The natural health researchers at Institute for Vibrant Living have investigated the natural remedies available for menopause. Here is their report:
If you are one of the 30-40 million women in North America on the threshold of menopause, you may be experiencing some brutal symptoms such as:
Irregular menstrual cycles,
Sleeplessness and resulting fatigue,
Night sweats,
Hot flashes,
Sexual disinterest
Depression
The fact that menopause can be mighty uncomfortable is an understatement.
Going through the 'Big M'
Once a health care provider has indeed confirmed that "the change" is taking place, it is time to find some relief!!
Many women are justifiably wary of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as it is known to raise the risk of breast cancer, heart disease and dementia.
Fortunately,there are herbs and botanicals that can have natural positive effects on distressing menopausal symptoms:
Black cohosh is a tall plant in the buttercup family used for centuries as traditional Chinese medicine and as a folk remedy by Native Americans for the treatment of menstrual cramps, hot flashes, arthritis, sore throat and cough. Today, it is a popular natural supplement taken for all menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, mood swings, and night sweats and for menstrual cramps and bloating.
Wild yam is considered one of the most useful herbs for treating hormone-related conditions. It is taken from the root of the vine that grows in wooded areas in the eastern United States. Wild yam is used to reduce inflammation and relax muscles and is said to stimulate the ovaries to produce a balance of progesterone and estrogen, which makes it a popular alternative to HRT.
Soy isoflavones are derived from the soy bean which is a legume similar to the green bean or pea plant. In Asia, there is a correlation between high soy consumption and a low number of hormonal tumors, like breast cancer. Asian women also have higher bone density, a lower risk of developing osteoporosis and an extremely low reporting of menopausal symptoms that many attribute to high soy consumption. This makes soy isoflavones a popular choice for the natural treatment of menopause symptoms.
Red clover is a plant indigenous to Europe, central Asia, and northern Africa. Red clover isoflavones have "estrogen-like" properties that have shown some promising results in hot flash studies. In research conducted at Vrije University Medical Center in Amsterdam, subjects who were treated with red clover isoflavones experienced a significant decline in hot flashes from baseline.
Pomegranate fruit, juice or supplements
In addition to a host of healthy benefits, pomegranate is said to effectively help manage hormonal changes like those experienced with menopause.
Your health care provider may suggest a bone density test to check for osteoporosis, as menopausal women are particularly vulnerable to bone loss.
In addition to natural supplements for menopausal symptoms, it is important to also take a daily calcium supplement for prevention or treatment of bone loss.
Hormone replacement therapy is not the only choice for treating hot flashes, night sweats and other uncomfortable side effects of menopause.
Talk with your health care provider about all possible options. Safe and natural remedies are certainly worth a try!
A convenient option is a super fruity, natural tonic for women with pomegranate available from Institute for Vibrant Living. Go Ruby Go! is a fruit-based superfood drink mix - 1 tbsp. mixed with 6-8 oz. of liquidprovides the equivalent of 5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables and is rich in fruit phytonutrients that help support a woman's unique metabolic balancing needs.
To learn more, visit IVLProducts.com and search: Go Ruby Go!
