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5 Natural Remedies for Menopausal Symptoms
There are many uncomfortable things all women face as they get older;
perhaps the most uncomfortable is menopause. Not only do women going
through menopause experience annoying and painful physical and emotional
symptoms, they’re also at a much higher risk of developing dangerous
problems such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
If you’re going through this change, you’ve probably seen a doctor and
discussed medical treatments, but before you start on hormone
replacement therapy or other drastic treatments, why not try treating
your menopause the natural way.
Here are 5 natural supplements that can help you solve your menopause
problems:
* Soy. Soy protein contains chemicals called isoflavones, which act as a
mild estrogen and can help with hot flashes and night sweats. It may
also help keep your bones healthy. Just be sure not to take too much,
about 50 grams of soy protein per day is enough. Getting more too much
soy may actually be harmful.
* Black Cohosh. This supplement can be used to alleviate hot flashes,
help with mood changes, and even help you sleep better. While it has
been tested and found to be safe, studies have only been conducted on a
6 month trial period.
* Red Clover. Taking this supplement daily has been shown to not only
decrease the number of hot flashes (one study showed a 58% decrease!);
it can also help stop some of the long term health problems associated
with menopause. Red clover contains isoflavones and may decrease loss of
bone mass, improve cardiovascular health, and may even protect you
against certain cancers.
* St John’s Wort. Along with physical symptoms, many menopausal women
also experience symptoms of depression. St Johns Wort can be taken up to
two years to help alleviate mild depression. Just don’t take it if
you’re already on an antidepressant because there can be interactions.
* Vitamins and Minerals. You probably already know that you should take
a calcium supplement to help decrease bone loss, but did you know you
should also take magnesium to help you absorb and use all that extra
calcium? You should also increase your intake of Vitamins E and C to
help with estrogen absorption. You should be able to find a quality
multivitamin for older women that will give you these nutrients and
more.
There are a few things you should be aware of when using these or any
other herbal remedy. First is that you should consult your doctor before
you take anything. Many people equate the word “natural” with “safe”,
but these remedies can have harmful drug interactions and side effects.
You should also take care to get a high quality supplement. Check
ingredients, look for seals (and research what the seals mean), and ask
around on health websites or with a medical professional.
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