Therapeutic fasting in the menopause
A holistic, respectful and inspiring approach
The menopause: a major turning point
The menopause marks a profound change in a woman’s life, with hormonal, metabolic and energy upheavals. These changes can lead to hot flushes, sleep disorders, weight gain, fatigue and emotional fluctuations.
In the face of these challenges, therapeutic fasting appears to be a powerful tool for restoring the natural balance of body and mind, provided it is practised with care, patience, listening… and above all accompanied by competent professionals.
A natural and global rebalancing
Fasting acts as a real physiological reset:
- Hormonal regulation: improved insulin sensitivity and reduced chronic inflammation.
- Weight management: helps to reduce abdominal fat, which is often resistant to menopause.
- Activation of autophagy: cell cleansing and repair, reduction in oxidative stress.
- Cardiovascular support: lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Mental and emotional balance: clarity of mind and better stress management.
“Intermittent fasting is not just about abstaining from food, but about learning to listen to your body and respect its true needs. It’s an invitation to get back in touch with a natural rhythm, which is beneficial at every stage of life, particularly at the menopause.” (Dr Valter Longo, researcher in the biology of ageing)
Ruimin Zhang's unique approach
Between tradition and modernity
Ruimin Zhang, an expert in integrative medicine, sees the menopause as a global imbalance affecting the energetic, digestive and emotional levels.
For her, therapeutic fasting is a tool for gentle detoxification and energy rebalancing, adapted to the specific fragilities of this period. Based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), her approach focuses on :
- Adapting fasting to a woman’s energy rhythm.
- Taking account of frequent imbalances in Yin and Qi.
- This is combined with targeted dietary and phytotherapeutic support to nourish the kidneys and liver.
“The menopause is a time when the body’s wisdom requires special care, combining energy and gentleness. Chinese herbal medicine offers invaluable support by respecting these subtle balances.” Ruimin Zhang, expert in integrative medicine
The importance of personalised support
Therapeutic fasting during the menopause requires special attention. This sensitive stage of life requires precise adaptations to avoid excessive fatigue, deficiencies or aggravated imbalances.
Being accompanied by trained professionals – doctors, nutritionists, naturopaths, phytotherapists or TCM practitioners – guarantees :
- Appropriate follow-up.
- Regular assessment of general condition.
- Protocols tailored to each individual’s needs and limitations.
“The path to well-being lies in paying attention to your own sensations. The key is patience, respect, kindness towards yourself… and the support of an enlightened guide.” Deepak Chopra, doctor and author of integrative medicine
Therapeutic fasting at home
with personalised support from Ruimin Zhang
Therapeutic fasting can be carried out safely at home, in a familiar and comfortable environment, encouraging relaxation and self-awareness.
Under the expert supervision of Ruimin Zhang, you’ll receive personalised support tailored to your specific needs, your pace and your condition, so you can get through this stage with complete peace of mind.
This monitoring includes :
- An individual assessment before fasting to determine the most suitable method.
- A personalised protocol based on the principles of integrative and traditional Chinese medicine.
- Precise advice on diet, herbal teas and complementary practices.
- Regular support by telephone or videoconference to answer your questions, adjust the process and ensure your safety.
- Post-fasting follow-up to optimise the reintroduction of food and prolong the benefits.
Why choose remote monitoring?
- Staying at home, in a reassuring environment that suits your habits.
- Benefit from professional support with no travel constraints.
- Adapt fasting to your schedule and your energy.
- Ongoing support to maximise benefits and prevent discomfort.
Towards a gentle, personalised and inspired approach
The synthesis of modern and traditional knowledge invites us to consider therapeutic fasting as an act of holistic care, rooted in a relationship with the body and its natural rhythms.
These are :
- Respecting each woman’s individuality.
- Proceed with patience.
- Support the process with a rich, warming diet.
- Incorporating appropriate medicinal plants.
“Fasting is a powerful catalyst for inner healing, helping the body to rid itself of toxins and restore its deep balance. It does, however, require gentleness and respect for one’s limits”. (Dr Christophe Carrio, sports doctor and natural health expert)
“Body and mind are inseparable. Learning to breathe and relax the mind amplifies the physical benefits of fasting and promotes lasting calm. (Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen master and spiritual author)
Gentle protocol of therapeutic fasting for the menopause
1. Start with intermittent fasting•
- Fast for 12 to 16 hours a day (e.g. light dinner at 7pm, then breakfast between 7am and 11am).
- Keep well hydrated with water and warming herbal teas (chamomile, liquorice, orange blossom).
- Nutritious, balanced meals outside the fasting period: cooked vegetables, wholegrain cereals, quality proteins, good fats.
2. Short cycles of moderate fasting (24-36h)
- Once a week or every fortnight.
- Choose a calm day and avoid strenuous exercise.
- Prepare the body the day before (soups, broths).
- During the fast: water, detox herbal teas (dandelion, ginger), clear salted broth if necessary.
3. Phytotherapeutic support and nutrition according to TCM
- Plants and foods that nourish Yin and Qi: liquorice, ginseng, goji berry, black sesame seeds.
- Favour warm, easily digestible meals, avoid excessively cold/crusty foods.
4. Complementary alternative practices
- Deep breathing, meditation, Qi Gong, self-massage.
- Gentle yoga or regular stretching.
5. Listening to the body
- Never force fasting if you feel tired, dizzy or weak.
- Adjust the frequency and duration according to how you feel, under professional supervision.
In Conclusion
Therapeutic fasting, thanks to its hormonal, metabolic and energy-regulating effects, is an invaluable ally in getting through the menopause gently and with vitality.
Ruimin Zhang’s integrative approach reminds us that the practice gains in effectiveness and safety when it is personalised, respectful of women’s rhythms, and practised in a professional and caring environment.
Références :
Gravity and wrinkles are fine with me. They’re a small price to pay for the new wisdom inside my head and my heart.
When you’re young, there’s so much now that you can’t take it in. It’s pouring over you like awaterfall. When you’re older, it’s less intense, but you’re able to reach out and drink it. I love being older.
I see menopause as the start of the next fabulous phase of life as a woman. Now is a time to ‘tune in’ to our bodies and embrace this new chapter. If anything, I feel more myself and love my body more now, at 58 years old, than ever before.
All of a sudden I don’t mind saying to people, ‘You know what? Get out of my life. You’re not right for me.’ It’s wonderful and liberating.
If you deal with it in a healthy fashion then I think you come out the other side a better person. I’ve got so much more energy now than I ever had in my early 50s before the menopause.
The very best way that you can help yourself is to develop and sustain a positive attitude. The way you think and feel about everything will make all the difference to your experience.
Menopause. A pause while you reconsider men.
A study says owning a dog makes you 10 years younger. My first thought was to rescue two more, but I don’t want to go through menopause again.
Women are always being tested … but ultimately, each of us has to define who we are individually and then do the very best job we can to grow into it.
Confidence comes with age, and looking beautiful comes from the confidence someone has in themselves.
I think our bodies are beautiful, and I think celebrating them and being comfortable in them—no matter what age you are—is important. There shouldn’t be any kind of shame or discomfort around it.
I don’t think of getting older as looking better or worse; it’s just different. You change, and that’s okay.
For you, it’s a joke, but think about it for me, everything is going south. Menopause is one of themost significant things that happens to women. As someone who is in that phase, it is very frightening, because everything is basically out of your control.
The anticipation of a problem creates bigger problems than it really is. One has to adapt to alifestyle change to remain in the best of health. What works for one in their 30s or 40s cannot workin your 50s. You need to understand what you are getting into and make those small changes. One can have methi to regulate hormones. Zinc too. Start exercising, limit your alcohol intake if you drink and get into bed earlier.
I didn’t know what peri menopause was, I thought after a certain age we go through pre menopause up to 10 years before menopause? But did you know you could go through perimenopause up to 10 years before menopause ? It’s like the body is getting ready for menopause?
Menopause is considered as a “problem” rather than something normal every women experience.There’s a very important message behind it because what we’re saying here is that there are noexpiration dates for women.
I have a very healthy baseline, and also, well, I was experiencing hormone shifts because of infertility, having to take shots and all that,” Obama explained. “I experienced the night sweats, even in my 30s, and when you think of the other symptoms that come along, just hot flashes, I mean, I had a few before I started taking hormones.
Menopause is like autumn leaves falling; it’s a natural shedding of the old to make way for the new.
Gravity and wrinkles are fine with me. They’re a small price to pay for the new wisdom inside my head and my heart.
When you’re young, there’s so much now that you can’t take it in. It’s pouring over you like awaterfall. When you’re older, it’s less intense, but you’re able to reach out and drink it. I love being older.