Beat the menopause - naturally
05/10/2007
The symptoms of menopause are (quite rightly) dreaded by every woman: hot flushes, mood swings, memory loss, depression, disturbed sleep…
Small wonder that so many in recent years have elected to try Hormone Replacement Therapy, which can help relieve many of the symptoms. But now the situation is no longer a straightforward one. Increased concern about the dangers of long-term use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in recent years, has led to falling numbers of prescriptions and widespread confusion among women.
As many as a million women are now thought to be refusing HRT with figures show that the number of HRT prescriptions has fallen by almost 50 per cent in the past six years.
For women suffering with the troublesome and uncomfortable symptoms of the menopause, help is at hand from The Nutri Centre who recommends The Natural Menopause Kit developed by acclaimed UK natural health expert Maryon Stewart. With its emphasis on demystification, self-assessment and case studies, The Natural Menopause Kit is the home version of Maryon Stewart’s highly effective clinical program.
Maryon’s advice has enabled hundreds of thousands of ordinary women to improve their wellbeing by managing the onset of the menopause, hormonal imbalances and the associated symptoms. She has now designed this kit to bring together all the elements that are needed for a systemic approach to beating menopause naturally.
The workbook ‘Beat Menopause Naturally’ is a complete step-by-step program with over 350 full colour pages in magazine format. It explains the symptoms of menopause, the related health issues that might be expected and covers all the information needed to keep fit and healthy - focusing on four key components of diet, exercise, supplements and relaxation.
The comprehensive ‘Get Fit for Midlife’ DVD includes information on how to tailor this healthcare system to an individual woman’s menopause stage and symptoms. It also features fitness expert Diana Moran - who developed a special exercise session designed for women over 40 - and relaxation expert Sue Fisher Hendry whose special session includes music she composed to help women unwind.
The Natural Menopause Kit Home Test is a hormone test designed for women who are not sure whether they have reached the menopause; they may still have irregular periods and wish to confirm what is happening.
Exercise and lifestyle tips include the importance of weight-bearing exercise such as running or aerobics to build bone. Yoga and pilates are also recommended as weight-bearing exercises and these also contribute to improved relaxation which is important because stress can aggravate hot flushes and night sweats.
Maryon’s nutritional advice emphasises the importance of essential nutrition and of upping the intake of nutrients called phytoestrogens. These are plant based chemicals that mimic oestrogen and are felt to have a hormone balancing effect. The most important groups of phytoestrogens are called isoflavones and lignans. Isoflavones are found in soybeans, chick peas, red clover and other legumes such as beans and peas. Oilseeds such as flaxseed are rich in lignans, and they are also found in cereal bran, whole cereals, vegetables, legumes and fruit.
The health role of isoflavones has stimulated considerable interest; Asian communities, who consume a traditional diet rich in isoflavones, appear to have much lower rates of menopausal symptoms, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis; breast, colon, endometrial and ovarian cancers.
Nutritional advice also relates relieving menopausal symptoms to the avoidance of certain foods. Hot and spicy food can trigger hot flushes and night sweats, while alcohol and caffeine rich drinks are named as those that deplete vitamin and mineral reserves in the body.
A warning to smokers is that cigarettes can aggravate hot flushes. Nicotine and all the other toxins in cigarettes, interfere with the absorption of nutrients, including calcium, Vitamin D and magnesium, essential for healthy bones. According to Maryon Stewart, saying no to cigarettes can reduce the risk of a hip fracture by 40%.
The recommended supplements that Maryon Stewart has carefully researched for supporting essential nutrition are all stocked by the Nutri Centre.
Phyto Soy by Arkopharma is a high quality soy isoflavone in two strengths. For women who don’t digest soya very well, Novogen Red Clover is a particularly effective alternative. This is a high potency standardized red clover extract containing four important phytoestrogens; isoflavones, genistein, daidzein, formononetin and biochanin. Each 500mg tablet is designed to deliver the same dose of isoflavones as a vegetarian diet rich in legumes.
Omega 3 rich Cardiozen fish oil, contains 80% omega 3 long chain essential fatty acids in a highly bioavailable form. Cardiozen is particularly rich in EPA, which is converted in the body to prostaglandins; these are important for the maintenance of a healthy heart and to ease inflammation and joint pain. Upping omega 3 consumption is also said to reduce mood swings and depression and increase energy levels. Cardiozen also contains co-enzyme Q10, needed for muscle energy.
Phyto Soy vaginal gel provides great relief for dryness and pain experienced during sex. This can be used in combination with Omega 7 by Pharma Nord which helps maintain the health and integrity of the mucous membranes in the vagina.
The Natural Menopause kit offers a total nutritional and lifestyle approach that can help women start feeling better in as little as four weeks and be symptom-free in four months. For some women, who begin the programme early, symptoms are controlled so well that the debilitating effects of the menopause are barely felt.
Go to the website linked to read more on the following products:
The Natural Menopause Kit (including the hormone test kit) by Maryon Stewart £29.99
Novogen Red Clover £18.99 for 30 tablets
Arkopharma £21.49 for 60 Capsules
Phyto Soya vaginal gel by Arkopharma £11.95 for 8 x 5mls
Omega 7 Sea Buckthorn oil by Pharma Nord £12.95 for 60 capsules
Cardiozen £11.95 for 30 capsules
Phyto Soya Balance by Arkopharma £13.99 for 60 Capsules
Phyto Soya Ultra by Arkopharma £21.49 for 60 Capsules