Ep.12: Staying Proactive in Perimenopause: The Nutritional Protocol to Optimize Your Health
Apr 22, 2024
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Navigating perimenopause can be challenging, but proactive health management can make a difference. Discover essential nutritional strategies to enhance well-being during this life stage. Learn about the '3F morning' protocol for healthier eating and the importance of a high-protein breakfast. Superfoods like magnesium and blueberries are highlighted for their health benefits. Also, practical tips for meal structuring can optimize heart and brain health, helping you thrive through your 30s, 40s, and beyond.
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Quick takeaways
Proactive lifestyle changes, including dietary adjustments and fitness routines, are essential to mitigate perimenopausal symptoms and enhance overall health.
Incorporating superfoods and maintaining gut health through probiotics and fiber-rich foods can significantly improve cognitive function and longevity during perimenopause.
Deep dives
Understanding Perimenopause and Its Impacts
Perimenopause refers to the transitional phase where women experience hormonal shifts, typically beginning in their late thirties and continuing through the forties and into the fifties. Throughout this period, women may face a decline in various bodily functions, including muscle mass and cognitive abilities, which can deteriorate significantly without proactive lifestyle changes. This decline is often coupled with worsening symptoms as women age and nutritional habits shift towards a higher intake of ultra-processed foods. Research indicates that reducing the consumption of such foods can greatly alleviate perimenopausal symptoms and improve overall life expectancy.
The 3F Morning Protocol
Implementing a 3F morning routine—comprising Circadian fasting, fitness, and food—can significantly enhance health and well-being during the perimenopausal stage. Circadian fasting involves restricting food intake to a 12-hour window, promoting gut health and cellular repair. Fitness emphasizes seeking sunlight and gentle movement to help reset the body's internal clocks, which in turn enhances mood and sleep quality. Lastly, focusing on a breakfast rich in fiber, fermented foods, and protein establishes a strong foundation for the day and supports muscle maintenance and gut health.
Nourishing the Gut with Probiotics and Fiber
Maintaining gut health is crucial during perimenopause, as hormonal changes significantly affect the gut microbiome and overall health. Incorporating probiotic foods, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi, helps replenish beneficial gut bacteria that can be depleted by various factors, including antibiotic use and diet. Additionally, increasing dietary fiber intake through fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, and nuts feeds healthy gut bacteria, which supports overall metabolic and digestive functions. Individuals should aim for at least 25-40 grams of fiber daily to foster an optimal gut environment and avoid common health issues.
Superfoods and Nutritional Guidelines
Incorporating superfoods like magnesium-rich nuts, seeds, and leafy greens, along with daily servings of blueberries, can enhance brain health and lower the risk of certain diseases. Consuming these foods has been shown to decrease the likelihood of conditions such as cancer and cognitive decline significantly. Additionally, finding ways to integrate unprocessed cacao powder and tea into the diet can boost muscle strength and improve cardiovascular health, respectively. By focusing on a balanced diet rich in these superfoods and maintaining hydration, individuals can enhance their health during perimenopause and beyond.
Proactive health and wellness can feel like a full time job. But during important life changes like perimenopause and menopause, being in control of your diet, movement and lifestyle is essential. In this episode, Dr. Amy Shah is going to give you the specifics for making this possible. As we age, there is a common trend of decline among brain health, cardiovascular health, energy and quality of life. Use this protocol to rewrite the story and make your 30's, 40's 50's and beyond the best years of your life.
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