I recently learned that my sudden onset of frozen shoulder, without actually having injured myself, may very likely be a result of increased inflammation brought on by menopause. While there is no evidence of a direct link between menopause and frozen shoulder, menopause is associated with a rapid reduction in the hormone estrogen, which plays an anti-inflammatory hormone. Menopause is also associated with other factors that could contribute to joint pain and stiffness.

Following An Anti-Inflammatory Diet

I started doing a lot of reading up on anti-inflammatory diets because aside from frozen shoulder, I also and a lot of joint pain and stiffness. To be honest I initially attributed it all to trauma brought by my brother’s rather horrific and sudden death.  But as time moves on, and I develop more and more symptoms, I’m starting to think that my frozen shoulder, along with joint pain and stiffness along with a bunch of other symptoms, is more likely related to menopause. I should mention here that I turned 50 just over a month ago, so the timelines also align perfectly.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

During menopause, we are dealing with hot flashes, changes in bone strength, sleep disruption and so many random and rather annoying symptoms. Reducing inflammation in our bodies may help combat or at the very least, help us cope with some of these quite unpleasant symptoms, and one way to reduce that inflammation is by eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods.

Here is list of food I found that is proven to assist in reducing inflammation:

Cruciferous Vegetables – Leafy Greens

Examples include:

• Broccoli
• Bok choy
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Collard greens

Research has shown that eating a lot of green, leafy vegetables is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease and cancer which is most likely due to the anti-inflammatory effects of the antioxidants these cruciferous veggies contain.

Avocado

Avos are packed with fiber, magnesium, potassium, and healthy fats. And let’s be honest, avos are just damn delicious too!

Berries

Berries are packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber and there are so many varieties to choose from. The ones most commonly available are:

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Raspberries

Berries are naturally low in sugar and high in antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory effect.

Fatty Fish

This is a tough one for me. I don’t eat a lot of fatty fish, which is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, mostly because the fish I like is very pricey, so aside from mackerel, my fatty fish intake is low.

These are all great examples of fatty fish:

• salmon
• sardines
• herring
• mackerel
• anchovies

Other examples of anti-inflammatory

Other examples of anti-inflammatory foods include bell peppers, mushrooms, grapes, cherries, Tumeric, extra virgin olive oil, dark chocolate, tomatoes, and green tea.

What is top of your list when it comes to including anti-inflammatory foods in your diet? And have you noticed any health differences since you started incorporating more of these foods into your diet?

Disclaimer – The information on this post is not intended to be nutritional or medical advice. The information on this website is intended for informational purposes only. You should not rely upon any information found on this website to determine dietary changes, a medical diagnosis, or a course of treatment. Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits obtained from any foods or supplements mentioned on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.