Is your memory failing you? Do you walk into a room and forget why you went there? Are those darn keys never where you thought you left them? Have you even asked yourself if you are developing Alzheimer’s or dementia? If you answered yes to any of these questions – trust me, you are not alone.
Sometimes this loss of memory can interfere with our work and our daily activities. As we age and as our hormones change our body (including our brain) can go through chemical and physical changes.
One major change to the body that may occur starting in our 40s is a reduction of hormonal levels – more specifically estrogen. As your body’s estrogen levels decrease then this important hormone cannot stimulate brain function anymore resulting in short-term memory loss. With time, it can also lead to anxiety, depression, hot flashes and sleep disturbances.
Why is this important to us as a society? Because we are expecting close to 25% of the population to be over the age of 45 years old by 2026. This means that almost half of them will be going through either peri-menopause or menopause.
Studies show the following:
- Longer duration of both endogenous estrogen and bio-identical hormone (estradiol) use were associated with prevention of age-related cognitive decline.
- Starting bio-identical hormones (combination of estradiol and natural progesterone) within 5 years of menopause onset was associated with better late life cognitive function compared with delayed initiation of bio-identical hormones. The sooner the better.
You can help yourself by making some simple changes in your diet right away. Increasing foods that have phytoestrogens is a great way to start. Phytoestrogens are weaker estrogens found in certain foods. They can be extremely protective and healthy for us. For example, having 2 tbsp of organic ground flax seeds every day.
You don’t need to suffer unnecessarily. We now have the science to help you with natural therapies.