8 Sea Moss benefits for women going through perimenopause

Finally the conversation around menopause has really opened up! It’s no longer taboo to talk about your ‘tropical moments’, inexplicably levels of anxiety and mysterious joint pains. There is an abundance of information out there with the health and wellness industry pushing natural remedies, lifestyle changes and general education. Whilst not all of it is science-backed, this area of research is growing and, like anything with health, knowledge is power. 

With our understanding of the bodily changes throughout perimenopause (the transition to menopause), let’s look at some of the benefits that sea moss can provide during this time. 

1.  PROMOTING WEIGHT LOSS

Firstly one of the key changes that happens during perimenopause is an increase in insulin resistance due to decreased levels of estradiol (the most potent form of oestrogen). This basically means our cells are not as efficient at taking up glucose from the bloodstream, so instead it gets converted to triglycerides which are stored as body fat, this contributes to the weight gain women may experience during perimenopause (1). 

Sea moss gel can help to mitigate the effects of insulin resistance, this is simply due to it’s ability to slow down the absorption of glucose when added to a shake/smoothie/meal, reducing the potential for a spike in blood sugar. It does this through it’s soluble fibre (mucilage) which also provides the added benefit of providing fuel for the good bacteria in your gut which will in turn produce short chain fatty acids (2). These also play a role in your metabolic health (weight loss, healthy lipid levels and balanced blood sugar) (3). Double win for blood sugar balance and weight loss! 

2.  SUPPORTING OESTROGEN LEVELS

The mucilage can also help to support hormonal balance by providing fuel for the oestrobolome. This is the collective name for bacteria which produce enzymes that release bound oestrogen back into circulation.

3.  IMPROVING SLEEP AND NIGHT SWEATS

Improved blood sugar balance will also help your sleep with is notoriously disrupted during perimenopause. When our blood sugar levels are rapidly fluctuating during the day, this continues throughout the night, at which point our adrenals respond by kicking out stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) to raise our blood sugar. Guess what, this wakes us up and will also contribute to night sweats as part of this stress response.  

4.  REDUCING CRAVINGS

With compromised sleep during perimenopause, you will also experience higher levels of ghrelin (our hunger hormone). This will contribute to cravings the following day. Not only will Sea moss help to improve these cravings by balancing your blood sugar and therefore improving your sleep, but the mucilage will also add the extra fibre needed to keep you full between meals.

5.  REDUCING HOT FLUSHES

Sea moss also comes packed full of supporting nutrients which help to mitigate other specific symptoms of perimenopause, for example it’s high iodine content. Healthy iodine levels are not only key for supporting thyroid health but are also associated with lower frequency of hot flushes and improved lipid levels which is good news for mitigating the risk of postmenopausal cardiovascular disease (4).

6.  REDUCING INFLAMMATION 

The cardiovascular benefits of sea moss are also boosted by it’s high content of EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) which is an omega 3 fatty acid key for reducing inflammation, improving cognitive function and reducing the risk of heart disease (5). On the inflammation side of things, sea moss also contains many phytochemicals which have been shown to have both antioxidant and antidiabetic properties when mixed with water (6).

7.  SUPPORTING BONE DENSITY

Sea moss also contains a good amount of calcium which helps to reduce the risk of diminished bone density associated with menopause (7). This may also be supported by iodine’s role in thyroid support as low thyroid function can also contribute to low bone mineral density (8).  

8.  ADRENAL SUPPORT

Sea moss infusions are popular at the moment, with some adding further benefit for perimenopause symptoms. The introduction of medicinal mushrooms such as Chaga, can work wonders when combined with Sea Moss.

Chaga has many benefits such as reducing oxidative stress, improving immune function and providing a great source of minerals including selenium (another key mineral for healthy thyroid function). 

It's for these reasons that Pardasa makes sea moss gel with chaga. These adaptogenic mushrooms have the benefit of helping to balance our adrenal response to stress (9).  

This is so critical for reducing overall symptoms during perimenopause as at this time our adrenals are preparing to take back over from our ovaries to continue to produce a low level of sex hormones. The smoother this transition, the better in terms of mitigating perimenopausal symptoms such as anxiety and poor sleep. 

So, as you can see, there’s plenty of evidence-based benefits to this combination of sea moss gel and chaga, particularly in supporting you through a healthy transition to menopause. 

 

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Caution on dosing: Always follow the recommended daily dose (1-2 tablespoons/day).

The content in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health.

 

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REFERENCES: 

1. Yan H, et al. ‘Estrogen improves insulin sensitivity and suppresses gluconeogenesis via the transcription factor Foxo1’  American Diabetes Association. 2019 Feb; 68(2): 291-304. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6341301/#:~:text=Estrogen%20deficiency%20or%20impaired%20estrogen,models%20(31%E2%80%9333).

2. Cherry P, et al. ‘Prebiotics from seaweeds: An Ocean of Opportunity?’ Marine Drugs. 2019 Jun; 17(6), 327. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6627129/

3. McNabney SM, et al. ‘Short Chain Fatty Acids in the Colon and Peripheral Tissues: A Focus on Butyrate, Colon Cancer, Obesity and Insulin Resistance. Nutrients. 2017; 9(12):1348. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/12/1348/htm

4. Korkmaz V, et al. ‘Relationship between the body iodine status and menopausal symptoms during postmenopausal period’ Gynecol Endocinol. 2015 Jan; 31 (1):61-4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25211538/

5. Matajun P, et al. ‘Nutrient content of tropical edible seaweeds, Eucheuma cottomii, Cauler palentillifera and Sargassum polycystum.’ Journal of Applied Phycology. 2009 February; 21 (1):75-80. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227242987_Nutrient_content_of_tropical_edible_seaweeds_Eucheuma_cottomi_Cauler_palentillifera_and_Sargassum_polycystum

6. Prasasty V, et al. ‘Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities from Red Seaweed (Eucheuma cottonii)’. Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy. 2019; 10. 276-288. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339882337_Evaluation_of_Antioxidant_and_Antidiabetic_Activities_from_Red_Seaweed_Eucheuma_cottoni

7. Karlamangla A, et al. ‘Bone Health During the Menopause Transition and Beyond’ Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2018 Dec; 45 (4). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30401551/

8. Williams G, et al. ‘Thyroid diseases and bone health’. Endocrinol Invest. 2018 Jan; 41 (1): 99 - 109. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28853052/

9. Panossian A, et al. ‘Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress - Protective Activity’ Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2010 Jan 19; 3(1): 188 -224. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3991026/