Preparing for Menopause
For centuries, women typically entered menopause in their 50s, but today, we’re witnessing a trend where many women are experiencing menopausal symptoms at much younger ages. This shift raises important questions about the underlying causes of these symptoms. While “hormonal imbalance” is frequently blamed, the reality is far more complex. To truly understand menopause, we need to look beyond hormones and examine the deeper issues at play.
The conventional view holds that hormonal imbalance is the primary cause of menopausal symptoms. While hormones certainly play a role, focusing solely on them overlooks the real issues contributing to these symptoms, especially in younger women. In reality, a combination of factors—including adrenal and thyroid health, liver function, pathogen and toxin load, diet, and immune system dynamics—all significantly impact how women experience menopause.
Adrenal and Thyroid Health
Adrenal and thyroid health are crucial to understanding menopausal symptoms. The adrenal glands share the responsibility of producing reproductive hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. When these glands are overworked due to stress, environmental toxins, or poor nutrition, they can disrupt hormonal balance at any age, not just during menopause. Similarly, an underactive thyroid, often influenced by viral activity, can exacerbate hormonal imbalances. This is not just an issue during menopause but can affect women at any stage of life, leading to a cascade of symptoms often mistaken for purely hormonal issues.
Liver Function
The liver also plays a critical role during menopause. As women go through this transition, the liver can become sluggish due to increased viral activity triggered by hormonal changes. This stagnation can lead to common symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, particularly during periods of hormonal shifts. Supporting liver health through cleansing foods and protocols is essential for managing these symptoms effectively.
Pathogen and Toxin Load
Another possible factor is the pathogen and toxin load within the body. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) can be one of the hidden culprits behind menopausal symptoms. When hormones fluctuate, they can trigger viral activity, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and more. Additionally, environmental toxins like pesticides, radiation, and harmful estrogens from plastics and pharmaceuticals accumulate in the body over time, contributing to the severity of menopausal symptoms. These destructive estrogens can interfere with the body’s natural hormone function and are linked to serious health concerns, including certain types of cancer.
Diet and Hormonal Balance
Diet and hormonal balance are deeply intertwined. Consuming an overabundance of proteins and fats can lead to thicker blood, which hampers circulation and oxygenation, affecting overall health. The standard American diet, in particular, offers a large source of hormones, antibiotics, and toxins, which can disrupt hormonal balance. It’s important to be mindful of protein sources, opting for those that are clean and free from added hormones and antibiotics whenever possible. Additionally, avoiding the combination of high-fat and high-protein foods in the same meal can help prevent insulin resistance, a condition that can exacerbate hormonal imbalances. Choosing protein sources carefully—favoring options like wild-caught fish, grass-fed beef, and organic turkey—can help maintain hormonal balance.
Reproductive Health
For reproductive health, Anthony William emphasizes the importance of focusing on the following nutrient-dense, anti-pathogen, and liver-supporting foods:
• Wild blueberries
• Sesame
• Tahini
• Avocados
• Black beans
• Asparagus
• Apples
• Spinach
• Mushrooms
• Black grapes
• Cucumbers
• Sweet potatoes
• Raspberry leaf (infusion)
• Nettle leaf (infusion or tincture)
• Vitex (also known as chaste tree berry or chaste berry) (in specific amounts/doses and should be discussed with your practitioner)
• Elderberry (infusion or syrup)
Immune System
The immune system plays a unique role during the reproductive phases of a woman’s life. During menstruation, ovulation, and pregnancy, a significant portion of a woman’s immune system is dedicated to reproductive health. This shift leaves other areas of the body more vulnerable, which can worsen underlying health issues and contribute to menopausal symptoms. Understanding this dynamic helps us see why building up the immune system and addressing immune health is beneficial during menopause.
Managing Menopausal Symptoms
Managing menopausal symptoms requires a holistic approach that considers all of these underlying factors. Supporting adrenal and thyroid health through stress management, proper nutrition, and avoiding environmental toxins is crucial. Supporting the liver can be achieved by incorporating antiviral protocols and including supportive tools like celery juice and the heavy metal detox smoothie into your diet. Reducing pathogen and toxin load by adopting antiviral practices and incorporating fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, wild foods, herbs and spices, and supplements like zinc, B12, and licorice root can make a significant difference in how you experience menopause.
Additionally, using herbs like Dong Quai, Nettle Leaf, and Red Raspberry Leaf can also help to support hormonal health, while Vitex can help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce symptoms like hot flashes and PMS. Always work with a skilled practitioner when introducing any form of supplementation, especially when addressing hormonal issues.
As you can see, menopause is not merely a result of hormonal imbalance; it’s a complex interaction of various underlying health issues. By understanding and addressing these issues—supporting the liver, adrenals, and thyroid, reducing pathogen and toxin load, and adopting a mindful diet—you can better manage your symptoms and navigate this transition with greater ease.
Inside our monthly membership, we dive into teaching how to best prepare the body for menopause. We unpack all of the underlying factors involved in why women experience new symptoms or worsening of existing symptoms, steps to take on how to best support the body and include a Live Q&A so that members receive feedback on their individual health questions for better clarity. Join us for this month only, or stay for the remainder of the year—whatever works best for you!
