[Menopause] Exercise and Nutrition Tips for Menopausal Women w/ Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan, Anders Varner, and Dr Andy Galpin #690
Apr 12, 2023
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Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan discusses exercise, nutrition, and supplementation considerations during menopause. Topics include myths and misconceptions, supporting the body, importance of strength training, strategies for managing weight, and the role of nutrition in bone health. Menopause doesn't have to mean a decline in health.
Exercise and proper nutrition are crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being during menopause.
Resistance training and consuming enough protein are essential for supporting body composition and preventing weight gain during menopause.
Nutrient timing and specific supplements can aid in injury recovery and support optimal performance for women going through menopause.
Deep dives
The Importance of Understanding Menopause for Women's Health
In this podcast episode, Dr. Abby Smith-Ryan discusses the importance of understanding menopause for women's health. Menopause is a significant life stage that can last up to 10 years, and it is characterized by hormonal changes and unpredictable symptoms. Dr. Smith-Ryan emphasizes the need for women to prioritize their health during this transition and debunk the misconceptions that menopause has to be a negative experience. She recommends lifestyle changes such as exercise, proper nutrition, and supplementation to support body composition, prevent weight gain, and support bone density. Additionally, she highlights the importance of addressing cognitive health and stress management during this phase.
Training and Nutrition Considerations for Menopause
Dr. Abby Smith-Ryan provides training and nutrition considerations specifically tailored for women going through menopause. She emphasizes that women should prioritize resistance training to maintain and build muscle mass, which supports metabolism and prevents fat gain. Dr. Smith-Ryan recommends women to fuel their bodies adequately, including consuming enough protein, to support body composition goals. She also discusses the importance of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for cardiovascular health and metabolism. Moreover, she encourages women to address cognitive health by incorporating supplements like nootropics into their routine to combat brain fog and improve concentration during menopause.
Managing Injuries and Recovery during Menopause
Dr. Abby Smith-Ryan discusses injury management and recovery strategies for women going through menopause. She highlights the significance of nutrient timing, particularly consuming protein before and after exercise, to support recovery and prevent muscle loss. Dr. Smith-Ryan recommends specific supplements such as HMB, omega-3, vitamin D, and creatine to aid in injury recovery and promote optimal performance. She also emphasizes the need for adequate caloric intake and protein consumption during the recovery process. Furthermore, she sheds light on the benefits of collagen supplementation for joint health but recommends prioritizing other supplements for muscle recovery.
Supplementation and Nutrition for Female Athletes
Dr. Abby Smith-Ryan provides insights into supplementation and nutrition for female athletes. She discusses the importance of essential amino acids and whey protein for muscle recovery and highlights the potential benefits of HMB supplementation for muscle building. Dr. Smith-Ryan shares recommendations for omega-3 supplementation to reduce inflammation and promote overall health. She also stresses the significance of correct nutrient timing, particularly consuming protein before exercise, to enhance muscle growth and prevent muscle loss. Additionally, she touches upon the relevance of proper nutrition during pregnancy and postpartum, including the safe and effective use of creatine.
Ongoing Research and Future Directions
Dr. Abby Smith-Ryan mentions the ongoing research conducted in her lab and provides insights into future directions. She discusses studies focusing on the impact of hormonal contraception on performance, protein turnover, and other physiological outcomes. Dr. Smith-Ryan also shares the research focus on understanding the differences in fatigue resistance between men and women during exercise. She emphasizes the need for additional funding to support research in the middle-aged population and highlights the importance of better understanding menopause to improve women's health outcomes.
In today’s episode of Barbell Shrugged we chat with Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to discuss training, nutrition, and supplementation considerations during menopause.
Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life, but it can come with many changes to the body, including hormonal fluctuations, changes in metabolism, and changes to bone density. In this podcast, we'll be discussing exercise, nutrition, and training tips for women in different stages of menopause.
Exercise and nutrition myths and misconceptions for women in different stages of menopause
Supporting the body through exercise and nutrition during menopause
The importance of strength training and weight-bearing exercises for bone health during menopause
Strategies for managing weight and maintaining overall health during menopause
The role of nutrition in supporting bone health during menopause, including specific nutrients to focus on.
Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life, but it doesn't have to mean a decline in health and wellness. By prioritizing exercise, nutrition, and training, women in all stages of menopause can maintain their overall health and well-being.
Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan is an exercise scientist who specializes in sport nutrition and metabolism, and is currently a Professor and Director of the Applied Physiology Laboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has published numerous research articles in scientific journals, and has received several awards for her work, including the 2013 President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Community Leadership Award.
Dr. Smith-Ryan is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) and a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), and has worked with various sports teams and individual athletes to optimize their nutrition and training. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.