There are about 5,000 myths about menopause (I counted), but I thought we could get started with these. If it’s you who is going through it, you don’t want to miss this workshop on Sat, Sept 26…
1. Myth: Soy foods are awesome, especial for post-menopausal women.
The logic behind this is that the estrogen-like thingies in soy — isoflavones — help compensate for the loss of natural estrogen. But several studies have concluded that soy foods can stimulate the growth of estrogen-dependent tumors. Not good, especially if there’s cancer in your family or you have other cancer risk factors.
Also, soy has definitely been associated with low thyroid function which is one of the most common “inconveniences” of menopause.
2. Myth: Low-fat and fat-free products are good for you.
Truth: Vitamins A and D are fat soluble, which means that they are absorbed only in the presence of fat. Since these vitamins are needed to assimilate calcium and protein, when you eat low-fat and fat-free products you are kind of messing up this whole process.
There’s a vitamin D deficiency “epidemic” that is affecting children and post-menopausal women especially and this low fat, fat free business has to do a lot with it.
3. Myth: If you work your **s off, you’ll eventually lose the extra weight.
Truth: This is so not the case, specially for menopausal women who are healthy, but want to lose those “stubborn last 5 pounds”. Weight retention might be your body’s way to prevent loss of bone mass. Bones need to carry a certain amount of weight to remain strong. (Have you noticed how osteoporosis is more common in thin people?)
4. Whole grains are the bomb and you should eat lots of them.
Well… it depends on the person.
First of all, let’s be clear that if you are going to eat any grains, they should be whole. That’s not in question.
But if you are going through middle-age hormonal roller-coasters and things are wacky, then abstaining from eating grains (at least for a while) might really help. There are a few reasons, but let me mention two:
First, grains have phytic acid — an anti-nutrient that blocks the absorption of minerals, especially calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. If you are worried about good bone health, then you should consider this.
The second reason is metabolic. Unless you have a fast metabolism and exercise regularly, the glucose resulting from the digestion of grains is likely to end up stored as fat. This causes added stress on the adrenals, thyroid and pancreas which are usually compromised when things are wacky.
5. Myth: Cholesterol is the devil.
Truth: Cholesterol that’s too low equals hormonal hell. Cholesterol is the precursor to a hormone called pregnenolone, which has important functions itself, but is also the precursor to all other steroid hormones (a chain reaction that produces progesterone, cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, estradiol and estrogen).
Hey, those are the hormones you’d get if you go for HRT, but with appropriate levels of cholesterol is more likely that you can get them naturally without the small-print side effects. Hmmm….
These and more entertaining myths and what to do exactly to improve health at menopause is what we are going to be talking about Sept 26. Remember, the early bird price is over on Sept 10. Join us!
{ 0 comments… add one now }