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FEATUREMENOPAUSE
All you need to know about
NUTRITION AND THE MENOPAUSE
clinical trial, supplementation with
Why the menopause vitamin E significantly reduced the
Nutritional supplements
occurs frequency and severity of hot flushing.
for cardiovascular
The menopause is the cessation of the St John’s wort and black cohosh are
disease
monthly menstrual cycle, typically reportedly effective in clinical trials for A study of peri- and post menopausal
occurring around the age of 50, the alleviation of anxiety and mood Inuit women from Greenland
signaling the end of a woman’s changes during the menopause. concluded that high levels of essential
fertility. The menopause is a natural The sea buckthorn plant is one of the omega 3 fatty acids (derived from fish)
process resulting from changes in few good dietary sources of found in the blood protected these
hormone levels within the body; it is polyunsaturated omega 7 fatty acids. women from developing ischemic heart
not a disease, and cannot be Omega 7 fatty acids are important disease. Supplementation with fish oil
prevented. Premature menopause can components of the mucous membranes as a source of omega 3 fatty acids in
occur in younger women, sometimes which form the internal lining of the postmenopausal women reduced blood
following surgical removal of the vaginal tract. Supplementation with lipid levels, a risk factor for
ovaries or after certain types of omega 7 fatty acids helps to maintain cardiovascular disease.
chemotherapy. Menopause occurs the natural lubrication of the vaginal Increased intake of dietary fibre has
when a woman has her final period, tract, thereby preventing discomfort been shown to slow the development
peri-menopause is the stage preceding during intercourse. of coronary artery disease in
menopause when symptoms first A controlled clinical trial found 200mg postmenopausal women.
appear, and postmenopause is the daily of pycnogenol, the extract of French HRT was found to reduce the blood
stage after the menopause, usually one maritime pine bark, improved climacteric levels of coenzyme Q10, a vitamin like
year after the final period. symptoms in peri-menopausal women. substance which plays a key role in
providing tissues with energy,
particularly the heart. Reduced levels
Symptoms of the
Nutritional supplements of coenzyme Q10 are considered as a
menopause
for bone and joint risk factor for developing
Menopausal symptoms, which can vary in disorders cardiovascular disease.
severity and duration, include hot flushes, The decrease in oestrogen levels
insomnia, irritability, breast tenderness, associated with the menopause leads
skin problems, increased bleeding, vaginal to the accelerated bone loss and an Natural ways to tackle the
dryness and reduced sex drive. increased risk of fracture. Calcium is menopause – try these!
the best known dietary bone MACA from Rio Trading. Often
Nutritional support for the strengthening mineral. Calcium cannot nicknamed The Peruvian Ginseng, Maca
menopause be absorbed from the digestive tract is an effective and safe natural treatment
There are two medical problems without vitamin D; similarly vitamin K for hormonal imbalances and many
associated with the menopause; first, the promotes the absorption of calcium associated menopausal symptoms. The
relief of symptoms; second, the increased into bones. There is also evidence effects are most likely due to the high
risk of developing cardiovascular disease that magnesium plays an important content of vitamins, minerals and amino
and osteoporosis. One approach to these role in bone structure, and that acids in Maca. Like Ginseng, Maca is also
problems involves the use of hormone magnesium supplementation can a source of plant chemicals called
replacement therapy (HRT). However, HRT reduce the risk of osteoporosis in alkaloids, plus plant sterols and other
has been associated with potential postmenopausal women. important compounds.
adverse effects, particularly an increased Glucosamine is a naturally
risk of blood clots and breast cancer. For occurring substance utilized by the Arkopharma’s Phyto Soya range offers a
women who do not want to use HRT, body to manufacture complex natural solution to the hormonal upheaval
nutritional supplementation is an molecules necessary for the of the perimenopause and menopause.
alternative. Such supplementation may maintenance and repair of joint
include specific vitamins, minerals, fatty cartilage. Although glucosamine is Vitabiotics’ Menopace
®
is an effective
acids or herbal extracts. produced within the body, levels are formulation for during and after the
reduced as people age. Supplements menopause, with 21 nutrients to
Nutritional supplements are the best source of additional balance hormones and defend against
for symptomatic relief glucosamine, since there are no food conditions associated with this time of
Hot flushing may affect as many as 75% sources of this nutrient. change. In trials up to 85% of women
of menopausal women. In a controlled found it effective.
16 GOHEALTHYMAR/APR2008
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