A Healthy Diet May Delay Menopause

Most women begin menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. If you have hot flashes, mood swings, and irregular periods, you may be headed towards menopause. It’s unclear as to why menopause affects some women later than others. 

Studies have shown there is a direct link between a healthy diet and menopause. Consumption of certain foods has been proven to affect the age at which menopause occurs. Menopause officially begins after a woman has not gotten a menstrual period for at least 12 consecutive months and it was not brought on by medication treatments.

Data suggests that a high intake of healthy foods like oily fish and legumes is associated with a later onset of menopause. Those who include a substantial amount of oily fish may even experience delayed menopause of almost three years. On the opposite side of the spectrum, those who consume significant amounts of refined pasta and white rice tend to have an earlier start to menopause. Some food groups are predictive of natural menopause.

How to Delay Early Menopause

Early menopause increases the risk of health issues such as heart problems, osteoporosis, brain fog/memory issues, and depression. It isn’t just a matter of appearance or sexual dysfunction. Studies have shown that a plant-based diet can help increase estrogen levels which helps ward off any health concerns.

Here are some foods that are rich in phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens) that help prevent early onset menopause:

• Chickpeas
• Legumes – lentils, pinto beans
• Fruits – oranges, strawberries, peaches, dried dates, apricots
• Carrots
• Olives and olive oil
• Sesame seeds
• Turmeric
• Whole grains
• Soya products – yogurt, soy

Properties in these types of food, like flavonoids, help combat the symptoms of menopause by boosting estrogen. They also help protect against other health concerns like dementia, heart disease, and osteoporosis. 

A diet that is high in refined carbohydrates is more likely to cause menopause in women up to one-and-a-half years earlier than the average woman. Any other type of outside stimuli that can harm the ovaries is also known to cause early menopause.

If we can delay menopause simply by changing our diet and the way we get nutrients, then isn’t it worth it? The team at CleopatraRX works with women to help prevent the unwanted and challenging symptoms that come along with menopause. Click the link below to schedule your initial consultation with a healthcare professional.