Nutritional Support for Menopause

Dr. Gerald H. Smith

1. A woman is considered to be in menopause when she is amenorrheic for more than a year.
2. 50% of the female population is in menopause by the time they reach age fifty.
3. Signs and symptoms (have been related to estrogen deficiency):
   • Hot flashes
   • Osteoporosis: occurs within the first three years of menopause
   • Painful intercourse
4. Other related symptoms (not related to estrogen deficiency):
   • Headaches
   • Mood swings (especially depression)
   • Irritability
   • Cravings
   • Insomnia
   • Cardiovascular problems
   • These symptoms are really hypoglycemic reactions aggrevated by the endocrine imbalance created by the cessation of ovulation.
5. Estrogen’s effects on blood sugar (it may take two years for these effects to occur):
   • Converts low blood sugar into lower blood sugar levels.
   • Converts asymptomatic hypoglycemia into a symptomatic hypoglycemia.
   • Cause even higher blood sugar levels in the diabetic.
6. Avoid estrogen if any of the following hypoglycemic symptoms are present:
   • Fatigue
   • Mood swings- dpression, anxiety
   • Irritability
   • Panic attacks
   • Cravings
   • Seizure disorders
   • Headaches
   • Schizophrenia, confusion, or other mental disorders
   • Palpitations (mitral value prolapse)
   • Bloating
   • Multiple sclerosis
   • Peptic ulcer
   • Irritable bowel syndrome
7. Gastrointestinal Symptoms
   • Abdominal bloating
   • Nausea
   • Vomiting
   • Constipation
   • Increase or decrease in appetite
   • Carbohydrate craving: sugar (low blood sugar) and chocolate (caffeine)
8. Miscellaneous
   • Edema
   • Weight gain
   • Backache
   • Bedwetting
   • Scanty urination
   • Capillary fagility (bruise easily)
   • Flare-up of skin diseases
   • Breast changes: swollen and tender
   • Eye complaints
9. If estrogen must be taken, its safety can be increased by adding a progesterone-like hormone and folic acid, PABA, zinc and vitamin E, (Cataplex B, Folic acid B-12, Chezyn, Wheat germ oil)
10. Vitamin Therapy
    • Folic acid and PABA (para amino acid benzoic acid- present in the B-complex vitamins): increases estrogen response. (B-12 Folic acid).
    • Calcium, vitamin D, phosphorous, magnesium (CalMa Plus).
    • Biost (provides the blue print for bone formation).
    • Catalyn (general multiple).
    • (acts to push calcium into the bones).
    • Vitamin C (helps form the bone matrix).
    • Enzyme Formula #20: improves digestion.
    • Symplex F: supports the endocrine system.
    • Ovex: supports female hormone production.
    • Meno-Ease: amino acid formula that supports the adrenals.
    Note: Phosphorous lowers calcium levels; high quantities of phosphorous are present in refined foods especially soft drinks and dried cereals.
11. Recommendations:
    • Excercise: maintains bone density
    • Reduce protein consumption: High protein diets flush out minerals
    • Increase consumption of dark green vegetables: kale, swiss chard, broccoli, parsley. Greens have magnesium which helps maintain calcium levels.