Also referred to as the “change of life,” it is the point at which a woman stops ovulating and menstruation ceases, indicating the end of fertility. When a woman stops ovulating, her ovaries largely stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is commonly thought of as a sex hormone strictly tied to reproduction, but it also acts on many different organs in the body. Cells in the vagina, bladder, breasts, skin, bones, arteries, heart, liver, and brain all contain estrogen receptors, and require this hormone to stimulate these receptors for normal cell function. Even though estrogen levels drop off sharply after menopause, the endocrine glands secrete hormones to maintain proper bodily function. The average age for menopause is about 50, though it differs in each individual. Some women go through menopause with few or no noticeable symptoms, but others do have acute discomfort. It is important to remember that menopause is not a disease, it is a natural process in a woman’s life. With the proper diet, nutritional support, and exercise, most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause can be minimized, if not eliminated.
Symptoms:
Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, anxiety, depression, poor libido, bladder problems, vaginal dryness and itching, burning and discomfort during sexual intercourse, breast tenderness, dryness and aging of the skin, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and insomnia. It is important to remember that menopause is not a disease, it is a natural process in a woman’s life.
- We suggest a high quality whole food supplement, like VITAFORCE™ that is complete and made from whole foods which corrects nutritional deficiencies and boosts the immune system. for example, Vitamin C has been shown to significantly reduce most symptoms of menopause. Delaware State Medical Journal, January 1959, p. 19-22
- Herbal detoxification products may be helpful in cleansing the body of heavy metals, chemicals and other harmful poisons that may lower sperm count and interfere with fertility. We suggest using formulas that use organic, whole herbs. If interested, take a look at the Liver and Gallbladder Formula, Liver Rescue, Quick Colon Formula #1, and Quick Colon Formula #2.
- Eat a diet consisting of a minimum of 50% of raw foods (healing foods). Add blackstrap molasses, broccoli, dandelion greens and kelp to your diet.
- An article in the British medical journal, The Lancet, reported that Japanese women generally experience far fewer symptoms of menopause than do western women, this has been attributed to the fact that Japanese women consume more phytoestrogens (plant estrogens). These estrogen-like compounds are found in such foods as soy beans, tofu, miso, flaxseeds, pomegranates, and dates. When these substances are eaten, they act like the estrogens produced in the body.
- Get regular, moderate exercise.
- Replace salt with kelp and/or dulse.
- Drink two quarts of distilled water daily to help prevent drying of the skin and mucus membranes.
- For itching in the vaginal area, open a capsule of natural vitamin E and apply the oil. If sexual intercourse is painful, try using vitamin E oil or aloe vera gel to lubricate the vagina. Frequent sexual intercourse can help relieve vaginal dryness.
- Cold-pressed Primrose oil acts as a sedative and is good for hot flashes, as well as, important for the production of estrogen.
Things to Avoid:
- Do not consume any animal products (meat, fish, chicken, turkey, bacon, milk, ice cream, butter, cheese, eggs, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, spicy foods, and hot soups and drinks. These products can trigger hot flashes, aggravate urinary incontinence and make mood swings worse.
- In addition, animal foods also contribute to a loss of calcium from the bones; Osteoporosis is a major problem for women after menopause due to lowered estrogen levels. These foods make the blood more acidic which prompts the bones to release calcium as a buffering agent, this is an important factor in bone loss which leads to Osteoporosis.
- Avoid stress as much as possible.
- Smoking is associated with early menopause.
References:
- James F. Balch, M.D, Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” (1997)
- A. Horoschak, “Nocturnal Leg Cramps, Easy Bruisability and Epistaxis in Menopausal Patients: Treated with Hesperedin and Ascorbic Acid,” Delaware State Medical Journal, January 1959, p. 19-22
