Let’s take a look at menopause weight gain and the science behind Feiolix® and chromium, including how they support blood sugar, appetite and metabolic health. With the scientific spokesperson for Feiolix®, Phillipa Thompson, MSc
If stubborn “meno belly” has crept up despite doing everything ‘right’, you’re not imagining it. During menopause, shifting hormones change how your body manages blood sugar, stores fat and signals hunger, which makes healthy weight management a different challenge than it was in your 30s. It’s not just about eating less either; muscle mass – one of the biggest energy users in your body – tends to decline at this life stage as well, which lowers your overall metabolic demand.
This is why MenoMe® formulated with Feiolix® from Anagenix to create Shake It Off®
The formula pairs two complementary ingredients: Feiolix®, a patented whole fruit powder made from New Zealand feijoa (also known as pineapple guava), and chromium, an essential trace mineral to support weight management during menopause.
How does your metabolism change during menopause?
You might think of metabolism as just being about calories in and calories out. But in fact, it’s the culmination of lots of different processes throughout your body.
It’s the sum of how your body manages blood sugar, responds to insulin, stores and burns fat, and knows when to feel full.
As estrogen levels decline through perimenopause and post-menopause, insulin sensitivity often drops and fat storage tends to shift toward the abdomen, even if you don’t change the way you eat or exercise.
So, if you notice you’re gaining weight around your stomach; it’s biology. As a result, sometimes the answer isn’t eating less – it’s addressing the underlying metabolic issues and adding targeted support.
Enter feijoas & Feiolix®
Feijoas are a superfruit grown in New Zealand – they’re tropical-tasting and also known as the pineapple guava.
Feiolix® is made from 100% whole New Zealand feijoas.
Feijoas have been scientifically researched and have been shown to be naturally rich in abscisic acid (ABA), a compound shown to support normal insulin sensitivity and promote feelings of fullness and a healthy metabolism.
Feiolix® also contains high amounts of fruit fibre and polyphenols that support healthy blood sugar balance after meals.
This isn’t just theory. As one of the scientists behind it, I can share with you that in 2 recent studies, adults with prediabetes taking Feiolix® experienced positive results in their HbA1c, fasting glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol.
In my role as a scientist, I can also tell you that what makes Feiolix® stand out is the breadth of metabolic markers it addresses: science shows it supports all five markers linked to metabolic syndrome – cholesterol, waist circumference, blood sugar, blood pressure and triglycerides – rather than just one piece of the puzzle. That’s why we refer to it as your complete metabolic ally.
Feiolix® and the estrobolome
Perimenopause comes with a whole range of symptoms, many of which make it hard for us to want to eat properly or exercise.
It’s straightforward enough to understand that estrogen is regulated by our endocrine system, and as we age, our estrogen levels drop, leading to a loss of muscle mass, lower energy needs and reduced insulin sensitivity.
Therefore, we put on weight – and hello, menopause weight gain and meno belly. (Simple, right?)
Don’t worry, there’s some good news. Estrogen production is closely tied to the estrobolome, the community of gut bacteria responsible for metabolising and recycling estrogen in the body. If we can support the estroblome we can support estrogen.
Feiolix’s whole-fruit fibre, xyloglucans and xylans, feeds beneficial Bacteroides species, which carry the enzymes needed to process and recirculate estrogen.
Feiolix® has also been shown to support the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus, another bacterium linked to healthy estrogen metabolism. By feeding these bacteria, Feiolix’s fibre offers a layer of support for hormone balance, alongside its more direct effects on blood sugar and appetite.
Meet chromium: insulin’s essential partner
Chromium is a trace mineral your body needs in small amounts to help insulin do its job properly.
Think of it like a drink with your meal.
It supports your body’s response to insulin, which helps support steadier blood glucose levels after eating.
Chromium also helps to manage feelings of hunger for longer.
So why Feiolix® and chromium together? You need multiple pathways doing the work!
Because chromium and Feiolix® lean on different switches, the two ingredients support different ground rather than duplicating each other.
Think of metabolism as an orchestra playing several instruments at once:
- insulin sensitivity
- glucose handling
- appetite regulation
- inflammation
- energy expenditure
Feiolix® and chromium are “supporters in tandem” across several of these pathways, which is part of why they’re paired in Shake It Off® with Feiolix®.
What to realistically expect
Because Shake It Off® with Feiolix® supports your body’s own biology, most women take it 30 minutes before a meal and find that changes build gradually over eight weeks or more.
It’s a bit like training at the gym; you wouldn’t expect results after one session, and steady, natural metabolic support works the same way.
Conclusion: Don’t worry
Getting older doesn’t have to mean that weight management is impossible. Adding natural ingredients like feijoas and chromium into your diet can have a real impact on supporting your metabolism to work at its best.
Supporting healthy blood sugar balance and your estroblome alongside a healthy diet and regular movement are powerful ways you can support your wellbeing.
About the author: Phillipa Thompson is Anagenix’s brand champion for Feiolix®, bringing expertise in plant-based biomedical science.
Her research focuses on New Zealand-sourced ingredients, exploring their health benefits and applications in functional foods and dietary supplements.
Phillipa holds a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Auckland, where she developed expertise in ingredient analysis, quality control, and formulation strategies.
