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Introduction
When it comes to specific questions related to diet and health for women, there is often a shortage of consensus answers from research, for a variety of reasons. In addition, there are clearly aspects of biological sex that have implications for health and also the interaction with diet. For example, the impact of the menstural cycle, of menopause, and differences in nutrient requirements.
In this episode, Dr. Hazel Wallace discusses some of these key considerations. Some things covered include: the impact of menstrual cycle phase on cravings, at-risk nutrients in pre-menopausal women, functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, interaction of diet and PMS, the physiological changes at menopause and potential role of diet.
Related resources
- Book: The Female Factor
- The Food Medic website
- Instagram: @thefoodmedic
- The impact of menstrual cycle phase on cravings
- At-risk nutrients in pre-menopausal women
- Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea
- Interaction of diet and PMS
- Physiological changes at menopause and potential role of diet
Guest Information
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Dr. Wallace has worked in hospital as a nutrition doctor, as well as a doctor on COVID wards during the pandemic. In addition to her role as a doctor, she participates in communication of health information to the general population through her three published books, podcast and large social media following.
Danny Lennon has a master’s degree (MSc.) in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, and he is the founder of Sigma Nutrition.
Danny is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Sports Nutrition Association, the global regulatory body responsible for the standardisation of best practice in the sports nutrition profession.
Introduction to this Episode
When it comes to specific questions related to diet and health for women, there is often a shortage of consensus answers from research, for a variety of reasons. In addition, there are clearly aspects of biological sex that have implications for health and also the interaction with diet. For example, the impact of the menstrual cycle, of menopause, and differences in nutrient requirements.
In this episode, Dr. Hazel Wallace discusses some of these key considerations. Some things covered include: the impact of menstrual cycle phase on cravings, at-risk nutrients in pre-menopausal women, functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, interaction of diet and PMS, the physiological changes at menopause and potential role of diet.
Connection to Previous Episodes
In this episode Dr. Wallace raising several specific topics which have been discussed in previous episodes of the podcast. Here’s a short list of the most relevant episodes, if you wish to dive into the details of any of the listed topics:
- In episode 279 of the podcast the topics of estrogen, menopause and HRT were discussed by Drs. Avrum Bluming, MD & Carol Tavris, PhD.
- Hypothalamic amenorrhea was discussed in episode 135 with Dr. Nicola Rinaldi, PhD.
- In our episode on bone health (episode 411), the impact of phytoestrogens/isoflavones was discussed.
- Episode 430 was all about soy and isoflavones. Of most relevance here was how that relates to breast cancer (38:24) and then cardiovascular disease and menopause (53:51).
Menstrual Cycle Basics
- Average 28 days – but anything between 21 and 40 days is considered normal.
- Menstruation occurs on day 1 and usually ends on day 5 or 6.
- The cycle is split into two main phases:
- the follicular phase
- the luteal phase
- ovulation occurs in between these phases (approx day 14)
- Four hormones play a central role:
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinising hormone (LH)