Recommended Reading: Dr. Vliet’s “Women, Weight and Hormones”

As we wind up the holiday season, and resolve to shed the pounds we’ve gained from all the over-eating, this seems to be a good time to talk about the connection between weight gain and menopause. I’ve been reading Dr. Elizabeth Lee Vliet’s excellent book, “Women, Weight and Hormones: A Weight-Loss Plan for Women Over 35” in which she explains the crucial role that hormones play in keeping our bodies humming …until menopause, that is - when changing estrogen and progesterone levels cause a slowing of our metabolisms. Her big-picture approach - that is, looking at the entire endocrine system- is what I think makes this book so valuable. After reading it, you’ll have a better understanding about why familiar diets don’t work for menopausal women trying to shed pounds (or “muffin top” as a friend recently referred to her new, middle bulge brought on by menopause).

Dr. Vliet offers a thorough explanation about how chronic stress and sleep deprivation impedes our body’s ability to function optimally and why they are contributing factors to weight gain. She also provides what she calls a “power plan” with advice on balancing hormones and maintaining a diet of frequent, small meals to keep glucose levels steady. And if you’re baffled by the huge assortment of vitamins and over the counter supplements to choose from, Dr. Vliet explains what we need and which ones can help with weight loss.

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