Posts Tagged ‘hot flashes’

2
Dec

Vitamins For Menopause – An “E” With That Hot Flash?

   Posted by: Fernanda    in Menopause

Menopause, also known as “the change of life”, is a time of many changes in a woman’s life. It is the end of our reproductive stage but it is also the beginning of the second half of our life. With menopause comes many hurdles.  Our hormones are on a wild roller coaster ride and our bodies pay the consequences with mood swings, bloating, hot flashes and insomnia.  Vitamins can help ease you through this difficult passage and also protect your body in the post-menopause stage. These include:
Vitamin A
Of all the vitamins for menopause vitamin A is essential for the health and growth of the skin, eyes and mucous membranes.  It is an excellent supplement for maintaining strong bones, a healthy immune system and overall well being.  Deficiency in vitamin A can lead to night blindness and increased susceptibility to infections. Women with low levels of vitamin A have higher incidences of heavy menstrual bleeding and are more susceptible to endometriosis particularly during perimenopause.
– Foods high in vitamin A include dairy products such as yogurt and cheese.  Also considered high in vitamin A are beef and chicken livers, green leafy vegetables and orange vegetables such as pumpkin, yams, carrots as well as orange fruits such as apricots cantaloupes, and mangoes.
Vitamin B
All of the B vitamins work in harmony. They support your adrenal glands which are tiny glands on top of the kidneys that continue to produce small amounts of estrogen throughout a woman’s life. Vitamin B helps stabilize brain function, maintains health of the liver and helps to handle sugar. Low levels of vitamin B increases emotional stress, fatigue and depression. Of all the vitamins for menopause, vitamin B is especially useful
for women leading stressful lives.
– Foods high in Folic acid include green leafy vegetables, nuts, peas and beans.
Vitamin B3 is found in meat, poultry, fish, and whole wheat bread while
Vitamin B12 is found in meat, poultry, fish and eggs.
Vitamin C
This vitamin strengthens the blood vessel’s membranes and helps maintain collagen (it can be called the anti-wrinkle vitamin). Since the need for collagen regeneration increases with age so does the need for vitamin C. Of all the vitamins for menopause, vitamin C is very helpful because hot flashes deplete the body of vitamin C. It is a potent antioxidant which helps destroy unstable molecules that can damage cells and make them more susceptible to cancer.
– Food sources of vitamin C include fortified breakfast cereals, citrus fruits, brussel sprouts, kale and peppers.  Bioflavonoid, also known as flavones and sometimes known as vitamin P, because it affects the permeability of capillaries. They work in combination with vitamin C to maintain the health of capillaries, arteries and can prevent hot flashes. They resist infections and prevent oxidation of vitamin C.
Bioflavonoids are found in citrus fruits and other colorful yellow to red foods.
Vitamin D
Of all the vitamins for menopause vitamin D, along with calcium and estrogen, is essential for the strength and maintenance of bone mass and to minimize the risk of osteoporosis. All menopausal women should take vitamin D to maintain healthy bones.
– Food sources of vitamin D are canned tuna or salmon, eggs or milk products.
Vitamin E
Of all the vitamins for menopause vitamin E is the only one referred to as the “menopause vitamin” because it has chemical activity similar to estrogen. It has been used in menopause, with success, as an estrogen substitute. Vitamin E relieves hot flashes as well as psychological symptoms of menopause. It is also a powerful antioxidant that protects the arteries and heart.
– Food sources of vitamin E include wheat germ oil, eggs, green leafy vegetables, cereals and dried beans.

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21
Oct

Menopause Cure – Have You Met Herb

   Posted by: Fernanda    in Menopause

It’s the best of times, yet, it’s the worst of times.  Your hormone levels swing up, up, up.  Your hormone levels crash down, down, down and do you ever know it!!!  Among the many symptoms we suffer are bloating, mood swings and hot flashes.  You and your friends, who are sailing with you in the same menopause boat, are now asking each other “What is my menopause cure?”

There are many herbal products that work wonders as a menopause cure.  Consider the following herbs in your quest to relieve your menopause symptoms:

  • Black Cohosh
    Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) has been used in North America for hundreds of years.  Native Indians drank decoctions made of black cohosh to remedy multiple ailments including sore throats, bronchitis, indigestion, rheumatism and snakebites. But they primarily relied on it for female discomforts such as painful menstruation.  Black cohosh is one of the most well researched herbs for menopausal symptoms. It is an effective alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) based on the results of a German trial published in 1995, and taking into account the experience of over 1.5 million women.  In 2001, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists endorsed black cohosh for the treatment of hot flashes.  It is effective against hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, heart palpitations and vaginal atrophy.  It is also effective for psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances.
  • Schizandra
    Schizandra (Schizandra chinensis) is an important tonic herb that is widely used as a sexual tonic. It improves sexual stamina in both males and females and Schizandra reputedly increases the secretion of sexual fluids.  The berry has been traditionally prescribed to treat mental illness such as neurosis. For a menopause cure it has been used for insomnia and sleep disturbances. It can also be used to improve your concentration and to reduce forgetfulness as well as irritability.   Research on Schizandra has focused largely on the lignans which have a pronounced anti-hepatoxic (liver protective) action. Schizandra has proven benefits for the liver and is used in the treatment of hepatitis and poor liver function.
  • Vitex
    Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) also known as Chasteberry is one of the most popular herbs in Europe for treating menstrual disorders. The fruit of the chaste plant is used primarily to regulate your menstrual cycle. Vitex does not act as a phytoestrogen; instead it acts on the pituitary hormones responsible for triggering the female hormonal cycle. This leads to an indirect increase in progesterone and a decrease in prolactin levels. This action restores the estrogen-progesterone levels which in return decreases symptoms in the menopausal women, particularly bloating, weight gain, tender breasts and the plummeting libido.
  • Angelica
    Angelica (Angelica sinensis); research from China has shown that the herb regulates uterine contractions which explains its benefit for menstrual pain. Angelica is taken for anemia, particularly anemia due to blood loss.  It improves circulation to your abdomen and sexual organs.  Angelica regulates your menstrual cycle, relieves menstrual pain and cramps and is an ideal tonic for women with heavy menstrual bleeding who risk becoming anemic.
  • Ginger
    Ginger (Zingiber officinale), renowned as a spice and flavoring agent, is also one of the world’s best medicines. It is highly effective for motion sickness and an excellent remedy for many digestive complaints such as indigestion, gas and colic. Ginger has many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that neutralize free radicals (responsible for the aging process). 
  • Rosemary
    Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a well known and greatly valued herb native to southern Europe.  It has been used since ancient times to improve memory.  Today it is used as a mild analgesic, especially when applied to the skin.   Rosemary also has anti-inflammatory properties due to its many flavonoids which also strengthen the capillaries and tiny arteries. Rosemary works great on your tired and aching muscles.
    Rosemary’s greatest medicinal property is its ability to stimulate circulation of blood to the head thereby helping to improve your concentration and memory. It also eases headaches and migraines and encourages hair growth by improving blood flow to the scalp. It is an uplifting herb as a cure for menopause, particularly useful for those women suffering from mild depression
  • Evening Primrose
    Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a plant native to North America. The oil from the seeds is rich in essential free fatty acids.  It is often combined with Vitamin E to treat hypersensitive immune conditions like asthma, eczema and allergies. The oil is often used in menopause to reduce abdominal bloating and breast tenderness. You will also find this oil useful in lowering your blood pressure and in preventing clumping of platelets.   The flowers, stems and leaves from the Evening Primrose plant have sedative properties useful for the insomnia you have been suffering due to menopause.

Forward this article to your friends who are also searching for a menopause cure.  Be sure to visit my article titled “Menopause Therapy – Estrogen Gone AWOL” for more help in your search for a menopause cure.

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