Susan E. Mead, M.H.
Incorporated
Medical Herbalist

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Premenopause/Menopause Symptoms

WEIGHT GAIN

Commonly referred to as the 'middle-age spread', it's a known fact that as we age our metabolism slows down. If we don't learn to consume fewer calories and/or exercise more of them off, we'll tend to gain 1-2 pounds per year. That doesn't sound like much until you multiply it by 20 or 30 years! One of the most common complaints I hear from my menopausal clients is that they suddenly, often within just a few months, have an extra 10-15 pounds around the middle.

Believe it or not, this is actually a gift in two ways. First, Mother Nature knows there is more estrogen in fat cells so 'blesses' us with these extra pounds in order to mitigate our menopause madness. In fact, many women report having had a weight issue all their lives which suddenly became a non-issue after they completed their menopause transition. The second reason women often gain weight during this already-stressful time is that our poor food choices finally catch up with us.

The two categories of food which will put weight on faster than anything else I've witnessed are refined sugar and processed flours. Most of us know that sugar isn't good for us, despite the average American consuming 120 pounds of it each year. But the most insidious culprit is highly-refined flours, which are ubiquitous. Cookies, crackers, cereal, breads and pre-packaged meals are filled with this poison that the food industry created to maintain a longer shelf life. Yet ironically, the whole wheat bread I buy at my local Great Harvest stays fresh sitting on the counter for two weeks - without any preservatives and with the nutrition provided by whole grains.

If you truly think you have none or very little sugar or white flour in your diet, keep a food diary for a week or two to learn the truth. Bagels, tortillas and supposedly healthy breakfast cereals are all included. Any grain on the ingredient label without the word 'whole' in front of it is usually highly processed, devoid of nutrition and really good at packing the weight on.

The low-fat craze of the past 20 years has contributed greatly to our increased consumption of both sugar and processed flour. When food companies remove the fat, they have to replace it with something to make it taste good - empty starches and sugar. Check the label of your favorite tiny container of healthy-apprearing yogurt and you'll likely find it riddled with 26 grams of sugar! This is a health food?

QUICK TIPS

• Be sure to include enough healthy fat in your diet such as nuts and seeds, avocados, butter, and olive oil. Consuming more of these very satisfying and nutritious foods will decrease your sugar cravings overnight - you'll be amazed.
• Include grains other than wheat in your diet. Brown rice, quinoa, rye, millet and amaranth are all filled with nutrition - not with empty calories. We actually only need 1-3 servings of quality grains in our daily diet, not the insane 9-11 shown on the old-fashioned food pyramid.
• Always include breakfast and eat something 4-5 times each day to keep blood sugar levels even and avoid over-eating when you get really hungry.

For more specific suggestions and dosages consider a phone consultation with Ms. Mead, click here for more information on herbal consultations and to contact Ms. Mead.

For more specific suggestions and dosages consider an herbal phone consultation with Ms. Mead, click here for more information on herbal consultations and to contact Ms. Mead.

Click below to get more information on other premenopause symptoms:

The Path to Better Living

You have already taken the first step on your journey.  I work directly with you to uncover the sources of your body's imbalance and create remedies to restore, rejuvenate, and heal.

1. We'll begin by filling out your Health History Form, to determine the best approach for your personal needs.  Download a PDF file of the form here.  If you do not have downloading capabilities, contact me and I will mail it to you promptly. 
    

2. Once you have filled out the appropriate information, send me the form, via email or snail mail, along with a recent photograph of yourself. 
    

3. We will next engage in a one-on-one private consultation, either in person or over the phone, where I can pinpoint the right herbal remedies and lifestyle changes for you.  For pricing, see my Herbal Consultations page.
    

4. I then create for you a customized health plan which will include suggestions for diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes that will work in conjunction with a specially formulated herbal remedy that I design to target your personal needs.  Potential herb/drug interactions are taken into consideration.
    

5. Many patients begin treatment with one pound of dried herbs selected from my personal pharmacy, which you will enjoy as a strong tea known as an herbal infusion.  But most remedies are supplied in tincture form, with only a teaspoon or two per day needed to make it easy for you.
    

6. Approximately 80-85% of clients start seeing positive results within 2-4 weeks, often in just a few days.
    

7. I will continue to communicate with you via phone or email consultations, and we will work together to help you re-create the strongest, healthiest body possible.  In the case of chronic ailments, you may need to allow one month of treatment for each year you have had the problem. But you should see at least a 10% improvement in the first few weeks.

Begin Your Journey Now

Contact me or download the Health History Form now so we can move on to the next step to making you feel better, mind, body, and soul. 

To your health,

Susan E. Mead, M.H.

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