| Why should 45 to 50 year-old women eat broccoli,
cauliflower and especially soybeans? The answer is simple: Women in this age group are
usually about to enter menopause, and substances found in these and other foods may help
with the symptoms of menopause and even some of the problems women often have after
menopause, including osteoporosis and heart disease. What is Menopause?
 Menopause is that time in a woman's life when her menstrual
periods cease. It is also the word used to describe the physical, emotional and
psychological changes that are part of that experience.
Menopause normally occurs at between 45 and 55 years of age, though some women may
experience it at younger ages and some when older. Generally, the younger a woman was when
she first began to menstruate the older she will be at menopause.
Symptoms of Menopause
Many physical symptoms may occur during menopause. Menstrual periods may change before
they finally cease. Some women may experience hot flashes, sweating, irregular heartbeat,
fatigue, headache, or difficulty sleeping. There are also other physical changes that
usually accompany the hormonal changes.
Treatment
 Usually no medical treatment of the symptoms
of menopause is necessary, though some women may find that small doses of estrogen can
relieve the worst of the symptoms and may also help prevent osteoporosis. There are some
health risks associated with the use of estrogen, however. And here is why that broccoli
and those soybeans can be so good for you.
Phytoestrogens
Naturally occurring substances called "phytoestrogens" which are similar to
estrogen and are found in plants can be just as effective as synthetic estrogen in
reducing some of the problems of menopause. Phytoestrogens are found in broccoli, carrots,
cauliflower, whole grains and dark breads, peas, dried beans and especially in soybeans
and other soy products. The isoflavinols found in soybeans and the other phytoestrogens
have been found to reduce hot flashes and may be just as effective as estrogen itself in
preventing the osteoporosis and increased risk of heart disease which occur after
menopause without the potentially serious side effects estrogen may cause. Research from
the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio published in the May, 1999
issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners by C. Keller and
associates supported the idea that phytoestrogens may reduce the incidence of osteoporosis
after menopause. (See Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 1999 May
11(5):187-98 for more information)
Phytoestrogens may even be important before menopause. Because high
estrogen levels throughout a woman's life may be associated with an increased risk of
breast cancer, phytoestrogens may even reduce that risk by lowering the amount of estrogen
the body produces.
So here are a couple of more reasons to eat a variety of fruits and
vegetables and especially soy products. It turns out--once again--that fruits and
vegetables aren't just for kids!
For more in-depth information on menopause click here. |
