Menopause, a major transition in a woman's life, is marked by numerous hormonal changes. This period is often accompanied by a silent yet significant increase in chronic inflammation in the body, a consequence of these hormonal changes.
Faced with these challenges, more and more women are turning to natural approaches to support their bodies during this period. Among these emerging solutions, medicinal mushrooms are gaining increasing interest, particularly due to their ability to modulate inflammatory markers. At French Mush, we invite you to discover the potential of our mushroom extracts in modulating inflammatory markers during menopause.
Understanding Menopause and Its Link to Chronic Inflammation
Menopause is a natural and inevitable stage that marks the end of a woman's reproductive capacity. However, this transition is usually accompanied by profound physiological changes that can significantly impact overall health, particularly by promoting a chronic inflammatory state.
Menopause: More Than Just the End of Menstruation
Menopause is not just the cessation of menstruation. It is preceded by perimenopause, a transitional phase lasting several years where hormonal fluctuations begin to occur, often leading to the first symptoms. Menopause itself is officially confirmed after twelve consecutive month of amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), marking the definitive end of ovarian function. This is followed by postmenopause, which encompasses all the years following this confirmation.
At the heart of these stages is a major hormonal upheaval: a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone levels. These sex hormones, once abundant, play an important role far beyond reproduction, influencing metabolism, bone health, cardiovascular function, and even mood. Their gradual decline therefore leads to a cascade of physiological implications. The impact of these hormonal changes extends to the immune system. A phenomenon of immunosenescence, a programmed aging of the immune system, is observed, which is accelerated or modified by menopause.
Chronic Inflammation: A Silent Enemy During Menopause
Inflammation is a natural and protective response of the body to an attack (infection, injury). It is described as acute when it is a short-term reaction, essential for healing. However, when this response persists inappropriately, it becomes a chronic inflammation, or low-grade. Silent and persistent, it wears down the body and sets the stage for various diseases.
It is important to know that during the reproductive years, estrogens play a significant protective role against inflammation. With their marked decline at menopause, this anti-inflammatory effect diminishes, promoting the onset of a systemic pro-inflammatory state. The body then becomes more susceptible to developing and maintaining this low-grade inflammation. This inflammatory state can be evidenced by the increase of certain inflammatory markers (below) in the blood.
⚠️ Lexicon Point
An inflammatory marker is a substance produced by the body in response to inflammation. It is detectable in the blood (or other fluids) and is used to measure the intensity or presence of an inflammatory process.
The use of medicinal mushrooms to modulate menopausal inflammation
At menopause, the decline in estrogen promotes the onset of low-grade chronic inflammation, which can affect quality of life and increase the risk of associated diseases. In response to this challenge, the medicinal mushrooms offer a natural and promising alternative to support immune balance and limit inflammation.
Certain mushrooms are particularly notable for their targeted action on menopausal inflammation. The Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), for example, is known for its adaptogenic properties: it helps manage stress, reduces cortisol, and has a strong anti-inflammatory effect thanks to its triterpenes (below). It also acts on hormonal balance by modulating estrogen receptors and supporting liver function, which is essential for hormone breakdown.
⚠️ Lexicon Point
Triterpenes are natural organic compounds belonging to the terpene family, composed of 30 carbon atoms, and exhibit anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.
The Shiitake (Lentinula edodes), rich in beta-glucans like lentinan, strengthens the immune system, modulates inflammation, and offers antioxidant and antiviral properties, beneficial for urogenital health. The Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) is notable for its energizing effect, its ability to reduce frequent fatigue during menopause, and its anti-inflammatory virtues. It also acts on hormonal balance via the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
Finally, the mushroom Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) stands out for its high antioxidant content, particularly inotodiol, an anti-inflammatory triterpene. This allows it to neutralize oxidative stress and effectively support immunity. Together, these mushrooms offer a range of complementary actions to support women during menopause and reduce the impact of chronic inflammation.
French Mush, we support you with quality products during this sensitive time
At French Mush, we offer a complete range of medicinal mushrooms tailored to the specific needs of menopause. Our products come in various forms to easily fit into your daily routine: mixable powders or convenient capsules. Also, be assured that our mushrooms are sourced from controlled organic cultures and we use ultrasonic extraction to preserve the richness of active ingredients. We are committed to providing you with natural, safe, and effective solutions to navigate menopause with ease.
Furthermore, the dosage and duration of use should be tailored to each woman. We recommend regular intake 6 days out of 7, at a rate of one dose per day (either 2 capsules or 1 gram of powder) for at least three month. This is the minimum treatment duration that allows you to truly observe the effects of the mushrooms on your health.
However, even though medicinal mushrooms are generally well tolerated, we also recommend consulting a healthcare professional before incorporating a mushroom-based treatment into your routine. A professional will be able to consider potential interactions with hormonal treatments or other medications to advise you on a specific dosage.
Sources:
Therapeutic potential of mushrooms: A review on NF-κB modulation in chronic inflammation
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212429224014895
Fight Inflammation by Inhibiting NF-kB
https://www.lifeextension.asia/pub/media/magefan_blog/7_-_July3.pdf#page=45
