Menopause and Diet According to Ayurveda
By Jayan B
The oldest medical system in the world which is still widely practiced believes that a smooth and graceful transition from menopause to a healthy life following it can be achieved with the help of a specially prescribed diet, light exercise and massage. The body is far more complicated than many of us will ever know. It usually knows what is best for it and will let us know in several ways, one of which is menopause.
According to the ayurvedic system, diet plays a key role in balancing a woman's hormones during and after menopause. We know that Japanese women are not normally afflicted by the hot flashes that western women face during menopause. We also know that soy plays a major part in their diet and that it contains a plant estrogen called isoflavones. However, women can get their plant estrogens from another source-phytoestrogens found in a variety of equally healthy foods such as whole grains, cereals, dried beans, lentils, peanuts and sunflower seeds. They are also found in vegetables such as carrots, garlic, broccoli and asparagus as well as fruits such as strawberries, plums and pears. Other sources for estrogen in the diet are spices like nutmeg, turmeric, licorice and oregano.
The general rule is to follow your own gut feelings and implement a commonsense approach to your diet and exercise. We need to follow the philosophy of variety and moderation because too much estrogen after menopause can be bad for the body as can phytoestrogens. The aspect of our mind-body profile that deals with menopause is called Apana Vata which governs the genito-urinary tract, elimination and menstruation. This aspect needs to be attended to by drinking plenty of warm water throughout the day and eating plenty of cooked leafy greens to help with elimination and bolster the intake of calcium in our diet. A breakfast of other cleansing foods is also prescribed and here cooked prunes, figs and apples are given importance for cleaning out the digestive tract. Additonal diet prescriptions are given based on individual mind-body makeups that are determined by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.
The best form of exercise during menopause is walking briskly and it is best to work this into a daily regimen where possible. Outdoors would be the obvious choice but if that is not possible or practical, you can also walk in place at home, a much under-appreciated exercise activity. Swinging your arms in an easy rhythm along with your steps will help tone the body overall.
Occasionally, some women will have more serious symptoms such as long-term insomnia, continual hot flashes and severe mood swings. These may be signs of deeper trouble and Ayurveda attributes them to the buildup of waste 'ama' or toxins in the body tissues. In these cases, a traditional Ayurvedic detoxification program called Panchakarma, or Five Actions, is prescribed to rid the body of these toxins. Panchakarma consists of massages and cleansing procedures which, incidentally, are also useful for osteoporosis and high blood cholesterol treatment.