Menopause Supplements Offer Many Different
Benefits For Women With Menopause Symptoms
Menopause - Symptoms - Nutritional - Supplements - Information - Womens Health - Natural Products
Menopause supplements and even the topic of taking vitamin and
mineral supplements for any condition, let alone taking menopause
supplements for relieving menopause symptoms, can be a source of
controversy and contradiction.
There are many points of view! What I am going to do is simply present some basic
information on natural supplements and their benefits for women in
menopause, and you can decide for yourself. I happen to be of the persuasion that taking vitamin
and mineral supplements is a good thing! Before getting into the specifics of menopause
supplements you should learn exactly what vitamins really are. All natural vitamins are organic food substances
found only in living things like plants and animals. Less than
twenty substances have been discovered so far that are believed to
be active as vitamins in human nutrition. Each of these vitamins is present in varying degrees
in specific foods and each is absolutely necessary for proper
growth, maintenance and health. For the most part our bodies cannot
synthesize vitamins-they must be supplied in the diet or in natural
supplements. Because vitamins work on the cellular level in our
bodies, a lack of one or more vitamins can cause many varied
symptoms. Taking vitamins and certain menopause supplements helps
offset possible vitamin deficiencies in our bodies because we are
not getting adequate nutrition through our diet alone. Taking vitamins does not produce results overnight,
but this does assist our body's cell regeneration and alteration in
body chemistry necessary for repair, and so it may take weeks or
sometimes months before the benefits are noticeably felt in our
bodies. Now, what are minerals? Minerals are nutrients that exist in our body and in
food in organic and inorganic combinations. There are approximately
seventeen minerals essential to human nutrition. Minerals are vital
to our overall mental and physical well being. Minerals are constituents of our bones, teeth, soft
tissue, muscle, blood and nerve cells. So they are important in
maintaining and strengthening such things in our body as our
skeletal structure, preserving the vigour of our heart and brain and
our muscle and nerve systems. Minerals co-exist with vitamins and their work is
interrelated. For example, some B Complex vitamins are absorbed when
combined with phosphorus. Vitamin C helps increase the absorption of
iron and Calcium absorption would not occur without Vitamin D. The primary minerals, known as "macrominerals," are:
Calcium, Chlorine, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium and
Sulphur. These minerals are present in relatively high amounts in
our body tissues. Other minerals, called "trace minerals," are present
in only the most minute quantities in our body, but are equally
essential for our body to function and be healthy.
"Are There Any Specific Menopause
Supplements?"
The following is not a complete list of vitamins and
minerals and their benefits, but it is a list of the menopause
supplements that are specifically beneficial during menopause and
why these menopause supplements are beneficial. Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - VITAMIN A Vitamin A is a fat soluble nutrient. One of the
richest natural sources of Vitamin A is fish liver oil. Carotene is
a provitamin form of Vitamin A and is found in carrots and in
certain green leafy vegetables: greens, spinach, broccoli. Vitamin A aids in the growth and repair of body
tissues and helps maintain smooth, soft disease free skin. Internally it helps protect the mucous membranes of
the mouth, nose, throat and lungs, thereby reducing susceptibility
to infection. It also protects the soft tissue and all linings of
the digestive tract, kidneys and bladder. Vitamin A is also important in building strong bones
and teeth, the formation of rich blood and the maintenance of good
eyesight.
Some of the benefits of Vitamin A for menopause are:
- Vitamin A is essential in the chemical process whereby
cholesterol is converted;
Vitamin A helps reduce cholesterol levels;
Vitamin A plays a role in maintaining normal vision;
Vitamin A plays a role in the prevention of cancer;
- One study showed that women with recurrent vaginal yeast
infections had their infections resolved when they increased their
dosage of beta carotene with certain menopause supplements.
Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - VITAMIN B COMPLEX Vitamin B Complex is a group of twelve B Vitamins
which make up what is known as the B Complex. These nutrients are
all water soluble. The list of vitamins in the B Complex is: B1
(thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6
(pyridoxine), B12 (cyanocobalamin), B15 (pangamic acid), biotin,
choline, folic acid, inositol and PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid). B Vitamins are vital in the metabolism of fats and
protein, and they are necessary for the normal functioning of the
nervous system and may be the single most important nutrient for the
health of the nerves in our body. They are essential for the maintenance of muscle
tone in the gastrointestinal tract and for the health of your skin,
hair, eyes, mouth and liver. The B Vitamin Complex are the "feel
good" nutrients that provide energy and stamina and a sense of well
being. There is a Vitamin B Complex deficiency in the North
American population primarily because of eating so many processed
foods from which the B vitamins have been removed. I am going to highlight three of the Vitamin B
Complex that are especially important for menopausal women and
should be included in any menopause supplements: Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - VITAMIN B12 Vitamin B12 is the first cobalt-containing substance
found to be essential for longevity. It is essential for maintaining
healthy red blood cells and healthy nerve function. It is needed to
make DNA and also helps produce the mood-enhancing substance, SAMe
(S-adenosyl-L-methionine). B12 is most effective when taken
sublingually, under the tongue. Sublingual B12 can provide relief for the following
symptoms: fatigue, nervous irritability, poor mental clarity and
memory, inability to concentrate, mental depression and insomnia.
Sublingual B12 has been used to treat women suffering from
pernicious anemia. Some of the most recent information reported in the
New England Journal of Medicine states that a high level of a
radical amino acid called homocysteine in the bloodstream increases
a person's risk for heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's and cancer.
The combination of sublingual B12, B6 and Folic Acid
work together to reduce the homocysteine in the blood thus
mitigating that risk. Also, a sublingual B12 deficiency has been linked to
other illnesses such as: diabetes, lung cancer, osteoporosis,
chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma and depression. As we get older our ability to absorb Vitamin B12 through our digestive system is compromised. Therefore doctors may
recommend Vitamin B12 injections. However, there are other ways to
get an adequate supply of this nutrient. Sublingual B12 can be taken in a form that dissolves
under the tongue allowing it to go directly into the bloodstream. Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - VITAMIN B6 Vitamin B6 is required for the proper absorption of
Vitamin B12 and for the production of hydrochloric acid and
magnesium in the body. Vitamin B6 plays an important role as a coenzyme in
the breakdown and utilization of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
It is also used in the production of red blood cells and in the
biochemical reactions needed to metabolize amino acids, the building
blocks of protein. Vitamin B6, in combination with sublingual B12 and
Folic Acid, helps lower homocysteine levels in the blood thus
reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer's. Vitamin B6 is a factor in cholesterol metabolism,
the treatment of nervous disorders. Vitamin B6 is a natural diuretic
thus aiding in the prevention of edema and water retention. It is also a factor in helping prevent and/or treat
tingling hands, shoulder-hand syndrome, wrist-hand syndrome and
arthritis associated with menopause. Women who are taking estrogen in the form of birth
control pills or hormone replacement therapy can become deficient in
Vitamin B6 and this deficiency has been associated with osteoporosis
in post menopausal women. Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - FOLIC ACID Folic Acid, another B Vitamin, functions as a
coenzyme together with sublingual B12 and Vitamin C for the
breakdown and utilization of proteins. It also interacts with
sublingual B12 to make DNA, and helps prevent changes in DNA that
may lead to cancer. Folic Acid is necessary for proper brain function,
being concentrated in the spinal and extracellular fluids. Folic Acid can be one of the nutrients most often
found deficient in our diets. A deficiency of Folic Acid can lead to
irritability, forgetfulness and mental sluggishness. There have been a number of studies implicating
Folic Acid deficiency as a contributing factor in mental illness. In
addition, a deficiency of Folic Acid has been linked to: breast
cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, osteoporosis, anemia and
depression. Folic Acid in combination with sublingual B12 and
Vitamin B6, helps lower homocysteine levels in the blood thus
reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer's. Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - VITAMIN C Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water
soluble nutrient. It is the least stable of vitamins and is very
sensitive to oxygen. Its potency can be lost through exposure to
light, heat and air which stimulate the activity of oxidative
enzymes. In the 1970s Dr. Linus Pauling published several
books highlighting the importance of Vitamin C in fighting the
common cold and cancer. Because of his focus on the importance of
Vitamin C, Dr. Linus Pauling almost single-handedly made Vitamin C
the most popular dietary supplement benefiting millions of people.
According to Dr. Pauling, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid
or sodium ascorbate or calcium ascorbate) is involved in a great
number of biochemical reactions in the human body. Two of its major interactions are in potentiating
the immune system and aiding the synthesis of the protein collagen,
which is the substance that holds together the human body. Collagen strengthens the blood vessels of the skin,
the muscles and the bones. We can't make collagen without using up
Vitamin C. Most animals manufacture Vitamin C in their livers in
amounts proportional to their body weight. Humans do not and must rely on food and vitamin /
menopause supplements to get this very important nutrient. Dr. Pauling also highlighted the value of Vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of cancer. In one study done on terminal cancer patients
conducted by a Dr. Hoffer, those who took the recommended dosage of
Vitamin C per day, along with significant amounts of Vitamin E,
niacin and large amounts of B vitamins and Vitamin A (beta carotene)
on average lived about 12 years after being pronounced terminal. Dr. Pauling also wrote about the importance Vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
The need for Vitamin C increases with age due to a
greater need to regenerate collagen. As we age our sex glands
develop a greater need for Vitamin C, hence the importance of this
nutrient for women in menopause. I cannot stress enough the
importance of Vitamin Cfor your health. Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - VITAMIN D Vitamin D is known as the "sunshine" vitamin. It is
a fat soluble vitamin and can be acquired in some foods but it is
primarily acquired by exposure to sunlight. The action of the sun's
ultraviolet rays activates a form of cholesterol which is present in
the skin and converts it to Vitamin D. It is also found in its natural form in fish-liver
oils. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of Calcium and in
the breakdown and assimilation of phosphorus both of which are
essential for bone formation and maintenance, hence the importance
of this nutrient for women in menopause for the prevention of
osteoporosis. According to studies done by an independent cancer
researcher in Virginia, Vitamin D is also a key nutrient in the
prevention of bladder, breast, colon and prostate cancers. Scientists know that the body uses Vitamin D to help
regulate the growth of each cell, "if you don't have enough Vitamin
D, the cells can't activate the genes that regulate them to keep
them from growing out of control." Vitamin D also plays a role in regulating the immune
system. Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - VITAMIN E Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin composed of a
group of compounds called tocopherols. Seven forms of tocopherol
exist in nature: alpha, beta, delta, epsilon, eta, gamma and zeta,
and of these alpha tocopherol is the most potent form of Vitamin E
and has the greatest nutritional value. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which means it prevents
the oxidation of substances in the body. The Vitamin B Complex and
Vitamin C are protected against oxidation when Vitamin E is present
in the digestive tract. Vitamin E plays an essential role in the cellular
respiration of all muscles, especially cardiac and skeletal. It
makes it possible for those muscles and their nerves to function
with less oxygen, thereby increasing their endurance and stamina.
Vitamin E causes dilation of the blood vessels,
allowing a fuller flow of blood to the heart. It is also an
effective antithrombin in the bloodstream, inhibiting coagulation of
blood by preventing clots from forming. Vitamin E prevents both the pituitary and adrenal
hormones from being oxidized and promotes the proper functioning of
linoleic acid and unsaturated fatty acids. Ageing in cells is
primarily due to oxidation and Vitamin E helps retard that process.
In summary, Vitamin E is effective in treating and
preventing heart disease, is used in healing burned tissue and skin
ulcers, prevents or dissolves scar tissue, is helpful in
counteracting the damage of free radicals which can cause skin
wrinkles and premature ageing of the skin. For women with menopause symptoms, Vitamin E is a
recognized treatment for hot flashes and headaches and has helped
relieve itching and inflammation of the vagina. Vitamin E has been
used as a treatment for noncancerous breast tissue known as
fibrocystic breast disease. Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - ANTIOXIDANTS Every minute of the day our cells burn oxygen, the
fuel that gives us energy. Oxidation is the process that turns
newspaper yellow, sliced apple brown, turns iron into rust and makes
oil go rancid. During this oxidative process in the cells of our
body free radicals are generated. Scientists believe these free
radicals ricochet wildly in our bodies damaging cells and accelerate
the ageing process. In simple terms, Antioxidants are compounds that
prevent or counteract the effects of oxidation by neutralizing and
thus stabilizing the free radicals, thus preventing damage to our
cells and tissues. Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are all
Antioxidants and so are very important in keeping free radical
damage in check. Because free radicals are highly destructive
molecules causing harm to the body, even to the point of damage to
our DNA, Antioxidants play a part in preventing the development of
many chronic diseases including: cancer, heart disease, stroke,
Alzheimer's, arthritis and cataracts. Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - CALCIUM Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our body.
About ninety nine percent of the Calcium in our body is deposited in
our bones and teeth. The other one percent is involved in the blood
clotting process, in nerve and muscle stimulation, parathyroid
hormone function and the metabolism of Vitamin D. An important Calcium partner is Magnesium, hence
most Calcium supplements include Magnesium and also Vitamin D to
ensure the body absorbs and utilizes this mineral fully. Calcium supplementation is essential for menopausal
women as a preventative for osteoporosis. Calcium is also beneficial
for cardiovascular disorders. Calcium helps the skin to remain
healthy. When there is not enough Calcium for the body to
absorb, the output of estrogen decreases; therefore, for menopausal
women the problems of nervousness, irritability, insomnia and
headaches can all be helped by taking a combination of Calcium,
Magnesium and Vitamin D. Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - MAGNESIUM Magnesium is an essential mineral for our bodies.
Nearly seventy percent of the body's supply of Magnesium is found in
the bones, along with Calcium and Phosphorus, and the other thirty
percent of the body's Magnesium is found in the soft tissues and
body fluids. Magnesium is necessary for the metabolism of
carbohydrates and amino acids in the body. It also helps regulate
the acid-alkaline balance in the body. Probably the main function of
Magnesium is to promote the absorption and metabolism of Calcium. As
well it also helps the body utilize Vitamins C, E and B Complex. Magnesium is vital in helping to prevent heart
attacks and severe coronary thrombosis. It also helps maintain the
function of our bones, muscles and nervous system. An adequate
intake of Magnesium is essential in preventing osteoporosis and in
treating migraine headaches. Some studies have shown that supplementation with Magnesium relieved PMS mood changes, breast tenderness and weight
gain in the majority of the participants. Menopause Supplements Must
Contain - SOY No discussion of menopause supplements should
exclude the benefits of Soy products for treating menopause
symptoms. Soy is not a vitamin or a mineral; it is a food. Soy foods are most commonly consumed in Asian
countries. Japan has the highest consumption of Soy. In a
cross-cultural study of menopause, it was found that women in Japan
rarely reported having symptoms of peri menopause common to those
experienced by women in the West. It was also found that post menopause women in Japan
have lower rates of osteoporosis and heart disease and a longer life
expectancy, and all this has been attributed to Soy. Soy contains phytoestrogens, and some of the
benefits of soy to women with menopause symptoms include:
- Reduction of menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night
sweats, vaginal dryness, insomnia, mood swings and weight gain;
Promotes healthier looking skin;
Promotes healthier hair and nails;
- Promotes a healthier cardiovascular system.
"Summary Of Menopause Supplements"
When we enter menopause our body's hormone levels
and body chemistry is becoming significantly altered. Therefore
anything we can do naturally, such as taking menopause supplements,
to help our body maintain a good nutritional foundation will make
this transition easier. So the first order of business in this regard is to
make sure you have a good, well balanced, foundational multi vitamin
and mineral supplement.
However, because every woman's body is unique, it
will be necessary to take additional menopause supplements to target
some of the specific effects menopause is having in your body. |
