Why Are B Vitamins Important In Menopause?
We all know that our bodies need a balance of vitamins and minerals to function properly – when we get a cold, the temptation (and often advice of well-meaning friends) is to take lots of Vitamin C because we know that Vitamin C is important. We probably all know someone who “overdoses” on Vitamin C at the first sign of a sniffle, but does this actually work? Regularly getting enough Vitamin C can help your body fight off infection and shortens the duration of a cold, but there is only anecdotal evidence that taking large amounts can help stave off a cold.
What we can see from this is that vitamins and minerals aren't a magic cure all for symptoms that we're experiencing, but that our overall health does benefit when we get the required levels of vitamins on a regular basis.
It's this logic that leads us to put a selection of minerals and vitamins in our Menoshake™, including B5, B6 and B12. When drunk regularly, you can easily that ensure you are getting enough of the nutrients that help our bodies deal with the symptoms of menopause.
During menopause, women may experience changes in their nutritional needs due to hormonal fluctuations. The B vitamins, including B5, B6, B12, and folic acid, are important for overall health and well-being during this time.
Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is important for many bodily functions, including the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It is also necessary for the synthesis of hormones and cholesterol, and for healthy skin, hair, and eyes. Adequate intake of vitamin B5 may help to reduce the risk of certain conditions, such as acne and osteoarthritis, and may also help to reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Vitamin B5, serves several roles in the body, but it is best known for helping our bodies release energy and nutrients from our food, especially from fats. With this in mind, it’s easy to see how it is important to help fight symptoms of fatigue and contribute to cognitive well-being. If we're not getting enough B5, then we aren't helping our bodies get the most out of a healthy diet. Getting enough ensures that our bodies break down dietary sources of fat and process it efficiently, so it's really important for weight maintenance as well as nutrient absorption.
Vitamin B6 (or pyridoxine, to use its official name) is particularly important for menopause as it plays a role in the production of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that regulate mood. As menopause can cause a fluctuation in these neurotransmitters, Vitamin B6 can help to balance them, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and irritability which are common symptoms of menopause. Vitamin B6 is involved in the production of melatonin, which regulates sleep, and can help with insomnia. Vitamin B6 is also used in the chemical reactions that the body undergoes to release energy. It's also vital in the production of healthy blood, as it helps the body create haemoglobin which carries oxygen around our bodies, so again we can see that this wonderful vitamin can be helpful to give us more energy. More importantly for those of us who are menopausal, Vitamin B6 is very important for hormone regulation and has also been shown in studies to potentially decrease incidents of depression and anxiety, as it is needed to help make serotonin. Vitamin B6 is also needed to help produce melatonin, a substance in the body that is important for sleep – something many a perimenopausal woman can often do with more of!
Vitamin B12 is used in many functions of the body, most notably in maintaining our nerves and healthy blood, and it helps the body convert the fats and protein from our food into energy. Vitamin B12 is also very important for neurological function; people who are deficient in Vitamin B12 can experience memory loss and brain fog. Vitamin B12 helps to produce red blood cells and maintain the health of the nervous system. During menopause, women may experience fatigue and memory loss which are common symptoms, Vitamin B12 can help to improve these symptoms by maintaining the health of the nervous system.
Brain fog is one of the symptoms of menopause, which is why Vitamin B12 is included in the MenoShake™ to ensure that women of our age are getting the right amount and aren't unnecessarily struggling with this difficult symptom. Vitamin B12 has also been found to be crucial for helping the brain create and use serotonin, so it has an impact on low mood and depression too.
Folic acid helps to produce red blood cells and convert food into energy. It's also important for the formation of DNA and the production of neurotransmitters, which can help to improve mood and cognitive function.
It's important to note that B vitamins are water-soluble, which means that they are not stored in the body and need to be replenished regularly. A balanced diet containing B vitamin-rich foods such as leafy greens, poultry, fish, eggs, and fortified cereals is recommended, but in some cases, a supplement might be needed. It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional to understand the best way to get the right amount of B vitamins during menopause.
We include these specific B Vitamins in the MenoShake™ because they're so important in tackling the many symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. When you get into the MenoShake™ habit, you really are giving your body a regular supply of the nutrients that it needs to function at its best, so what are you waiting for? Order a pouch today and treat your body and mind with the kindness it deserves.
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