5 Natural Remedies for Weight Gain, Hot Flashes, and Other Menopause Symptoms
Studies show 91 percent of us don’t mind reaching menopause, but that doesn’t mean we like the symptoms. Luckily, there are plenty of remedies that can help you breeze through without hassles.
Sidestep aches with deep stretches.
Estrogen and progesterone, hormones that raise our pain threshold, drop during menopause. That makes us more achy, says pain researcher Irene Tracey, PhD. But doing 20 minutes of yoga daily can cut backaches, joint pain and other symptoms by 84 percent, say Indian researchers. Turns out, yoga’s deep breathing and stretching encourage your brain to release painkilling endorphins.
Halt weight gain with eggs every day.
Estrogen improves insulin sensitivity and helps you burn blood sugar and fatty acids for fuel — no wonder 70 percent of us find weight control tougher after menopause! To stop weight gain — and shed up to 17 pounds this year — add two eggs to your daily diet. Australian researchers say eggs offer an ideal blend of nutrients (choline, lutein, and amino acids) that pinch-hit for estrogen, improving insulin sensitivity, blood-sugar control, and metabolism.
Boost your happy with foot rubs.
Happy hormones like serotonin and dopamine are kick-started by estrogen — and by foot massages too. British researchers say that stimulating acupressure points in your feet with five-minute massages twice daily will cut the risk of menopause-triggered anxiety and blahs by 55 percent.
Banish hot flashes with this extract.
In German studies, taking 4 mg. of Siberian rhubarb daily cut hot flashes by as much as 75 percent in the first month. Explains gynecologist Sergey Solskyy, MD, Siberian rhubarb contains plant estrogens that heighten your brain’s ability to control body temperature. Try: Life Extension Menopause 731™ ($27, LEF.com/ww). Note: Ask your doctor before supplementing.
Clear away brain fog with music.
Scientists at Michigan State University in East Lansing say listening to your favorite tunes will kick-start the release of energizing beta brain waves, sharpening your focus and concentration faster and more effectively than a cup of coffee or tea.
This article originally appeared in our sister print magazine, Woman’s World.
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