Osteoporosis - Natural Remedies For Osteoporosis

There are more than 25 million Americans who have Osteoporosis-which puts this nutritional deficiency at an epidemic level.

Most people believe Osteoporosis is a disease that is dependent solely on estrogen and calcium. Studies are now showing Osteoporosis can be slowed, (not stopped), through the use of calcium supplements and hormone therapy in menopausal women. Since it is now fairly common knowledge that hormone replacement could increase the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and heart attacks, we should look at all options for prevention and treatment of Osteoporosis.

There are several drugs out now such as Fosomax, Boniva and Actonal that increase bone density. Though as with all drugs they have significant side affects.

So what other choices do we have if the first two aren't risks we want to take?

People can protect themselves without the use of drugs and take a look at protecting against bone loss naturally.

According to Dr. Ray Strand we need to look at bone as active, living tissue that is continually remodeling itself by "bone forming" and "absorption of bone " activities. This means our bones are always involved in biochemical reactions that rely on different micronutrients and enzyme systems. So like any tissue, it has nutritional needs. Since the American diet is deficient in essential nutrients that our bones need to stay healthy-it would make sense that inadequate intake of these nutrients could lead to Osteoporosis.

Since nutrients work in synergy with each other it is imperative that calcium is not the only nutrient present.

Again, according to Dr. Ray Strand, in order for us to reduce fractures we must pay attention to these 3 factors.

-Preserving adequate bone mass
-Preventing the loss of the protein matrix
-Making sure the bone has ALL the right nutrients to repair and replace damaged areas of bone

The specific nutrients needed for bone health are:

-Calcium
-Magnesium
-Vitamin K
-Vitamin D
-Maganese
-Folic Acid, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12
-Boron
-Zinc

If you have normal bone density it is wise to supplement your diet with the above nutrients so your bones remain healthy. Also, begin weight bearing exercises 3-4 times a week as it stimulates bone growth.

If you have significant Osteoporosis, consider adding bone density drugs and follow the regime above.

The bottom line is Osteoporosis is clearly evident in both men and women and not solely a calcium and estrogen problem. If you supply your bones the proper nutrients and do weight bearing exercises, there is a much better chance of building bone and avoiding Osteoporosis.

Sue Ferenc has counseled numerous individuals to have the proper nutritional balance in their body to gain improvement in their health and reduce the risk of disease. To get her exclusive report on how to prevent and treat Osteoporosis naturally go to http://www.MyNaturalEnergySecrets.com right now and claim your free report.

Advantages of Using Progesterone Cream As a Menopause Treatment

If you are a female who experiences abnormal progesterone levels, then menopause progesterone cream may be just what you need to feel better and get your energy levels back on track. Many doctors and gynecologists normally will recommend birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

Those menopause treatments are effective for many women however they come along with their own set of adverse risks and side effects. It is often better to use natural means to treat any medical condition and a hormonal imbalance is no different. Here is a quick overview of the types of results you can expect with using progesterone cream as menopause treatment.

Improved energy

There are few symptoms of a hormonal imbalance more frustrating to patients than the intense loss of energy many people experience. Without the means to settle this problem, your performance at any important function will seriously be decreased. Many women have found relief by applying progesterone cream as menopause treatment. While effectively, naturally and safely restoring your progesterone levels, this kind of treatment can help to get your old vigor and vitality back. It's like having all of the traditional therapies advantages with none of the adverse effects.

Sleep better

Another side effect of progesterone cream is that you will quickly find that your sleep will be much improved. Many scientific studies have been done proving that a lack of sleep and rest is incredibly damaging to your overall health. Our bodies simply don't perform perfectly as it isn't well rested. Besides sleeping better will also improve your energy and concentration abilities and there is no need to suffer from a lack of sleep any longer.

Decreased feelings of anxiety and tension

People always said that women are simply moody people. The truth is women are entirely stable and sound people as every function of their bodies is performing perfectly. It is common to feel unnatural levels of anxiety and tension when your hormone levels are out of balance.

Progesterone cream is the great way to rebalance that delicate system. With this menopause treatment, you will easily feel relaxed and emotionally healthy again.

Using a progesterone cream that derived from a natural source is a great way to safely level your hormone balance. There are many menopause treatments which is an all natural cream such as mention in our website. Rather than potentially harmful HRT, consider about taking a progesterone cream as menopause treatment for yourself.

Do Not Despair Over Uterine Fibroid Treatment - Shrink Fibroids Naturally With Diet & Exercise

Fibroids are most often difficult to detect because it does not produce any symptoms. In the absence of visible fibroid symptoms women remain unaware of this condition for long time. In fact, when the fibroid tumors are small in size it is easier to shrink them. However, only when the tumors increase in size the symptoms start showing up. Uterine fibroid treatment becomes difficult as the tumors increase in size.

The major symptoms of fibroids are excessive menstrual bleeding, heavy periods and pelvic pain. Bladder problems can also be associated with fibroids. In this article I am going to share some natural methods of shrinking fibroids.

With the onset of menopause in many women fibroids automatically reduce or completely disappear. This is because the body stops producing estrogen during menopause, thereby eliminating the trigger which boosts the growth of fibroids.

Natural remedies used in treatment for uterine fibroids will not get rid of existing fibroids completely. These remedies will however prevent new fibroids from growing and shrink the size of existing fibroids. Here are some things you can do to shrink fibroids naturally:

Diet

Most natural remedies including natural treatment for uterine fibroids concentrate a lot on our diet. A poor diet elevates estrogen levels in the body and prevents the body from breaking down and eliminating excess estrogen. Hence merely by watching what you eat you should be able to control fibroids growth.

The liver is the main organ in our body responsible for breaking down hormones. If liver is overloaded due to increased intake of undesirable foods like coffee and alcohol, its estrogen metabolizing function will be affected. By avoiding saturated fats found in meats and dairy products, alcohol and excess sugar, you will be lowering the burden on your liver. It will be able to process excess estrogen and expel it from the body.

You must also try to include foods containing phytoestrogens, a natural source of weak estrogen. This helps to protect the body from the effects of excess estrogen. Whole grains, including brown rice, buckwheat, oats and millet, foods rich in essential fatty acids, such as fish, nuts and flax seeds, soy, fruits and vegetables and non-dairy milk products provide critical nutrition and help shrink to fibroids.

Exercise

Exercise reduces stress and relieves fibroid symptoms. Exercise is also useful to ensure that you maintain your ideal body weight. Research has found that women who are obese and overweight stand a greater chance of developing fibroids. Hence it is important to maintain a healthy body weight. As a general health rule and specifically during treatment for uterine fibroids ensure that you engage in moderate exercise like brisk walking for 30-45 minutes each day.

These simple natural measures are very effective in uterine fibroid treatment. Natural remedies used in treatment for uterine fibroids do not produce any side effects and are beneficial in the long run. I got rid of my fibroids with the help of a natural 7 step plan developed by a renowned herbalist. This plan has helped thousands of women overcome fibroids naturally without any side effects.

Natural Remedy for Menopause Symptoms, Alternative HRT and the Bach Flower Method

Do you wonder if you are going through menopause and are looking for an alternative hormone replacement therapy? Many women can go through menopause as early as 30, but between 45 and 60 years of age is more common.

This time in a woman's life is usually characterized by wildly changing estrogen levels, but in actuality menopause is the end of the symptom stage. But for the sake of argument, we will discuss the symptoms widely recognized by the population and is called peri=menopause.

Thus, it becomes an issue of whether or not to replace estrogen at this point and because standard doctors don't usually have herbal remedies and tonics in their cabinets, the peri-menopausal, or menopausal, woman frequently slips through the cracks of standard treatment.

Does this sound like you?

You are in your mid-forties and still menstruating, having very distressing symptoms: sudden weight gain, mood swings, occasional hot flashes, insomnia, and depression. Your doctor says everything is "normal' and it is too soon for menopause.

However, this peri-menopause period is real and your doctor did not look for an underlying cause for the symptoms. He just sent you home and told you that it is just "that age."

You did the best you could to deal with the symptoms: dieting to combat the weight gain, which didn't go away, taking sleeping pills for the insomnia and still feeling awful.

There are remedies to this problem. One such relief is seen with using the Bach Flower method.

Flower remedies are useful in alleviating discomforts associated with menopause.

The remedies are made by soaking flowers on top of water in a bowl placed in the sun for several hours. This method releases the flowers' energy into the water.

Examples of such remedies applicable to menopausal women are:

1. Mustard flowers to alleviate depression that seems to come about for no reason


2. Scleranthus flowers for mood swings


3. Olive and hormbeam flowers for fatigue


4. Mimulus flowers for fear of aging


5. Star of Bethlehem flowers for sadness

After the flowers are soaked, put 1 to 10 drops of the water into a beverage or 1 drop directly on your tongue. Use as often as needed.

Menopause Physiological, Psychological Symptoms and Treatment by Natural Or Pharmaceutical Remedies

This article aims to identify the physical and psychological symptoms of the menopause and describe the use and possible side effects of regularly used pharmaceutical drugs to help in relief of these symptoms. Natural relief of symptoms will also be described. This article does not aim to describe all all of the physical or psychological characteristics of the menopause, these will be covered in a later article.

Physical Symptoms Of The Menopause.

The menopause usually affects women between the ages of 40-50 years. The menstrual cycle becomes irregular about 5-7 years before the onset of the menopause. Nearer the onset the number of cycles where ovulation does not occur increases. During the menopause the woman may experience dryness of the vagina. This can cause inflammation and an increased risk of infection. A decrease in libido is usually experienced, yet some women get an increase. Some women suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure). Hot flashes are common caused by an decrease in estrogen levels.

Psychological Symptoms Of The Menopause.

The psychological symptoms were, for many years, dismissed by many Doctors and Physicians. However, they have found to be real, usually connected to low estrogen levels. Symptoms can include irritability, fatigue, anxiety, and severe emotional disturbances. These can be treated and managed by the use of small amounts of estrogen

Treatment Of The Menopause By The Use Of Pharmaceutical Drugs.

HRT: Hormone replacement therapy.

Estrogen: Estrogen is used to treat 'hot flashes' (sometimes called 'hot flushes') in women who are experiencing menopause. Some brands of estrogen are also used to treat vaginal dryness, itching, or burning, or to prevent osteoporosis. However, women who need a medication only to treat vaginal dryness or only to prevent osteoporosis should consider a different treatment. Side effects of estrogen include increased risk of endometrial cancer, and vaginal bleeding amongst others.

Progestogen: Progestogen is used to regulate the effects of estrogen and are often prescribed together. In women with a uterus, the addition of a progestogen cyclically (for at least 10 days per 28-day cycle) reduces the additional risk of endometrial cancer; this additional risk is eliminated if a progestogen is given continuously. However, this should be weighed against the increased risk of breast cancer.

Oestrogen:Oestrogen is given systemically in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal period. Menopausal atrophic vaginitis may respond to a short course of a topical vaginal oestrogen preparation. Systemic therapy with an oestrogen or drugs with oestrogenic properties alleviates the symptoms of oestrogen deficiency such as vasomotor symptoms.

Tibolone: Tibolone given in the postmenopausal period also diminish postmenopausal osteoporosis. Tibolone combines oestrogenic and progestogenic effect and it is given continuously, without cyclical progestogen. Tibolone increases the risk of breast cancer.

Clonidine: Clonidine may be used to reduce vasomotor symptoms in women who cannot take an oestrogen, but clonidine may cause unacceptable side-effects.

Possible Side Effects Of Hormone Replacement Therapy

HRT increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, stroke, endometrial cancer ( which may be reduced by a progestogen), breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Women who start combined HRT more than 10 years after menopause have an increased risk of heart disease. Women using combined or oestrogen-only HRT are at an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (commonly DVT) and of pulmonary embolism especially in the first year of use. An oestrogen may be given by mouth or it may be given by subcutaneous or transdermal administration (patch). In women who have a personal or family history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, severe varicose veins, obesity, the use of HRT needs to be given careful consideration.

Like all drugs, HRT has side effects yet has helped many women through the 'change' (menopause).

Treatment Of The Menopause By The Use Of Natural Means.

Agnus Castus: Vitex agnus-castus. Clinical studies have shown that these berries work on the pituitary gland and help stabilise hormone fluctuations so helping menopausal symptoms..

Black Cohosh: Cimicifuga racemosa. The primary use of black cohosh extract is for alleviation of menopausal symptoms. It has been widely researched, especially in Europe, for its ability to alleviate the symptoms associated with menopause. While black cohosh is generally considered safe, people with liver disease or a family history of liver disease should consult their physician before taking black cohosh.

Damaiana: Turnerna diffusa. This shrub historically been used as an aphrodisiac and has been claimed to induce euphoria.

Dang Gui: Angelica sinensis. Dang gui acts as a phytoestrogen and has similar, but milder, effects of oestrogen. Dang gui also helps support the cardiovascular system, which can of help to menopausal women suffering hypertension (high blood pressure).

Soy: Soy contains natural plant estrogens called phytoestrogens. These are weaker than human estrogens However, studies show they behave similarly in the human body. In the body, phytoestrogens help balance a woman's estrogen level.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant. Studies have been done that suggest it may help relieve hot flashes and postmenopausal vaginal dryness and it has been popular for that purpose ever since.

There are other natural remedies said to help women experiencing the menopause.

MENOPAUSE - Part Three - How to Help Yourself the Natural Way

In Parts One and Two I set out some information about menopause itself and some of the symptoms you may have during this change of your life. This final part deals with what you can do to help your symptoms.

Hot flushes and night sweats -A few years' ago I attended a talk by Dr Marilyn Glenville, the nutritionalist, about Menopause. She said one of the best ways of helping to minimise menopausal symptoms generally was to give up coffee, and any other form of caffeine, and alcohol totally. This will help but it is drastic. If you are a coffee drinker of over 5 cups a day I would suggest reducing your intake gradually. If you come straight off it you will suffer withdrawal symptoms.

Take care when eating spicy food as it will cause both hot flushes and night sweats. Thai food is particularly spicy. Try not to have baths and showers too hot and make sure drinks are not drunk piping hot.

Some women find hot flushes can be helped by wearing a magnet. This needs to be used 24 hours a day but can be extremely helpful, is not hugely expensive and available from larger pharmacies. It can also help other symptoms too, and these will be listed on the leaflet supplied with it.

Night sweats can sometimes be helped by using a Chillow. This is a plastic rectangle which is filled with water. It has a special lining in it which keeps it permanently chilled. It slips under your pillow and if a night sweat starts you rest it under your head and the sweat quickly diminishes.

Overwhelming tiredness - As I said in Part Two, it is well worth having your thyroid levels checked by the doctor as it can become underactive after menopause and one of the symptoms of this is major tiredness. At the same time have iron levels looked at. If you have been suffering heavy periods pre-menopause then you could be anaemic. Often, though, the tiredness has no cause. In this case I would suggest seeking out a therapist. More on this later in the article.

Forgetfulness - The key here is to make your brain work. When I was little my mother used to tell me the brain was a muscle and the more you worked it the better it would be. Not sure that is strictly true but I do believe that reading and studying is good for us. If crosswords are your thing, do them. If there is something you have always wanted to study, a language, for example, do this. There is proof that linguists and musicians suffer less from dementia than other professions so you could take up a musical instrument. When you are tired and not able to concentrate this seems the last bit of advice you want but achieving something new, however basic the standard, is really satisfying.

Urinary Tract Infections - Drink lots of water and cut down on alcohol. Foods to avoid are pork, processed and cured meats. Eat sparingly the following: aubergines, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and spinach. Wear cotton pants and avoid perfumed soaps, bubble bath and talcum powder.

If all this fails and you still seem to be prone to these infections see a herbalist. They will take your case history and will be able to come up with a single or combination of herbs to help you through this difficult time.

Dizziness - If it is purely due to hormonal changes there are a number of things you can try. Homoeopathy can be beneficial but it is really important to see a homoeopath and have a remedy prescribed solely for you rather than reading them up in a book and trying to find one which nearly fits your symptoms. Chinese herbs can be useful too. Again see a qualified practitioner for this. Often a herb which supports the liver will sort this out remarkably quickly. You could also try using a magnet. These are readily available and will help many symptoms, including hot flushes (as mentioned above), headaches and vaginal dryness.

Palpitations - A blood test will rule out anaemia, which can cause palpitations. If you do have these I believe it is especially important to cut out caffeine completely. Make sure you eat regularly so that blood sugar levels do not drop. Homoeopathy can be really helpful with these but you will probably need a high potency of a remedy so should see a homoeopath to discuss your individual case.

The good thing is that even though this symptom is horrible it will cease when your hormones settle and will not cause any lasting problems.

Anxiety - As with palpitations try and make sure you eat regularly to keep blood sugar levels even.

A magnet, as mentioned earlier for use with hot flushes, can be helpful with both palpitations and anxiety. I would also consider trying Chinese Herbs.

Insomnia - Following the above advice for help with hot flushes will also help sleeplessness. Classic advice such as having a milky drink before bed is worth trying. Have a relaxing bath (not too hot, of course, as this could cause a hot flush) with up to 7 drops of lavender essential oil mixed in can help. You could also try 4 drops of lavender on a tissue tucked under your pillow.

Lack of libido - Make sure you eat sensibly, exercise and get plenty of rest. Try a multivitamin and mineral supplement too which may help.

Skin dryness - It is really important to drink lots of water to keep you hydrated. Do start using skin creams for more mature skin, depressing as this sounds. Unfortunately, we can no longer just wash skin and do nothing else; it needs work now to help it. If you can afford it, have a regular facial to really oil the skin. Homemade face packs work well. An excellent one is to apply egg white to clean skin, omitting the area around the eyes, leave for 20 mins and wash off. You face will feel soft and plumped up. This is brilliant before a night out. Eat oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon, sardines and take a good Multivitamin and mineral supplement along with Vitamin E.

Vaginal Dryness - Try using a magnet, as mentioned earlier, and take Vitamin E. It will take up to three months to make a difference but in many cases can help enormously. It is also worth using a natural lubricant before sex. These are readily available from health shops and larger pharmacies.

Joint and Muscle Pain - If you are having problems see if any foods seem to add to this. Possible triggers are tomatoes, orange juice and oranges, spinach, rhubarb and potatoes. With some people the joint pain will be worse the day after, with others it may take a couple of days. The easiest thing will be to start a food diary. If you can pinpoint a food eliminate it for a month then reintroduce it and see if it is still causing problems. If so, cut it out or reduce it. When menopausal symptoms stop you will be able to eat normally again so I am not suggesting you must give it up forever.

It is really important to keep fit throughout our lives. Try and do some brisk walking at least 5 times a week for 20-30 minutes. Incorporate a steep incline if you can to get the heart working so you get some aerobic exercise. Use stairs at work where you can. This will not only help keep joints moving and supple but will be a good preventative for many problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol problems. Oestrogen has the most wonderfully protective effective on women and reduces our risk of heart disease but post-menopause our risk equals that of men. Therefore, it is important to keep fit and look after ourselves so as to diminish this risk.

An excellent supplement to help bones and muscles is one containing calcium and magnesium. These will also help leg cramps and restless legs. Try to make sure the type of magnesium used is magnesium citrate. If taking magnesium oxide very little is absorbed. Follow the dosage recommendations on the label. In some instances this supplement can cause diarrhea. If this is the case, see a homoeopath as there are remedies you can take which will work just as well without any side effects.

Many foods also contain these two vital minerals. Almonds, Brazil nuts and walnuts contain good amounts of them. Walnuts are also very good for reducing cholesterol levels, and nuts, in moderation, are not as fattening as many people think. Green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, also contain it. Taking the recommended (in the UK) five portions of fruit and vegetables is for a good reason as it will help boost levels of these important minerals.

Yoga or Pilates would be beneficial too. Not only can they help aches and pains but will give you some "me" time, which is important too.

To sum up, menopause is different for every woman. I have discussed some of the symptoms but it does vary hugely. If you are having problems it is really important to find something that works for you and this may take time. If you do not want to spend money then at the very least eat a really good diet, exercise regularly and do some meditation.

Some women find massage helps them, others reflexology or Reiki. I have mentioned taking herbs. There are many herbal supplements quoted in magazines that help menopause but many women take them and find they do not work for them. This is because it is so important to treat people individually. If you want to try the herbal route see a practitioner. It is well worth the money to "get it right". The same follows for Chinese Herbs. Reading about them is one thing but getting the right one for you is a totally different thing. Sometimes it is false economy to treat ourselves. We practitioners spend many hours studying to learn how to treat people as individuals which is of great importance during menopause as it varies so much from woman to woman.

5 Natural Menopause Remedies You Can Start Immediately

Natural menopause remedies are a great option for women who are suffering with menopausal symptoms that are affecting their lives in negative ways. There are a number of options to get relief from menopause symptoms and get the freedom to enjoy this stage of your life.

Soy

Adding soy to your diet works to balance estrogen levels in a woman's body thus reducing symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, hot flashes and irritability. It is recommended that you take approximately 60 grams of soy a day which can be in the form of:

• 1 cup of soy milk


• 1/2 cup tofu


• 1/2 cup tempeh


• 1/2 cup edamame beans

Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh is another well known natural menopause remedy that is also a phytoestrogen, meaning a type of estrogen found in plants that mimics a woman's natural estrogen. Adding between 20 to 60mg of Black Cohosh up to 3 times a day is recommended in your menopause treatment strategy.

Clover Leaf

This natural supplement is often used in natural menopause remedies due to its properties which balance out hormonal changes. It is a botanical product that can be bought in health stores.

Support Groups

Connecting with others who are going through the same period in their life is a great way to release stress and get support from like minded people. Expressing your emotions and bonding with others is highly beneficial and can take a lot of the stress off your family who may not quite understand what you are going through at this time. These groups may also be able to suggest other natural menopause remedies that have worked for them which you could also benefit from.

Yoga

The practice of yoga has many benefits for women experiencing menopausal problems. As well as being a great form of exercise it also helps to regulate moods, induce relaxation and promote feeling of balance and well being. Incorporating yoga into your exercise plan is a great way to get natural menopause relief.

Find out more about what Natural Menopause Remedies are right for you and how to treat other menopause symptoms like fatigue, dizziness and high blood pressure.