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Menopause is a natural process and does not have to be a miserable time with horrible symptoms. Some women have hardly any symptoms during menopause, while others have several.
It usually occurs between the ages of forty eight and fifty two, but perimenopause can start in a woman's thirties. When a woman reaches this stage, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and menstruation ceases. This may be a slow process where the cycles become further apart, or it may happen quicker. Some of the symptoms associated with menopause are: hot flashes, fatigue, headaches, heart palpitations, anxiety, depression, nervous, irritable, inability to sleep, increase in urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, memory loss or "fog", decreased libido. The symptoms are associated with the drop in production of hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone. This decrease in hormones and the symptoms associated with it can be nutritionally supported. The following are herbs that support a woman during menopause. Wild Yam is used for hot flashes. Shatavari is for anger and fatigue. Black Cohosh is for hot flashes, sweating, sleep and mood challenges. St. John's Wart is used not only for depression but for sleep issues and hot flashes. Korean Ginseng helps with mood, sleep, sexual health, and energy levels. Sage can help with sweating and memory issues. All of these herbs are included in the product that I use to support women through their menopausal phase of life. Feel free to contact me for a nutritional evaluation and get the support you need to help you through menopause. We have all heard the statistics of how many women are being diagnosed with breast cancer. More women are being daignosed than ever before. So what can you do to become healthier and help your body get the nutrition it needs to support your breasts? Here are just a few compounds that research has shown to benefit breast health.
1. Black Currant Seed Oil is a natural source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is one of two essential fatty acids responsible for the function and growth of cells, nerves, muscles, and organs. 2. Omega-3 Fats are found in oily fish, flax seeds and walnuts. Research has found that women with the highest omega-3 fats in breast fatty tissue were less likely to have breast cancer that women with the least omega-3 fats. (International Journal of Cancer, 2002 Mar 1;98(1):78-83) 3. Cruciferous Vegetables, such as Kale and Brussels sprouts, contain phytochemicals known as glucosinolates. These compounds have been shown to protect against colon, breast, prostate, thyroid, cervical, and other cancers. 4. Fiber helps reduce excess estrogen and remove it from the body. 5. Although not a food, a healthy weight is known to reduce risk of many diseases, including breast cancer. The turkey is thawing, the last minute grocery shopping is starting, and friends and family will soon arrive. Such a joyous celebration! Don't let the festivities be ruined by indigestion due to the rich menu. There are two ways to assist your digestion through the holiday season.
First, have a pitcher of natural mountain spring water with lemon wedges available. Keep it on the dinner table so that guests can help themselves. The mineral rich water will provide needed minerals in our diet, and the lemons will help our gal bladders handle the rich fatty foods. For the guests who know that they suffer from indigestion and need some relief, keep organic apple cider vinegar at hand. They can either take a tablespoon or two before eating, or put it on their salad. This will increase the stomach's pH, which will assist in breaking down the heavy meal. I offer my patients a product called Betaine Hydrochloric Acid. It is the same type of acid that is in our stomachs, so adding more right before big, heavy meals, helps break down our food more efficiently. If you have questions about indigestion or any other concerns, please feel free to contact me. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! You wake up to the sound of the alarm and realize that you're in so much pain that you can barely move. Most of you have been in this situation. So what do you do?
First of all, avoid heat. Everyone rushes to put a heating pac on painful spots, but this is not the right time for heat. Anytime your pain has increased significantly, it's time for ice. I know it doesn't feel as good as heat does, but it does more for the pain and inflammation. Heat increases blood flow, which increases inflammation. Ice decreases blood flow, which decreases inflammation, which decreases pain. If you would like more information on this topic, look up my older blog on ice vs heat. Now that you have ice on the painful area, you must let it get cold enough to go numb in order to be affective. ALWAYS have a layer between you and the ice, whether it be a paper towel, T-shirt, etc. Next, gentle stretching, if possible will help relax the muscles involved. If it's the low back, lying on your back, with an ice pac under you and bringing you knees up to your chest (as far as you can comfortably) and holding to a count of 10. If it's your neck, lying on your back with ice pac under you with a rolled up towel to support your cervical curve. Clasping your hands together and placing them behind your head, gently lift your head towards your chest. Ice and stretching can do wonders until you can get in to see your Chiropractor. This combination will help stop the inflammation, calm down the muscle spasms and actually begin the healing process quicker. I am always available for questions and offer a free consultation to everyone.  Every organ, tissue and cell has a nerve supply. The brain sends messages out to every part of our bodies and also receives feedback from every part. This allows the body to function properly in every aspect. If there is an organism intruding on the body, messages are sent to the brain and the signals are sent to the white bloods cells to attack. In order to stand, walk, balance, read, digest food, keep the heart beating, lungs breathing, we need the nervous system. There is not a function that goes on in the body without the nervous system being involved.
We as Chiropractors know that by realigning the spine, we remove interferences that may speed up or slow down the messages that get through from the brain to the spinal cord, to all parts of the body and back again. If there is a subluxation ( a misalignment of a vertebra from the one above and/or below) present, it can change the message as it passes from the spinal cord to the body. This can change the organs, tissues and cells that are supplied by that nerve. For instance, if the nerve that supplies the heart was interfered with due to a subluxation, your heart may not get the proper message to function properly. Does that mean that you would have a heart attack from this misalignment? Not necessarily, but if you have heart issues, you definitely want the nerve supply to your heart to be as clear and as close to one hundred percent function as possible. And by all means, if you are having a heart attack, of course, you would go to the emergency room, not your chiropractor's office! But it would also be a great idea to see your chiropractor after you recover from you heart attack. Removing any interference would help in the healing process. And that's what Chiropractors are in the business of doing; assisting you in healing, enhancing the healing process with many different natural, non invasive techniques, and helping you stay healthy. We empower our patients to live a healthier, happier, fulfilled life. |
AuthorDr. Laura would like to share her knowledge so that everyone can live a healthier, happier life. Archives
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