As I’ve mentioned, I’ve had weight struggles since my late teens, however after I had my children and approached 40 years old, it got all the more difficult. While I was working out, eating well and keeping my carb intake under control, the pounds – specifically in my midsection – kept creeping on. This is my take on why the keto diet is the best option for women over 40 years old.
When I hit 40, my hormones were all over the place. I was unable to focus often and my mood swings were unbearable – both for me and those around me. I don’t like to solve health issues with medicine and will exhaust natural efforts first, so I tried all sorts of strategies before coming to Keto. And, as I’ve detailed, it’s made the world of difference for me and after doing lots of research, diving into the science of ketosis and a Keto-Alkaline Diet, I am pretty confident that it’s the best lifestyle choice for most women approaching peri-menopause and menopause. I’m not a doctor so this obviously doesn’t substitute medical advice and you should consult a doctor before taking on any health or lifestyle change, but I know how I feel and countless women my age and older have told me the same thing. Keto is a miracle for weight loss, hormone regulation and feeling great over 40.
So why does Keto work so well for women over 40?
We all know by now that Ketosis is when your body burns fat for energy versus glucose. By cutting down you carbohydrate intake to under 20 grams per day, your body starts to use the increase in fat intake – along with your fat stores – and converts that to energy which has a host of benefits beyond fat loss. And yes, it’s true: you need to eat fat to lose fat.
What is Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance – which is when our bodies can’t efficiently respond to the insulin we produce and causes our blood sugar levels to rise – has been the key factor in the rise of the Keto craze because of it’s direct relationship to chronic health problems like diabetes, heart disease, obesity some cancers and even Alzheimer’s, among other diseases.
Since our standard diet is carbohydrate heavy, our bodies run on glucose, which makes insulin resistance a problem after years of eating this way. So as we approach peri-menopause or menopause, insulin can wreak havoc on our hormones making symptoms – like hot flashes, night sweats, moodiness and feeling “cloudy” – even worse and makes losing weight near impossible.
While we produce insulin every time we eat – when we have a diet heavy in carbohydrates, the levels of insulin in our bodies stay high and makes us bloated, tired and can lead to the other health problems indicated above.
So, if you are having trouble losing weight and especially have a heavy midsection, feel bloated and tired, and feel the effects of hormone imbalances, giving Keto a try is a strategy I recommend.
I’ve virtually reversed all of the symptoms of insulin resistance I had been experiencing – in just a few months of following a fairly strict keto diet for women over 40. I feel better, don’t feel deprived, my weight is consistently dropping (those skinny jeans I’ve been holding onto finally fit!) and my skin has never looked better.
Ready more about my story and my most recent update here and here.
