what to and what not to eat! This journey’s focal point is knowing what works best for you. Is it a diet that contains meat, or does it strictly follow a raw vegan lifestyle?
Some foods we know to be helpful in the transitional phase of menopause that can slow down hair loss include foods rich in calcium like milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified orange, etc. Other foods to consider include oatmeal, sunflower seeds, almonds, broccoli, sweet potatoes, kiwi, papaya, and lean proteins like grilled chicken, turkey, tuna, beans, and lentils.
Stay hydrated
Drinking water is vital, especially for women experiencing VMS (hot flashes or heavy sweating) – which reduces the water in the body. In general terms, staying hydrated ensures that women can think clearly, have stable moods, and have a regular body temp that doesn’t overheat. Water also helps to lubricate joints, and eliminates waste from the body.
Get laser hair treatment
According to Women’s Health Concern, laser devices that emit low-energy laser light may stimulate hair growth to help fight thinning hair. A hairdresser or therapist best carries out laser therapy with experience and training on these devices. The long-term safety and effectiveness are unknown.
Take certain medications, vitamins, and minerals
For medications, you must always consult with your doctor before taking any medicine, especially if you’re dealing with an illness that requires medical attention.
If cleared, there are over-the-counter medicines that increase hair growth – you should research these by assessing what works best for your body. Certain supplements, such as B vitamins, are helpful for vitamins and minerals. A popular B vitamin is biotin, which has been proven to work; however, there are many others, including vitamins C and D, iron, calcium, and zinc.
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Get Moving – Exercise
Exercising can help manage hormone imbalances, which may contribute to menopausal hair loss. It can also reduce stress, improve sleep, and manage weight.
According to Mental Health America, getting the appropriate amount of exercise benefits nearly all aspects of a person’s health. Not getting enough exercise puts you at increased risk for several diseases.
Exercising doesn’t have to be strenuous – it could be fun, like a dance class, hiking, skating, or bike riding. For those interested in a more vigorous routine than running, weight lifting and circuit training are also quite beneficial. The point is to move – we have to move our bodies often!
Get proper rest
Mental Health America shared the importance of sleep and rest: sleep helps restore your body’s energy, repair muscle tissue, and triggers the release of hormones that affect growth and appetite.
Quality of sleep refers to how much time you spend in REM (rapid eye movement) rest. REM is the most restorative of the five sleep cycles and should account for one-fourth of the time you spend sleeping. For example, an adult who sleeps 8 hours a night should consume 2 hours of REM sleep. Deep relaxation also has many other potential benefits—it can decrease blood pressure, relieve pain, and improve your immune and cardiovascular systems.
Menopause is inevitable. Once they reach their 50s, most women may experience the other side of life free of menstrual cycles – while that part is highly celebrated, there are other factors to consider. As women go through this change, it’s essential to know the many side effects of menopause – like hair loss! The good news is that hair loss associated with menopause is reversible – when we do the work! Protect the “crown!” If you or someone you know is experiencing hair loss, look at the whole picture and ask, “is this menopause?”