Freshsein
Surviving Menopause Weight Gain
Menopause involves a major hormonal upheaval just as puberty does but in reverse. Sex hormone levels drop in both sexes at middle age and the consequential body changes are undeniable. Diet and lifestyle choices you used to be able to get away with are much more difficult to recover from. Additionally, estrogen-like chemicals in personal care products and food packaging can further mess with an endocrine system already in flux.
“Obesity is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some xenobiotics in the environment impair the normal control of various nuclear receptors or induce an adipogenic effect…Numerous chemicals…such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and heavy metals, exhibit estrogenic activity…Some endocrine disruptors may also modify DNA methylation in the regulatory region of specific genes…Endocrine disruption using these substances also interferes with tricarboxylic acid metabolism by decreasing key enzymes in mitochondrial activity, which could be partially related to obesity.”
Simply put: chemicals that interfere with hormones, especially those known to act like estrogen (xenoestrogens), can lead to weight gain at any time and can influence the tendency for weight gain at menopause.
After menopause, your body will certainly be different. Some simple adjustments will help to regain balance and reduce its potentially undesirable ramifications.
Women aren’t the only ones to suffer from hormonal issues as they age, men have their own set of symptoms and challenges and they can be just as uncomfortable. Aging is a natural and beautiful thing. We all have to go through it, and with a little attention and care, our bodies can age gracefully.