Over the past number of months, there has been a lot of attention on menopause. Of course, all women realise menopause is part of life, but many come upon it and question what is happening. For generations, menopause was simply not spoken about, just something that occurred and had to be endured. Just like everything else in life, preparation and knowledge is power. Fortunately, the power is very much in your hands and begins with some simple knowledge on what your body needs at this stage of your life.
Good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are essential in helping to manage the symptoms of menopause and eating a healthy balanced diet is vital! High quality supplements can help to reduce menopause symptoms. Supplementing with key nutrients can also support bone health and heart health, which is very important because of the increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis after menopause, due to the loss of oestrogen.
Here is a guide to SOMEGA supplements which are powerful allies during menopause:
Vitamin C
Research show that Vitamin C levels in the body decrease during menopause. While perhaps best known for its role in supporting immune health, Vitamin C is vital for energy production in the body, helping to reduce tiredness and fatigue, a common symptom of menopause. Vitamin C also helps to increase iron absorption.
Vitamin C supports the production of collagen, the main structural protein in connective tissue, cartilage, and tendons that holds our bodies stable, and keeps ligaments and tendons strong around joints. Collagen is important for skin integrity and in menopause, skin quickly loses collagen. Studies show that women’s skin loses about 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause. After that, the decline is more gradual. As collagen diminishes, skin loses it firmness and begins to sag and wrinkle.
Vitamin C helps to support mental health and well-being and research shows that supplementation can help reduce anxiety in women. As a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C helps protect your cells from oxidative stress which can contribute to aging and a range of health conditions, including heart disease and atherosclerosis.
Vitamin D and Vitamin K
Vitamins D and K are both essential throughout life. Vitamin D is vital for a healthy immune system, Vitamin K supports normal blood clotting and when taken together, Vitamins D and K are more effective for supporting your bone health than when taken separately. Vitamin D acts to increase calcium absorption and Vitamin K helps direct the movement of calcium into bones.
This Vitamin D and K combination is particularly important for women around menopause as the drop in oestrogen levels that occurs around the time of menopause results in increased bone loss. Maintaining good Vitamin D levels around the time of menopause is important in reducing the risk of osteoporosis and combining it with Vitamin K offers enhanced bone health support.
Omega-3
Is there any stage of life where Omega-3 is not important – the answer is no! But during menopause Omega-3 is vital as it helps support your brain health, heart health and healthy vision. Omega-3 supplements have been shown to ease psychological distress and depressive symptoms often experienced by menopausal and perimenopausal women. Research also reports a reduction in the incidence of hot flushes.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is another vitamin essential for energy metabolism, helping to reduce tiredness and fatigue. Vitamin B12 also supports mental health and well-being and the formation of red blood cells which carry oxygen from your lungs to the tissues in your body.
Vitamin B12 is found in animal foods only, so if you are vegetarian or vegan, supplementation is advisable. For menopausal women, it is important to be aware that from the age of 50, there is increased susceptibility to deficiency due to impaired absorption of this vitamin.
While we cannot control every change in our life, we can take control by knowing what our body needs. Knowledge is power and your body will thank you for keeping everything as natural as possible, with a healthy diet and lifestyle and high-quality supplements. With these on your side, you’ll be well-placed to greet the menopause as an exciting new chapter in your life.
Menopause Wellness Bundle
We’ve put together a special offer Menopause Wellness Bundle to support you before, during and after menopause. Click here for details.
