Preparing for Menopause: Dr. Zoe Williams Shares her Journey

As a woman in her mid-40s, Dr. Zoe Williams, a practising NHS physician and former Gladiator, is taking proactive steps to prepare her body for menopause. She believes that by making lifestyle changes before menopause, women can mitigate some of the negative consequences associated with it. Dr. Williams has started building more muscle and switching up her diet, focusing on nutrient-dense foods and mindful drinking, in an effort to maintain strength and flexibility.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Zoe Williams, a 45-year-old practising NHS physician and former Gladiator, is preparing her body for menopause by building more muscle and switching up her diet.
• She believes that women should start thinking about menopause in their 30s and make lifestyle changes to maintain strength and flexibility.
• Dr. Williams focuses on building muscle through weightlifting, as oestrogen plays an important role in maintaining strength and one of the effects of menopause is a loss of muscle mass and bone density.
• She recommends prioritizing what her body needs, which is building muscle, over other forms of exercise like cardio or spinning.
• Protein has been key for Dr. Williams, and she has started having protein shakes, in addition to eating nutrient-dense foods, to help regain muscle.
• A nutritious diet, especially one that helps to curb blood sugar fluctuation, is understood to help manage common menopause symptoms, like hot flashes and weight gain, while also protecting heart health.
• Dr. Williams notes that women who don't take HRT will experience an increase in the inflammatory state of the body, which is linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
• She also mentions that poor diets, physical inactivity, too much alcohol, and smoking increase inflammation, making it more likely for women to experience menopause symptoms.
• Dr. Williams is an ambassador for Issviva, a menopause brand, and encourages women to take advantage of natural remedies like the Issviva x Joylux Device, which can help regenerate tissue in the urogenital tract and improve muscle tone.
• She emphasizes that approaching menopause can be empowering, and women should not be fearful of it.

Statistics:

• Women tend to get heart attacks about 10 years later than men. (Source: Dr. Zoe Williams)
• Oestrogen protects the heart and once it's lost, women's hearts become susceptible to disease.
• Women who don't take HRT are more likely to experience an increase in the inflammatory state of the body, which increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. (Source: Dr. Zoe Williams)
• Protein shakes have helped Dr. Williams regain muscle and maintain strength.

Sources:

• Dr. Zoe Williams, ITV This Morning's resident TV doctor
• Issviva, a menopause brand
• Issviva x Joylux Device