Menopause Makes You Fat - NOW You Tell Me!

Fresh from the "No Kidding" department, a new study now confirms what menopausal women around the world have known for decades: Menopause can make you fat.

For years, scientists who have studied the various conditions associated with menopause
symptoms have acknowledged the fact that women have a tendency to pack on extra pounds during this disruptive change to their lives. Until recently, however, their research had failed on numerous occasions to demonstrate that dwindling levels of the female hormone estrogen were the primary culprit responsible for the (sometimes drastic) weight gain.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio conducted a new animal study that suggested, as suspected, estrogen deficiency can lead to the accumulation of excess weight in menopausal women.

After the University of Texas researchers surgically removed the ovaries of aged female rats, they found that these "menopausal" rodents gained tended to gain twice as much weight as aged female rats with properly functioning ovaries. When estrogen replacement was given to rats that had their ovaries surgically removed, there was no such increase in weight.

Further blood tests revealed that the menopausal rats had high levels of leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells that is known to play a major role in the regulation of body weight and appetite. High levels of leptin correlate with increased body fat in both humans and rodents.

The scientists demonstrated that estrogen receptors located in the brain collectively function as a master switch to control food intake, energy expenditure and body fat distribution. When applied to women, these findings suggest that supplemental estrogen could help reduce appetite and prevent some of the weight gain associated with menopause. Although many menopausal women would welcome the weight related benefits of hormone therapy, many are leery of the associated side effects.

In addition to hot flashes, night sweats and poor-quality sleep, many women experiencing menopause encounter significant increases in appetite and corresponding weight gain. On average, the majority of women accumulate an extra pound each year after the age of 40, with the greatest increases in weight occurring during and after menopause .

When you consider that a menopausal woman does not always feel as active or energetic as normal, meaning her level of activity is now decreased. All of these things could easily result in some level of weight gain. In addition, for years rumors have circulated that hormone replacement therapy is a huge cause of menopause weight gain but those rumors have since been squelched. Although menopause weight gain is frustrating regarding the way in which a woman looks and feels, it comes with a more critical risk of high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and high blood lipid levels.

If you look at post-menopausal women, they are normally at higher risk for coronary heart disease. Part of this is because the estrogen levels are reduced while low and total density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased. The number one question women nearing or going through menopause ask is how menopause weight gain can be avoided. Remember, it is crucial that women get on a good exercise and dietary plan. Since the weight gain has more to do with age, these simple steps can make a huge difference. Beyond that, it is important to talk to a qualified doctor to see what medication or supplements are recommended. The result is a healthier lifestyle!

Dawn M. Olsen is an Advocate for Better Women’s Health through Education, Recipe Developer, Soy Food Enthusiast and the Author of "Menopause A to Z - A Definitive Guide to Modern Menopause available online now at http://www.menopauseatoz.com Find out more about how to deal with menopause at early ageand nausea and menopause