Menopause is a period that is characterized by many physical and psychological changes. Some of the changes are subtle while others are rather dramatic. An increase in body weight is one of the most frequently reported changes. This change is attributed to the fact that women of the menopausal ages are generally inactive physically compared to younger women. The other perhaps more important factor is the change in estrogen levels. The following are options on how to speed up metabolism during menopause.
The starting point is to try out the conservative options. It should be understood that the metabolic rate is controlled to a great extent by muscular muscle requirement which is in turn related to physical activity. More activity translates to more energy requirement and higher metabolism. Increase your daily activity gradually so that you have at least thirty minutes of intense workout for three days in a week.
Hormone replacement therapy helps to take care of very many other problems other than the disordered metabolism. Estrogen may be given in isolation but more commonly it is administered alongside other synthetic hormones so as to achieve a balance in the resultant effects. The duration of therapy varies from one individual to another depending on the initial symptom severity. Serial tests will routinely be performed by your doctor to determine whether the desired levels have been achieved.
Estrogen works mainly on two fronts; increasing the metabolic rate and influencing the distribution of fat. When the hormone is present in normal levels, fat is mainly deposited around the thighs, buttocks and hips. This is in contrast to situations in which the hormone is deficient in which case fat is mainly deposited around the anterior abdominal wall. The latter effect is undesirable for most women.
Keeping your weight in check during the menopausal period has many benefits. These include reducing the risk of contracting some communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Reducing weight helps to lower the levels of cholesterol which in turn reduces the risk of suffering stroke and heart disease. Other diseases whose risk may be reduced include kidney stones, diverticular disease and colon cancer.
Adequate sleep is important. Contrary to popular opinion, being awake for long hours does not increase the metabolic rate. Enough sleep does. Studies indicate that there is about 5% reduction in the rate whenever a night of sleep is missed. Ensure that you sleep between seven and eight hours. A better rate of metabolism will improve your quality of sleep.
It is important to watch your diet. Different foods have different levels of calories hence are broken at different rates. Choose foods that are broken over a longer period of time. This may also be achieved by having smaller frequent meals. When the level of glucose in the brain goes down, a hormone known as cortisol is released. This hormone leads to muscle breakdown and resultant reduction in the metabolic rate.
As we advance in age, our metabolic rate is bound to slow down. This effect is most pronounced among women undergoing menopause as a result of hormonal changes associated with the period. Undertaking lifestyle changes is one of the interventions that can be undertaken. Hormonal replacement therapy is also beneficial and involves the use of synthetic estrogen and progesterone levels.
The starting point is to try out the conservative options. It should be understood that the metabolic rate is controlled to a great extent by muscular muscle requirement which is in turn related to physical activity. More activity translates to more energy requirement and higher metabolism. Increase your daily activity gradually so that you have at least thirty minutes of intense workout for three days in a week.
Hormone replacement therapy helps to take care of very many other problems other than the disordered metabolism. Estrogen may be given in isolation but more commonly it is administered alongside other synthetic hormones so as to achieve a balance in the resultant effects. The duration of therapy varies from one individual to another depending on the initial symptom severity. Serial tests will routinely be performed by your doctor to determine whether the desired levels have been achieved.
Estrogen works mainly on two fronts; increasing the metabolic rate and influencing the distribution of fat. When the hormone is present in normal levels, fat is mainly deposited around the thighs, buttocks and hips. This is in contrast to situations in which the hormone is deficient in which case fat is mainly deposited around the anterior abdominal wall. The latter effect is undesirable for most women.
Keeping your weight in check during the menopausal period has many benefits. These include reducing the risk of contracting some communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Reducing weight helps to lower the levels of cholesterol which in turn reduces the risk of suffering stroke and heart disease. Other diseases whose risk may be reduced include kidney stones, diverticular disease and colon cancer.
Adequate sleep is important. Contrary to popular opinion, being awake for long hours does not increase the metabolic rate. Enough sleep does. Studies indicate that there is about 5% reduction in the rate whenever a night of sleep is missed. Ensure that you sleep between seven and eight hours. A better rate of metabolism will improve your quality of sleep.
It is important to watch your diet. Different foods have different levels of calories hence are broken at different rates. Choose foods that are broken over a longer period of time. This may also be achieved by having smaller frequent meals. When the level of glucose in the brain goes down, a hormone known as cortisol is released. This hormone leads to muscle breakdown and resultant reduction in the metabolic rate.
As we advance in age, our metabolic rate is bound to slow down. This effect is most pronounced among women undergoing menopause as a result of hormonal changes associated with the period. Undertaking lifestyle changes is one of the interventions that can be undertaken. Hormonal replacement therapy is also beneficial and involves the use of synthetic estrogen and progesterone levels.
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