undigested food in the stool.


6. Constipation This topic warrants its own section, it is so common. Common does not mean normal, however. With rates of constipa- tion so high, and so much money spent on laxatives and digestive aids, it may feel like no big deal. However, constipation is a major bar-


rier to fat loss. Constipation reduces the ability for you to metabolize and appro- priately detoxify many hormones, includ- ing estrogen. Thus, constipation will worsen many hormone-related symptoms, including those of menopause. Severe constipation (fewer than one bowel move- ment per week or less) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in women. Did you hear me?


Most cases of constipation are func- tional in nature, meaning they are due to the general state and environment of many aspects of the gastrointestinal system and the body at large, and not just a case of too little fiber. Sometimes, fiber actually makes con-


stipation worse! Adequate protein, water and fat are also keys for bowel regularity; as are micronutrients like minerals and electrolytes. Movement, in the form of walking and exercise sessions, also helps to keep things regular.


Magnesium glycinate is a safe, gentle


constipation helper that has other benefi- cial side effects like: helping with sleep, blood sugar balance and loosening tight muscles. Taking 300-400mg before bed


can help you sleep and set you up for a bowel movement in the morning.


7. Gut bugs Even your healthy beneficial bacteria, that reside in your gut, feel the effects of menopause! Estrogen and progesterone are sources of fuel for your bacteria. As they begin to decline, you can also have a decline (temporary or permanent) in your healthy gut flora. In fact, this happens each month before menses, which is part of the reason why bowel changes are common in the premenstrual time. If your good gut guys decline in vari- ety or numbers, this is a problem. One, it leaves your gut open to other, perhaps unsavory characters moving in and setting up shop. A less diverse microbiome is more vulnerable to frank infection, and will create more gastrointestinal symp- toms, including motility and regularity issues. An imbalance in the healthy flora –


whether it is a low number of good guys, infection, or a higher number of bacteria that can be bad for you depending on context – is called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is common in menopause and a cornerstone of IBS.


Bacteria are very responsive to their


local environment, so in a constipate state, the bacteria that thrive in a slow transit locale will thrive and crowd out other guys. This will reinforce constipation. You want your gut flora robust with high numbers of good guys, and a wide variety of strains. These guys provide in-


Kelly Carpenter, NP-C


www.RobinhoodIntegrativeHealth.com Kelly Carpenter, NP-C


Kelly Carpenter NP-C is a board certified Nurse Practitioner. She has 8 years experience in adult medi- cine. She has an enthusiasm for helping people live energized, long healthy lives. She helps patients to obtain healthy weights and maxi- mize energy levels by enhancing their body’s natural healing pro- cesses through optimized nutrition, supplements, and optimizing hor- mones. She is a great addition to RIH


336.768.3335


numerable functions for your body. Up to twenty percent of thyroid hormone is converted to the active form by action of the gut flora. Directly and indirectly, your gut flora


plays a big role in how you feel. To help your gut flora be as diverse and strong as possible, you want to eat a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, green tea and fer- mented foods and drinks. Fermented foods like kombucha and sauerkraut provide supplemental beneficial bacteria to your microbiome. Women with IBS or other digestive concerns should strongly con- sider a probiotic in addition to these other suggestions.


When we take a broad vision of the consequences of menopause in all of the body’s systems, as an integrated whole, we begin to see patterns that emerge and guide us in action as to what to actually DO to help offset the less-than-desirable symptoms that result.


Jillian Teta, ND is a medically trained natu- ropathic physician in practice at the Naturo- pathic Health Clinic of NC on Reynolda Road in Winston-Salem. She is the author of Natural Solutions for Digestive


Health (available at amazon.com) and is an avid blogger at FixMyDigestion.com.


ROCK CLIMBING SCHOOL Beginner, Sport, Women’s, Rescue


Triad Classes: 423-413-1432 www.GraniteArches.com


AUGUST 2017 23


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