On Wed, 30 Aug 2000 01:56:57 -0400 Adrienne Smith <[log in to unmask]> writes: > Any paleo gals out there notice any hormonal shifts while following a > paleo diet? Lately, I have noticed increased breast > tenderness and swelling exactly as if I was premenstrual (and NO, I > AM NOT PREGNANT). I'm wondering if the diet could cause this. A friend at > work suggested that women store excess estrogen in their fat, so when one > begins to lose fat, this could release the stored estrogen into the > bloodstream and result in hormonal shifts that could cause my symptoms. Ardeith writes: Run, do not walk....to the nearest bookstore and acquire the two following books........ Susan Weed's book...."The Menopausal Years".....and a copy of Christiane Northrup, MD's book "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom".... You are approaching your Change of Life, and if you don't know what that is all about, these books can save your sanity..........the following is part of a workshop I have done on the Change, and speaks to your question above.................................... ************************ Physical changes On the most basic level, The Change is the ending of a woman's Moon-times....the end of the monthly bleeding she has done since she entered puberty.....the end of her capability to bear a child. Her ovaries slow down estrogen production.This disturbs the hypothalamus gland, which controls blood temperature, sleep and energy. Women feel they have no energy....they do not sleep well....and they experience flashes of heat that sweep from head to toe....sometimes causing a bright red flush....and copious sweating. The autonomic nervous system is also affected causing disturbing, uncomfortable symptoms. But the ovaries are not finished with their life's work as yet......they still have a function to fulfill....the ovaries will still produce androgens which promote muscle strength, vaginal elasticity, sex drive, and general health. These androgens are con- verted into estrogen in direct proportion to the amount of body-fat a woman carries. The ovaries and other glands continue to produce androgens for the rest of her life. These androgens are associated with sexual response and libido as well as a sense of well-being. *********************************** There is a connection between the amount of body fat you carry and the symptoms you report...... and at your age, you are almost surely peri- menopausal.....if not actually into menopause. [log in to unmask] Walk The Path With Practical Feet! ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.