February 2024
A Pause For Menopause –
- Mindset
- Menopause & Insulin Rsistance
- Menopause, Stress & Sleep
- Menopause and Inflammation
Rather watch and listen?
Menopause and Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s response to tissue damage or pathogens like bacteria and viruses. The immune response is meant to heal the affected organ or tissue.
But let’s say that the thing that caused the tissue irritation was not resolved. As much as the immune system works to heal the tissue, the irritant continues to create damage.
The inflammation turns from acute to chronic, sustained inflammation.
When inflammation becomes chronic, it stops healing the tissue and becomes a source of irritation. Think about it as you might think about fire in the woods. A small, contained fire might allow the woods to rejuvenate, but when the fire gets out of control, it will leave only ashes behind.
Chronic sustained inflammation can be caused by:
- Processed foods
- Sugar
- Food sensitivities
- Stress
- Insufficient sleep
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Environmental toxins.
.
The body is in transition during menopause, so it is especially vulnerable. Things your body might have been able to handle in the past are becoming more significant irritants now. There is a greater chance of developing systemic inflammation, and inflammation exacerbates menopause symptoms.
Chronic inflammation and stress
Chronic inflammation is a stressor for the body. It reacts with increased cortisol, which causes goodbye sleep and hello night sweats.
That can create a vicious cycle in which chronic inflammation causes stress and sleep disturbances, leading to brain inflammation, which increases stress, night sweats, and so on.
Chronic inflammation and metabolism
Chronic inflammation plays a role in weight gain around the abdomen and can lead to insulin resistance.
A couple of weeks ago, I discussed insulin resistance and weight gain in menopause. If you haven’t read or listened to the segment about menopause and insulin resistance, I suggest you do so.
However, it is important to know that insulin resistance and abdominal fat are inflammatory. A cycle of chronic inflammation leading to metabolic syndrome, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the entire body, is common.
What to do to reverse chronic inflammation?
Since 85% of the immune system lives in your gut, much of the healing process is focused on the gut.
I offer the 4 R
- Remove Irritants and toxins that come to the body through the gut
- Restore digestive enzymes and bile
- Reintroduce gut bacteria
- Repair the gut integrity
Add stress reduction techniques, a good night’s sleep, and walla! You reduce inflammation and, with it, the pesky symptoms of menopause that, at times, can be disruptive to your life.
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