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Serum magnesium in women during pregnancy, while taking contraceptives, and after menopause
Mean serum magnesium values with one standard deviation are presented for 224 women during pregnancy and 1559 women taking birth control pills, with 4145 women, aged 15-49 years, as controls. In addition, similar data are presented for 2,884 women, aged 50-74 years, after menopause. All these women were surveyed in the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States of America, 1971-1974 (NHANES I). Information on use of birth control pills is based on two questions taken from the NHANES I medical history interview. Pregnant women had significantly lower serum magnesium values than controls (nonpregnant and no birth control pills), regardless of age or race. Women on the pill also showed significantly lower serum magnesium values than other nonpregnant women of similar age, but the differences were much smaller than those between pregnant women and controls. Women older than 50 years (postmenopausal women) had significantly higher serum magnesium values than premenopausal women. These findings are compared with similar findings from other studies in the United States and other parts of the world.
Source: www.jacn.org
Vitamin Supplements to Ease Menopause Symptoms
By Dawn M. Olsen
The next vitamin supplement to ease menopause symptoms is flaxseed. This includes omega 3 fatty acids along with plant-based estrogens known as lignans. In this case, flaxseed has been shown to reduce a number of menopause symptoms such as breast cancer and heart disease, both serious diseases. The only downfall is that some researchers still believe flaxseed needs more study since some believe it might have a connection between breast cancer. However to date, no proof has been established.
Calcium is one of the best vitamin supplements to ease menopause symptoms. The main benefit is that taking between 1,000 and 1,500 mgs of calcium taken daily helps promote bone mass. Since bone loss is common among menopausal women, leading to osteoporosis or osteoarthritis. You can get your daily calcium through supplements or foods such as green leafy vegetables, black strap molasses, dried beans, dairy products, and almonds. However, calcium citrate is probably the best option since it is easily absorbed into the body.
The next vitamin supplement to ease menopause symptoms is vitamin D. When taken with calcium, vitamin D helps by building and maintaining healthy bones. The interestingly thing is that for calcium to be absorbed into the body, vitamin D must be present. What happens is that with age, vitamin D begins to diminish from the body. Because of this, it is common to see menopausal women in particular having a calcium deficiency, which only increases bone loss and fractures. By taking 400 IU of vitamin D daily, you will be doing great things for your body and your bones.
Magnesium is another important vitamin supplement to help ease menopause symptoms by helping the body absorb calcium. When taking magnesium and calcium, you want to take them in a two to one ratio. In other words, if taking 1,000 to 1,500 mgs of calcium, you would need to take between 500 and 750 mgs of magnesium. During menopause, your estrogen levels are starting to decline, which means magnesium levels are also dropping. Therefore, to help with a number of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, magnesium can make a huge difference. In addition to supplement form, you can get magnesium in cashews, black walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, green leafy vegetables, soybean flour, wheat germ, and black strap molasses.
Vitamin K is another vitamin supplement that helps ease menopause symptoms. Taking 45 mgs a day can help stop bone loss. Taken in supplement form or from foods such as asparagus, dark green lettuce, turnip greens, broccoli, and green tea, vitamin K is highly beneficial. Other vitamin supplements you can take to ease menopause symptoms include antioxidants, which comes from vitamins E and C.
As you can see, you have a number of options through natural resources. Today, more and more menopausal women are interested in using a natural approach to eliminate menopause. Because of this, we see vitamin supplements becoming the top choice for easing menopause symptoms.
Source: www.menopauseatoz.com
Alternative Therapies for Traditional Disease States: Menopause
Red clover is sometimes used as an aid to prevent cardiovascular disease. This supplement has been shown to improve systemic arterial compliance and elasticity, an indicator of cardiovascular risk that decreases after menopause. Red clover has not been shown to improve plasma lipids, and it has not been studied long-term to determine if increased arterial compliance leads to a decrease in cardiovascular mortality. he effect of soy (i.e., isoflavone) on bone density has recently been evaluated. In one small study, 66 postmenopausal women consumed 40 g of soy protein (standardized to 2.25 mg of isoflavone per g of protein) per day during a six-month trial. The study noted an increase in lumbar spine bone mineral density of 2.2 percent during the study period. No bone density differences were noted in the hip. So far, there have been no studies documenting the role of soy in preventing fractures or increasing hip bone mineral density.
A more recent review concluded that "the data on naturally occurring isoflavones are limited but suggest that including them in diets results in a reduction in bone resorption caused by estrogen deficiency." Considering the potentially beneficial effects on bone as well as the previously mentioned cardiovascular benefits, it seems that soy in the diet of postmenopausal women could be beneficial.
Magnesium deficiency might also contribute to decreased bone mineral density. Magnesium suppresses parathyroid hormone, which reduces calcium absorption and retention.
Some animal studies suggest that magnesium deficiency might result in decreased bone mineral densities, and other observational studies have shown that elderly patients whose diets have higher intakes of magnesium have increased bone mineral density. However, long-term randomized, placebo-controlled studies evaluating the role of magnesium supplementation in the prevention of osteoporosis and fractures are lacking in the literature.
Source: findarticles.com
Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium intakes correlate with bone mineral content in postmenopausal women
Qualitative and quantitative differences in the dietary habits of postmenopausal women were studied to assess their influence on bone health and osteoporosis. A total of 194 postmenopausal women were studied with forearm DEXA densitometry. 70 were osteoporotic and 124 served as controls. Women had been menopausal for 5-7 years and had never been treated with hormone replacement or drug therapy. A 3-day dietary recall was completed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after the examination: the results were processed by computer and daily calcium, phosphorus and magnesium intakes were related to bone mineral content (BMC). Data were compared with Student's t-test and significance was assessed at p < 0.05. Regression analysis was performed to correlate BMC and intake levels. The dietary intake of calcium phosphorus and magnesium was significantly reduced in osteoporotic women and correlated with BMC. Calcium and magnesium intakes were lower than the recommended daily allowance even in normal women. The results suggest that nutritional factors are relevant to bone health in postmenopausal women, and dietary supplementation may be indicated for the prophylaxis of osteoporosis. Adequate nutritional recommendations and supplements should be given before the menopause, and dietary evaluation should be mandatory in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Source by: www.mgwater.com
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