Funny thing I noticed as I was looking for images to use for my graphic…
When I search with the word ‘menopause’, I get all these Granny images.
What’s up with that???? No offense to Grannies, but I cant’ relate to that image for myself personally as a menopausal women who just turned 50.
No wonder so many women are in denial and in avoidance about menopause. That’s the cultural stigma I guess.
Well, let’s let that go, shall we?
I’m not saying we need to deny the aging process at all….Embrace your laugh lines and Readers – and yes, put away the crop tops and short shorts. But let’s not don our frumpy sweaters and orthopedic shoes just yet – unless you need them, like them and can find fashionable ones – LOL.
Part 3 of my series debunking all the myths about Keto, Fasting and hormones ties the hormonal picture together for women over 40 who are in or past the peri-menopause/menopause transition.
Whether you like it or not, you are or will be in this transition, so you might as well have a balanced, holistic perspective to make the experience as amazing as it possibly can be.
As you probably already deduced, of course I firmly believe that Keto and Fasting are fantastic for menopause, but it may not be the magic pill you think it is if you don’t also (really really) balance your stress and live in your truth.
It all goes back to that adrenal, HPA+T+O Axis situation again (Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Adrenal, Thyroid, Ovarian Axis) – but in these peri/menopausal stages, your ovaries are starting to dial down their hormone production and pass the baton over to the already tapped out adrenals.
If your stress is in overdrive in any way shape, or form, you’re going to feel it physically. I hate to say it this way, but peri-menopause is hormonal chaos (as this chart on the left proves – OMG! For real?!!). 
This can manifest itself with weight gain, especially belly pooch – gut issues, hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, insomnia, brain fog, fatigue, low/no libido, etc… It can be absolute misery if you’re not aware of the role stress can play because those adrenals are expected to take on the load of not only managing your stress, but now, all of your sex hormone production.
So a Ketogenic diet with Intermittent Fasting – if done in a balanced way (like I explain in Part 1 & 2), helps to alleviate the stress of blood sugar imbalances, inflammation and digestion, while it provides the fat substrates that our hormones (right) and cells (especially the mitochondria) need – but ketones can’t negate mental/emotional stress. (although they can improve your brain balance, mood and energy!)
This is why Peri/Menopause is a time of life where our stress tolerance is reduced – for some, this happens quite drastically – and so it’s a time to honor your true needs, to nurture your soul and creativity – to let go of anything and anyone that you’ve been “tolerating” – and live your freaking one and only amazing life already!
For me, I left my 20 year corporate career at 42. I was in peri-menopause. My hormones were just starting to shift. I was “pulled” to change my vocation to healing and nutrition. That’s the only way I can describe it.
Leaving my job didn’t take away my stress, of course. In fact, it created a whole new level of stress I didn’t fully realize until I was going through it. This was a time of uncertainty and financial discomfort, one of insecurity and second guessing myself – BUT in my heart and soul, I knew my transition was 100% aligned with my path and purpose – and that faith and trust was and is all I needed to move forward — and here I am – 8 years later, creating my best life – constantly learning – healing myself and others – and changing people’s lives for the better.
You don’t need to blow up your life either. It may be that you just need to start saying ‘NO’ to taking on new responsibilities, letting go of the pattern of ‘biting your tongue’ and ‘sucking it up’ or ‘caring what people think’. Saying ‘YES’ to more vacations, nourishment, fun-fulfilling experiences, relaxation and pampering. It may be asking for more help and communicating truthfully with your colleagues, partner, friends or family. Whatever you need to do, you need to do – otherwise your body will tell you otherwise.
This is the gift of menopause and it’s awesome!
From the physical hormonal balancing side, here are a few things to consider:
- HORMONE TESTING – You can’t manage what you don’t measure. My next post will talk about my personal and clinical experience with hormone testing using saliva, urine and blood. Although we can cover plenty of ground with diet, lifestyle and mindset, testing can really help you target and prioritize the approach and help you monitor progress.
- HORMONE REPLACEMENT – There’s no shame in getting a little help with your hormones in the form of Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement. You HAVE to do this under the supervision of a qualified practitioner and it should be used as a temporary bridge. Hormonal decline is part of the menopause transition – we no longer need to make babies, so those hormones should go down, but they still need to be balanced.
- NUTRIENT SUPPORT – We can use certain hormone boosting foods and supplements that are co-factors to maximize cellular and glandular function. Vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, phytonutrients, polyphenols, sterols, antioxidants, etc.. are subtle, yet powerful players in health and hormonal balance. This is where food quality and nutrient density becomes even more important.
- ADAPTOGENS – Nature heals. There are so many herbs and botanicals that can provide the body with what it needs. Many of these compounds have been used for centuries and what’s great about adaptogens is that they “ADAPT” to what your body needs. So ashwaganda, for example, can be both calming and energizing depending on where you are hormonally. Adaptogens don’t address the root cause of your imbalance, but they can help you find more balance as you work on it. This formula is one of my favorites for menopausal symptoms and healthy estrogen detox/balance and this one is specifically formulated for the female libido. 🙂
I hope this series was helpful and affirming for you on your Keto/Fasting journey. It really all boils down to what works for you snd YOUR body. Just trust that this approach is one of the most hormonally supportive, easiest, tastiest ways to get there!
xo,
Ev
