While some of you might dislike the idea of thinking this to be against the natural cycle of a female body, it is perfectly fine to delay menopause. Delaying won’t affect your internal health, instead, it would forestall the health complications that menopause brings. In case you do not know, menopause affects the female health, skin, hair, physical fitness and psychological health of a woman. Ultimately, you will get menopause but why now if you have the option to delay.
Foods To Delay Menopause
A research done by the Leeds University, UK, our diet plays an important role in menstrual health and menopause along with other factors such as smoking, alcoholism, genetics, chemotherapy or heavy medications. As per this study, there is a direct relation between food and menopause. The researchers found that following a healthy diet with foods like legumes, omega-3 fatty acids, etc. can delay menopause naturally. You do not need any medication to make this happen. On the other hand, consuming carbs such as rice and pasta causes early menopause. Now you understand the impact of food on health.
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Phytoestrogens Help In Delaying Menopause
Menopause increases the risk of many health problems in women that includes osteoporosis, cognitive impairments, depression, etc. The Oregon State University in the United States conducted this study where they found that phytoestrogens or plant-derived estrogens can help in delay menopause as they increase estrogen hormone levels in their bodies. With age, estrogen levels decrease in the woman’s body. These cause the onset of menopause.
Here is a list of foods that have phytoestrogens and a woman who is willing to delay her menopause can add these to their diet.
- Whole grains including wheat, ragi, etc.
- Soya products such as soybeans, soy milk, tofu, soy yogurt
- Fruits including oranges, strawberries, apricots, dried dates and peaches
- Vegetables like carrots
- Legumes like peas, lentils, pinto beans
- Moong dal sprouts
- Chickpeas
- Flaxseeds and sesame seeds
- Olives and olive oil
- Garlic
- Turmeric
Tips: Add a pinch of turmeric in your morning water glass and drink. You must also have turmeric milk daily at night after dinner.
Benefits of Phytoestrogens
Many women opt for hormone replacement therapy or HRT to delay menopause which has its own set of health complications. If you can do this naturally just by altering your diet, it is easier and better. Phytoestrogens contain flavonoids and lignans that reduce the symptoms of estrogen deficiency in the female body and forestall the onset of menopause. These compounds also help in combating other health issues that come with menopausal age. This includes hot flashes, mood swings, depression, dementia, poor concentration, osteoporosis and heart diseases.
Stay Away from Carbohydrates
One more important thing if you are considering diet to delay menopause. Do not consume refined carbohydrates as it is associated with early menopause. Also, smoking damages ovaries that also brings the menopausal stage. Therefore, you must abstain from smoking and alcohol to live a healthy life with late menopause.
Symptoms of menopause:
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However, a word of caution, all these may not be sure shot ways of delaying menopause but can help in the process. Meet your gynaecologist to medically delay menopause. Do not pop any pills without your doctor’s consent as it might have drastic side effects on the body. The best way to tackle menopause is to consult a specialist on time to look for possible ways to delay menopause.
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