health management
Healthy Women Eat Fat!
When it comes to health, men and women share common ground — and many of the same wor-
ries. Cardiovascular disease, obesity and certain types of cancer are some of the most prevalent
health concerns for both male and female adults. Aside from the threats they battle together,
women are also faced with a long list of health issues that are, for the most part, unique to their
gender. The majority of these concerns centre on the female body’s function as a child bearer
and the hormonal shifts that are brought about as a result of this. At each stage of a woman’s life
— from puberty to old age — different problems and challenges are presented that, for many,
require medication and/or alternative therapies. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) can play a key role
in alleviating the symptoms and conditions associated with hormonal fluctuations. In this article,
Kristen Trautman, product category co-ordinator at Bioriginal, takes a look at the role of EFAs in
supporting women’s health throughout the key stages of life change and development.
The Cycle Begins linolenic acid (GLA) was identified of fish oil supplementation on adoles-
As we reach puberty, many things and is thought to be a cause of the cents suffering from menstrual pain.
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begin to change. One of the most syndrome. The body converts GLA Those treated with fish oil experienced
important events of a young woman’s into anti-inflammatory prostaglandins a significant reduction in the severity of
life is the commencement of her men- — hormone-like compounds that act their symptoms in comparison with the
strual cycle — signifying the beginning as regulators of physiological respons- control group.
of the transition from girl to woman. es, such as inflammation and muscle
Unfortunately, there is not a lot to get contraction. Before menstruation, the A Helping Hand for
excited about, as it usually brings with body releases inflammatory prosta- Mother Nature
it a whole list of potentially debilitating glandins into the uterus, which cause Of course, with the menstrual cycle
symptoms. Painful breasts, cramps, vasoconstriction and contractions, and comes the possibility of carrying chil-
bloating, headaches and mood swings are responsible for the breast pain, dren. Many women will be pregnant at
are just some of the potential issues cramps, nausea and headaches as- least once in their lifetime, and there is
associated with the condition known sociated with PMS. Supplementation never a more important time to ensure
widely as premenstrual syndrome — or with GLA is thought to soothe these that the body receives the essential
PMS. It is estimated that around half symptoms by providing anti-inflam- fats it requires. During pregnancy and
of menstruating women are affected by matory prostaglandins to balance and lactation, EFAs are vital for the healthy
PMS in some way, with many suffering counteract inflammatory responses. development of the brain, nervous sys-
multiple symptoms. tem and retina, as well as fetal growth.
A number of studies have also looked Because a pregnant woman is respon-
Much research has been done on the into the role of omega-3 from fish oil in sible for the nourishment of both her
positive effects of EFA supplementa- alleviating painful menstruation. The own body and the fetus, it is essential
tion on premenstrual syndrome. In American Journal of Obstetrics and Gyne- that the intake of EFAs is significantly
studies of PMS sufferers, a deficiency cology published the results of a double increased to ensure that they will reach
in the omega-6 fatty acid, gamma blind study, which examined the effects both mother and child. The benefits of
20 nutraceutical business & technology may digital 2007 www.nutraceuticalmag.com
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