“If you break into hot sweats more often than a diva changes clothes, look to your diet for help. By eating delicious vitamin E – rich foods like almonds and leafy greens or adding edamame (green soybeans) and flaxseed to your soups and salads, you may be able to turn down those “power surges” and reduce your symptoms of menopause, like insomnia, mood swings, or depression- and boost your overall health. And unlike hormone replacement therapy, these foods own’t raise you risk of breast cancer or heart disease, and they may even lower it.”
— READERS DIGEST, FOOD CURES.
One of the most common topics I speak on is menopause, hot flashes or “private summers” in particular. It is understandably a very unconformable time for every woman an there are some simple adjustments to your daily diet that can help.
Having a couple chunks of fresh pineapple daily or every other day helps to reduce the frequency and intensity of the flashes. the high levels of vitamin C contained in the fruit help to prevent the chemical changes in estrogen that cause the flashes.
Foods high in phytoestrogens have a similar effect in SOME women. Tofu, soy milk, edamame, soy nuts, miso, tempeh, peas and flaxseed are great scources. to give it a try you cam maintain a changes in diet for a month and not if any changes occur within you.
Foods high in Vitamin E, B6, B12, folate, calcium, vitamin D and omega -3 fatty acids have also proven to have a positive effect on a percentage of the female population who experience menopause symptoms.
Caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods intensify hot flashes and an excess of omega-6 fatty acids can nullify the positive effects of omega-3 fatty acids so be mindful to maintain the balance within you daily food consumption. Remember the rule of thumb, everything in moderation.
A final option would be to go the route of veganism or vegetarianism.
FOODS BEST SUITED TO AIDING THE CAUSE
Soy foods, Peas, Flaxseed, Almonds, Sunflower seeds, Wheatgerm, Leafy greens, Chickpeas, Fish, Turkey, Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines, Meat, Poultry
M.B.