Menopausal Weight Gain Products. How Well Do They Work?

 by: Terry Santangelo

You don't have to look far to find the numerous ads promoting pre-menopausal and menopausal weight loss products. These over the counter weight-loss products promote the fact that they can combat weight gain in women who are pre-menopausal or menopausal. Menopause is a natural step in a woman’s life cycle, yet the accompanying weight gain is an absolute concern. Recent studies have found for every two pounds of weight gained during menopause, the risk of high blood pressure increases by as much as five percent.

Menopausal weight gain also increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and has been strongly linked to increased incidence of breast and other hormone-related cancers post menopause. These healthcare concerns have led to the conception of specific products that target menopausal weight gain.

Estrin-D™, one of the newer weight-loss products on the market, consists of a heavy mix of xanthine based stimulants (caffeine) such as, yerba matte, caffeine, guarana and a compilation of herbal ingredients such as damiana, ginger, DHEA, schisandra, scutellaria, and tibetan ginseng. All of these ingredients are intended to help curb appetite, provide a sense of fullness, contain hormonal swings, and increase resting metabolic rate. There is little doubt as to the quality of the product's ingredients. However, one must be cautious, as there is a substantial amount of caffeine based stimulants in the product. For many people, consuming high amounts of caffeine can lead to elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, nervousness, sweating among other symptoms. This is an obvious drawback with caffeine based products.

Estrin D™, while being a quality thermogenic weight loss product, may not be the right product if you are experiencing menopausal weight gain. Women going through menopause should decrease their caffeine intake to relieve common symptoms of menopause. According to many physicians specializing in the treatment of menopause, increased levels of caffeine can make symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia precipitously worse. Caffeine can also increase the risk of osteoporosis that affects many menopausal women.

Zalestra™, another commercially popular menopausal weight-loss product, provides a more comprehensive approach in addressing issues relating to menopause. Ingredients contained in the Zalestra™ formulation, include black cohosh, mega soy extract, DHEA, Indole 3 Carbinol, borage oil and vitex fruit extract. These ingredients are intended to alleviate negative symptoms associated with menopause while providing the necessary protective properties for women in this stage of life. Zalestra™'s approach to weight loss is based on a three pronged approach - increased thermogenic output, thyroid support, and appetite suppression. Zalestra™ will increase energy levels without producing negative effects associated with caffeine stimulant based products.

Estrolean™, was one of the first menopausal weight loss products on the market. It's formula is somewhat dated but still contains ingredients that have shown to be beneficial in alleviating menopausal symptoms. Like Zalestra™, the EstroLean™ formula does not contain strong stimulant based ingredients. Estrolean™ addresses weight loss with a relatively small amount of thermogenic properties and ingredients that support the release of fatty acids from fat cells. Estrolean™ also contains naturally occurring estrogen which addresses the hormonal imbalance responsible for symptoms associated with menopause and weight gain.

Overall, many of the ingredients contained in these formulas can be beneficial in minimizing uncomfortable symptoms, such as weight gain, hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings, that are associated with the natural progression of a woman's life cycle. Menopause easing ingredients, as well as, hormonal supporting nutrients can be coupled with standard weight loss components producing beneficial effects of both weight loss and symptom relief. We have to remember when looking at these formulas, hormonal imbalance plays a major role in the weight gain equation. Estrin D™ targets primarily the symptom of menopausal weight gain alone. EstroLean™ targets primarily symptoms related to hormonal imbalances such as hot flashes and night sweats, while being a mild weight loss product. Zalestra™, is a more comprehensive formulation addressing not only the weight gain but the symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings, seen in the menopausal woman. This being said, these products are definitely worth a try for women who are experiencing weight gain or other negative symptoms associated with menopause.