How diet and exercise can help with the menopause
Nutritionists and doctors know that what you eat can affect your mood and there's a lot of evidence that suggests certain foods such as tofu and fresh fruit and vegetables that contain anti-oxidents can reduce the symptoms of the menopause. So, this diet involves lots of these foods, plus it's a low-fat, high-fibre diet to help lose weight and improve digestion - another common problem that comes with age and the menopause. The diet has a lot of calcium-rich foods too, which is needed for bone health.
Is there anything else I can do?
Yes, lifestyle changes can really help. Weight-bearing exercise, such as doing weights in the gym or using your own body weight, to do exercises, such as press-ups, can help strengthen the bones, and as levels of oestrogen drop, bones get weaker. This sort of exercise also tones muscles and the more toned your muscles are, the more fat you'll burn.
Many women find that yoga also helps with the menopause because not only is it good for the bones and muscles, the breathing exercises can help minimise hot flushes, anxiety and mood swings. Plus, yoga is very relaxing, which is important because feeling stressed and depressed can be common symptoms of the menopause and make all the other symptoms worse - and lead to weight gain too.
By Louise O'Connell
Average rating:
Lynn, about 1 month
Excellent information on Menopause, Diet, Exercise, it's helped me so much!
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