This week I decided to focus on women’s health issues and foods that help ease them. Have no fear guys your turn is coming next week.
Women have multiple health concerns throughout our lives. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), yeast infections, fibrocystic breasts, and menopause to name a few. All women may not experience all of these, but all women will go through menopause. My very first post entitled The Sisters Pause posted on (janzplace2.com) addresses the stages of menopause.
What you eat could prevent or soothe certain conditions. For example, foods high in phytoestrogens may help menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. A daily cup of yogurt could prevent yeast infections.
Food can help balance your mood, reduce hot flashes, slow bone loss, prevent vaginal infections, and reduce cysts in breast tissue.
Symptoms of PMS, like depression, fluid retention, mood, sleep, memory and others may be relieved with shrimp. Shrimp are rich in vitamin B6, a nutrient that helps your brain make chemicals called neurotransmitters. B6 also helps turn the amino acid tryptophan in foods like turkey into serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter tied to calmness and contentment. It may improve PMS symptoms like depression, fluid retention, mood, sleep, and memory.
Half of all women experience menopause by age 50. It occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs monthly. The biggest concern of menopause is the drop in estrogen production. Estrogen is the hormone that keeps fibrinogen levels, the sticky stuff that helps blood clot, in control. It also lowers LDL, bad cholesterol while raising HDL, good cholesterol. Certain plant foods like almonds, have high levels of phytoestrogens, plant sources of estrogen that have some of the same protection of human estrogen. Oats, apples, wheat, and corn are also sources of estrogen.
Cool those hot flashes with the phytoestrogens found in barley. Barley can help lower cholesterol and balance blood sugar. There is no recommended amount of barley to eat. Add it and other plant foods like green beans and apples to your diet.
Soy nuts offer one of the tastiest ways to benefit from the phytoestrogens in soy. The nuts are whole soybeans soaked in water and baked until they turn brown. High in protein they are a great snack for munching on the run.
Flaxseeds contain lignans, a different type of phytoestrogen. It reduces menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. A study from the University of Minnesota suggests it may protect against breast cancer. The fiber found in flaxseed sweeps cancer-causing substances out of your digestive tract. Crush or grind flaxseed to benefit from its phytoestrogens. You could also buy whole seeds and chew them or grind them yourself. Sprinkle on top of salads, cereal, and bagels.
Avocados have two nutrients that make it good for you during menopause and beyond. Vitamin E, decreases hot flashes and controls the threat of heart disease. Magnesium, the other nutrient in avocados helps your body absorb calcium increasing strong bones as you age.
About half the women in the United States get less than the recommended daily dose of zinc. Zinc helps fight against yeast infections. Chicken, seafood, legumes, and whole grains are good sources of zinc.
Whole-grain wheat, oats, rye, barley, and millet contain nutrients to protect women from recurring yeast infections and chronic vaginitis. Yeast infections are just one type of vaginitis or vaginal vaginitis. Women with chronic vaginitis run low on magnesium. Whole grains could help change that. They are less processed and keep their original nutrients than refined grains. Have oats or barley for breakfast, and choose pastas and breads that list ingredients such as whole oats, whole wheat, or graham flour.
The bacteria found in yogurt could end vaginal feast infections. Eating a cup of yogurt daily could prevent vaginal yeast infections. Your bones will benefit as well, an 8-ounce serving of yogurt provides one-third of your daily calcium dose. Look for yogurt with the “Live and Active Cultures” seals on the carton or the words “active”, “live”, or “viable” cultures on the label.
Whatever stage of menopause you are in or if you are post-menopausal, add these foods to your diet to help you manage any uncomfortable symptoms that you experience.
Until next time,
Peace Love and Blessings ❤️
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