Women live on average 5½ years longer than men. Considering the strains of childbirth and so on, this can become a problem. After all, the extra years are at the end of your life, when you may be suffering from all the problems of old age.

Healthy woman

Women's health affects the whole family, and of course, it's not just your old age you should be thinking about. For a woman, health is a priority at many times in her life, from pregnancy to menopause. Because they have the capability of bearing children, women's bodies have special needs.

Women lose blood regularly every month from puberty until the change of life, so many suffer from anaemia, especially if they are amongst the 22% who suffer from heavy periods (menorrhagia). You can avoid anaemia by eating more of certain foods, or by adding iron to your supplements (if you regularly take a good quality multivitamin and mineral combination, there should be enough iron in this).

Babies take it out of you

Women planning a pregnancy should ensure they are getting an adequate diet, and may need to supplement this as well. Pregnancy often leads to a shortage of nutrient availability, particularly folate, which is so important that many doctors routinely prescribe a supplement as soon as pregnancy has been confirmed.

Many women report difficulties with their teeth when pregnant, and although doctors deny that calcium can be taken from the teeth by the developing infant, it is not unusual for a woman whose teeth have always been healthy to find that they start to have dental problems. This is why pregnant women are entitled to free NHS dental treatment in the UK.

Omega 3s: Good for women's health

Women in particular gain from an increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids, according to a new study.

Writing in a recent issue issue of Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey 59(10):722-730, the researchers found evidence that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids might help to prevent preeclampsia, postpartum depression, menopausal problems, postmenopausal osteoporosis and breast cancer, among others ... MORE ABOUT OMEGA 3

Going through changes

Around the menopause, many changes in women's bodies take place as a consequence of the changes in hormone levels, leading to many and varied symptoms. The most serious of which is osteoporosis (bone loss), which makes bones brittle and increases fractures.

Getting on a bit

Arthritis is not limited to old age but you don't necessarily just have to put up with it. A number of supplements have been discovered in recent years which can help reduce or even eliminate the symptoms. Since there are several different types of arthritis, it's important to find out which one you have, before buying the appropriate supplement.

Many of the problems formerly associated with old age are the result of long term dietary deficiencies and a lack of adequate exercise. While some of these may be treatable in later life, it is better to try to ensure that you take in the full nutritional spectrum regularly, throughout your life, as well as taking regular exercise, before you reach old age.

HRT does you more harm than good

Edited by Dr Matti Tolonen

Most British papers today report on a review of four trials involving 20,000 users of HRT (hormone replacement therapy)*. Epidemiologists from Cancer Research UK's Epidemiology Unit at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford carried out the review, and found that in healthy women using HRT for five years, women in their fifties could expect to see one unexpected life-threatening complication per 250 users, while for women in their sixties, this figure is one in 150.

The complications HRT was seen to cause included breast cancer, strokes, and life-threatening blood clots on the lungs. The Amarant Trust, which advises women on HRT, says the results are misleading. The Mail carries an interview with fitness guru Rosemary Conley, who praises HRT.

Soya isoflavone can reduce menopausal hot flushes

SoyaFlavona is a safe and effective alternative to HRT for women. SoyaFlavona contains soybean isoflavones plus 11 vitamins. It is an ideal alternative for menopausal women and is available to purchase through 1st Vitality.

* Daily Mail, 20 September 2002

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