Natural remedies for menopause weight gain

In our community, weight management is a big discussion point at every stage of menopause.

Research shows that around 60% will experience weight gain as a result of our biochemical transition - with an average gain of 1.5 pounds per year. The reason? Our hormones impact every cell in our body. And, as our sex hormones fluctuate, our metabolic rate slows, and we lose diversity of good bacteria in the gut. Cortisol surges influence our ability to balance blood sugar levels, and poor sleep impacts our hunger hormones and the foods we reach for too.

For many of us, the sudden shift in the scales is perplexing. We’re eating the same. We’re exercising the same. But suddenly, weight gains around our middle - and the old diets and regimes to address it no longer work.

Natural remedies for menopause weight gain:

The good news? Mother Nature always has your back! And, increasingly, botanicals, herbs and plants that have been used for years in functional and traditional medicine protocols, are proving their value in the lab. Here are the best researched botanicals

• Metabolism boosting botanicals: Ginger is a humble herb that many of us associate with its antibacterial properties - turning to it when the first sign of a cold or bug hits. But its digestive properties can be an invaluable part of your natural remedy toolkit for weight management too. Ginger belongs to the family of herbs known as carminatives. Research shows that ginger accelerates gastric emptying and stimulates peristalsis, meaning it speeds up the pace at which food moves through the Gastro-intestinal tract after a meal. It has also been shown to relax our intestinal smooth muscles to prevent or relieve excess gas. And the beauty of this herb is it makes everything taste good! Grate it into sweet or savory dishes, add it to hot water for a gut-loving morning brew, or add it raw to your favourite salad dish. You can also find ginger in our capsule prebiotic, Gut-Instinct too.
  
  
• Blood-sugar balancing plants: Most of us will have cinnamon hiding in our spice rack! But did you know that this sweet smelling herb is a well studied weight management remedy too? Systemic reviews of controlled trials have shown that it can support weight loss in adults. Cinnamon is high in a natural oil called cinnamaldehyde, which is believed to be responsible for its health benefits. It helps regulate blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity. There is also emerging data showing that it may also modulate digestive enzymes and support the breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive tract. We love to work with Ceylon Cinnamon (also known as true cinnamon). You can find it in therapeutic dosage levels in our best selling foundational powder Peri-Boost.
  
  
• Gut-nurturing herbs: Did you know that bitter flavours on our tongue play an important role in preparing our guts to digest and extract maximum nutritional value from food? Bitter tastes stimulate digestive enzymes as well as bile production, both of which are critical to maintain a healthy metabolic rate. Bitter foods help us manage our hunger levels too. So, alongside ensuring you’re eating protein, fibre and good fats with every meal, commit to retraining your taste buds to embrace bitter flavours! Start with leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables with every dish - and ensure you keep up variety too. Artichoke leaf can also be a powerful addition to your natural remedy toolkit. One of the best researched herbs, a number of studies now point to its potential to reduce cravings and help manage appetite. To read more, head to our science pages HERE.

Let us do the hard work for you:

Gut-Instinct Our prebiotic formulation Gut-Instinct is packed full of the best researched botanicals as therapeutic dosage levels to nourish your gut microbiota, address cravings, bloating, bowel changes, digestive discomfort and more. To learn more about how natural remedies for menopause weight gain can support you, check out our full menopause supplement range.

But perhaps the most important change we need to make as midlife women is around mindset. We can’t outdiet our biochemistry. This is a time for nourishment not punishment. The key to unlocking weight management is a whole body and mind reset; from what you put on your plate, to how you digest stress. From how much sleep you get, to how you move - with purpose, strength - and careful consideration of cortisol levels too. We’re here for all of it.