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TechnoratiWHAT A WOMAN CAN DO
For years, doctors have prescribed hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, to ease menopausal symptoms. However, in July 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative, a large federal study on the risks and benefits of HRT was abruptly halted. Researchers discovered that according to data from the study, for every 10,000 women taking HRT for one year, seven more will have heart attacks, eight more will have invasive breast cancer and another eight women will have strokes. While those numbers may sound small, they become very large when applied to the six million women estimated to be taking HRT at the time of the study.
Now, more than ever, women are looking for alternative therapies for the treatment of their menopausal symptoms – and for ways to prevent heart disease and osteoporosis. Fortunately, God has created natural remedies from the plant kingdom that can help with the symptoms of menopause – hot flashes in particular – as well as reduce the risk of diseases like osteoporosis and heart disease.
HOT FLASHES AND OTHER SYMPTOMS
Studies show that women who regularly exercise are less likely than sedentary women to experience severe hot flashes. Natural alternatives to HRT that can help reduce hot flash symptoms – as well as other menopausal symptoms – include soy, black cohosh and red clover.
• Soy. A diet rich in soy, which contains isoflavones, has been found to significantly reduce the incidence of hot flashes. In one study, hot flashes were reduced by 45 percent in women who took 60 grams of soy protein daily.
• Black cohosh. A member of the buttercup family, black cohosh can significantly improve menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness. In a German study, the effects of black cohosh were compared to estrogen and a placebo in 80 postmenopausal women. The women taking black cohosh had significantly greater relief from their symptoms than the estrogen and placebo groups.
• Red clover. Like soy, red clover is an excellent source of isoflavones. Clinical studies show that isoflavones can help correct hormonal imbalances in menopausal women and help to regulate symptoms.
PREVENTING CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Women in their 30s and 40s are much less likely than men to suffer heart attacks, but after menopause their risk quickly catches up to that of man. In fact, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among postmenopausal women and, after the age of 75, women are actually more likely to develop heart disease than men.
Fortunately, there are natural ways for menopausal women to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Soy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently allowed labeling soy-rich foods as "capable of decreasing the risk of heart disease." This claim is based on studies showing the lipid-lowering effects of soy.
• Vitamins C, E and beta-carotone. Observational studies indicate that a higher consumption of vitamins C, E and betacarotene can lead to lower incidences of ischemic heart disease. In fact, one study even found that perimenopausal women who increase their intake of beta-carotene also have significant reductions in breast cancer risk, particularly among those with a family history of the disease. Continue »
