Marilyn Glenville PhD gave a talk at Nutricentre on 15th June 2011 about Natural Solutions for the Menopause.
She explained how menopause and osteoporosis are linked to female hormones and gave some practical tips on nutritional therapy to help with this delicate phase of a woman’s life.
Doctor Glenville challenged the Western concept that menopause is an illness therefore requiring medication. HRT (hormone-replacement therapy) has been linked to breast cancer risk (2007 study by National Cancer Institute) and strokes.
The menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life and in ancient societies was celebrated as a rite of passage when women gained wisdom and respect from the community.
In today’s society the menopause is almost a taboo subject as it represents the end of a woman’s fertility years, practically making her less attractive or worthy. Attractiveness has probably become such an obsession that some post-menopausal women keep their weight excessively low in an attempt to look in shape.
Many women try to be unnaturally slim by following a high protein diet: extreme diets can severely affect health as they can cause a significant bone density loss. A high protein diet makes the body inflamed and acidic so to neutralise the acid, calcium leaches away from bones and teeth.
The most acid-forming foods include parmesan cheese, caffeine and caffeinated carbonated drinks, sugar, alcohol and even spinach and rhubarb.
A good diet to help through the menopause to reduce side effects like hot flushes should include phytoestrogens like soya, legumes, linseeds, fennel, celery, wholegrains, garlic, parsley and hops. For general protection against cancer Dr Glenville suggested broccoli, cabbage and kale.
Dr Glenville also recommended herbs such as black cohosh, agnus castus, sage and milk thistle for better hormonal balance and liver function (hormones need fat which is metabolised in the liver).