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Sunday, July 15, 2007

Minerals and Menopause

Reduced oestrogen levels can result in substantial loss of Calcium and other minerals from the bones, leading to numerous health problems, ranging including:

  • heart palpitations
  • blood pressure fluctuations
  • adrenal and thyroid dysfunction
  • muscle pain
  • joint pain
  • ragged nerves
  • the onset of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become increasingly brittle. This can result in spontaneous fractures, especially of the hip, with crippling results.

Figures from the USA indicate that 80% of the 250,000 hip fractures reported each year, are due to osteoporosis and result in a 20% mortality rate of those affected. This is highly preventable when you follow the exercise and diet recommendations in these articles.

Calcium
Calcium absorption varies from person to person, according to genetics, but illness or disease can decrease the amount you retain. On average, only 20-40 percent of calcium you eat is absorbed and this decreases with age. Other factors that inhibit absorption of calcium include: lack of exercise, medicines, drugs, smoking, caffeine and stress. Lack of nutrients also reduces absorption of calcium, especially the vitamins C,D and K, as well as the minerals magnesium and phosphorus. So as you can see, drinking a glass of milk or popping a calcium tablet isn't enough to prevent bone loss. This is why a healthy balanced diet is so important for menopausal women.

Sources

Excellent sources include raw grass fed full cream milk products, canned sardines and salmon, cabbage and broccoli.

Magnesium
Helps to combat menopause-associated conditions like: osteoporosis, muscle and joint pain, heart palpitations, cramps, fatigue, type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, anxiety and depression. Tip: Add Epsom Salts (magnesium sulphate) to your bath, relax and soak!

Sources
Eggs, shell fish, liver, figs, lemons, grapefruit, corn, almonds, nuts, soybeans, seeds, dark green vegetables, apples.

Selenium
Helps to combat fibrocystic disease of the breast and breast cancer. Powerful anti oxidant.

Sources
Liver, shell fish, brazil nuts, wheat germ, tuna, tomatoes, broccoli.

Manganese
Helps to combat atherosclerosis, "hardening of the arteries", in later life.

Sources
Liver, shell fish, nuts, fruit, vegetables, wholegrain cereals.

Phosphorus
Helps in prevention of osteoporosis.

Sources
Meat, fish, eggs, milk, grains, nuts, seeds and beans.

Zinc
Helps to combat osteoporosis in later life.

Sources
Meat, shell fish, liver, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, eggs.


The beef Bone Broth

The beef bone broth is the most effective way to get your daily minerals and more!

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