Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, headache, joint pain or a low mood are some of the symptoms of menopause and climacteric. When these symptoms become very annoying, there are women who plan to implement the Hormonal Replacement Therapy, which consists of the administration of the hormones that the body manufactures in less quantity than before. However, these treatments have their risks, and not all women can receive them, but this time we can go to natural products to relieve the symptoms of menopause, we are talking about phytoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens with chemical compounds whose composition and functioning are similar to the estrogens of the human body, but whose origin is in plants. Its name reminds us of phytotherapy, the use of plants for therapeutic purposes, but in this case, this natural remedy is not at odds with traditional medicine, since the consumption of phytoestrogens is recommended by doctors.
Foods That Help With Menopause Naturally
There are several types of phytoestrogens: lignans, cumestans, indoles, and isoflavones, probably the best known of these types of compounds. In addition, they are the most similar to human estrogens, and the food that contains them in greater quantity is soybeans. Flax seeds and tofu (derived from soybeans) also contain high levels of phytoestrogens. These are products that are not present frequently in Western diets, and it is even very normal not to consume them during our lifetime. However, there are many foods that are more typical of our food, which also contains phytoestrogens of different types, even in a smaller quantity. The whole grains, legumes like lentils or beans/beans, red clover, grapes and wine, vegetables, broccoli, and green and black teas are some examples.
| Tofu is another way to bring soy isoflavones into our diet after menopause. |
Benefits of Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens, in addition to relieving the more immediate symptoms of menopause, also prevent various diseases and ailments derived from the decrease in the level of estrogens in the body. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems, as they avoid the accumulation of bad cholesterol or LDL and are vasodilators. They are also antioxidant products, which prevent cell aging, and also slow the loss of bone tissue, therefore, osteoporosis It has been proven that phytoestrogens prevent some types of cancers, such as breast, prostate, and colon.
As we can see, incorporating this type of food is beneficial for postmenopausal women, but also for younger and also men.
| Eastern women carry a diet rich in soy and other healthy foods and suffer less from the symptoms of menopause. |
Should you drink soy milk? Good or Bad?
Undoubtedly, incorporating soy and its derivatives into our diet will be very beneficial after menopause, in addition, doing so through soy milk will also contribute calcium, so necessary to prevent osteoporosis. Even so, it is not the only possible way to consume it, it can be in the form of sauce, flour, tofu, or as simple vegetables. Various medical studies support the consumption of phytoestrogens as a treatment for menopause, as it has been proven to decrease their symptoms.
Nevertheless, it is advisable to also incorporate certain healthy habits of life so that the effect is enhanced. Among them is: lead an active and low sedentary life; expose to the sun 15 minutes daily with sun protection to get vitamin D, which helps us to better absorb calcium from food; avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and, above all, eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and calcium.
With these slight changes in daily life and diet, a woman can greatly improve her quality of life after menopause. Even for those who do not notice the symptoms typical of this stage of life is recommended to maintain these habits, and thus prevent future pathologies develop.
