Aspire Magazine: Inspiration for a Woman's Soul.(TM) Dec/Jan 2019 Aspire Magazine Final | Page 22

Additionally, the right kind of nutrition plan
for you can support your health and wellness
through the menopause. Here’s how I use
food as medicine to address any hormone
imbalances that may influence symptoms
during this powerful time of transition.
Let’s start with what
foods to avoid:
1
Caffeine
It is important for hormonal balance,
especially
vasomotor
issues—blood
pressure, heart rate, and temperature
control. Science shows caffeine, especially
coffee, can increase the frequency and
severity of hot flashes and none of us want
that. Caffeine inhibits calcium absorption,
which is essential for our bone density as we
begin to go through “the change.” Caffeine
also increases homocysteine in the body,
a toxic amino acid, which in turn increases
the risk of osteoporosis. It’s a marker of
disease and inflammation, so the higher it
is, the sicker you are. Your hormonal system
is already feeling stressed; therefore, when
you add caffeine to the mix it can cause
more stress and discomfort in the form of
exacerbated menopausal symptoms.
2
Alcohol
It can increase moodiness and fatigue while
stressing your liver. People who love wine
are always looking for an excuse to drink
it, but the fact is that the tiny number of
antioxidants you may get from a glass (you’d
need to drink a barrel to get a beneficial
dose of antioxidants) are toxic to your body.
Your liver conjugates estrogen—this is super
important—and when you stress it out with
alcohol, it can’t do its job well.
22
3 Spicy Foods
4 Refined Carbohydrates
Avoid spicy foods which may increase hot
flashes. If you start to have a hot flash,
then it’s probably a good idea to stay clear
of hot and spicy foods. You may also want
to decrease the number of hot liquids you
consume as they may cause the same
reactions. Track your body and notice what
triggers it.
Pasta, potatoes, bread, and donuts, for
example, can cause blood sugar instability
and weight gain, while putting you on a roller
coaster of moodiness and fatigue—a recipe
for hormone hell.
5
Sugar
It will lead to more weight gain, moodiness,
and fatigue. You may crave it, so let’s
deal with the deeper roots of blood sugar
imbalance and stress management - you
don’t feel worse. One trick for cravings
and to help balance blood sugar is to take
gymnostema, an herb known to cut cravings
in about 30 minutes or less.
www.AspireMAG.net | December 2018 / January 2019