| Question: For peri menopausal women, why diet? | | | | estrogen. Also known as the weak estrogen, |
| The answer: To keep off the fat, of course! | | | | these can be found in various fruits, nuts, |
| But unbeknownst to the one who answered, the | | | | vegetables, legumes and seeds. They reduce |
| perimenopause diet may be the solution to the | | | | episodes of hot flashes, breast cancer risk, and |
| signs and symptoms of perimenopause. A lot of | | | | heart disease and are known to be helpful to |
| factors affect weight gain. It could be that you | | | | bone density. |
| are using birth control pills or HRT (hormone | | | | - Widely believed to be helpful, soy/isoflavone |
| replacement therapy), you don't exercise much, | | | | supplements actually stimulate the growth of |
| genetics (sure, sure, blame it on your 250-lb | | | | normal breast cells. But in the absence of |
| grandma), and stress. But chances are, you | | | | progesterone, it could be a risk for developing |
| become what you eat. | | | | breast cancer. Before taking more that 100 to |
| Hence, the onslaught of chronic dieting. | | | | 160 mg of any type of isoflavone (as |
| Since you are in perimenopause, you should know | | | | recommended), consult an expert for further |
| by now that if that worked for you then, age and | | | | information. A half cup serving of soy milk, |
| due to hormonal imbalance, it may be impossible | | | | tempeh and tofu gives out about 35 to 50 mg of |
| for that to work on you now. Studies show that | | | | soy isoflavones. Processed soy foods are poor |
| chronic dieting may lengthen the duration of | | | | sources of these. |
| perimenopause symptoms. If you are currently | | | | - Flaxseed lengthens the menstrual cycle. In doing |
| on a low-fat, but high-carbohydrate diet, then this | | | | so, it increases the estrogen-progesterone ratio |
| would definitely play a role in mid-life weight gain. | | | | and alleviates hot flashes. This is also rich in |
| So why do we need to have a healthy diet aside | | | | antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, |
| from reducing weight gain? You will be able to | | | | phytoestrogens, and stabilizes cholesterol levels. |
| manage and relieve most of the perimenopause | | | | - Cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels |
| symptoms based on your food intake. Also, the | | | | sprouts contain the phytochemical indole which |
| risk of post menopause diseases such as breast | | | | can stimulate progesterone production. |
| and colon cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes and | | | | - Omega 3 fatty acids help in bone density loss, |
| even heart disease will be greatly reduced. | | | | heart disease and aids in treatment of depression |
| - Have whole grains in your diet. Brown rice, corn, | | | | and short-term memory loss. |
| pasta, crackers and other whole grain foods | | | | - Green tea has antioxidants and phytochemicals. |
| contain antioxidants, B vitamins, calcium, zinc, | | | | 3 to 6 cups of green tea daily has reportedly |
| magnesium, vitamin E, phytochemicals and lignan | | | | contributed to weight loss. |
| (a type of phytoestrogen). Beware of wheat as | | | | The best part about having a healthy diet is not |
| some women experience worsened PMS | | | | just obvious physical weight loss. The focus should |
| symptoms and endometriosis (commonly found in | | | | be on your total well-being, and everything will |
| women with infertility problems.) | | | | just follow naturally. Improve your diet, improve |
| - Phytoestrogens have the ability to mimic real | | | | your health, live a longer, stress-free life. |