Menopause and the brain
Director of the Women’s Brain Initiative and, author of The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease, LisaMosconi,offers some advice on how to deal with cognitive issues arising from menopause. “Many women think they’re going crazy”, due to the mental fog they experience; however, “the brain is going through a natural transition. It needs support”, she argues.
Here are some recommendations to help with cognitive concerns:
1. Recognise that your brain plays a major role in menopause and is naturally impacted. For example, symptoms such as hot flushes originate in the brain and not in the ovaries. Therefore, you should do things that will help to “protect and invigorate” your mind.
2. Pursue new and interesting activities to stimulate your mind.
3. Drink less alcohol and coffee and more water. Eat a diet rich vitamin B and Omerga-3s which are essential for brain function.
4. Deal with any other underlying issues such as high cholesterol.
5. Exercise consistently - weight gain and elevated insulin resistance are associated with Alzheimer’s in women. Mosconi feels it is unnecessary to workout at a high intensity, but some form of regular weight bearing exercise is important, reduces stress and benefits the bones.
6. Monitor your symptoms and tailor therapy to your needs. Everyone experiences menopause differently. While some women may benefit from HRT, you should not feel pressured into taking it.
7. Persist in your efforts. The benefits of some lifestyle changes may not be immediate or obvious.
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