Articles
The Thyroid Gland And Are You At Risk?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces hormones, which play a key role in regulating your heartbeat, breathing, and many other functions. Spotting thyroid disease early is so important as caught early, treatment can prevent complications. When thyroid disease goes untreated for years, it can lead to a dangerously slow (or fast) heartbeat, an injury that refuses to heal, or unrelenting pain. You may have gained or lost weight for no apparent reason. To help you find early (and some not-so-early) signs of thyroid disease on your skin, hair, and nails, here’s a checklist. How many of these signs and symptoms do you have? Skin 1. Dry, pale, and cool skin 2. Moist, velvety, and warm skin like a baby’s 3. Dry skin with deep cracks and scale 4. Deep, noticeable lines on your palms and soles 5. Yellowish-orange colour on your palms and soles 6. Doughy and swollen face, especially on your eyelids, lips, and tongue 7. Widening nose 8. Slow-healing wounds 9. Sweating less (or more) than before 10. Goitre (swelling in the neck) 11. Protruding eyes 12. Flushing on your face and red palms 13. Darker skin in the creases of your palms, on your gums, or elsewhere in your mouth 14. Rashes, especially in the creases of your skin 15. Painless lumps and patches of scaly, discoloured skin, and the affected skin feels hard and waxy 16. Reddish spots on the skin that come and go 17. Protruding eyes. When eyes protrude, it’s often a sign of thyroid disease. 18. Painless lumps and patches of scaly skin feel hard and waxy 19. Lumps on discoloured skin that feel hard and waxy can be a sign of thyroid disease. Hair ☐ Thinning (or missing) eyebrows on the outer edge ☐ Coarse, dull, dry, and brittle hair that breaks easily ☐ Soft and fine hair with lots of shedding ☐ Thinning hair or balding patches ☐ Growing more slowly (or quickly) ☐ Dry, itchy scalp and dandruff ☐ Less hair on your legs, arms, and other areas Nails ☐ Thick, dry, and brittle with visible ridges ☐ Soft, shiny, and easily crumble ☐ Growing more slowly (or quickly) ☐ Peel, crumble, or break easily ☐ Lift up ☐ Curved with swollen fingertip and thickening skin above the nail Itch ☐ Itchy skin without a rash ☐ Untreatable and itchy hives Existing skin disease You have a higher risk of developing thyroid disease if you have one of the following: ☐ Vitiligo ☐ Hives ☐ Alopecia areata (autoimmune disease that causes hair loss) Hidden thyroid disease: Do you have weight problems? Do you have carpel tunnel syndrome? Are you constantly cold when everyone else is all right with the temperature? Do you have a gluten intolerance? Are you missing about a third of your eyebrows? These are possible (not definitive) symptoms which could indicate thyroid problems. What can you do? First – you must get a medical opinion. If you already have one, and are not doing that well but want to improve your thyroid problem, perhaps try our Pure Hydrolysed Collagen. We have hundreds of testimonies of people who have had amazing results with our Pure Hydrolysed Collagen regarding thyroid function alone. Glycine is the main protein building block in collagen, and research shows we are all dismally deficient. Glycine is essential for healthy thyroid function and metabolism as a whole, and collagen is extraordinarily rich in glycine. So here are 5 ways collagen helps your thyroid: 1. Collagen BALANCES other proteins in the body. In hypothyroid patients, tryptophan is converted to serotonin which suppresses thyroid function further (by increasing other thyroid-suppressing hormones like cortisol and estrogen). This is where collagen comes to the rescue – there is NO tryptophan in collagen – that is just one reason it is so beneficial to the thyroid. 2. Collagen LOWERS CORTISOL in hypothyroidism, which lowers stress levels. Stress hormones BLOCK conversion of T4 to T3 (the active hormone) in the liver – collagen boosts the liver’s ability to convert T4 to the active T3 form by lowering cortisol. 3. Collagen lowers ENDOTOXIN, a thyroid-suppressive substance over-produced by intestinal bacteria – usually found in hypothyroidism. It over-burdens the liver, prevents detoxification of estrogen and cortisol and prevents healthy liver detoxification. 4. Collagen boosts THYROID & METABOLIC rate by regulating BLOOD SUGAR. Collagen helps to regulate blood sugar and enables you to metabolise carbs without the need for extra insulin, preventing a rise in blood sugar. Most hypothyroid sufferers are insulin resistant – and they have been shown to have more than 26% less glycine than they need – another reason glycine-rich collagen is helpful to hypothyroid and diabetic patients. 5. Lastly, collagen improves the thyroid’s ability to USE T3. Having adequate levels of T3 converted from T4 is not enough – you need to be able to UTILISE this T3. Collagen also helps to restore insulin sensitivity and help you reverse insulin resistance. Our amazing Pure Hydrolysed Collagen Peptide powder comes from grass-fed cows, has no smell, is non-GMO and has an almost undetectable taste. You’ll find it at https://sallyanncreed.co.za/…/sally-ann-creed-collagen…/
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Cornonary artery calcification
I have been asked to repeat this post – hope it’s helpful. It’s been said that magnesium plays a part in over 600 metabolic processes in the human body and involves more than 350 enzymes. There’s just about nothing magnesium is not involved in. So it would stand to reason then that it is one of the most important minerals – if not the most important – we need to take, and to do so every single day. It has now been suggested that low magnesium intake is associated with future risk of hypertension, stroke and vascular calcification, yet not enough studies exist to tie it to coronary artery calcification. However in studies done on those with calcified arteries, they all exhibited extremely low levels of magnesium, so there may be a link. Of course there is always more to it than one simple thing, like smoking for example, which is known to harden the arteries, too little vitamin C intake, lack of collagen, poor diet, high sugar levels, too much alcohol and definitely taking a calcium supplement – these causes coronary artery calcium build up. Don’t bother trying to ‘test’ your magnesium though – serum magnesium only represents around 1% of magnesium stores. Magnesium is homeostatically controlled in the serum and measuring serum magnesium levels provides many false negatives. By the time an individual’s serum magnesium is low, they are extremely deficient in magnesium, as the body cannot maintain the serum magnesium levels. You can be pretty sure if you aren’t taking it daily, you’re bound to be short of it. Sadly there is this obsession with calcium – so SO bad for us! (Google “Death by Calcium” if you don’t believe me). THIS is what causes coronary artery calcification – and not cholesterol. Without sufficient magnesium, vitamin K2 and collagen, your arteries are an easy target for calcium to deposit itself in instead of bone. The other problem is that the ratio of calcium to magnesium is totally out of whack the way omega-6 is out of whack in relation to omega-3. We need that BALANCE. Only one thing is known to man for removing this calcified arterial plaque over time – vitamin K2. Having more magnesium in your diet also helps to balance out dietary calcium. So here are the nutrients which make all the difference to coronary artery calcification: Magnesium – I recommend my Magnesium Citrate Powder due to the ease of absorption (if you would prefer capsules use my Chelated Magnesium Premium) Vitamin K2 – prevents calcification and removes calcification from soft tissue – I have developed a very pure one called Vitamin K2 Premium Collagen – a powerful aid in arterial integrity – try my Pure Hydrolysed Premium Vitamin C – absolutely VITAL for the heart – 2-6 minimum Ester C daily or a teaspoon of Super-Cee or Scorbi-Cee in water daily. I also strongly recommend Vitamin D3 Premium in connection with vitamin K2
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Why not to go Keto in menopause
Ketogenic diets do not work well for most menopausal women, especially as it unfortunately removes a lot of vegetables and greens from the diet by default. When you go into ketosis you go into mineral deficit as you excrete them faster than you can replace them, especially sodium, magnesium and potassium. Definitely go on a lower carb diet, for sure – that will work well, but not ketosis. You need to have a well-functioning liver if you want ketosis to work, and generally around menopause one’s liver is not in a fabulous state. Eating bitter foods are very good for the liver (rocket, beet greens, radicchio etc) and so are cruciferous veg and sprouts, which help to detoxify estrogen down the right pathways thereby cutting down cancer risk. You especially need to detoxify estrogen in menopause, and these veggies (steamed or cooked) help you do that. Insulin surges cause estrogen surges and this is one of the things which bring on hot flushes!! If you are insulin resistant you will probably have a lot of hot flushes, blood sugar balance is so crucial during this time. Even if you have low estrogen you can be estrogen dominant because your progesterone is so low – something people are not told. Probiotics to heal the gut makes a lot of difference at this time of life (good ones, not the cheap supermarket variety), and in time getting your microbiome in a better state through probiotics and good diet will help you enormously. Your microbiome changes within hours depending on what kind of diet you feed them! VERY important – please avoid SOY – it is a massive endocrine disruptor. Remove all the other endocrine disruptors too – chemical make-up, cleaning products (estrogen-mimickers) and other chemicals. We love Dr Hauscka (find them on our online store) for the purity, and it’s what we use. Opt for natural cleaning products or make your own. Some excellent supplements which will help you at this time include: • Quercetin • Organic Turmeric (use as a spice in your food) • Milk Thistle Premium to regenerate and cleanse the liver • The Omega-3 Solution Fish oil (take 3 a day) • Renewed Balance Natural Progesterone Cream (ONLY if not on hormones – read about it here https://sallyanncreed.co.za/why-you-cant-live-without-progesterone-ladies/
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Weight Gain In Menopause
We hear this so often. The moment women go into either menopause or peri-menopause, the weight starts piling on and all the wheels come off. Yes, it’s a hormonal problem, that’s pretty obvious, but what can you do about it? Know this, there is hope! The first thing to comfort yourself with is the knowledge that this a normal phase of life. It’s not a disease and should not be treated as such. Natural methods, lifestyle, supplements and diet can get you sailing through this time of life. Here are some helpful guidance to support you VERY important: You have to realise that carbohydrates are not your friend. This is because as we get older our insulin automatically (like everything else!) goes south or rather in the case of insulin becomes less sensitive. This means more insulin is produced and the more insulin you are producing the more fat you are storing around your belly. You have to now ‘break up’ with carbs like bread, sugar, alcohol and dairy. If you are one of the lucky ones who has sailed through menopause without this problem and you may well sit there and laugh at the rest of us. Not many people escape this middle-aged spread story but you are blessed if you can still indulge in all your favourites. While still getting away with no weight gain. We are all very envious. Great news – we are here to help and would like to support you along your journey. You naturally experience fatigue at this time of life (don’t worry, it passes!), and you could end up reaching for processed food or ready meals from sheer exhaustion – and turn to sweet things and alcohol to comfort and relax so you get through the day. You need to eat wholesome REAL food. This is a secret hiding in plain sight – eating real food every single meal you possibly can. And if you need an afternoon power nap, take one – it can refresh you no end. Thyroid hormones dictate how much energy the cells of the body can produce. When the levels of hormone increase, it tells the body to burn fat to produce cellular energy (ATP). Compromised thyroid hormone levels will prevent burning carbs and fat, and lead to weight gain. Extra stress at this time of life all contribute to how our hormones react. Very often around this time you are dealing many stressors and there is simply no time for you! This is a huge part of the equation. Stress leads to excess cortisol being produced by the adrenals, and may lead to weight gain. Estrogen is not the only hormone which is affected. As estrogen declines, so cortisol is elevated, thyroid hormones may be affected, and then there is insulin and leptin. Your body is undergoing a complete hormonal shift. Be kind to yourself and realise that this is something that you can control up to a point with lifestyle and diet. And by saying NO to more outside requests so that you have the time and stamina for things you need to do for yourself and your family. Insulin is the hormone responsible for decreasing circulating blood sugar. It’s necessary and wonderful when it “works” properly. But to keep a balanced level you need to dump the sugars and grains and anything high in carbohydrates. (The Low-Carb Creed outlines all this with lists and ideas for you). More carbs means more insulin, which means more fat storage, and perhaps insulin resistance, which is a decreased sensitivity to insulin, and a precursor to diabetes. Insulin resistance leads to weight gain, possible high blood pressure and raised blood lipids – even the dreaded fatty liver – so it’s it is important to either not let this happen, or address it now and reverse it. Cortisol, our main stress hormone, increases blood sugar levels providing fuel to the cells to provide energy. Very high blood sugar levels lead to cortisol resistance and adrenal fatigue, as the adrenals are unable to keep up with the demand for more and more cortisol – all this leads to weight gain and no energy. Leptin is the hormone our fat cells produce to tell the hypothalamus in the brain that we have had enough to eat, thank you. Too much fructose especially leads to leptin resistance where the messaging system stops working, the brain doesn’t get the message that you are full, you remain hungry and continue to eat more and more to satiate yourself. Take some helpful supplements during this difficult time. The following are all helpful – and may get you flying through this bumpy time: B Complex – this is a winner for menopause Omega-3 fish oil Renewed Balance cream (a natural progesterone – only if you are not on HRT) Vitamin D3 – really important for 1000 reasons! Vitamin K2 for heart and bones Pure Hydrolysed Collagen is amazing for so many reasons too Glutamine (prevents cravings) Berberine (blood sugar balance) All of these products are available from the online store on our website here www.sallyanncreed.co.za/shop – use the “search” button if you get stuck finding them.
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Do you have undiagnosed PCOS?
Overview Could you have undiagnosed PCOS? Types of PCOS Common Causes of PCOS Recognising the symptoms of PCOS Lifestyle Tips for PCOS Nutrients to help PCOS COULD YOU HAVE UNDIAGNOSED PCOS? Many women are walking around with problems they don’t understand, and may have undiagnosed Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). There are a lot of symptoms like anxiety, depression, weight gain, acne, PMS, blemishes and breakouts, unwanted hair growth and infertility or lack of a menstrual cycle. PCOS is now the most common endocrine disorder in women with up to 1 in 5 women suffering from – 20% of women. Hormones work like little chemical messengers in your body, they determine everything from your mood, to your energy levels, to your weight – hormones affect and control so many aspects of your health, yet it can be so easy to overlook just how important they are to our well-being- until your balance is compromised. The underlying cause for PCOS symptoms is an abnormally high level of male sex hormones compared to female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. In a majority of PCOS cases, male sex hormones are high – this can prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg each month as they would when in a state of balance. Female sex hormones need to be balanced with male sex hormones in the proper ratio. It’s the ratio which is out of kilter. THERE ARE 5 TYPES OF PCOS The Classic type: high androgen levels, irregular or absent ovulation, and polycystic ovaries The Hyperandrogenic Anovulatory type: excess androgens with irregular or absent ovulation (but not polycystic ovaries) Ovulatory type : excess androgens with polycystic ovaries (but without ovulatory dysfunction) Non-Hyperandrogenic PCOS: irregular or absent ovulation and polycystic ovaries Obesity or the ‘unofficial’ type: obesity with insulin resistance can lead to excess testosterone and estrogen production. This combination can result in acne, facial hair, and the irregular cycles as seen in PCOS. Most women with PCOS are prescribed the birth control pill, but this does not fix nor halt PCOS, it merely masks the symptoms at best. The Pill is a concoction of synthetic hormones does nothing to prevent, cure, or fix PCOS or any other hormone disorder for that matter. While it seems to manage symptoms in some women but a holistic approach is best here – lower inflammation and balance hormone levels through nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle changes. COMMON CAUSES INCLUDE: Genetic predisposition: PCOS is regarded as a condition that runs in families, especially if you have a diabetic parent. You don’t HAVE to go on to develop this by the way, you can ‘change your destiny’ in this instance. Poor diet: Eating too many high-glycaemic foods, such as those with a high-sugar content and refined carbohydrates. Chronic stress Too much exercise Thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism Exposure to synthetic estrogen, phytoestrogens in soy, plastics, pesticides and phthalates Obesity High insulin levels – which cause the ovaries to increase male sex hormones, preventing the ovaries’ ability to ovulate High levels of inflammation – even chronic low-grade inflammation will cause the ovaries to produce more androgens RECOGNISE THE SYMPTOMS There is no one reason as to why women develop PCOS. It’s also not just one single disorder but instead, at least four or five independent disorders that are all characterized by an overlapping but inconsistent set of symptoms: High androgen, or male sex hormone levels Acne Facial and body hair growth Hair loss or balding Irregular or absent menstrual cycles/infertility Excessive or heavy menstrual bleeding Ovarian cysts Darkening of the skin in the armpits, back of the neck, or groin Mood disorders Obesity and inability to lose weight with a healthy lifestyle Recurrent miscarriages LIFESTYLE TIPS FOR PCOS: Eat WHOLE foods – create a meal plan with fresh, organic, pasture-reared food. No processed food. It MUST be a no-sugar, low carb diet to work, and you must avoid seed oils, gluten, dairy, sugar, feedlot animal protein and farmed fish. Choose wild caught fish and free-range, pasture-reared beef, lamb, chicken, etc. Avoid all grains as these become sugar in the bloodstream and will only add to your misery. DO NOT TOUCH SOY! Anything soy is taboo for you – it is the most controversial phytoestrogen and it is found in almost every packaged food, and virtually all soy is genetically modified and highly processed, which can further trigger an overload of estrogen and contribute to a new imbalance which also comes with its own set of symptoms. Use natural, organic spices and herbs – powerhouses of the correct type of phytonutrients which decrease inflammation, support liver health and nourish – best spices are cinnamon, turmeric, black cumin, coriander and ginger. Use apple cider vinegar daily as it helps to increase insulin sensitivity Don’t over-exercise, but do move Avoid toxins in food, make-up, your environment etc Learn to relax and destress Get enough GOOD quality sleep – go to bed earlier – use L-Theanine if you need it. NUTRIENTS TO HELP PCOS Berberine is absolutely excellent at helping to control blood sugar and insulin, probably the biggest culprit of all Vitamin D3 – vitamin D deficiency is linked to insulin resistance, ovulatory and menstrual irregularities, obesity and decreased fertility (PCOS in a nutshell!) Magnesium Citrate powder will help you to relax and destress Use Pure Hydrolysed Collagen which helps to balance hormones, blood sugar levels and insulin You will find all of these in our ONLINE STORE at www.sallyanncreed.co.za/shop Disclaimer: This post is subject to our general disclaimer https://sallyanncreed.co.za/disclaimer/.
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3 ways to prepare your body for later life
Getting older is an inevitable and natural part of life, but it can come with some challenges, including joints that are a bit stiffer and muscles that don’t recover as quickly as they used to. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do today to prepare your body (and mind) for tomorrow. Here are three ways to lay the foundation for energy, vitality and good health in later life. Move your body One of the best things you can do for your older self is to stay active. While the immediate benefits of regular exercise are well-established, here are a few ways physical activity can help you prepare for later life: Strength and resistance training can help stave off age-related muscle loss. Weight-bearing exercises like walking and hiking can help you build and maintain strong bones. Cardio workouts can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health. Mobility exercises can help you develop and maintain a good range of motion as you get older. Supplement support: Glutamine and collagen are a dynamic duo to complement your exercise routine. Glutamine can improve recovery time after exercise and may even aid fat burning. And pure hydrolysed collagen is something of an all-round wonder supplement, supporting healthy connective tissue, helping to repair joints, tendons and ligaments, and promoting gut health, among many other benefits. Stimulate your brain Cognitive skills and abilities tend to decline with age, so it’s worth investing in activities that will help keep your brain fit and healthy. While eating a nutrient-rich diet and getting enough sleep and exercise are excellent healthy-brain habits, here are a few additional ways to keep your mind sharp as you get older. Play a brain game – word or number puzzles like crosswords or Sudoku are a great choice. Learn something new – whether you’re interested in painting, pottery or photography, there are plenty of courses on offer. Set yourself a reading goal – for example, aim to read a new book every month. Or better yet, join an online book club to reap the social benefits too. Challenge yourself – take up a musical instrument or start learning a new language. Supplement support: The B vitamins play an important role in the brain, from protecting and repairing cells to helping brain neurons to ‘fire’ correctly. Riboflavin (B2), for instance, is a powerful antioxidant which fights free radical damage in the body, especially in the brain. And folate (B9) is vital for a healthy brain and a good memory. So, if you’re looking to boost your brain health, consider adding a B complex supplement to your routine – the B vitamins work best together. Learn to manage stress Stress seems to be part and parcel of modern life. But when it becomes chronic, it can take a real toll on your body – affecting everything from your mood and sleep patterns to your immune system and digestion. And a number of studies have shown that stress may even make your cells age faster. So if you find that you struggle to manage your stress levels, it’s worth adopting some stress-busting strategies that you can use now and in the future. Focus on the positives in your life – gratitude can be a powerful stress-reduction tool. Get plenty of sleep – sleep deprivation can affect your mood and memory and exacerbate your stress levels. Do relaxation exercises – practices like yoga, meditation and deep breathing are particularly useful in calming your mind and body. Connect with friends – these relationships are essential for emotional and mental health. Supplement support Calm is a natural Sally-Ann Creed supplement which helps to reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep quality. The active ingredient in Calm is Lactium®, a unique milk extract that contains a natural bioactive protein with relaxing properties. This soothing product also helps to promote cognitive health and healthy cortisol levels. Buy Calm here
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Quick Tips for Menopause
1. MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS RESPOND TO COLLAGEN Here is some first hand feedback from our customers… “Almost all my menopause symptoms are gone after a few months on the collagen! I only get hot flushes now when I drink alcohol, then it’s my own fault! Lol” JB Hi Sally, FYI…had been taking your Pure Hydrolysed Collagen to assist with my arthritis for 4 months and naturally my pain subsided. But what transpired was the best and most unexpected thing. My menopausal hot flushes disappeared as well. At first I didn’t tie the two together but I had a bad month financially and couldn’t get my collagen and that’s when the hot flushes returned!! Perhaps coincidence? I think not! I have had hot flushes for over 5 years and nothing has helped before this. The fact that they have reappeared after stopping the collagen is what was so interesting. I’m back on the collagen now and will see if the flushes stop again. Hold thumbs!!” KL I have to say I started only this week with your pure collagen and already I noticed a significant difference in the frequency and severity of my hot flashes. Ursula D 2. MENOPAUSE AND YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Keeping your digestive system working well is another key to good health not only in menopause but throughout your life. Eat organic vegetables where you can, pasture-fed meats and chickens, eggs from pasture-fed chickens and game. Ditch the sugar, alcohol and junk and concentrate on really fresh and healthy foods. 3. MENOPAUSE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Stay active – exercise on its own won’t help you manage your weight but it does help to prevent muscle loss and helps to sensitise insulin. You don’t have to run a marathon or spend all day at the gym. Simply walking every few days or an hour or so is enough. 4. MENOPAUSE AND CHEMICALS Avoid chemicals on your face, when cleaning your home, washing your body and your clothing. Wherever possible, choose natural alternatives to chemicals. Look around your home. You’ll be horrified at how many chemical substances you use every day. 5. MENOPAUSE AND HEALTHY CHOICES Avoid genetically modified foods, avoid man-made fats and oils. Stick to animal fat and olive oil, butter and other healthy fats. You can get all the support you may need and embark on a ‘food journey’ through the 63 Days to Optimum Health Book. You will be guided over the course of 9 weeks to transition in your emotions, food intake and habits to create a new you. Hopefully (if you want to) you will lose weight, feel heaps better, and continue to apply these principles indefinitely. This book is for anyone seeking to ‘create health’ or maintain it. This comprehensive guide offers sections on gut heath, market place myths, substitutions for unhealthy old favourites, superfoods that improve immunity and nourish the body, and delicious, cook-from-scratch recipes that celebrate the benefits of making whole foods at home. By making informed choices, you can enjoy day-long energy and ongoing health.
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5 things worth knowing about menopause
Hot flashes, night sweats, hormone replacement therapy (HRT)… If that’s about as much as you know on the topic of menopause, here’s your chance to get to grips with this often-dreaded stage of life. Knowledge is power, after all. What is menopause? Sometimes referred to as ‘change of life’, menopause signals the end of a woman’s reproductive cycle and is diagnosed once a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for 12 consecutive months – this change occurs as a result of the ovaries producing less of the hormone estrogen, and results in several menopause-related symptoms. The process includes three well-defined stages: Perimenopause – this encompasses the period leading up to menopause as well as the 12 months following the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Menopause – this stage follows 12 months after a woman’s last period, whether this occurs naturally or as the result of the ovaries being removed. Postmenopause – this covers the period following menopause, but it can be tricky to determine exactly when it starts. Here are five things you may not yet know about menopause – and which, if this phase of life still awaits you, should prove helpful when you get there. The symptoms of menopause are many and varied While hot flashes and night sweats are undoubtedly the most well-known indicators of menopause, this stage of life comes with a laundry list of (not-so-lovely) symptoms, some of which can kick in as soon as your early forties. These include but are not limited to: Mood swings Debilitating fatigue Hair loss Insomnia Memory issues Weight gain Bloating Vaginal dryness Increase in allergies Digestive problems Accelerated ageing While we’re on the topic of symptoms, there are some foods and drinks that can aggravate the situation, so try to avoid them wherever possible. Alcohol Coffee Very spicy food Sugar in any disguise (that includes fructose, agave etc.) Dairy products (with the exception of butter) Fizzy drinks Junk fats Soya Your cholesterol levels can increase Unfortunately, menopause can spell disaster for cholesterol levels – even if yours have always been normal. This has to do with the decrease in estrogen levels during menopause, which causes (?) a subsequent increase in levels of LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) and a decrease in HDL (the ‘good’ cholesterol). What’s important to remember here is to get your cholesterol checked regularly, regardless of whether you’ve done so in the past. That way you can take measures to address it should you find your levels rising. Weight gain is a problem for many You’ve heard about the dreaded ‘middle age spread’ and sadly it’s a reality for many women during menopause, when hormonal changes can cause an associated change in your weight. So, what can you do about it? Stay active While regular exercise alone won’t help you lose weight, it is vital for preventing muscle loss and helping to sensitise insulin (more on why the latter is important below). And you don’t have to run a marathon or spend all day at the gym to make it worth your while – going for a walk several times a week is enough. Cut the carbs This is good advice at any age, but as we get older our insulin becomes less sensitive, with the result that our bodies produce more of it. And the more insulin we produce, the more fat we end up storing around our bellies. So, if you’re a fan of carbohydrates, which automatically trigger insulin production, now is the time to part ways with them in favour of a slimmer, relatively symptom-free menopausal you. Keep your digestive system in shape Again, this is advice worth following throughout your life. Here are a few valuable tips to keep in mind when planning meals: Ditch the sugar, alcohol and junk – focus on fresh, healthy foods instead. Source organic vegetables, pasture-fed meat and chicken and eggs from pasture-fed chickens, whenever possible. Avoid genetically modified foods. Use healthy fats – animal fat, olive oil and butter. Avoid all seed oils – these are inflammatory and will result in weight gain. There are alternatives to HRT Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is very often recommended for woman experiencing menopause, but it’s vital that you think very carefully before embarking on this course of action as natural estrogen is very different to the synthetic estrogen we are given during menopause – synthetic hormones build fat and can predispose you to cancers. There are safe natural options you can try and seeking advice on what these are and which ones could work for you could be a huge help during the menopausal years. There are supplements that can help In spite of the difficulties associated with menopause, there is good news in the shape of several fantastic supplements that can help your body navigate this challenging time. B Complex A menopause all-rounder Omega-3 fish oil Powerful anti-inflammatory agent Improves memory function Calms and improves mood levels Improves fat burning Renewed Balance Body Cream A natural progesterone – only suitable if you are not on HRT Addresses a multitude of menopausal symptoms including: Osteoporosis Insomnia/restless sleep Anxiety/depression Brain fog Mood swings Weight gain Vitamin D3 Important for cardiovascular health Improves depression/anxiety Prevents fatigue Prevents bone and muscle pain Vitamin K2 Improves bone density – directs calcium to the bones, rather than, for example, the kidneys where it forms kidney stones Enhances remineralisation of bone, reducing osteoporosis Regulates the function of hormones Improves brain function Promotes healthy blood sugar levels Pure Hydrolysed Collagen Collagen is found in your bones, skin, ligaments and joints and literally holds everything together in the body Promotes healthy joints and rebuilds cartilage Prevents wrinkles and can smooth some of them out Improves arthritis Strengthens arteries Promotes weight loss through fat-burning Glutamine Eliminates or significantly reduces cravings for sugar, alcohol and tobacco Improves blood sugar levels Helps burn fat As an essential transmitter, glutamine is wonderful for memory loss, focus and concentration Prevents muscle wasting Berberine Normalises blood sugar levels There are also a number of targeted nutrients and specialised supplements that you can trial under the direction of a trained Functional Nutritional Therapist.
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