Collagen is present all over the body, and all body systems containing this important structural protein change as estrogen levels fall. Collagen is made by estrogen receptors in the cells. Muscle mass is reduced as less supporting collagen is made, and this can put a strain on joints.

Weaker muscles mean less support for the skeleton, and as we feel weaker we move less. The less we move the weaker our muscles and bones become.

During perimenopause, some women complain of muscle cramps at night; one cause of this can be low levels of calcium circulating in the blood. Since estrogen helps the absorption of calcium from food, falling estrogen levels can also lead to less calcium being available for normal muscle function.

Herbal menopause remedies can help ward off muscle wasting by supplying the right nutrition your bodt needs to remain in good shape. A healthy diet with sufficient protein is also a very good idea.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 5:24 pm and is filed under Health and Fitness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.