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The Link Between Menopause and Inflammation

Menopause and inflammation

The Link Between Menopause and Inflammation

For the great majority of women, menopause is a time of great change. Physically, emotionally and hormonally, it can be a roller coaster ride. But for some women, menopause brings on an additional new challenge: inflammation.

The problem with inflammation is that it can worsen some menopause symptoms, like weight gain. Not only that, but it can also have a negative impact on chronic disease.

This article will explore the link between menopause and inflammation and offer solutions to help you navigate this challenging experience.

Does Menopause Cause Inflammation?

Menopause

New studies suggest that the transition to menopause is pro-inflammatory.

During this period, systemic inflammatory substances called cytokines are released from the reproductive tissue. In addition, there is an alteration in the body’s immune system and increased availability of inflammasome proteins.

Women in menopause have elevated levels of important pro-inflammatory cytokines compared with fertile women.

Chronic vs Acute Inflammation

The inflammatory response is the body’s natural reaction to injury or infection, and it can be either acute or chronic. Acute inflammation is a normal part of the healing process and typically only lasts for a brief period of time. This type is beneficial.

Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, persists over long periods of time and can cause serious health problems if left untreated.

When we talk about inflammation during menopause, we refer to the chronic type.

Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation

Some of the common symptoms of chronic inflammation include:

  • Body pain, arthralgia, myalgia
  • Chronic fatigue and insomnia
  • Depression, anxiety and mood disorders
  • Gastrointestinal complications like constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux
  • Weight gain or weight loss
  • Frequent infections

Can Inflammation Play a Role in the Stubborn Menopause Weight Gain?

Inflammation and obesity

Oh yes!

Inflammation, gaining weight, and obesity form a vicious cycle, making weight loss an uphill battle during menopause.

When your body is inflammatory and retaining excess weight, it impacts the hormone leptin. This hormone signals to the brain when you should eat or stop eating and tells your brain whether it needs to rev up or slow down its metabolism.

Chronic inflammation can also cause insulin resistance, which leads to weight gain and difficulty losing weight. Here’s the rub, though: The additional fat that you’re carrying increases insulin resistance. A vicious cycle indeed!

Inflammation and Pain

Sometimes, inflammation can result in pain because it causes the body to swell. This swelling can start pressing against nerve endings, causing pain. As long as the pressure persists, the pain will continue.

Joint pain is common in menopause and can worsen when the body is inflammatory.

Menopause joint pain

Inflammation and Chronic Disease

Considering the myriad of health problems it can cause, inflammation is not a condition you want to ignore. After menopause, it can also increase the risk of developing chronic problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

A chronically inflamed body also accelerates aging. Reducing this condition should therefore be a priority if you want to stay youthful and active for as long as possible.

How to Reduce Inflammation During Menopause

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce inflammation during menopause and help keep your body healthy and strong.

Follow an Anti-inflammatory Diet

This diet focuses on eating more anti-inflammatory foods and minimizing those that cause inflammation.

Furthermore, this eating pattern puts emphasis on adding more whole foods filled with antioxidants while avoiding processed food.

Food to Include

Anti-inflammatory foods are typically whole foods that are natural, unprocessed, and low in sugar.

Anti-inflammatory diet menu
  • Green leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach
  • Berries such as strawberries and blueberries
  • Fatty fish like salmon
  • Nuts such as walnuts and almonds
  • Spices including ginger and turmeric

Get your printable anti-inflammatory food list here

Foods to Minimize

An overly-rich diet that includes sugar, processed foods, and unhealthy fats has been known to cause chronic inflammation in the body. Gluten is also inflammatory in people who are sensitive to it. Thus, to decrease this response in the body, you should limit the amount of pro-inflammatory foods in your diet, including:

  • Sugary drinks
  • Pastries, muffins, and cakes
  • White pasta, bread, and sugary cereals
  • Pizza
  • Processed meats
  • Processed snacks
  • Fast foods
  • Fried foods
  • Alcohol

Move More

Physical activity is a great way to reduce inflammation in the body. Regular exercise helps improve circulation, strengthens the immune system, and reduces the stress hormones that can trigger the inflammatory response.

Lose Weight

As mentioned above, inflammation and the accumulation of body fat form an unhealthy partnership, with each feeding off the other in a damaging pattern.

By losing weight, you can help break this cycle. Consider adding anti-inflammatory foods to your diet to make weight loss easier.

Stress Less

Stress is one of the major contributing factors of inflammation. When we are under stress, our bodies release hormones such as cortisol, which triggers an inflammatory response.

The Bottom Line

It’s clear that inflammation can play a significant role in menopause and that menopause can promote inflammation.

To prevent problems caused by this response, it’s important to take steps to reduce the body’s inclination to become inflamed. 

Eating an anti-inflammatory diet filled with whole foods like green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, and nuts while limiting processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats will help keep your body healthy.

Additionally, regular exercise, stress reduction techniques, and weight loss are all effective ways of reducing unhealthy levels of inflammation.

By making these lifestyle changes, you can ensure that you stay healthy and vibrant through your menopause and beyond!

Other Helpful Blog Posts:

Anti-inflammatory Diet Menu

Menopause Joint Pain

Supplements for Menopause Joint Pain

The Inflammation and Weight Gain Connection

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2 thoughts on “The Link Between Menopause and Inflammation”

  1. I am having inflammation with joint pain. I keep hearing about turmeric, chondroitin, pro-biotics, etc-are these supplements beneficial?

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