Women at menopause not only have an increased risk of osteoporosis, they may also be at risk for heart disease and gum infection. At menopause, women's level of bad cholesterol, go up. Diet can go along way toward preventing serious health problems like. Osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease and gum disease. Diets high in animal products and salt can cause the body to excrete more calcium, which contributes to osteoporosis and receding gums. Menopausal women should eat less animal protein and less salt. If they switch to more foods from the vegetable kingdom and more complex carbohydrates, they will be getting less fat, more calcium and more anticancer elements like beta carotene.