The onset of menopause worsens the condition of any woman. There is an extinction of ovarian function, a change in the hormonal background. This leads to mood swings, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, hot flashes with bouts of sweating. Hormonal restructuring begins to occur between the ages of 37 - 40 years and lasts from 1 to 10 years. Each woman has this individually, but the general symptoms are similar and significantly worsen her health. At this time, some medications are needed to help level out unpleasant symptoms.
The value of vitamins with menopause
The role of vitamins in menopause during this period of life is especially valuable for health. They perform several important functions:
• increase immunity, thereby contributing to the mitigation of unpleasant menopause;
• stimulate the synthesis of sex hormones, the production of which has decreased significantly.
• start metabolic processes, accelerate metabolism, since in the climacteric period there is a significant decrease in it and a quick set of excess body weight occurs.
How vitamins work with menopause
To improve the general condition, there are several vitamins for menopause that are especially necessary during this period, which will not only reduce unpleasant symptoms, but significantly improve the quality of life. First of all, these are antioxidants that slow down the body's aging process. They neutralize free radicals constantly forming in the body - active molecules that have lost several electrons during oxidative reactions and destroy other cells in search of missing ones. Healthy cells damaged as a result of the "attack" themselves turn into active free radicals that act on the remaining intact cells. The consequences of this continuous exposure to free radicals are the physiological aging of all organs and systems.
Some vitamins, acting as antioxidants, can stop this destructive process. They give up their electrons, but at the same time remain stable compounds. Thus, antioxidant vitamins interrupt the pathological process of destruction, slow down the aging process.
Side effects and harm from self-treatment with vitamins for menopause
The course of treatment, the dose of drugs is determined only by the doctor in order to avoid overdose - hypervitaminosis, which are serious side effects of taking high doses of vitamins. Independent chaotic use of vitamin complexes or individual vitamins can be not only useless, but also unsafe for health. There is an opinion that it is impossible to overdose vitamins: the body will take as much as necessary, the rest will be excreted in urine and feces. This is not entirely true. Water-soluble vitamins can be excreted in the urine. Excess fat-soluble accumulates in the body, exerting a toxic effect.
Vitamins with menopause - both water-soluble (vitamin C) and fat-soluble (A, D, E) - when they enter the bloodstream, they are delivered to all tissues, including fat. Excess vitamins that are not absorbed in the intestines are excreted in the feces. With an overdose of fat-soluble vitamins, diarrhea appears. This is due to the fact that an excess of substances that are not absorbed in the intestine “draw” water from the body, which leads to dehydration of the body.
An overdose of fat-soluble vitamins has similar clinical symptoms. At the same time, hypervitaminosis of each of them also causes specific manifestations.
Acute hypervitaminosis occurs with a single dose of vitamin in a huge dose, many times higher than normal. Chronic hypervitaminosis develops with prolonged, for 4-6 months, taking high doses of the drug.
Vitamins - antioxidants for menopause: benefits and harms
Antioxidants-vitamins from menopause include several important drugs, without which it is impossible to do in this difficult period.
Tocopherol
Vitamin E (tocopherol): it prolongs the functioning of the ovaries, lengthening their vital functions. Tocopherol indirectly stimulates the synthesis of estrogen with progesterone. It also strengthens the vascular walls, makes them more elastic, protects against thrombosis, since it regulates cholesterol metabolism, is involved in lowering blood pressure, which, with the onset of menopause, tends to increase in many. Being a powerful antioxidant, it prevents the destruction of cells by free radicals, helps preserve youthful skin, hair, and nails. Protects against the formation of malignant tumors.
With an overdose of E, the absorption of the remaining fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K) is impaired, leading to their hypovitaminosis. Immediately there is a headache, diarrhea, double vision.
Hypotrilon contains a high concentration of tocopherol. It also contains the necessary trace elements. The drug is effective at the onset of menopause - in its most difficult period. It cleans tides well, reduces the risk of neoplasms.
Retinol
Vitamin A (retinol) - prevents the formation of tumors in the intestines, uterus, mammary glands. Slows down the aging process, moisturizes the skin, thereby preventing the appearance of wrinkles. 700 mcg of retinol is needed per day for well-being. Its maximum amount is found in cod liver, fatty fish, carrots, peppers, green onions. It is part of the convenient and effective AEvit complex, consisting of two vitamins: A and E, and is also an integral part of other vitamins: Decamevit, Undevit, Gendevit, Geksavit.
An overdose of vitamin A leads to hair loss, dryness and peeling of the skin, headaches, and insomnia. There is discomfort in the liver, hypercholesterolemia (increased cholesterol) is noted in the blood, alkaline phosphatase activity increases. In chronic deficiency, spontaneous bone fractures occur.
Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a natural antioxidant that prevents the formation of tumors in the menopause, when there is the greatest risk of their appearance. It strengthens the walls of blood vessels, prevents the formation of edema, increases resistance to various types of infections.
An overdose of C leads to the formation of oxalate calculi in the kidneys, gall bladder, especially with the existing genetic predisposition. Vision, the work of the kidneys and pancreas are also disturbed. This is due to a change in vascular permeability and the exchange of oxalic acid, which is formed in large quantities with an overdose of vitamin C.
An effective combination drug containing ascorbic acid and the entire set of vitamins and minerals necessary for a woman is Alphabet 50+. It also includes lutein and lycoptin, which prevent the deterioration of visual acuity. Another vitamin complex for menopause for women after 50 is Vitrum Centuri: it perfectly improves the general condition, contains all the necessary elements in a balanced amount.
Calciferol
Vitamin D (calciferol) consists of several provitamins, the most significant of them with menopause: ergocalciferol (D1), cholecalciferol (D3), which are activated in the body. Cholecalciferol is involved in the exchange of calcium and phosphorus in bones and cartilage, improves calcium absorption. Thus, it prevents the rapid development of osteoporosis, which develops in all women without exception after 50 years. For some, this process begins much earlier, depending on the available risk factors (smoking, drinking large amounts of coffee and tea, steroid treatment). Due to a decrease in estrogen levels during menopause, the formation of osteoporosis is accelerated. During this period, injuries and bone fractures more often occur, which grow together for a long time, require a lot of effort for healing. Vitamin A affects the condition of not only bones, but also teeth.
With an overdose of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), the following are observed:
• subfebrile condition, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, decreased appetite;
• polyuria;
• dizziness, headaches;
• weakness, fatigue;
• severe pain in the bones and muscles.
Numb and trembling hands, multiple subcutaneous hemorrhages appear, blood pressure rises. The examination reveals a high content of calcium in the blood and urine.
Prolonged uncontrolled intake of vitamin D causes calcium deposition in the walls of blood vessels of various calibers, in soft tissues, and in the lungs. This can be seen with x-ray examination. Osteoporosis is observed with the deposition of calcium around the joints, calcifications in the lungs, soft tissues. Calcifications may form in the conjunctiva, sclera, cornea.
Balanced preparations containing vitamin D3 and calcium are:
• Complivit Calcium D3 forte;
• Alphabet 50+;
• Osteomag;
• Vitrum Calcium D3.
B vitamins
Some B vitamins play a huge role in the menopause. They act on the nervous system, normalizing sleep, mood, and improve performance.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) normalizes the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) stimulates mental and physical performance, boosts the immune status, prevents early skin aging, and in combination with vitamin E eliminates irritability and nervousness (Magne B6 forte).
Vitamin B9 and B12 (cyancobalamin) help to avoid depression, irritability, prevents the appearance of apathy.
Folic acid
Folic acid has an estrogen-like effect, effective to reduce hot flashes, improve overall well-being. It is taken both as a separate drug, and in combination with other vitamins for menopause: Vitatress contains, in addition to folic acid, all the necessary vitamins (A, D, E, C, group B, PP), as well as a number of microelements. Most effective in the early stages of menopause. Increases resistance to stress, positively affects all parts of the central nervous system, normalizes the work of the cardiovascular system.
Trace elements - a necessary component of health
In addition to these vitamins, an important role for a woman is played by the sufficient intake of microelements in the body:
1. Calcium and boron help strengthen bones and joints. Their administration with cholecalciferol (D3) not only contributes to prevention, but also treats the resulting osteoporosis and prevents possible bone fractures, which can often happen in this condition.
2. Magnesium is a very important trace element: it improves sleep and reduces irritability due to sedative effects.
Lignins are substances that can reduce flushing and eliminate dryness of the vaginal mucous membranes.
Therefore, the complex of vitamins with menopause should consist of antioxidants, trace elements and lignins. The specialist will select vitamins individually, taking into account the characteristics of the female body in each case, including:
• physiological age;
• general condition of the body;
• duration of hormonal adjustment;
• severity of symptoms.
Most of the remedies needed for menopause are complex balanced preparations that positively affect the entire body. It is not recommended to self-medicate and uncontrollably take even ordinary vitamin complexes, since an overdose is dangerous for the body. The choice, dose and duration of admission should be advised by a doctor. In the future, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommendations. If you follow these rules, you can maintain good health for many years.
