QuickZine #6: Diabetes and the Menopausal Woman

Fluctuating Hormones May Mean Adjustments to Medication

Fluctuating levels of hormones mean physical changes but in the diabetic woman they also bring specific risks.  As estrogen levels decrease the body becomes more resistant to insulin causing the blood sugar levels to rise.  In contrast, as progesterone levels decrease the body becomes more sensitive to insulin, causing the blood sugar levels to drop.  This roller coaster ride may signal the need for adjusting diabetes medication.  Keep in mind that most women, after menopause, will need up to 20% less medication to control their diabetes as the body becomes more efficient in its use of insulin.

The risks for menopausal women with diabetes can not be overlooked.  The risk of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal diabetic women is two to three times higher than for non-diabetics.  In addition, diabetic women suffer from more vaginitis and vaginal infections . The reason for this statistic is the perfect environment that decreased estrogen and high blood sugar levels creates for the yeast and bacteria.  Fortunately, there are ways of preventing and minimizing your risk of developing heart disease and vaginal infections.

Red Clover, Diabetes and Blood Pressure

A recent study from the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St. George Hospital UNSW, Kogarah, NSW, Australia has shown that consuming red clover can positively impact blood pressure.

The study involved post menopausal women with type 2 diabetes.  Researchers administered approximately 50 mg/day of a dietary supplement containing isoflavones from red clover over a four week period.  They took blood pressure readings from this group as well as a control group.  The results were significant.  The women receiving the supplement had significantly lower blood pressure readings then the group receiving the placebo.

Red clover has been used traditionally for treating the symptoms of menopause and if it helps with blood pressure?  Well, all the better!

Top Ten Ways to Beat the Odds

1. Find support: Finding out you have diabetes or that you are pre-diabetic can be overwhelming.  A support system can help you express your concerns and feelings as well as provide valuable information.

2. Reduce stress:  Research has shown that when you are under stress, hormones are released that activate stored glucose.  A stress reduction program can help you relax and improve glucose control.

3. Eat right:  It goes without saying that to control diabetes or prevent its onset, you need to eat the right food.  Avoid high calorie, low nutrient foods and focus on more plant based foods.

4. Timing is everything:  This suggestion is good for anyone, as balancing blood sugar is the single most important anti-aging tool you have.  For diabetics keeping blood sugar levels at an even keel by eating every four to five hours is best.  Just make sure your food choices are the right ones.  Always keep healthy snacks healthy snacks available!

5. Avoid sugar and salt:  Most diabetics understand why they need to avoid sugar but many don't know that salt poses just as great a risk. 

6. Exercise: Exercise helps you maintain an ideal weight as well as making cells more receptive to insulin.  Its a win win situation!  Twenty minutes a day of aerobic exercise, like a brisk walk, is all you need.  If walking isn't your thing than try some fun movement like

7. Build muscle: Research shows that building muscle can help your body metabolize sugar more efficiently.

8. Supplement: Vitamin E and C are antioxidants that are deficient in diabetics.  Italian researchers have also found that Vitamin E improves insulin's ability to balance sugars. Of course, both vitamins also act as anti-inflammatory's and can help protect the heart and blood vessels from cardiovascular disease.

9. Consume healthy oils: Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil acts as an anti-inflammatory,

10. Share your story: When we reach out and help someone it feels good.  What better way to help yourself, than by helping someone else.  Share your journey with others.  When you share your challenges and triumphs it encourages others.