The Weight Gain Culprit
One of the most infuriating challenges facing women in midlife is unwanted weight gain. The largest jump in the percentage of women who become overweight or obese occurs between the ages of 20 and 39 (51.7%) and 40 and 59 (68.1%) (1). Research indicates hormonal changes are responsible for the increase in body fat, especially in the midsection.
The female hormone estrogen begins to decline during perimenopause, the time during which a woman’s body makes its natural transition to menopause, although very erratic. Perimenopause usually begins in a woman’s 40s but can begin as early as the mid-30s, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
The hormonal changes involved in menopause increase the rate which women store visceral fat, which surrounds the vital organs deep within the abdomen. This triggers changes in insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, putting them at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes (2). Emerging research has revealed changes at the cellular level cause menopausal women to store more fat with a diminished ability to burn fat (3). Unfortunately, fat is metabolized differently due to a loss of estrogen.
Luckily, there are strategies to decrease the rate of weight gain and chronic disease risk.
Research shows estrogen therapy helps prevent some of these age-related changes (4); however, it’s no longer recommended for all women because of potential adverse effects such as an increased breast cancer risk (5).
It’s important for women to talk with their physician about hormone therapy, as it can be beneficial for some women, including those who experience premature menopause (before age 40) (5).
Physical Activity
The good news is exercise can support a healthy weight. Physically active women who enter menopause are leaner than inactive women and have a decreased risk of developing metabolic disease (6). In one study, women whose activity decreased the most during and after menopause packed on the most pounds overall as well as in the midsection. Maintaining weight took an average of 60 minutes of activity per day, the same amount recommended for the average adult by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) (7).
Lean Body Mass
Research has shown while changes in fat distribution can be attributed to hormonal shifts experienced by women in midlife, overall weight gain that occurs with age (about 1 lb per year) primarily is due to the effects of aging, such as decreased activity and a loss of lean body mass, which is more metabolically active than fat (6).
After age 40, women lose about 1% of their lean body mass per year if they’re inactive. All types of exercise are important to maintain and build muscle, such as cardio, strength training, and yoga. For example, cardiovascular exercise, such as brisk walking or jogging, strengthens the heart and lungs, helps improve the blood sugar and insulin response, and strengthens large muscle groups, while strength training helps build lean body mass in the arms, legs, and upper and lower back.
Protein Intake
In addition to including exercise to maintain and build muscle, women in midlife also need to eat protein during meals to promote muscle-protein synthesis, which is essential to the body’s ongoing growth, repair, and maintenance of skeletal muscle. Which type of protein is best for you? A complete protein is more likely to build and repair lean muscle mass.
As much as 25 to 30g of protein is needed at each meal to optimally stimulate muscle-protein synthesis (8). For example, in one study, people who received 90g of protein evenly distributed among three meals (30g/30g/30g) experienced a larger anabolic response to the meals after 24 hours compared with those who received a more uneven distribution (10/20/60) (9).
In addition to eating sufficient protein and balancing intake across the day, eating the proper amount and type of carbohydrate can help control blood sugar. A good recommendation is for women to eat in reverse: the larger meal at breakfast and the lightest meal at dinner, and reduce calories from beverages such as alcohol, coffee drinks, and smoothies, which tend to be calorically dense.
You might find a supplement such a Berberine is helpful for supporting optimal blood sugar levels after you eat. I highly recommend Glucose-Adapt.
Bone Health
Another concern for women is the depletion of bone density, which often occurs after menopause when the ovaries stop producing estrogen. Women can lose as much as 20% of their bone density five to seven years after menopause (12). The best case scenario, experts say, is for women to enter menopause with sufficient bone density to minimize subsequent losses.
There’s a critical window for bone loss, which occurs one to two years before a woman's last period and five years after that.
Key components to supporting bone health are: consuming enough calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K2, and protein, not smoking, and exercising, especially strength training.
In one study, researchers estimated that women aged 80 who don't smoke, are physically active, and have a BMI of 25 will lose 25% to 38% less bone than women of the same age who smoke, are sedentary, and are thin (13).
After age 50, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for calcium climbs to 1,200 mg/day, which makes meeting calcium needs challenging, especially since calcium supplements now are recommended less often because of potential heart disease risks. You must take a vitamin D/K2 supplement like this.
Gastrointestinal Changes
Other issues women in midlife may face include changes in digestion. Fluctuations in ovarian hormones may contribute to belly bloating and sluggish intestines. Common gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms that occur during perimenopause and menopause include bowel discomfort, abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel patterns. Researchers believe fluctuations in ovarian hormones contribute to this GI distress (14).
Gut microbiota changes with age (15) with a decline in the number and variety of protective microbes, but researchers aren't sure how that specifically impacts GI issues in midlife. Your microbiome is also directly linked to your body weight and appetite so keeping it healthy with gut nourishers is crucial as you age.
Some women develop lactose intolerance as they age, so incorporating lactose-free milk, cottage cheese, and yogurt into the diet will enable them to continue to eat dairy products and help meet calcium needs. If gas and bloating are related to milk consumption, I highly recommend a low-lactose diet or start a dairy free diet.
Intestinal discomfort can also be related to a leaky gut. If you have food sensitivities, skin conditions, cognitive issues and even autoimmune diseases, leaky gut is likely the precursor. This 4R program has been used for years to improve gut health and seal up those tight junctions in your gut.
Changing Nutrient Needs
When it comes to nutrient needs, women who have reached menopause don't need as much iron as they used to because they no longer menstruate; the RDA drops from 18 to 8 mg/day.
Folate, which helps protect unborn children against neural tube defects in the womb, no longer is a concern since postmenopausal women can’t get pregnant. Some research suggests too much folic acid from fortified foods and supplements may increase the risk of certain cancers (16). I recommend avoiding a supplement with folic acid and instead look for natural folate or a methylated form of folic acid.
Because the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and weight gain rises after menopause, helping women choose a diet rich in nutrients but lower in caloric density is key, as is choosing healthful fats, lean sources of protein, low-fat dairy or dairy alternatives, and plenty of nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
While women in midlife face many challenges, there’s much they can do to begin a healthful transition into the postmenopausal years. It’s possible for women to live their healthiest lives before, during, and after menopause.
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Glucose-Adapt to optimize blood sugar.
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In Health and Happiness,
Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods
References:
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5. Hormone therapy: is it right for you? Mayo Clinic website.
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