The rapid drop in ovarian hormones, estrogen and progesterone, during menopause, disrupts the balance in a woman’s organism causing many unpleasant symptoms, one of which is poor digestion. There is not sufficient scientific research to support an explanation of why this happens. However, it is a fact that a high percentage of women suffer from Protein Deficiency during Menopause.
One of the reasons is that hydrochloric acid in the stomach has decreased due to age factors, excessive intake of drugs, which inhibit stomach acid production and an overall unhealthy life style. When there is insufficient amount of gastric acid in the stomach, the digestive enzymes cannot be activated. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down protein in the food. Protein which has not been broken down cannot be absorbed, causing Protein Deficiency symptoms.
Prior to analyzing the Best Sources of Protein during Menopause, reference should be made to some very important nutrition and lifestyle guidelines, which you need to follow, in order to make sure that protein intake will be assimilated by your body:
Important nutrition and lifestyle guidelines
• No smoking, alcohol and drugs• No junk food, candies and sodas
• No water 15 minutes before, during and at least one hour after meals, especially after eating red meat. It dilutes the stomach acid
• Eat slowly
• Eat raw foods before each cooked meal. They are rich in digestive enzymes. Fruits should be eaten first, never at the end of a meal. They aggravate bloating symptoms. Vegetables should be eaten after fruits and before cooked food
• No gastric acid inhibitors. Replace them with natural digestive enzymes supplements and organic aloe juice. Eat papayas and/or pineapples before meals. They contain two of the most potent digestive enzymes, papain and bromelain
• Try to eat organic foods ONLY
• Always sprout legumes before consumption. Sprouting deactivates the enzyme inhibitors found in those seeds, which cause gas, bloating and decrease of nutrient bio-availability
• No fried oil. Add it raw over cooked food, after it comes off the stove. Olive oil is the richest in digestive enzymes, nutrients and necessary fatty acids, which lower cholesterol. It is also highly anti-inflammatory
• No excessive and unnecessary use of medications. Replace them with natural remedies, when possible, like homeopathy and acupuncture
• Exercise often
These guidelines will help you maximize the percentage of protein absorption from each meal and minimize any gastrointestinal problems you might have.
Protein Sources by Blood Type
Protein Sources Blood Type O
The best sources of protein are those, which are the most compatible with your blood type. Those with blood type O are the “carnivores” of the human kingdom. They have a higher amount of acid in their stomach than the other types. Therefore meat is easier for them to digest. They are also the ones suffering the most from excessive acid, so highly acidic food like fruits of the citrus family should be avoided and replaced with other natural sources of vitamin C. A vegetarian diet can cause a blood type O person to become more prone to ailments, lose energy, gain weight and suffer from fatigue. Lean, red meat, as well as cod, mackerel and herring are highly recommended as the Best Sources of Protein during Menopause. Cold-water fish are very beneficial, too. Pork should be completely avoided. Poultry is ok.Protein Sources Blood Type A
For blood type A women the Best Sources of Protein are the exact opposite. It is imperative that you eradicate red meat from your diet. Instead, eating fish such as grouper, sardine, red snapper, mackerel, salmon and cod, will shield you against Protein Deficiency syndrome. So will beans, which are very well metabolized by this category. Always soak them in water for 12 hours and sprout them for at least one day before cooking. Garbanzo beans, peas, lentils and mung beans taste great raw, too, after 2-3 days of sprouting. If you eat soy beans, make sure you buy organic, not genetically altered and not imported from Japan due to hazard from radiation traces in food.Protein Sources Blood Type B
Women with blood type B can effectively prevent Protein Deficiency during Menopause if they eliminate poultry from their diet (except turkey) and replace it with lamb, rabbit, halibut, salmon, trout, sole and cod. Dairy products are very beneficial to this blood type, except for blue cheese, ice-cream and string cheese. Goat milk is the most easily digested and is lower in fat than the rest.Never consume low fat dairy products, because your body will lose its ability to metabolize fat. These products also undergo processes, which remove nutrients necessary to your body.
Protein Sources Blood Type AB
The best sources of protein for women with blood type AB are lamb, rabbit, turkey and fish, such as tuna, sardine, cod, mackerel and red snapper. Goat milk dairy products, yogurt, kefir, mozzarella, soy beans, peanuts and walnuts are excellent, too. Whole eggs are a great source of protein for this blood type. The theory that egg yolks should not be eaten, because they raise blood cholesterol levels, has been demolished by recent studies. Egg yolks are highly nutritious and they are packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which actually lower cholesterol levels, as long as they are not fried. Pinto, navy and red beans are also very beneficial.ATTENTION: Beans of this specific category can be sprouted, but they should never be eaten raw. They are extremely toxic!
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