Menopause, also known as “the change of life”, is a time of many changes in a woman’s life. It is the end of our reproductive stage but it is also the beginning of the second half of our life. With menopause comes many hurdles.  Our hormones are on a wild roller coaster ride and our bodies pay the consequences with mood swings, bloating, hot flashes and insomnia.  Vitamins can help ease you through this difficult passage and also protect your body in the post-menopause stage. These include:
Vitamin A
Of all the vitamins for menopause vitamin A is essential for the health and growth of the skin, eyes and mucous membranes.  It is an excellent supplement for maintaining strong bones, a healthy immune system and overall well being.  Deficiency in vitamin A can lead to night blindness and increased susceptibility to infections. Women with low levels of vitamin A have higher incidences of heavy menstrual bleeding and are more susceptible to endometriosis particularly during perimenopause.
– Foods high in vitamin A include dairy products such as yogurt and cheese.  Also considered high in vitamin A are beef and chicken livers, green leafy vegetables and orange vegetables such as pumpkin, yams, carrots as well as orange fruits such as apricots cantaloupes, and mangoes.
Vitamin B
All of the B vitamins work in harmony. They support your adrenal glands which are tiny glands on top of the kidneys that continue to produce small amounts of estrogen throughout a woman’s life. Vitamin B helps stabilize brain function, maintains health of the liver and helps to handle sugar. Low levels of vitamin B increases emotional stress, fatigue and depression. Of all the vitamins for menopause, vitamin B is especially useful
for women leading stressful lives.
– Foods high in Folic acid include green leafy vegetables, nuts, peas and beans.
Vitamin B3 is found in meat, poultry, fish, and whole wheat bread while
Vitamin B12 is found in meat, poultry, fish and eggs.
Vitamin C
This vitamin strengthens the blood vessel’s membranes and helps maintain collagen (it can be called the anti-wrinkle vitamin). Since the need for collagen regeneration increases with age so does the need for vitamin C. Of all the vitamins for menopause, vitamin C is very helpful because hot flashes deplete the body of vitamin C. It is a potent antioxidant which helps destroy unstable molecules that can damage cells and make them more susceptible to cancer.
– Food sources of vitamin C include fortified breakfast cereals, citrus fruits, brussel sprouts, kale and peppers.  Bioflavonoid, also known as flavones and sometimes known as vitamin P, because it affects the permeability of capillaries. They work in combination with vitamin C to maintain the health of capillaries, arteries and can prevent hot flashes. They resist infections and prevent oxidation of vitamin C.
Bioflavonoids are found in citrus fruits and other colorful yellow to red foods.
Vitamin D
Of all the vitamins for menopause vitamin D, along with calcium and estrogen, is essential for the strength and maintenance of bone mass and to minimize the risk of osteoporosis. All menopausal women should take vitamin D to maintain healthy bones.
– Food sources of vitamin D are canned tuna or salmon, eggs or milk products.
Vitamin E
Of all the vitamins for menopause vitamin E is the only one referred to as the “menopause vitamin” because it has chemical activity similar to estrogen. It has been used in menopause, with success, as an estrogen substitute. Vitamin E relieves hot flashes as well as psychological symptoms of menopause. It is also a powerful antioxidant that protects the arteries and heart.
– Food sources of vitamin E include wheat germ oil, eggs, green leafy vegetables, cereals and dried beans.

Tags: change of life, heavy menstrual bleeding, hormones, hot flashes, Menopause, Vitamins For Menopause