Health and Menopause

Menopause is a sensitive time when women can expect to gain about a pound of additional weight each year. This weight gain is a common experience for maturing women. The menopausal transition that begins in a woman's forties and fifties makes maintaining an ideal weight very challenging. Your body composition undergoes both internal and external changes; these include hormone levels, ageing, and lifestyle changes. It important that you begin assessing your diet and exercise plans early, as menopausal weight can be in the form of stubborn fat. You want to be one-step of weight gain at all times.

Diet Assessment

Begin by paying close attention to the types of meals that you eat.

Protein – A very important and essential ingredient that should be included in every meal. Lean chicken, turkey, cottage cheese, and egg whites are some great sources of lean protein that you should incorporate into your meals. Protein satisfies hunger and plays an essential part in helping to build muscle.

Carbohydrates – A necessary component of a healthy diet, also need to be included in every meal. The important point is to choose 'good' carbs over 'bad' carbs. You want to avoid the bad or 'simple' carbs. These are mainly white or processed products such as white bread, white pasta, sugar, and flour. Complex carbs, also known as good carbs, come from wholegrain or natural foods. These carbs are high in fiber and packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. Some excellent sources of good carbs include fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products such as whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta, oatmeal and brown rice.

Fat – Do not be mistaken thinking that all fat must be avoided. You need to include healthy fats in your diets. Healthy unsaturated fats are essential to your health and become even more important as your body matures. Natural unsalted nuts, cold pressed olive oil, avocadoes, and natural peanut butter are all excellent sources of healthy unsaturated fats.

Getting Active

As you mature, your lifestyle usually changes and you become less active than younger women. As well, women in their forties and fifties start to lose lean muscle tissue at a rate of about one pound each year. With time against you, you should begin replacing this muscle if you are to stand any chance against weight gain resulting from menopause.

You need to start becoming more physically active each day. Spending a little more time doing activities that you enjoy can make a huge difference. Do what you enjoy. If you enjoy gardening, dancing, bike riding, swimming, or walking, do it every day and work towards increasing the time you spend doing it. Make it your goal to be active at least 30 minutes every day. This will significantly improve your fitness level.

Your body needs resistance exercise in addition to aerobic exercise. Resistance exercise helps to build and replace muscle mass and to increase bone density. Join the local YMCA or gym where you have instructors to help you learn proper resistance training techniques. Or you can buy some small hand weights and use a DVD training workout at home. This type of strength training will be the single most important thing you can do that will alter your body composition. Resistance training or strength training can be very rewarding. It will mean more lean muscle on your body, which means less fat, more energy and stronger bones.

There is no secret or magic formula to avoid weight gain as you get older. The same strategies for maintaining a healthy weight at any age apply. Watch what you eat, stay active and be confident that it is possible to avoid weight gain as you get older.

http://www.weightlossforwomentoday.com

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If I were to tell you one food to eat every day that would prevent (and help) memory loss, what would it be?

I'll give you a hint:

You've heard it many times before.

I am definitely not the first person to tell you to eat this every day. In fact, even if you were living in 1800's, you might very well have known the expression, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” (Of course you might say it more like, “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread.”)

So, let's talk about apples for a minute. Yes, apples!

Apples help you in many ways:

• They boost immunity
• They lower cholesterol
• They prevent tooth decay
• They are low in calorie
• They have no fat
• They have no salt
• They help prevent many diseases
• They help maintain bone density
• They protect the cardiovascular system
• And (drumroll!) they prevent memory loss

Eating an apple a day may just be the simplest and most delicious way to improve your memory and stave off the memory loss of menopause.

Is this for real?

Yes! Apples contain a substance called quercetin which protects brain cells and helps prevent memory loss during menopause. Also, simply drinking apple juice can increase the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is important in the communication between cells. In other words, apple juice can improve your memory!

Good Memory Tastes Good

A crunchy red apple is a perfect way to get your dose of apple and begin to negate the menopausal cause of memory loss. You can also enjoy applesauce, apple juice, baked apple, and apple butter to begin to naturally reverse memory loss during menopause.

Now you know one way to improve your memory with nutrition: apples. There is one more trick that can really boost your memory and it is so quick and simple that you will be amazed. It's called the Memory Recharger and it only takes a few minutes every day. Want to start improving your memory today? Go get it now because it can really help your memory and it comes with a full guarantee so you can only win. http://MyMemoryRecharger.com

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Many women think they are going through premature menopause, but are not 100% sure. It could be their body is going through something else.

That is why every woman should understand critical information about this so you can know if this is what you are dealing with.

First it is important to understand that premature menopause when a woman experiences symptoms of menopause at an early age. For some women it can be as early as in your 30s or 40s.

there are women that do experience menopause early, but most women on average won't experience it until the age of 50. Basically any woman that experiences symptoms of menopause earlier than 50 is said to be experiencing early menopause.

There are many causes to early menopause that you need to be aware of. For some women it is genetics. Other women experience it because of a medical operation that they had to go through.

Autoimmune diseases are another cuase of women experiencing menopause earlier than they should. You want to talk to your doctor about this so they can help you determine what is causing your early menopause symptoms. They will also be able to help you get relief from the symptoms you are experiencing.

Most women that deal with early menopause will stop having their monthly period. If you just stop your period altogether talk to your doctor about it because this is a good sign your body is going through the changes of menopause earlier than it should.

To tell you if you are dealing with menopause early there are many symptoms that you want to watch for. Here are some of the most common ones to watch for.

- Night sweats

- Lack of sex drive

- Trouble with sleeping

- Vaginal dryness

- Bladder control loss

- Difficulty concentrating; feeling disoriented or confused

- Mood swings

- Hot flashes

These are just the most common symptoms but not all of them so be sure to find out all of the symptoms so you can watch for them.

To help you relieve your discomfort there are some good ways to deal with early menopause. Eating healthy and exercising are two of the biggest things you can do. Also stay away from alcohol, caffeine and other foods and beverages that can cause your symptoms to flare up.

You will have a much easier time determining if this is what you are going through now that you know this important information about premature menopause. Talk to your doctor because they can be a big help for you during this time in your life.

Please visit our website today if you enjoyed this article by Jeff Schuman on premature menopause. You will find useful information about premature menopause symptoms so you will have an easier time determining if this is what you are experiencing. http://www.everythingmenopause.com

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Menopause is a sensitive time when women can expect to gain about a pound of additional weight each year. This weight gain is a common experience for maturing women. The menopausal transition that begins in a woman's forties and fifties makes maintaining an ideal weight very challenging. Your body composition undergoes both internal and external changes; these include hormone levels, ageing, and lifestyle changes. It important that you begin assessing your diet and exercise plans early, as menopausal weight can be in the form of stubborn fat. You want to be one-step of weight gain at all times.

Diet Assessment

Begin by paying close attention to the types of meals that you eat.

Protein – A very important and essential ingredient that should be included in every meal. Lean chicken, turkey, cottage cheese, and egg whites are some great sources of lean protein that you should incorporate into your meals. Protein satisfies hunger and plays an essential part in helping to build muscle.

Carbohydrates – A necessary component of a healthy diet, also need to be included in every meal. The important point is to choose 'good' carbs over 'bad' carbs. You want to avoid the bad or 'simple' carbs. These are mainly white or processed products such as white bread, white pasta, sugar, and flour. Complex carbs, also known as good carbs, come from wholegrain or natural foods. These carbs are high in fiber and packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. Some excellent sources of good carbs include fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products such as whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta, oatmeal and brown rice.

Fat – Do not be mistaken thinking that all fat must be avoided. You need to include healthy fats in your diets. Healthy unsaturated fats are essential to your health and become even more important as your body matures. Natural unsalted nuts, cold pressed olive oil, avocadoes, and natural peanut butter are all excellent sources of healthy unsaturated fats.

Getting Active

As you mature, your lifestyle usually changes and you become less active than younger women. As well, women in their forties and fifties start to lose lean muscle tissue at a rate of about one pound each year. With time against you, you should begin replacing this muscle if you are to stand any chance against weight gain resulting from menopause.

You need to start becoming more physically active each day. Spending a little more time doing activities that you enjoy can make a huge difference. Do what you enjoy. If you enjoy gardening, dancing, bike riding, swimming, or walking, do it every day and work towards increasing the time you spend doing it. Make it your goal to be active at least 30 minutes every day. This will significantly improve your fitness level.

Your body needs resistance exercise in addition to aerobic exercise. Resistance exercise helps to build and replace muscle mass and to increase bone density. Join the local YMCA or gym where you have instructors to help you learn proper resistance training techniques. Or you can buy some small hand weights and use a DVD training workout at home. This type of strength training will be the single most important thing you can do that will alter your body composition. Resistance training or strength training can be very rewarding. It will mean more lean muscle on your body, which means less fat, more energy and stronger bones.

There is no secret or magic formula to avoid weight gain as you get older. The same strategies for maintaining a healthy weight at any age apply. Watch what you eat, stay active and be confident that it is possible to avoid weight gain as you get older.

http://www.weightlossforwomentoday.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Caldwell
http://EzineArticles.com/?Avoiding-Weight-Gain-During-Menopause&id=4429182

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Hormonal imbalance is caused by too much estrogen in women body in excess which is not balanced by the amount of progesterone and has various symptoms that one can be able to notice and this is commonly experienced when a woman approaches or is in menopause. The symptoms include:

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Wrinkles
• Allergy
• Fibrocystic breasts
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Endometriosis
• Facial hair growth

The effects of hormonal imbalance on menopause symptoms are damnable, thus an imbalance could lead to complications and risks of developing ovarian and cervical cancers and osteoporosis which are dangerous conditions. Also their bones become brittle and one has to take the necessary precautions needed to avoid serious injuries. There sex drive decreases and this can lead to family break ups if the male partner does not understand. Another effect of hormonal imbalance on menopause symptoms is the woman experiences headaches that can be mild or more severe becoming migraines, causing her to have mood swings and inability to concentrate.

Another effect of hormonal imbalance is a woman may have several sleepless nights and they can not really tell what the cause is. Others experience foggy thinking and this makes someone to loose memory and someone has low motivation and one can not focus on whatever she is doing and lacks motivation to do any kind of job at that moment.

A woman can not also be able to deal with adrenal fatigue and one has to go an extra mile of trying to deal with it without depending on the therapies that are available as you will be required to control the secretion of your hormones by the activities you involve yourself.

A woman will also experience palpitations whereby her hearts bit rapidly and this experience is not good for those who suffer from high blood pressure. One may not be able to control the air intake and it may result to other serious diseases or worsens the condition. During menopause the skin of the women reduce or sometimes loose their elasticity and also one may experience dryness on the vagina and this makes her not to enjoy sex due to pain.

When women reach this stage they experience very harsh conditions that some needs immediate medical attention or else the situation will lead to more serious ailments which some do not have cure like the cancer.

Related Articles
Natural Menopause Products
Menopause Early Causes

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http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Effect-of-Hormonal-Imbalance-on-Menopause&id=3734427 

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Hormones before menopause work on a cycle controlled by the pituitary gland just underneath the very centre of the lower surface of the brain. This little gland is the ‘conductor’ of the orchestra of endocrine glands in the body, including the thyroid, the adrenals, and the ovaries or testes.

The pituitary is organised on a bio-rhythm sort of cycle, some say related to the phases of the moon. There is good evidence to show that this may well be true! It also responds to what is going on in the brain, at least to some extent. The brain is the ‘commander in chief’. If there is some sort of huge trauma going on, a big shock or critical performance issues such as chronic long distance running or long term starvation, the hypothalamus part of the brain, which lies geographically above the pituitary, can communicate with the little gland almost instantaneously to affect its output.

Before menopause in a normal woman, the pituitary puts out FSH or Follicle Stimulating Hormone to stimulate the ovaries to develop and then release an ovum or egg for fertilisation. Since the reproduction of the species depends on this cycle of FSH and ovarian response, it takes a major impact of some sort to disturb the pituitary so that it stops stimulating the ovaries. But under normal circumstances the FSH during the fertile years runs at anything from 3 to 30 or thereabouts.

So, what about progesterone, the ‘forgotten’ hormone?

Well progesterone is produced in the ovary after the egg has been released for fertilisation. The body produces heaps of progesterone but only in the second half of the cycle, so as to ensure that the new embryo, if present, has the best possible chance of being properly embedded in the uterine wall and the woman’s early pregnancy proceeds without problems. A low progesterone output during the second half of the ovarian cycle will often indicate an inability to carry a fertilised egg into later pregnancy. The IVF clinics around the world, and also in Australia where it all began, will give their patient progesterone routinely to ensure the best possible environment for the fertilised egg.

So if you only have progesterone after ovulation, then a pre-menopausal woman only need progesterone from Day 10 or 12 to the next period. But it is different in menopause. The whole hormone orchestra changes because of the slow, or no, ovarian response to FSH. The pituitary continues to try to stimulate the sluggish ovaries, and puts out increasing amounts of FSH, which can go up to 300-350 before the pituitary recognises that there is never going to be any response from the ovaries, and it slowly reduces the amount of FSH.

Slight or absent ovarian response also means there is less oestrogen running around the blood stream. The combination of high FSH + low oestrogen (not merely low oestrogen alone) is what causes the hot flushes. We know this because when the FSH reduces back down, even when there is less than 10 units of oestrogen, there is no hot flushing! At that point the woman has successfully traversed the menopause and is now post-menopausal.

Maura is an internationally known medical doctor and health lawyer, an entertaining speaker and a sought-after advisor on women’s health issues, especially in relation to the menopause. See website at http://www.drmauramcgill.com.au for details of upcoming events.

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When you are going through menopause, vaginal dryness may seem like the least of your worries. After all, you are already dealing with hot flashes, night sweats, and moodiness. Vaginal dryness doesn’t affect that much, right?

Well, dryness affects your sex life. And while sex may be low on your to do list, you can bet it’s pretty high on your husband’s. And when he’s deprived, that can lead to all sorts of relationship problems.

Not only that, but the lack of lubrication is not the only thing going on down there. The opening of the vagina is becoming smaller. Also, the walls are thinning. All three of these things combine to make sex a pretty negative experience.

Fortunately, there is help. For example, you can treat the lack of moisture with a simple over the counter lubricants. This can work fine, for a while. However, you will want to avoid any with added fragrances, as these can irritate the skin. Also, the lubricant does nothing to help with the thinning walls and tightened opening.

Many women have found relief by using natural, herbal remedies. There are several supplements available that combine the most potent herbs into a formula that is certain to spice up your love life. If you choose to pursue this route, make sure that the supplement you choose contains these herbs: black cohosh, gingko biloba, and tribulus terrestris.

During menopause, vaginal dryness should not be something you have to suffer from. Make sure you take action to get your love life and libido back on track by treating it today!

If you are suffering from embarrassing AND painful vaginal dryness, here is my #1 remedy for it – Provestra. This all natural remedy for vaginal dryness gives you proven advice and guarantees that it will give you the vaginal dryness solution by going to http://www.ProvestraLibidoBooster.com.

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Every woman around the world needs to understand menopause symptoms because you will experience them at some point in your life. Not all women are the same age when they experience them but knowing what the list of menopause symptoms are will help you determine if menopause is what you are dealing with.

If you enjoyed this article by Jeff Schuman on a list of menopause symptoms please visit our website today. You will find useful information to help you determine if you are going through menopause. http://www.everythingmenopause.com

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Many women these days are constantly on the prowl for new ways to find relief from their menopause symptoms. There are many good products and supplements for menopause, many that are natural and good for overall health whether you are suffering menopause or not. Here are some of the better choices women can use for relief, some you may know and others fairly new.

Black Cohosh: This natural herb is used to treat a variety of menopausal symptoms, but is especially good for hot flashes. The suggested dose is 40-80 mg/day. It is very popular, and can be found in most health food stores and grocery stores.

Green Tea: This very popular beverage is also sold as an extract, but drinking green tea is just as beneficial and healthy. This contains polyphenols which are an anti-oxidant, and are thought to help prevent cancer. (Try to get one low in sugar, for even better benefits).

Turmeric: This supplement is the main ingredient in curry powder and acts as anti-inflammatory. Also, is it used to treat digestive problems and may help improve memory. For women in menopause this can be a relief from stomach problems.

Valerian Root: This natural herbal remedy acts as a mild sedative and is used in the treatment of insomnia and hot flashes. The suggested dose is anywhere from 300-600 mg taken two hours before sleep.

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe): This substance is found naturally in the body and acts as an antioxidant. It has become a popular supplement in recent years, and is used to treat osteoarthritis and has also been shown to significantly help battle depression. Typical dosage is about 400-1000mg/day, but it is best absorbed on an empty stomach.

Maca: A Peruvian herb that is supposed to promote a healthy libido in both men and women, also used to regulate hormonal imbalances in menopause.

Multi-vitamins: This is something that shouldn't have to be said, but taking a full spectrum multivitamin is good for all women, especially one with an extra amount of Calcium for strong bones. We all would like to think we eat “healthy”, but to ensure the proper balance of all vitamins, try taking a multi every day.

Phytochemicals: These chemicals are found naturally in many foods, especially blueberries, cranberries, cherries, apple and also the vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, and broccoli. They are natural antioxidants which protect the cells against damage, helping to prevent cancer and other disease. Other phytochemicals can interfere with enzymes such as protease inhibitors which can help to prevent cancer as well.

There are many symptoms of menopause and also many cures for these symptoms. Learn as much as you can about them, and you can take positive steps to find relief for yourself. What you don't know can hurt you sometimes!

Visit natural menopause supplements website and find out more. Get a free copy of my special report, too!

www.healthandmenopause.com

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There are many women who look forward to this time when menopause happens. The periods stop and that is that. However, there is a lot more things going on in the body than one woman might think. While men have their own midlife crisis, women go through a lot more when it comes to their own midlife crisis. Theirs is a little more extensive. How so?

There are a few things that you should know about this. There are quite a few things actually. You might not know all the changes going on, but you might see the things that they cause. There are many symptoms besides a diminished menstrual period to let a woman know that she is going through her change. What are those things?

First of all, the most common things are the difference in the hormone levels. This causes hot flashes that are associated with this. Then, there is the fact that they have a lot of mood swings. This can make it very difficult to be the person that they like being. If a woman is normally under control, this might affect them as they are the type who handles things rationally. While they go through menopause though, they might find that they don’t handle things as smoothly as they would normally have reacted.

There are other things going on as well. For instance, you have the vaginal areas going through a transformation. The lining of the vagina you will find gets thin and the cervix which will no longer have to be dilated due to the fact that a woman can’t have children goes through changes as well. With all of this in mind, you will find that women experience pain during sexual intercourse. They might have a hard time having an orgasm as well.

The other thing that is going on here is the psychological issues that occur with this as well. Depression might set in. Women might wonder why they have to go through this. They might feel alone and isolated. These are all common during menopause. Yet, there are other things as well that women go through.

If you have questions about this, you should speak with your doctor. If you want to know if you are going through this, then you should speak with your doctor and have him or her run some tests and ask about trying Amberen. Menopause is a big thing, but it’s not something that you should fear. It’s a fact of life that isn’t very pleasant but women go through it all the time.

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