Question:

I am 56, about five/six years ago I ended up seeing a Nutritionalist after trying to find out why I regularly had such awful headaches and vomiting. She put me on a diet free from wheat, dairy etc. the usual and I felt terrific. Since then I find I get symptoms and just can’t alway determine what I have eaten but must say that over the past year or so, although I have to be careful what I eat the symtoms are not so severe. It occurs to me that it may be something that is down to menopause and maybe will improve as I get even older and past this distruptive time. Your comments would be interesting.

Answer:

As we grow older our digestive tract, and body balance becomes less efficient, digestion takes longer, as well as the body no longer copes with foods that you perhaps have eaten for years, therefore the absorption and utilisation of vitamins and mineral may become depleted, upsetting body and hormonal balance.

During the menopause a good well balanced diet is essential, be aware of your daily foods, keep a diary, read all food labels.

Start by excluding wheat again completely for 2-3 weeks before starting on dairy, one at a time so you know what works.avoid high stress food such as sugar caffeine and alcohol ; they have few nutrients.

Start taking a multi vitamin and mineral supplement plus goods fats in the form of omega oils, one vital vitamin or mineral that is low, depletes other vital sources.