by Stephanie Allen, CN, CPES, Wellness Works Manager

Because women are often focused on the health care of others, they can neglect their own needs. Women’s health is beginning to take on a greater priority in society, as it should. The health of families and communities are, in many ways, tied to the health of the women in them.

Heart disease is the number one killer among American women.¹ Maintaining cardiovascular health begins with diet, exercise and lifestyle management. However, nutritional supplements containing a combination of healthy oils — omega, flax seed, gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) — may provide daily support for women wishing to optimize their cardiovascular health.

Nutritional changes during pregnancy are critical for the ultimate health and development of the child. The mother’s nutritional status during pregnancy will impact her child for many years after birth. That is why avoidance of caffeine, alcohol and certain prescription medications is encouraged for women during pregnancy. A healthy diet of whole foods and specialized supplementation such as a comprehensive prenatal nutritional supplement may help assure a solid foundation for the woman and her fetus. In addition, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can have a profound effect on the development of the brain, which can impact a child’s cognitive abilities for years to come. ²

Women who are facing hormonal changes, such as those seen during perimenopause and menopause, will often be prescribed HRT. But hormone supplementation, especially estrogen replacement, does not guarantee that women are processing and eliminating their hormones properly. There are many environmental sources of estrogen that women are exposed to and that may create an imbalance in their hormonal therapy. Nutritional supplements that contain diindolylmethanes (DIM) and vitamin D may help ensure that estrogens taken up from any source are safely removed from the body. ³ Furthermore, the German Commission E — a scientific advisory board of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices in Germany — supports the use of black cohosh to help moderate the uncomfortable changes that may accompany menopause. Nutritional supplements that include dong quai root and chasteberry can provide support for women experiencing perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms.

Additionally, women are more likely than men to have thyroid disease, which can be seen right after pregnancy or after menopause. The symptoms of low thyroid levels can include fatigue, dry skin, constipation, thinning hair, weight gain, cold hands and feet, and an overall intolerance to cold.

Women also see a direct link between adrenal health and thyroid health. Daily stress can have an adverse effect on thyroid function as the adrenal gland competes with the thyroid gland for the same supportive nutrients. Relieving stress, ensuring adequate iodine intake and using supplements that include zinc, adaptogens, B vitamins and amino acids can help support both the thyroid and adrenal glands.

Women’s health not only refers to a woman’s physical condition, but also to her total well-being. Proper diet, adequate sleep, a lifestyle that minimizes stress, regular exercise and checkups with health care professionals are the keys to maintaining a woman’s health and, subsequently, the health of the entire family unit and the community.

A version of this article originally appeared in PCCA’s members-only magazine, the Apothagram.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Lower your risk for the number 1 killer of women. Accessed 2021 at https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/heartdisease/index.html

2. Basak, S., Mallick, R., Duttaroy, A.K. (2020) Maternal Docosahexaenoic Acid Status during Pregnancy and Its Impact on Infant Neurodevelopment. Nutrients, 12(12), 3615. Accessed 2021 at https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123615

3. Thomson, C. A., Ho, E., & Strom, M. B. (2016). Chemopreventive properties of 3,3’-diindolylmethane in breast cancer: Evidence from experimental and human studies. Nutrition Reviews, 74(7), 432-443. Accessed 2021 at https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuw010 NUTRITION & WELLNESS

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and supplements referenced in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.