Nutrition for Menopause

A nutritious diet and a diligent fitness regime are all it takes to get through the discomfort of menopause.

Fifty is a good number as it makes you feel older and wiser. Women who hit this magic figure know what makes them feel good, sad, happy or simply indifferent. Yet, this does not equip most women to handle some of the physiological and psychological problems that come with menopause. After puberty, this is the most drastic physiological change for a woman, which is what makes it so difficult to deal with.

Menopause is a time during which the levels of a woman's reproductive hormones - oestrogen and progesterone - decline to the point where menstruation ceases. The average age of the onset of menopause is 50 and hormonal changes begin to happen anything up to 10 years before periods cease completely. Many menopausal symptoms occur as a result of avoiding levels of oestrogen and progesterone, particularly if levels of these hormones fall suddenly or 'out of sync' with each other.

It is because of these hormonal changes that the woman's body often starts behaving against her wishes. During this period she feels weaker, fragile, vulnerable and less desirable, and coupled with these are physiological problems such as osteoporosis, hot-flushes,-night-sweats and even heart problems. Hence, it is important to be aware of your body, emotions, and its needs. One of the easiest ways to get through these trying times is to follow a fitness regime that involves not only exercise but also a nutritious diet.  Foods rich in phytoestrogens include soybeans and soy products, apples, carrots, yams, green beans, peas, pomegranates, potatoes, red beans, brown rice, whole-wheat, rye, sesame seeds, legumes, flaxseed, and pumpkin seeds. A nutritious diet also takes care of other symptoms of menopause, caused by falling oestrogen levels, such as thinning hair, brittle nail, dryness, dullness and loosening of skin.