FIVE IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS FOR MENOPAUSE

As you grow to years of maturity you owe it to yourself to take the best care of your health. We define menopause as time of the end of a woman's monthly menstrual periods. This occurs in women in midlife, during their late 40's and early 50's signalling the end of the fertile phase of a woman's life.

Although menopause can also occur prematurely in those women who have had a hysterectomy; this is the removal of the uterus. This does not have to be the case however as many women though they have had their uterus removed have kept their ovaries.

During menopause fluctuations in oestrogen levels can cause hot flushes, insomnia, night sweats, difficulty in concentration, weight gain and tenderness of the breast as well as increased stress. Mood changes occur and in some cases osteoporosis and/or heart disease; these resulting from the hormonal changes a woman's body is going through.

Healthy diet can help to ease menopause symptoms and thereby reduce the risk of chronic disease. Here are some useful dietary tips.

Eat largely of those foods that will reduce the menopausal symptoms. Use plenty of vegetables and fruits, as well as whole grains and low in saturated fats. These foods will provide you with plenty of fibres as well as vitamins, phyto-oestrogen and bioflavonoids, all important in minimising menopausal symptoms.

1. Phyto-oestrogen helps to alleviate the hot flushes and this can be had from foods that include soya, linseed and legumes.

2.  Magnesium is also useful as this works with the calcium to maintain healthy bones foods for the health of the bones include whole grains, tofu, nuts, seeds, soya beans, kale, broccoli and legumes.

3.  Vitamin E is also useful as it helps to alleviate hot flushes as well as the prevention of heart disease. Foods such as nuts and seeds and wheat germs and egg yolks are useful.

4.  Vitamin D is essential as the body cannot absorb calcium without it; plenty of sunshine  is necessary as well as foods such as sardines, almonds, broccoli, calcium enriched soya milk, oily fish. 

5.  Water is an important element as it nourishes the cells and moisturise the skin; selenium from brazil nuts, cashew nuts, as well as pumpkin seeds, all these are important and help to maintain health.

As you go through this phase of life avoid trigger foods such as coffee, tea chocolate, spicy foods and alcohol as this will only worsen symptoms of mood swings, insomnia, and hot flushes. Exercise will also help to lessen the mood swing and keep the body in good shape.

Finally do not allow perplexities and the worries of everyday life to cause you to be fretful and obscure the sunshine of God's love for you. You will always have something to annoy and  vex however never forget life is what you make it, and you will find what you look for. If you look for sadness and trouble you will find it but if you look on the bright side of things you will  find enough to make you joyful and happy.