Debunking Menopause Myths: Biohacking Strategies with Zora Benhamou | Ep #258

Episode snapshot:
Host Nathalie Niddam and guest Zora Benhamou discuss strategies to alleviate common menopause symptoms and biohacking techniques for women going through the menopause transition.
Nathalie Niddam |
Menopause |
Symptom Relief |
Biohacking |
Disclaimer: the following is a podcast summary and is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Introduction
Hey nude nutrition crew, today we are taking a look at an episode by Nathalie Niddam, featuring guest Zora Benhamou, a gerontologist and biohacking expert. This episode delves into strategies for managing menopause symptoms, debunking common myths, and exploring biohacking techniques to improve women's health during this transition.
- Zora Benhamou shares her expertise in gerontology and biohacking, focusing on women's health during menopause.
- The episode covers myths about menopause, biohacks for specific symptoms, and the importance of addressing root causes.
Debunking Menopause Myths
Zora Benhamou addresses several common myths surrounding menopause to provide a clearer understanding of what women can expect.
- Hormones are not inherently dangerous: Zora emphasizes that estrogen does not cause cancer and that hormone therapy can be beneficial for many women, despite past misconceptions.
- Menopause affects women of various ages: It is not just older women who experience menopause; perimenopause can start in the early 40s or even late 30s.
- Life and sex are not over after menopause: Menopause is often seen as a new phase of life, akin to rebirth or freedom, rather than an end to vitality and intimacy.
- Not all women experience the same symptoms: Each woman's menopause journey is unique, and symptoms can vary widely.
- Menopause still occurs even if symptoms are absent: Some women may not feel significant symptoms but still undergo the physiological changes associated with menopause.
Biohacks for Hot Flashes
Zora discusses several biohacking strategies to manage hot flashes, a common symptom of menopause.
- Stress reduction: Journaling to identify triggers and using techniques like Newom (soundtracks with binaural beats) and Brain Tap can help reduce stress, which often triggers hot flashes.
- Liver support: Supporting the liver with good liver support formulas can help detoxify excess hormones, smoothing out the edges of hot flashes.
- Exercise: Maintaining a healthy body composition through exercise, particularly strength training, can help reduce hot flashes and improve overall health.
- Avoiding triggers: Avoiding alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine, which can exacerbate hot flashes.
- Breath work: Practices like the Oxygen Advantage training and specific breathing techniques (e.g., longer exhales than inhales) can help manage hot flashes.
Biohacks for Sleep
Improving sleep quality is crucial for managing menopause symptoms, and Zora offers several biohacks.
- Circadian rhythm: Setting the circadian rhythm by getting morning light and using red light therapy before bed can improve sleep.
- Progesterone: Progesterone therapy can help with sleep, especially for waking up at 2 a.m. with a racing mind.
- Blue blockers and breath work: Using blue blockers at night and practicing breath work can help return to sleep if awakened.
- Peptides: Bioregulators like epitalon can help reset the circadian rhythm.
- Cold therapy: Taking a cold shower before bed can improve sleep quality, as shown by studies from the University of Kent.
Biohacks for Weight Gain
Zora addresses the issue of weight gain during menopause and provides several biohacking strategies.
- Balanced diet and exercise: Avoiding over-exercising and under-eating; prioritizing protein in each meal to support muscle build-up.
- Katsu bands: Using Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) bands like Katsu bands to maintain muscle mass without intense exercise.
- Hormone therapy: Considering hormone therapy to help with muscle build-up and fat loss.
- Weight loss peptides: Using peptides like OIC and mandaro, but ensuring proper use and combination with other biohacks.
Biohacks for Libido
Zora discusses ways to improve libido during menopause.
- Estriol: Using estriol for vaginal dryness, which is often linked to low libido.
- Testosterone: Supplementing with testosterone to boost libido.
- Blood flow supplements: Using supplements that improve blood flow, such as nitric oxide.
- Exercise: Engaging in regular exercise to build testosterone levels.
- Red light therapy and toys: Utilizing devices like the VFit, which combines red light therapy with vibrators, and Shockwave therapy (FemiWave) to rejuvenate vaginal health.
Biohacks for Energy
Zora provides several biohacks to boost energy levels during menopause.
- Mitochondria health: Focusing on nutrition and food to improve mitochondrial function.
- Flex beam: Using devices like Flex Beam to build energy by targeting mitochondria.
- Toxin elimination: Removing toxins from the body to reduce oxidative stress.
- NAD precursors: Taking NAD precursors like NMN and using products like Neto to enhance NAD production.
- Molecular hydrogen water: Drinking molecular hydrogen water for an energy boost.
- Breath work and nitric oxide: Practicing breath work and taking nitric oxide supplements to improve energy.
Key Takeaways
- Address root causes: Biohacks are most effective when combined with addressing the root causes of menopause symptoms.
- Holistic approach: A balanced approach including diet, exercise, stress reduction, and sleep hygiene is crucial.
- Individualized solutions: Each woman's experience with menopause is unique, and biohacks should be tailored to individual needs.
- Education and self-experimentation: Women should educate themselves and experiment to find what works best for their bodies.
Watch the Full Episode
That's a wrap for this episode summary. It should be noted that the views expressed in the podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of healthcare professionals, nude nutrition, or other organizations.
If it piques your interest, you can find the full episode below.
Watch on Youtube