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Vegetable proteins reduce risk of menopause

Menopause is defined as the natural stage when the menstrual cycle comes to a stop.

Hyderabad: Foods rich in vegetable protein such as tofu, enriched pasta, nuts and breakfast cereals are linked to lower risk of early menopause, according to a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology.

The study compared a diet of vegetable proteins to that of animal proteins, and analysed the eating habits of 85,000 women, half of whom suffered from early menopause.

Menopause is defined as the natural stage when the menstrual cycle comes to a stop. The ideal age for menopause is between 51 and 55 years, but one in 20 women experience menopause up to a decade earlier.

Early menopause is linked to higher risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders. Dr Geeta Naidu, a senior gynaecologist, said food could impact hormonal changes in the body. “The cycle of menopause is also linked to the genes. The body requires a good intake of lean proteins to help build immunity to deal with the change.”

Experts who calculated the amount of food intake said that women who took vegetable proteins had a 16 per cent lower risk of early menopause compared to women who took animal proteins.

Often women who are weak are not able to bear the physical strain that the body undergoes due to the fluctuating levels of hormones. Proteins give the body strength to bear the changes. Hence its intake in good quantity is important.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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