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The menopausal transition is a critical time in the female health journey. As ovarian function starts to decline and key hormone levels drop, a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms may occur, and these can vary considerably from one woman to another. Changes in mood, lowered resilience to stress and anxiety are among the psychological symptoms most commonly reported and for many women these can significantly impact normal daily function.

In this article we take a closer look at how investing in self-care, and perhaps considering adding extra magnesium and ashwagandha may help to support these common concerns during the menopausal transition.

Protecting and preserving adrenal health is vital

There are many good reasons to look after adrenal health during the menopausal transition; one primary reason being that the adrenal glands can produce a form of oestrogen to help compensate for the decline in ovarian production, and they are involved in progesterone production too.1 Chronic stress is a significant risk factor for lowered mental well-being and is often characterised by elevated cortisol.2
Research has shown that increased levels of cortisol can have a negative impact on mood during the menopausal transition.3,4 Anything therefore which can help to take pressure off, or support the adrenals during this transition is a positive move.

Self-care is number 1 priority

The first step to supporting adrenal health involves taking pressure off these hard-working glands wherever possible and this means really investing in self-care. And this is so important that it’s worth repeating; the menopausal transition really is the time to ramp up self-care as a number one priority. Self-care means many different things to different people; it could be a daily walk in nature, a relaxing aromatherapy bath, weekly hot stone massage, curling up on the sofa with a chamomile tea and a good book or an uplifting movie, a good laugh with friends, a gentle run, yoga, T’ai chi, pilates, breathing exercises, talking therapies, mindfulness meditation, stroking the dog or anything else which helps to restore a sense of balance and calm. Whatever is normal for self-care during the course of a week needs to be increased; as this is the time the body really needs a bit of extra TLC. And this will help to nurture the hard-working adrenal glands so they can provide much needed support in other ways.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – Stress balance

Ashwagandha is perhaps best known for its ability to balance stress and promote a calmer sense of wellbeing. In fact, its Latin name, Withania somnifera gives some clue to these relaxing effects; ‘somnifera’ means ‘sleep-inducing’.

It is classified as an adaptogen, which describes its ability to balance the body’s response to stress.5,6 It is therefore a useful herbal support to consider during the menopausal transition.

Research has shown that supplementation with ashwagandha may help to bring biochemical markers of stress, including elevated cortisol, back into balance.7,8

In a double-blind, randomised controlled trial, supplementation with ashwagandha resulted in significant improvements in both primary and secondary measures in subjects under chronic stress.9

And in a 2014 systematic review of human trial results published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, researchers concluded that, “intervention with ashwagandha resulted in greater score improvements (significantly in most cases) than placebo in outcomes on anxiety or stress scales.”10

A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials was carried out to study the effects of ashwagandha supplementation on the management of anxiety and stress. The results were published in Phytotherapy Research and the researchers included 12 papers with a total sample size of 1002 participants aged between 25 – 48 years. They found a beneficial effect in both stress and anxiety following ashwagandha supplementation and concluded that further high-quality studies are needed.11

Magnesium – Nature’s tranquiliser

There is substantial evidence to support the use of magnesium in stress-related illness and mental health. Magnesium helps the body to maintain a balanced stress response, and mental and physical stress both increase magnesium elimination from the body. Multiple studies have now demonstrated improved stress response, anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects of magnesium supplementation. In fact, magnesium’s calming and soothing effects are so widespread it is commonly referred to as ‘nature’s tranquiliser’ and this is what makes magnesium such an important support during the menopause.12-14

In a 2018 randomised controlled trial, researchers evaluated the effects of magnesium combined with vitamin B6 in a stressed population with low magnesium. Results showed that oral magnesium supplementation alleviated stress in healthy adults with low magnesium; the addition of vitamin B6 wasn’t found to be superior to magnesium alone. However, in the subjects with severe / extremely severe stress, a greater clinical benefit of magnesium combined with vitamin B6 was found.15

In a 2017 systematic review, researchers concluded that existing evidence is suggestive of a beneficial effect of magnesium supplementation on anxiety.16

In another 2017 randomised clinical trial involving 126 men and women with mild to moderate depression, 6 weeks of daily treatment with 248mg magnesium significantly improved depression scores. Symptoms of anxiety also improved.17

A 2008 clinical trial found magnesium supplementation to be as effective as the anti-depressant imipramine in treating depression, and without any of the side effects commonly associated with anti-depressant medication.18

If you choose to supplement with additional magnesium, it’s worth paying close attention to the form. Magnesium glycinate may be particularly useful during times of stress; and this is because you get the benefits of both magnesium and an amino acid called glycine with this form. Not only is magnesium calming and relaxing; glycine has calming and relaxing benefits too. And both magnesium and glycine may help to support a good night’s sleep – regularly getting restful sleep is one of the most important cornerstones of self-care for supporting daily balance and calm.19-23

Supporting balance & calm during the menopausal transition

Investing in self-care is a number 1 priority during the menopause. And both ashwagandha and magnesium have potential to support some of the key psychological concerns during this transitional time. Both have demonstrated significant benefits in supporting stress resilience, balanced mood and a daily sense of calm. Ashwagandha may be taken in the highly regarded supplement form of KSM66. Magnesium-rich foods include dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, wholegrains and raw cacao. You can also take magnesium in the supplement form of magnesium glycinate which is typically well tolerated by the gastrointestinal tract. Self-care can be delivered in many different forms and is best taken daily.

And finally, it’s worth noting that in a 2010 systematic review of 13 studies, researchers found that women with more negative attitudes towards the menopause report more symptoms during this transition.24

As well as nourishing the body with the right ingredients to enable a gentle transition, perhaps a cultural shift in thinking is also needed. It’s time to move away from seeing the menopause as a problem that needs to be cured and instead towards viewing it as a positive period of transformation in a woman’s life.

References:
1. Balfour WE, Comline RS et al. Secretion of progesterone by the adrenal gland. Nature volume 180, pages 1480-1481 (1957)
2. Ahmed T, Qassem M, et al. Measuring stress: a review of the current cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) measurement techniques and considerations for the future of mental health monitoring. Stress 2023 Jan; 26(1):29-42
3. Fugate Woods N, Sullivan Mitchell E, et al. Cortisol levels during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: Observations from the Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study. Menopause. 2009 Jul-Aug; 16(4): 708-718
4. Woods NF, Carr MC, et al. Increased urinary cortisol levels during the menopausal transition. Menopause 2006 Mar-Apr; 13(2): 212-21
5. Provino R. The role of adaptogens in stress management. Aust J Med Herbal 2010; 22:41–49
6. Kulkarni SK, Dhir A. Withania somnifera : an Indian ginseng. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2008;32(5):1093–105.
7. Auddy B, Hazra J et al. A standardised withania somnifera extract significantly reduces stress-related parameters in chronically stressed humans - a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study. JANA Vol 11 No.1 2008
8. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J et al. A prospective, randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012 Jul-Sep; 34(3): 255-262
9. Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S, Joshi K. Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine. 2017 Jan;22(1):96-106.
10. Pratte MA et al. An alternative treatment for anxiety: a systematic review of human trial results reported for the Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera ). J Altern Complement Med. 2014;20(12):901–8.
11. Akhgarjand C, Asoudeh F, et al. Does ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Phytotherapy Research.
12. Classen HG, Effect of the current magnesium status on the development of stress ulcers and myocardial neuroses. Fortschr Med. 1981. Sep 3; 99(33); 1303-6)
13. Seelig MS, Consequences of magnesium deficiency on the enhancement of stress reactions: Preventive and therapeutic implications (A review) Journal of the American College of Nutrition 13(5):429-46. November 1994
14. Henrotte JG, Franck G, Santarromana M, Frances H, Mouton D, Motta R. Mice selected for low and high blood magnesium levels: a new model for stress studies. Physiol Behav. 1997; 61: 653–8
15. Pouteau E, Kabir-Ahmadi M, Mazur A & Noah L. Superiority of magnesium and vitamin B6 over magnesium alone on severe stress in healthy adults with low magnesemia: A randomised, single-blind clinical trial. PLoS ONE 13(12): e0208454. December 2018
16. Boyle NB, Lawton C et al. The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and stress – a systematic review. Nutrients 2017 May; 9(5): 429
17. Tarleton EK, Littenberg B, MacLean CD et al. Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial. PLOS One June 27 2017. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180067
18. Barragán-Rodríguez L, Rodríguez-Morán M, Guerrero-Romero F. Efficacy and safety of oral magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression in the elderly with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, equivalent trial. Magnes Res 2008; 21: 218–23
19. Glycine ingestion improves subjective sleep quality in human volunteers, correlating with polysomnographic changes. Sleep and Biological Rhythms. Volume 5, Issue 2. April 2007. Pages 126-131.
20. Kawai N, Bannai M, Seki S, Koizumi T, Shinkai K, Nagao K et al (2011). Pharmacokinetics and cerebral distribution of glycine administered to rats. Amino Acids 42: 2129–2137.
21. Lopez-Corcuera B, Benito-Munoz C, et al. Glycine transporters in glia cells: structural studies. Adv Neurobiol. 2017; 16:13-32.
22. Nagao K, Bannai M, Kawai N, Endo T.2007. Glycine decreases core body temperature in healthy volunteer Jap Soc Sleep Res The 32nd Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Sleep Research: 1-S-017.
23. Kawai N, Sakai N et al. The sleep-promoting and hypothermic effects of glycine are mediated by NMDA receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, Neuropsychopharmacology 40(6) (2015) 1405-16.
24. Ayers B, Forshaw M et al. The impact of attitudes towards the menopause on women’s symptom experience: a systematic review. Maturitas 2010 Jan; 65 (1): 28-36

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