broccoli
Eat lightly steamed broccoli to get more sulforaphane into your diet. This detoxifies harmful chemicals that come from our environment, helping to prevent hormone imbalances, especially during menopause.

11. Bone Broth
Menopausal women tend to lose density in their butt and leg muscles because they have high stress levels. Bone broth is rich in amino acids like glycine and arginine which support the adrenal glands, reduce stress and protect the muscles through the menopause. You can made this yourself at home by boiling chicken bones and adding other healthy herbs and spices. 

12. Kale
Organic Kale helps to detoxify harmful chemicals from your liver and help to balance estrogen levels. Cruciferous vegetables should be consumed raw or lightly steamed on a regular basis during menopause, as these contain all of the plant based nutrients needed to protect the muscles and skin, and prevent weight gain. 

13. Walnuts
Consuming a small handful of healthy nuts each day helps to promote hormone balance. Walnuts contain iodine and selenium which supports a healthy thyroid gland. The thyroid helps to regulate body temperature, so it's very important for getting rid of night sweats and hot flashes. 

14. Arugula 
This is another leafy green vegetable in the cruciferous family, also known as 'Rocket' in the UK. Bitter green leaves help to balance hormones as they supply a wide range of nutrients and phytonutrients. Consume this in  large salads often with a lemon and olive oil dressing for wonderful health.

15. Apple Cider Vinegar
Drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water with your meals. This helps to strengthen your stomach in breaking down foods. Allowing you to absorb more nutrients for hormonal health. 

16. Flaxseeds
We recommend grinding flaxseeds just before you consume them. These are full of omega 3-s fibre, phytoestrogens, and B vitamins which reduce menopause symptoms and make you feel more balanced. 

17. DIM
If you want to get the hormonal benefits of eating leafy greens without the taste, you can purchase a supplement of DIM. These natural pills are concentrated forms of cruciferous vegetables and are amazing for balancing hormones in women. 

18. Wheatgrass Juice
During the menopause it's important to keep the body free of toxins, in order to keep your hormones in balance. Wheatgrass juice is rich in chlorophyll which removes harmful toxins and purifies the blood. If you can't get hold of this, you can use decaffeinated green tea. 

As you can see there are many foods and drinks that you can consume to help manage menopause and balance hormones.

Keeping the adrenal glands strong and healthy should be a priority during this time as they take over from the ovaries.

Keeping your stress levels down is essential to support the adrenal glands. We recommend slow walks in nature for 30 minutes a day to keep the stress hormone levels down. 

Turn off your devices and become present during these daily escapes, focus on the nature and the sounds around you to help calm the nervous system. 

We also recommend cutting out pre-packaged foods as these often contain soy protein isolates. This is a low quality protein which interferes with the natural hormone balance. 

Also cut back on alcohol and sugar as these cause imbalances in blood chemistry which leads to nervous tension, weight gain and many other health problems with age. 

Supporting the adrenal glands with cruciferous vegetables and sea kelp will help to prevent hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness during the menopause.  

You could make a daily super green smoothie with blended veggies. This is a great way to start the day and flood your body with nutrients. 

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