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Obesity &
Menopause By Joseph Collins, RN,
ND |
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Protocols Based On Menopause Primary Concern |
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Addressing the
Special Needs of Obesity, the undesired gaining of adipose tissue, is often
accompanied by an undesired loss of lean muscle tissue. When perimenopause,
menopause & postmenopause women experience obesity, with the subsequent loss
of lean muscle tissue (called “sarcopenia), there is an increase of many
health conditions including risks of fracture, diabetes, heart disease,
stroke and depression. In women of menopause age, obesity is often associated
with estrogen and/or androgen imbalances, and may also include blood sugar
disorders or thyroid hypofunction. Since estrogen and/or androgen imbalances
may precipitate or contribute to abnormal blood sugar and insulin resistance,
it is important to focus on those specific hormonal imbalances first. Estradiol improves blood sugar (blood glucose) metabolism
and decreases risk of developing hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance 1,
2, 3, 4. It increases the uptake of glucose by muscle cells 5, 6.
Decreased estrogen function would
therefore increase risk of insulin resistance – which can lead to obesity. Excessive
testosterone levels can result
in insulin resistance 7 with increased glucose and insulin levels 8.
Increased testosterone levels may also contribute to increased obesity (since
high insulin levels increase fat storage) 9 and increased risk of
heart disease and diabetes 10, 11. |
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Insulin resistance may also develop due to other causes, most of which are
modifiable by healthy lifestyle and dietary habits. Genetic predispositions
can be significantly influenced by healthy lifestyle and dietary habits as
well. Therefore, maintaining ideal glycemic balance and avoiding insulin
resistance requires first & foremost healthy lifestyle and dietary habits
as discussed in the Integrative Management
of Endocrine Dysfunction document. |
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Symptoms of decreased
thyroid function include weight gain, fatigue, depressed mood, cognitive
dysfunctions (decreased memory “brain fog”, poor concentration), constipation
(or less than one bowel movement a day), cold hands and feet, and any patient
specific symptom that suggests lowered metabolism. Women are much more likely
to have hypothyroid function than men, so thorough assessment of thyroid
function should always be done if there is any suspicion of thyroid
dysfunction. Inadequate
Essential Fatty Acids, specifically low docosahexaenoic
acid levels, do not allow proper function of insulin and blood sugar.
Blood sugar metabolism is improved by the ability of DHA to improve insulin
sensitivity and function by increasing the number of available insulin
receptor sites on the plasma membrane. DHA modifies all cell membranes and
improves the cells ability to accept hormone signals, including insulin and
thyroid hormones. DHA increases the thermogenic activity of brown adipose
fat. (15 |
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Decreased Estrogen Function |
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Dropping estrogen levels bring about decrease sensitivity
to insulin, resulting in the progressive onset of insulin resistance. When there are other signs of estrogen deficiency: |
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Estro-Mend™ - The unique isoflavone
complex in this formulation includes Pueraria lobata, which provides puerarin. Human studies suggest that puerarin can improve insulin function(12).
Though
there is no consensus in the medical literature, it appears that phytoestogens may also decrease the progression of
insulin resistance. More
Information on Estro-Mend™. |
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Excessive Androgen
Function: |
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Excessive testosterone in women often leads to insulin resistance, an association is seen in women of all ages. When there are other signs of excessive androgens: |
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Testo-Quench™ - This formulation is best used by women
with androgen excess disorders. By calming the affects of the excessive
androgens in these women, this formula can help protect tissues that are
sensitive to the effects of excess testosterone – such as insulin resistance.
The Fenugreek in this formulation has a specific ability to improve insulin
function.(13) More Information on Testo-Quench™ |
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Blood Sugar Disorders: |
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Insulin resistance and weight gain may
also be associated with feelings of fatigue, anxiety, or any other symptoms that worsen
after a meal, suggesting
that there is an unhealthy shift of blood sugar levels.
Though blood sugar disorders (dysglycemias) can range from low blood sugar
(hypoglycemia) to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia & diabetes), all forms
of blood sugar disorder should be treated seriously. The drop in blood sugar
after eating is often a predecessor to insulin resistance, weight gain and
may eventually result in diabetes. |
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Glucobrium should be used if fatigue occurs after eating, especially
if there are blood sugar disorders in family. More information on Glucobrium |
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Decreased Thyroid
Function |
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Suboptimal thyroid function is strongly associated with insulin
resistance and diabetes (14), And should especially be considered
a possibility when there is diabetes or other blood sugar disorders in the
family. |
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Thyro-Mend™ This unique combination of seaweeds and
herbs synergistically supports all seven key functions associated with
optimal thyroid health. More information on Thyro-Mend™ |
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Inadequate Essential
Fatty Acid: |
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Low docosahexaenoic acid
levels do not allow proper function of insulin and blood sugar. Blood sugar
metabolism is improved by the ability of DHA to improve insulin sensitivity
and function by increasing the number of available insulin receptor sites on
the plasma membrane. DHA works with thyroid hormones to increase the
thermogenic activity of brown adipose fat.(15) |
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Opti DHA - provide high DHA:EPA ratio of
essential fatty acids to improve cell membrane “listening”
to hormones and the function of hormones including insulin and thyroid hormones. |
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Also Review: |
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Obesity & Menopause References: |
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(1) - Cagnacci
A, Tuveri F, Cirillo R, Setteneri AM, Melis GB, Volpe
A. The effect of transdermal 17-beta-estradiol on
glucose metabolism of postmenopausal women is evident during the oral but not
the intravenous glucose administration. Maturitas
1997 Dec 15;28(2):163-7 ♦
(2) - Cagnacci A, Soldani R, Carriero PL, Paoletti AM, Fioretti P, Melis GB. Effects of low doses of transdermal
17 beta-estradiol on carbohydrate metabolism in postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1992 Jun;74(6):1396-400 ♦ (3) - Barrat J, Giboudeau J, Polonovski J, Bigel P, Fourcat C, Porta F, Leger D.
[Comparison of the effects of orally or percutaneously
administered estradiol on carbohydrates and lipids after the
menopause].[Article in French] J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod
(Paris) 1984;13(6):621-7 ♦ (4) - Colacurci N, Zarcone
R, Mollo A, Russo G, Passaro
M, de Seta L, de Franciscis P. Effects of hormone
replacement therapy on glucose metabolism. Panminerva
Med 1998 Mar;40(1):18-21 ♦ (5) - Kumagai S, Holmang A, Bjorntorp P. The
effects of oestrogen and progesterone on insulin
sensitivity in female rats. Acta Physiol Scand 1993 Sep;149(1):91-7
♦ (6) - Puah JA, Bailey CJ. Effect of ovarian hormones on glucose
metabolism in mouse soleus muscle. Endocrinology
1985 Oct;117(4):1336-40 ♦ (7)
Falkner B, Hulman S, Kushner H. Gender differences
in insulin-stimulated glucose utilization among African-Americans. Am J Hypertens 1994 Nov;7(11):948-52 ♦
(8) Haffner
SM, |
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♦These statements have not been evaluated by the
Food and Drug Administration. |
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YourMenopauseType.com, Inc. |
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