Dr. Northrup on Menopause

Menopause may seem like it has nothing to do with proteins, fats and carbohydrates but just sit tight. You'll see where I'm going.

I work with Dr. Christiane Northrup as a member of Team Northrup. Dr. Northrup has been in the news a bit lately having appeared on Oprah twice in just as many weeks to discuss the new hot topic - hormone replacement therapy or HRT.


Before we dive into whether or not a woman needs HRT let's take a moment to explore other ways to help a woman bring her hormones into balance. Many lifestyle choices throw our hormones out of balance - lack of or excessive amounts of exercise, chronic stress, too many toxic chemicals such as sugar, alcohol and caffeine (sorry), little sleep and of course diet. What we eat effects everything from how we feel to what we feel. And hormones are the little messengers in our body communicating to us every step of the way.

So yes, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber and of course, as Dr. Northrup pointed out, omega 3 essential fatty acids, play a starring role in the play of perimonapause and menopause. A balanced diet, with little or no white foods (white flour, white rice, etc.), sugar, alcohol and caffeine makes a hormone happy. And trust me, we like our hormones to be happy.

The first hormone that is affected by a balanced diet is insulin. The amazing thing about hormones, and everything else in life for that matter, is that when one hormone is out of balance all of our hormones are out of balance. When we can bring one hormone into balance it helps to bring them all into balance. It's a beautiful system, especially when we know how to care for it.

When you eat carbohydrates with proteins, fats and fiber (as mentioned in a previous post), you release a more steady stream of insulin. When insulin is regulated there is no danger of over or under producing this vital hormone. When insulin levels are high, we enter into the danger zone for obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and possibly even heart attacks or stroke. It is so important to enjoy life while remembering that our bodies are no laughing matter. We honor and care for our bodies so that as we age our bodies will honor and care for us by allowing us to live long and healthy lives.

Nutrition is just the beginning. But a very important beginning.

Proteins and fats

It is unlikely, if you are reading this blog, that you don't care about obesity, inflammation or chronic degenerative diseases. Chances are you would rather avoid any of the above mentioned issues or at least ameliorate the symptoms.

If this is the case, may I recommend protein and fat? Proteins and fats are found in meats, beans, tofu, nuts, dairy and fish. Proteins and fats do many wonderful things for our body. Not the least of which is helping us break the sugar addiction. When you add protein and/or fat to a meal, sugar absorption slows down and the body is able to respond in a more even and consistent manner. Insulin is released over time, blood sugar levels stay stable and you step off of the sugar addiction roller coaster. Ahhh, how nice it is to have an easy ride once in awhile.

So the first suggestion I often make to clients, when sugar is the culprit, is add protein (and fat) to every meal. The secret is really balance. Has it ever not been? Begin with just this first step. Don't worry about the rest - for that will come later. For now - just add nuts to your oatmeal, almond butter to your bagel, eggs with your toast. Keep it simple. It always is.

Breaking the sugar addiction, part 2

So why do we want the cake?

When we eat carbohydrates, the carbohydrates break down into sugar or glucose. The body then releases the hormone insulin. Insulin makes sure that glucose gets to the places it needs to go: the liver, muscle and fat cells. As blood sugar is carried through the body to the liver, muscle and fat cells, sugar levels drop. What does this mean to you?

Imagine this - you start the day with a bagel and a cup of coffee. The bagel gives you a burst of energy as the sugar is released into the blood stream and used for fuel. But soon you notice that you are tired, irritable, hungry, and/or anxious. Your blood sugar has dropped and your body thinks it is starving.

The relief - a muffin, a piece of cake, toast with butter and jam. Foods that will provide the quick sugar fix your body is looking for. Foods that will bring you a burst of energy, make you feel good, ease your anxiety. You grab the cake, begin to feel better and start the cycle all over again. Most Americans put their body through this cycle four or five times a day! It's exhausting, unhealthy and sets you on the path of obesity, inflammation and the chronic degenerative diseases that are responsible for the majority of illness-related death in this country.

Breaking the sugar addiction

I want to talk today about what not to eat if you want to break the sugar addiction.

I know what you are thinking, "What is that?" and "why would I even think of eating that anyway?"

Well you may not think to decorate your daughter's birthday cake with a Pokemon character. You may not have a daughter. You may not know Pokemon (that's a good thing). But you do know cake. If you are American and alive you know cake.
And cake knows you.

But if you want to break the sugar addiction, cake is not the way to do it. Let me briefly tell you why. (And I speak from personal experience having just eaten three pieces - it was my daughter's birthday after all).

When you eat cake or bread or pasta or any carbohydrate for that matter, the food breaks down into sugar in your body. When you eat a lot of it, you get a lot of sugar. That is when you are feeling happy and life is going your way. Until the sugar gets cleared, quickly, from your bloodstream and now, just a mere hour or two later, you are cranky, tired, hungry and damn, life just took a turn for the worse.

Your brain and body are crying out for more sugar because they need it: to function, to thrive. And so what do you do? Do you reach for the kale stew and baked tofu. Don't think so. "Oh look, there is still some leftover cake. Think I'll have a piece of that. Or maybe two." And the cycle starts all over again. Cake has now become the dark side. And the sugar battle wages on.

A new year. A new beginning.

Hi,

Welcome to my blog.

It is my intention in this blog to offer you the support you need to live a life of health, happiness and prosperity. I will provide recipes, information on low-glycemic eating, supplementation, exercise, pleasure and whatever else you think you need to stay on the path to health.

So I invite you to join me. Together we will walk this journey.

Warmly,
Alison