Glucose Resistance in Menopause

Hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc on a woman's biological processes during menopause. As each woman's body is different, the effects of this transition process can vary from person to person. Hormones serve vital functions in helping the body to regulate metabolism processes. Glucose metabolism processes are one of the areas affected by the changes taking place at this time.

Menopause

• Menopause marks a period of hormonal instability in a woman's life. These hormonal changes are a normal part of the aging process, as the body's reproductive abilities come to an end. Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are the hormones most affected. These changes impact the overall metabolic balance of the body, as well as the body's ability to regulate and metabolize sugar, or glucose. As this time of life can last anywhere from four to six years, depending on the individual, each passing year can further upset the body's ability to metabolize glucose.

Metabolic Imbalance

• Hormonal imbalances during menopause appear in the form of weight gain, emotional swings and body temperature fluctuations. A noticeable increase in fat around the abdominal area is characteristic of the increase in testosterone levels in the body. Changes in how the body metabolizes fats and sugars place women at an increased risk for developing metabolic syndromes. When left untreated, metabolic imbalances can develop into conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Glucose resistance, though a normal part of the process, is not something that should be left unchecked.

Glucose Metabolism

• Glucose is a main energy source for the body. Glucose metabolism is a fundamental cellular activity that happens inside all of the body's cells. Sugar moves about in the body via the bloodstream and is transported into cells by a hormone called insulin. Insulin works to metabolize blood glucose into a form that can be received by cells. Each cell has specialized receptors that are sensitive to insulin. Without insulin, cells would be unable to receive glucose and blood sugar levels would rise. The hormonal changes that occur in menopause can alter a cell's sensitivity to insulin and make it difficult for glucose to enter the body's cell.

Insulin Resistance

• Hormonal imbalances in menopause typically come in the form of decreased estrogen levels and increased testosterone levels. This change in estrogen levels is associated with insulin resistance during menopause. Estrogen plays an active role in regulating the body's sensitivity to insulin. As a result, the body's cells begin to reject or resist the available glucose levels in the blood. In some cases, the body will try to compensate for this insensitivity by pouring more insulin into the bloodstream. However, low levels of estrogen continue to impair cellular responses as well as the liver's ability to clear away excess insulin. For some women, estrogen levels may drop while progesterone levels remain unchanged. As these two hormones work to balance one another out, unchecked progesterone levels can further aggravate insulin resistance conditions.

Prevention

• Proper dietary habits and regular exercise can help reduce the effects of hormonal changes on the body. Regular exercise routines work to strengthen normal body processes and promote metabolic balance. Diets which incorporate unprocessed and unrefined foods like beans, fruits, vegetables and whole grains can also help to balance hormone and metabolic levels. Unprocessed foods contain natural plant compounds called phytochemicals. Certain phytochemicals may actually mimic the role of estrogen in the body. In effect, these chemicals may help to counteract developing glucose resistance conditions. Foods that contain caffeine, sugar, alcohol and fats worsen the body's ability to metabolize glucose.