Women have specific health needs that can be supported naturally through healthy lifestyle choices and healthful foods and supplements. As women enter different stages of their lives, from childbearing through child rearing and into peri-menopause and menopause, their health support needs continually change. Some things are constant - a need for adequate nutrition and natural supplementation to counteract the stresses a woman's body goes through in today's society.
What works for women's health?
There are many excellent and proven natural supplements that can help women promote optimal health. Food extracts, herbs and vitamins with noted benefits to women have been shown to alleviate hormonal, menstrual and menopausal symptoms, promote a healthy metabolism and ideal weight, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, protect against bone loss and osteoporosis, and help reduce the occurrence of urinary tract infections. These supplements include Chaste Berry, Soy Protein, Calcium, Cranberry and Hoodia. Other important supplements for women's health include Vitamin E, Dong Quai, Magnesium, Iron, Vitamin C, Folic Acid and Alpha Lipoic Acid.
Women's Health Supplements: what supplements should you take?
Chaste Berry
The dried fruit of the Chaste Berry tree, native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia, have been used for thousands of years to treat menstrual abnormalities. Recently, Chaste Berry supplements have been recognized for their ability to alleviate some of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Chaste Berry is also believed to have a normalizing effect on the menstrual cycle and has been used for both amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) and menorrhagia (heavy menstruation).
Soy Protein: shown to promote weight loss, lower cholesterol, soothe menopausal symptoms and reduce the risk of bone loss.
Soy is a naturally low-calorie, low carbohydrate super food that is an excellent vegetarian protein source. Soybeans are the only beans considered a complete protein because they contain all eight essential amino acids. Soy contains more protein than milk without the saturated fat or cholesterol. Yet soy is high in fiber and is a low-glycemic index food, which helps regulate blood sugar and insulin fluctuations. Soy protein, either in shakes or in foods, has been shown to effectively promote weight loss.
The FDA approved heart health claim "Soy Protein, in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease" indicates that soy protein should be included in every woman's regimen. Soy protein has also been shown to soothe hot flashes and other menopause-related discomfort, as well as to reduce the risk of bone loss. Don't wait to supplement your diet with soy protein!
Calcium: the most well-studied, essential supplement for a woman's life-long health and well-being.
The need for calcium in a woman's regimen starts early and continues her entire life.
Calcium is essential for bone development and cell function and has been proven in the highest quality clinical studies to effectively treat high blood pressure, premenstrual syndrome and bone loss. Yet USDA studies show that 78% of women do not get enough calcium in their diet. This is why many healthcare professionals recommend supplemental calcium to women of all ages. Continue to women's healthy supplements!
Cranberry: shown to reduce the occurrence of Urinary Tract Infections.
Cranberry is one of only three fruits native to North America, and it was used medicinally by Native Americans to treat urinary disorders. This traditional use continues today, with cranberries, cranberry juice and cranberry extract shown to reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI) and to help reduce the severity and recurrence of UTI.
Since one in every five American women is reported to have a lifetime incidence of UTI, it can be wise to reduce the chance of recurrence with such a safe and healthy supplement. Cranberry supplementation seems to work by preventing bacteria from sticking to cells that line the bladder. In fact, cranberry was used to treat UTI before the development of antibiotics. Continue to women's healthy supplements!