Natural solutions to menopause issues including eating eggs and sprouts
17.10.2022 - 09:17
/ ok.co.uk
“Perimenopause starts way before your periods stop,” explains Brighton-based nutritionist Karen Newby, who runs Natural Menopause Method retreats. While every woman’s experience at this time of life is different, Karen believes that what we eat and how we eat can have a direct impact on our symptoms. Indeed, only last year a US study showed that a change in diet resulted in an 84% drop in the troublesome side effects hormone changes can bring.
With World Menopause Day being held every year on the 18th October to raise awareness of the menopause, whatever stage of life you’re at right now, Karen’s advice is certainly food for thought… End brain fog A foggy head can be exacerbated by out-of-balance gut bacteria, especially if you suffer from recurrent thrush. So feed your second brain – the gut. Avoid too much sugar – the brain finds it hard to deal with.
Instead, aim to eat 30 different plant-based items per week. Eat rosemary to boost your memory. Antioxidants protect the brain – good sources are artichoke, basil, berries, celery, citrus fruits and parsley.
B vitamins or “memory vitamins” are found in eggs, cereals, brown rice, chicken, fish, asparagus and dark green vegetables. Be wary of how gluten and dairy can have an opioid-like effect on the brain. Reduce flushes with cooling foods Hot flushes are down to oestrogen, which affects body temperature control, but blood sugar levels can be a culprit too.The body releases adrenaline to bring the blood sugar up, but at the same time this can dilate our blood vessels – hence the hot flush.Try cooling foods such as tofu, chicken, egg, apples, pears, lemon, sage tea, millet, cucumber, celery, peppermint tea, green juices.