Menopause
Does it really has to go that way?
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age being around 51. During menopause, a woman’s body undergoes hormonal changes that lead to the cessation of menstrual cycles and the end of fertility. The body experiences a decline in hormones; the primary hormones involved in the menstrual cycle are estrogen and progesterone, which are produced by the ovaries. As a woman approaches menopause, the ovaries gradually produce fewer of these hormones. This hormonal decline can lead to changes in the menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods.
Before menopause, many women go through a phase called perimenopause, which can start several years before menopause itself. During perimenopause, hormone levels fluctuate, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, changes in menstrual flow, and various symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. At this point, the ovaries have significantly reduced their production of estrogen and progesterone. As a result, the symptoms experienced during perimenopause may continue or even intensify.
Common symptoms
Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, urinary changes, and changes in skin and hair texture. Not all women experience these symptoms, and their severity can vary.
Estrogen plays also a role in maintaining bone density. The decline in estrogen levels during menopause can lead to a higher risk of osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened bones that are more susceptible to fractures. Estrogen also has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, and its decline during menopause may contribute to an increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular issues.
The hormonal changes associated with menopause can sometimes contribute to mood swings, irritability, and even depression in some women. It’s important for women to seek support if they are struggling with these emotional aspects.
After menopause, a woman enters the postmenopausal phase. While some symptoms may persist, others may improve over time. The risk of certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, may become more prominent during this phase.
It’s worth noting that every woman’s experience with menopause is unique. Some women may have a relatively smooth transition with few symptoms, while others may experience more intense and prolonged effects. If you’re approaching or experiencing menopause, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider to manage any symptoms and discuss potential treatment options if necessary.
Does it really have to go that way?
This is the common version of the story. You are going through menopause, you will have to suffer all of the above mentioned symptoms plus probably some more (depression, anxiety, and so on). The reality is, even if your ovaries do not perform anymore, you have two backup organs which will help to produce hormones. They are the adrenals glands. The adrenals make ALL of the hormones that the ovaries make: they make estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones (cortisol, aldosterone, etc).
During menopause you have a decreased ovarian function and the adrenals should back the ovaries up and start making these hormones. In theory, the widely accepted symptoms of menopause should not be there! (if you adrenal glands were working properly).
Cholesterol
It all boils down to cholesterol. Cholesterol is the required material for your adrenal glands not only to make all of those hormones, but it is the absolute required material also to make essential nutrients like Vitamin D, bile salts, Vitamin A and K and also to supply your brain (25% of your brain is basically cholesterol). Did you ever imagine that the very thing that people are telling you to avoid because it causes heart disease is in reality that important for your body?
You might think – well I do eat lots of healthy fat in my diet: olive oil, canola oil, avocado, coconut…well I have some bad news. There is no cholesterol in plants / plant oils. Unfortunately, cholesterol comes only from animal products. 80% of the cholesterol that feeds the adrenal comes in the form of LDL (the so called bad cholestrol).
By cutting out cholestrol from our diet, or by taking medications that do not allow absorption of cholesterol, we initiate a series of problems (including the big menopausal symptoms) like depression, anxiety, loss of memory.
One of the side effects of Statins (a class of drugs used to avoid absorption of cholesterol) is something called Transient Global Amnesia. Moreover, when you take statins, you actually increase risk of cancer (statistically, people with high cholesterol seem to develop some sort of immunity to cancer).
Increasing cholesterol in your diet leads to a reduction and sometimes a disappearance of all the above mentioned menopausal symptoms.
Watch this VIDEO by Dr. Eric Berg DC explaining this mechanism.
Best food
The n.1 food that can help you is high quality grass fed butter. Or any type of fat cheese (e.g. Brie), creme, egg yolks, sea food. They all support the adrenals and contribute to better function. Obviously, consuming high amount of butter needs to happen in conjunction with other dietary modifications (e.g. reducing carbs).
Avoid trans Fats. Trans fats are artificially created fats that are often found in processed and fried foods. They can raise LDL cholesterol while lowering high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Avoid or minimize foods containing:
Fried foods (French fries, fried chicken). Commercially baked goods (pastries, doughnuts, cakes) made with partially hydrogenated oils
Avoid highly processed snacks. Many packaged snacks, such as chips, crackers, and some microwave popcorn, often contain high levels of unhealthy fats that can raise LDL cholesterol.
Baked Goods. Commercially produced baked goods like cookies, pastries, and cakes can contain high levels of saturated and trans fats. They are generally speaking really low quality food.
Fast Food and Fried Foods. Fast food items, like hamburgers, fried chicken, and fried potatoes, tend to be high in unhealthy fats that can contribute to elevated LDL cholesterol levels.
Certain Cooking Oils. While olive oil and other healthier oils are beneficial, using excessive amounts of oils high in saturated fats, like palm oil and coconut oil, can raise LDL cholesterol.
Processed and Packaged Foods. Many processed and packaged foods, including some frozen meals, canned soups, and convenience foods, may contain hidden sources of unhealthy fats that can impact LDL cholesterol levels.
LINKS:
Dangers of Statin Drugs: What You Haven’t Been Told About Popular Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines
DNA Methylation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Cytochrome P450 CYP1A1: wider roles in cancer progression and prevention
Edoardo Elisei DC
Alive Chiropractic LTD
alivechiropractic.co.uk
1C Crown Gate Square
POUNDBURY
01305602314
15/8/2023
A collection of informative and engaging videos that offer visual insights into the world of chiropractic care. Visual content is a powerful tool for education and empowerment, allowing you to deepen your understanding of chiropractic principles, techniques, and the benefits of maintaining a healthy spine.
