This section of the website brings you the latest daily news about women's health. We are constantly working with our partners to keep you up to date of what's going on in the health and fitness industry concerning women.
We do this because we believe if you know what's going on it will be easier to make better decision about becoming fit, disease free, and healthier.
Hoodia: a safe, natural appetite suppressant used by African hunters for 30,000 years.
Hoodia is a remarkable plant native to the deserts of southern Africa. The most well-known variety is Hoodia gordonii. Since ancient times, Hoodia has been used by bushmen in South Africa to curb hunger and thirst on long hunting trips in the Kalahari desert.
Modern scientists have researched Hoodia since the 1990's and have found that Hoodia works with brain chemicals to stop hunger cravings. They believe that specific molecules in the Hoodia plant called sterol glycosides send a message to the brain that the body is sated, and therefore hunger is suppressed. Hoodia supplements can be a powerful aid to women trying to achieve a healthy weight.
Key Women's Health Issues
The leading cause of death in women is heart disease.
Many people think that breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women. It is actually heart disease. 27% of all women die of heart disease, followed by all types of cancer at 22%. This means that women need to watch for the signs of high cholesterol and heart disease as much as men do, especially as they get older. Getting cholesterol checked, altering the diet to reduce cholesterol, taking natural supplements to promote healthy cholesterol, and if needed, taking cholesterol lowering medications are advised. Because obesity is a leading precursor to heart disease, it is also important for women to manage their weight.
Achieving and maintaining your ideal weight helps prevent life-threatening conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease and even Breast Cancer.
There is no other single step women can take to improve life-long health more important than reaching their ideal weight. One third of American women are now classified as obese (more than 20% overweight, or a BMI of 30 or above), and this is known to cause or contribute to the most life-threatening women's health conditions: Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and breast cancer. Taking healthy natural steps to lose weight, if you are overweight, is vital for your health and longevity.
Osteoporosis: Protecting your bones is critical to life-long health and well-being.
Today, women are living longer than ever, which is good news, but it also means they must protect their bones so they can stay healthy and active. As women age, their estrogen levels decrease and their risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition where your bones become weak and vulnerable to fracture, increases. The National Osteoporosis Foundation states that one out of every two women over 50 will have an osteopororis related fracture in their lifetime. One third of women over 65 will experience a fracture of the spine. This means that protecting your bones by consuming adequate calcium is critical throughout your life. Because so few women consume adequate calcium in the diet, most health experts recommend taking calcium supplements.
Hormonal fluctuations and imbalances create stressful symptoms for women of all ages.
From the onset of menses throughout the rest of their lives, women experience a wide range of symptoms cause by hormone fluctuations. Most dramatic during pregnancy, hormones changes are normal, but can also make women bloated, moody and uncomfortable. During menopause, hormone changes can also cause women to suffer from insomnia and hot flashes. Imbalances in hormone levels can often be alleviated naturally, through exercise, diet and natural supplements. Consult your health care professional for further steps you can take if you feel that you are experiencing abnormal or extreme symptoms.
Nutritional Support for Women's Health: what should you eat?
All women should eat a healthy, balanced diet composed of nutritionally dense foods, those which provide a great deal of nutritional value without a lot of calories. These foods tend to be whole, natural foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and soy or other lean proteins. Foods which should be limited include saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, salt, and added sugar. The fewer processed, packaged, fried and high calorie foods you eat, the better, especially if you are trying to lose weight.
Certain foods are known to be especially beneficial for women. Calcium-rich foods are critical to maintain bone density and prevent osteoporosis. These include dairy foods, dark green leafy vegetables, and fortified soy foods such as soy milk. Because it is so difficult to get adequate calcium in the diet, calcium supplementation is strongly advised. Soy foods and drinks contain powerful phytoestrogens that protect the heart by helping to lower cholesterol. They have also been shown to ease menopausal symptoms.
Safe Use of Natural Alternatives for Women's Health
Precautions in the use of Chaste Berry
Those with hormone sensitive cancers or conditions, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and women undergoing in vitro fertilization are advised not to use Chaste Berry unless approved by your physician.
Sarah DeCamello is a professional writer with over 20 years of experience writing on healthcare topics, increasingly focusing on natural and alternative healthcare approaches. Sarah writes websites, articles, brochures, packaging and advertising, in addition to her work as a strategic consultant to healthcare-focused companies. Sarah also has advanced national certification as a yoga teacher, including training in meditation and Ayurveda. Contact: sarahdec@optonline.net
"Get The Healthy Supplements That Will Help Keep Your Hormone In Check - Trim Fat Off Your Body Like Crazy And Boost Your Sexual Health At NutriFitWellness"