As a woman reaches the menopausal phase of her life, the battle against weight gain begins. And this is an inevitable crisis in every woman’s life. The impending repulsion against the bulging belly is unavoidable. But there is more to it than vanity. There is also the impending health issue that comes with those unwanted pounds. Being overweight can lead to numerous diseases like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer and more.
The good news is that women can still do something about it. The secret is regular exercise, nutritious foods and a continuous intake of vitamins and minerals needed by your body.
Here are the vitamins that could help you minimize weight gain during your menopause.
Vitamin B6 – Vitamin B6 is a combination of pyridoxine, pyridoxamine and pyridoxal. It is essential for protein metabolism. As we know, a regulated metabolism can control weight gain. Further, Vitamin B6 regulates oxygen brought about by hemoglobin. Vitamin B6 also contributes to the growth and rejuvenation of cells. This means a strong immune system. Vitamin B6 also regulates blood sugar. It helps turn your carbo into glucose and sustain your body especially if you have low calorie count.
Foods that are rich in Vitamin B6 are cereal and oatmeal, potato, banana, Garbanzo beans, chicken breast, beef, trout, sunflower seeds, spinach, avocado, salmon, tuna, walnuts, soybeans and others.
Vitamin D is a great option to strengthen your bone mass. It is also a great alternative to build calcium. As a woman ages, bones are becoming brittle and Vitamin D can help in addressing osteoporosis. More so, it can also help to prevent colon, breast cancer and diabetes. A fair amount of vitamin D can regulate a body’s capability to gain insulin and studies show that Vitamin D minimizes diabetes2.
Foods that are rich in Vitamin D are liver oil, butter, margarine, sardines, tuna, cereal, egg, liver, cheese, milk and more.
Calcium – It is essential in building tight muscle, above all, it has proven to be very effective in weight control. Calcium enhances metabolism and suppresses the accumulation of body fat. Added to the benefits of weight loss, calcium also builds a strong bone mass.
Foods that are rich in calcium are sardines, salmon, fish, pasta, rice white bread, broccoli, okra, beans, peas, tofu, omelet and more
These are the vitamins that could greatly contribute in controlling weight gain. However, make sure that you also lead an active lifestyle, getting regular exercise. The combination of both can help to fight weight gain during menopause.