Menopause

Diet

Watch your diet! During this time hormone levels fluctuate and your liver and kidneys work hard to keep everything in balance. Don't make them work even harder!

Avoid processed foods and soda as much as possible-stick to fresh fruits and veggies. (With its high phosphate load, soda can be punishing to bones and increase your chance of developing osteoporosis).

Add soy products to your diet (tofu, tempeh, miso, soy milk) because they have isoflavones-chemicals that help allay hot flashes and may help protect against breast cancer. Other good sources of isoflavones are parsley, apples, barley, carrots, cherries, fennel, garlic, green beans, oats, red beans, rice, sage, tomatoes, yams.

A special note: Promensil, a concentrated form of the isoflavones from red clover, stimulates breast cells with the same strength as natural estrogen. This may be a concern for many women, especially those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or a strong family history of it. Instead, use a whole red clover extract, such as that offered in the GAIA line of supplements that can be found in popular healthfood stores.