Slim at menopause?
If you are slim or underweight at menopause it can mean an increased risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis. In this case you very definitely will need to supplement with calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K.
Calcium is found in dairy products and green leafy vegetables but weight loss depletes the body of calcium. It is a difficult supplement to metabolise unless you also take oil soluble vitamins A, vitamin K, vitamin D and also essential fatty acids.
Deficiency of calcium will cause wrinkles, dry skin, brittle nails and hair loss, as well as loss of bone density, arthritis like symptoms and ageing.
Your diet should be alkaline with fish, poultry and lots of green leafy vegetables as well as luscious fruits. Avoid citrus fruits, pork, acid fruits such as kiwi and mango, white wine and shell fish and above all gluten, wheat and corn.
Useful article: http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2014/08/04/dont-ignore-the-4-main-myths-about-osteoporosis/
Overweight at menopause?
Many women do put on weight at menopause as the body shifts production of oestrogen from the ovaries into the fat cells – usually on the stomach,,hips and thighs. If you are overweight or even obese when you go through the menopause you are much more likely to suffer with hot flushes, hypo-thyroid, hypoglycaemia, low blood pressure, constipation, depression and, interestingly, also osteoporosis the same as your slimmer sisters.
You would certainly need magnesium, folic acid and B vitamins, omega 3 and omega 7, rutin and bioflavanoids, bio carotene, ginseng and herbs such as damiana.
Your diet should be very nutritious. Do not miss out meals as this could cause complications and worsening of symptoms such as hypoglycemia and depression. Start the day with muesli, whole grain, porridge oats. Eat plenty of fresh green vegetables and fresh fruit but at night you should eat hot cooked food which is easy to metabolise such as soups.
Avoid the acid foods as well such as citrus fruits, beef, lamb, pork and white rice/pasta and flour, as these are difficult to metabolise at this time and they also deplete you of important nutrients.
Useful article: http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/11/01/menopause-rearranges-womens-fat/
More information
Hormone balance is also an important factor at menopause, whatever your weight, and keeping oestrogen and progesterone levels in the right ratio can make all the difference to how you transition menopause and the type, and severity, of any symptoms.
http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2014/08/06/what-is-oestrogen-dominance/
Diana Mossop practices in Jersey and London. For information on her and her remedies please visit http://www.mossopnaturalremedies.com