Menopause is associated with many physical and psychological changes. One of the biggest changes that women may notice is an abnormal increase in body weight. Research has established that, this is related both to reduced activity and the hormonal changes that favor putting on weight. A reduction in estrogen hormone activity is responsible for most of the changes. Here is 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 is a widely used intervention that is easily accessible. In the therapy, estrogen and progesterone are administered for a given period of time to restore the initial hormonal balance. The duration of therapy is highly variable and is mainly determined by the initial deficiency. The doctor may need to conduct periodic tests in a bid to monitor the hormone levels.
The effects of estrogen in hormone replacement are two fold; to increase the metabolic rate and to influence the distribution of fat. In the presence of the hormone, fat is predominantly deposited around the hips, thighs and buttocks which is a desirable effect for many women. In its absence or deficiency, fat deposition takes place mainly around the abdominal area.
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.
Enough sleep is an important component in metabolism. Contrary to common belief, increased states of wakefulness do not increase calorie breakdown. Having adequate sleep does. Studies have shown that one sleepless night reduces the metabolic rate by up to 5%. Interestingly a better metabolic rate is also likely to contribute to better sleep. Strive to sleep for between seven and eight hours daily.
Different types of foods are broken down at different rates. Proper dietary habits include eating smaller frequent meals as opposed to large few meals. The frequent meals ensure that the breakdown mechanism remains active at all times. When the levels of glucose in blood reduce, a hormone known as cortisol is released from the brain. This hormone leads to muscle breakdown as an alternative source of glucose. The effect of all these activities is reduced muscle mass and metabolic rate.
As age catches up with us, many things happen to our bodies. Slowing down of metabolism is one of these changes. It is seen in a significant number of women in menopause. This effect is mainly attributed to reducing levels of estrogen hormone. Lifestyle changes are an important intervention that can be undertaken by affected persons. Hormone replacement therapy is another popularly used treatment.
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 is a widely used intervention that is easily accessible. In the therapy, estrogen and progesterone are administered for a given period of time to restore the initial hormonal balance. The duration of therapy is highly variable and is mainly determined by the initial deficiency. The doctor may need to conduct periodic tests in a bid to monitor the hormone levels.
The effects of estrogen in hormone replacement are two fold; to increase the metabolic rate and to influence the distribution of fat. In the presence of the hormone, fat is predominantly deposited around the hips, thighs and buttocks which is a desirable effect for many women. In its absence or deficiency, fat deposition takes place mainly around the abdominal area.
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.
Enough sleep is an important component in metabolism. Contrary to common belief, increased states of wakefulness do not increase calorie breakdown. Having adequate sleep does. Studies have shown that one sleepless night reduces the metabolic rate by up to 5%. Interestingly a better metabolic rate is also likely to contribute to better sleep. Strive to sleep for between seven and eight hours daily.
Different types of foods are broken down at different rates. Proper dietary habits include eating smaller frequent meals as opposed to large few meals. The frequent meals ensure that the breakdown mechanism remains active at all times. When the levels of glucose in blood reduce, a hormone known as cortisol is released from the brain. This hormone leads to muscle breakdown as an alternative source of glucose. The effect of all these activities is reduced muscle mass and metabolic rate.
As age catches up with us, many things happen to our bodies. Slowing down of metabolism is one of these changes. It is seen in a significant number of women in menopause. This effect is mainly attributed to reducing levels of estrogen hormone. Lifestyle changes are an important intervention that can be undertaken by affected persons. Hormone replacement therapy is another popularly used treatment.
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