As women age their production of various hormones changes.
During perimenopause, the years preceding menopause that typically
occurs at age 50, women begin to experience various symptoms
including irregular cycles, water retention, bloating, mood swings,
insomnia, lack of sexual desire, thinning bones, decreased muscle
mass and tone, and weight gain. Women will typically experience
increased body fat generally, and around the belly, buttocks, hips,
and thighs specifically.
Things to consider and discuss with your healthcare provider:
1. Hormones: As women age their production of
various hormones begin to change. Many women suffer from estrogen
(estradiol) dominance or progesterone deficiency as well as
testosterone deficiency. Too much estrogen and too little
progesterone can influence thyroid gland function and thyroid
hormone utilization. Since thyroid hormone helps regulate metabolic
rate among other things, any disruption of its function or
hindrance of thyroid hormone action, can produce hypothyroid
symptoms.
Low testosterone levels can also mimic sluggish thyroid function or
slow metabolism. Symptoms such as low energy, fatigue, lack of
sexual desire, and decreased muscle mass, tone and strength are
experienced by many women.
2. Decreased muscle mass, tone and strength:
Decreased muscle mass due to hormone imbalance, lack of resistance
training, lack of protein intake or other factors, will cause a
slowing of metabolic rate secondary to inefficient utilization of
fuels during exercise and at rest. This is a very important factor
and should not be taken lightly. Muscle stimulates metabolism and
weight training will increase muscle tone (density) and energy
requirements.
In other words, you do not have to have big muscles, just ones that
are tone and hungry. Proper weight training and protein intake will
influence muscle integrity and subsequently metabolic rate.
On a side note: increased stress from emotional factors (job,
relationships, financial, etc), illness or too much aerobic
activity, can cause muscle tissue breakdown secondary to increased
cortisol production. Muscle breakdown releases certain amino acids
that can be converted to glucose, which is used for energy
needs.
3. Poor diet: Bad eating habits including too many
high-glycemic carbohydrates, processed foods, insufficient protein
intake and too much alcohol, will cause an increase in weight gain
and other metabolic dysfunction including insulin resistance (a
topic for another post).
Suggestions:
1. Have your hormones checked by a qualified healthcare provider
who utilizes saliva testing as well as blood testing. Seek out
someone who uses bioidentical hormones rather than synthetic
hormones, and who prescribes via compounding pharmacies.
- Appendix D of my book reviews hormone deficiency symptoms and conditions, and offers various labs that provide home saliva test kits.
2. Incorporate weight training (lifting) as part of a cross
training exercise routine.
3. Eat a well-balanced diet including low-glycemic carbohydrates,
quality protein and fats, based on your body composition and
metabolic needs. Balance is the key.
Dr. Sardone
Author of The Naked Truth: Overweight, Overwhelmed and Confused
www.drsardone.com
