Natural Approaches to Menopause by Judy Nolan

This past July,a report raised serious new concerns for the six million women taking combination hormone replacement therapy.

In the lastest and statistically most valid study of this subject ever done,it was found that the combination of ESTROGEN AND PROGESTIN taken for MANY YEARS, not only FAIL TO DECREASE THE INCIDENCE OF VASCULAR DISEASE,BUT ALSO INCREASES THE RISK OF HEART ATTACKS,STROKES,BREAST CANCER,AND CLOTTING DISORDERS.

In addition,other recent research has found a possible link between ESTROGEN replacement and OVARIAN CANCER.Although theses risks are not considered to be high,they are REAL-REAL ENOUGH FOR THE INVESTIGATORS TO HAVE STOPPED THE STUDIES IN MID-COURSE.

The DOWNSIDE of HRT OUTWEIGHTED THE BENEFITS.

So what's a Menopausal Woman to do? Read on to learn about HEALTHY and NATURAL ways to approach Menopause.

The ancient Greeks referred to Menopause as the "Climateric" or "Change of Life",and regarded it as a step in the ladder of life.It was considered to be an important step in the maturation of a woman.

In Traditional Cultures,even those of today,there is little or no evidence of the negative symptoms "Modern" people associate with menopause.

In large measure, because the "Traditional"(or what some people would call Primative) human diet is low in fat and animal proteins.

In a healthy person,the body adjusts for the ovarian reduction in estrogen by signaling other glands, (especially the Adrenal glands),to produce more estrogen,preventing the complete loss of the female hormone.However,if the ADRENAL GLANDS ARE WEAKENED BY A LIFETIME OF POOR DIET AND BAD HEALTH HABITS,THEY PROBABLY CANNOT AND WILL NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF THE BODY WHEN MENOPAUSE BEGANS.

Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55,when the ovaries stop producing eggs.The woman also undergoes a number of hormonal changes,including a reduction in estrogen production,an increase in pituitary hormone,and higher levels of male hormones.

With the reduction in estrogen production,also comes an increase in bone loss,a lowering of HDL,(the Good cholesterol),and an increase in cholesterol.This can result in Atherosclerosis,Coronary Heart Disease,and Stroke.

Other changes can occur as well,such as: poor memory,poor concentration,moodiness,anxiety,loss of sex drive,hot flashes,night sweats,and/or vaginal dryness.These changes also increase the likelihood of bladder and vaginal infections.

Traditionalist believe that one of the best approaches to menopause is in the diet.Eating foods rich in Phytoestrogens,which are Plant-Produced ,promote bone health and prevent Cancer.A low-fat,high fiber diet will help the body to adjust more easily to changing hormonal levels.

Such foods are: Whole Grains,Fresh Vegetables,Beans,Seaweed,Miso,Tofu,Seeds and Nuts,(especially Sunflower Seeds).

According to Chinese Medicine,the symptoms of menopause imply a deficiency of YIN fluids,particularly those fluids that calm and relax the liver.A helpful dietary approach then,is to add foods that build the YIN.

These foods are: Wheat Germ, Mung Beans and Sprouts,Tofu,String Beans,Black Beans,Kidney Beans, Barley,Black Sesame Seeds,and Royal Jelly(from bees).

Foods that contain Phytoestrogens help prevent hot flashes and night sweats,as well as some of the psychological changes,(anxiety,moodiness,etc.).

Some of these are: Tofu and other Soy products,Yams,Carrots,Apples,and Potatoes.

Foods rich in Calcium,help prevent Osteoporosis.

Some of these foods are:Sesame Seeds,Almonds,Low-fat Yogurt,Dark Leafy Greens,(such as Kale,Collards,Broccoli),and Sardines.

Foods and Other Things that would be WISE to AVOID:

Animal Foods,Fatty Foods and Fried Foods,

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BIO:

Traditionally Trained(Native American)Herbalist,Natural Health Care Consultant,Cert.Mental Health Care Consultant,Trained Masseuse on hand for all your health care needs and concerns.Are not the "Natural"forces more Orthodox than the Artificial resources of the Conventional/Allopathic resources of the Druggist or Dr.?!

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