Menopause - "the change of life", Symptoms, Alternative Treatments

What is Menopause and what does food have to do with its symptoms?
FREE Recipe Enclosed

Menopause is also called "the change of life". Biologically, this heralds the end of a woman's reproductive years but it is important to realize that it's not a death sentence.

It's the end of ovulating (the ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone) which many think is only important in reproduction. However, these two hormones act on many different organs in the body. There are cells in the vagina, bladder, skin and breasts that all have estrogen receptors which need this hormone to stimulate these receptors for normal cell function. Estrogen is also needed to keep the skin smooth and moist.

Knowing that estrogen is needed not only for a sexual function will allow a woman to understand that this is just a transition to a new phase in her existence on the planet.

Here are some natural, easily available foods that can be added to one's diet to make this transition smooth and enjoyable:

1. Uncomfortable hot flashes: gotu kola, chasteberry and dong quai relieve hot flashes; make dishes using black beans and tofu and/or soy beans.

2. Vaginal dryness/itching: open a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil. For itching: inserting a tampon with 3-4 drops of tea tree oil for up to 3-hours will give immediate relief.

3. Breast tenderness: use 500-1000 milligrams of evening primrose oil for one month - this is a natural estrogen promoter.

4. Avoid salt: use onions, garlic, celery and lemon juice to flavor food. Make salads from a wide variety of greens (dandelion, mustard, beet, turnip, chicory greens, kale, Swiss chard,) to meet all your mineral needs; especially, the heart-healthy minerals magnesium, potassium and calcium.

5. Dryness and aging of the skin: drink 2-quarts of steamed distilled water daily to help prevent drying of the skin and mucous membranes. In winter, it helps to sleep with a vaporizer in your room, add a few drops of lavender (good to relieve stress).

6. Natural estrogen promoters: brew fennel and raspberry iced tea to replace soda drinks.

Finally, avoid stress or use yoga, relaxation techniques and/or exercise to effectively manage it. Mother nature has given us a powerful weapon - food, a natural diet guide, to use to ease some of the symptoms that plague us. It can be one of the tools used to help give us that quality of life as our life expectancy increases.

FREE Recipe:
NoDiet Pear/Banana Smoothie

1 8-oz. glass soy milk (almond milk)
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 can pears drained or ripe, fresh pears cut into quarters
1 medium banana cut into pieces
4-6 raspberries
grated nutmeg to garnish

Method: in a blender combine all the ingredients, except the nutmeg - blend until smooth. Serve chilled, garnish with nutmeg.

Diabetes - How to Control it with Food

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It is estimated that 5.5 million Americans are being treated for diabetes. The National Institute of Health reports that undiagnosed diabetes has caused millions of people to lose their vision. Complications from diabetes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S.A. A simple urinalysis can often detect unsuspected diabetes.

What is diabetes?

It occurs when the pancreas stop producing the hormone insulin or the body is unable to use the insulin it produces. Glucose, our body's fuel, cannot enter our cells without the presence of insulin. If insulin is not present or does not work, glucose will build up in the bloodstream and eventually shows up in the urine. Small blood vessels narrow as the blood sugar level rises, the blood vessels carry less blood and circulation is restricted. There are two types of diabetes - Type I (insulin dependent) must have insulin injected daily to control blood sugar level. Type II (non-insulin dependent) is associated with obesity.

Symptoms

1. This blood sugar imbalance can lead to increased urination and thirst.
2. Poor wound healing, double vision and hunger.
3. Dizziness, sweating and numbness or tingling of the lips.
4. The inability to notice sweetness until 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar have been added to an 8-oz. glass of water.

Type II diabetes can be easily controlled with diet and exercise in combination with oral medication that boost the effect of the insulin produced. Diabetes is a serious disease. If you have this condition, you should definitely be under the care of a doctor. However, there are natural remedies that can help normalize blood sugar levels.

Fenugreek Seed: contains a soluble fiber called mucilage that contains six compounds that help regulate blood sugar levels. It also increases blood level of HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering total cholesterol, thus preventing cardiovascular disease, a hazard for people with diabetes.

Bay Leaves: help the body use insulin more efficiently at levels as low as about half a teaspoon. In experimental animals, bay leaves have been shown to lower blood sugar levels.

Butcher's Broom (Sweet Broom): is popular in Europe for reducing leg discomfort due to poor circulation (use moderately and avoid completely if you have high blood pressure).

Onions and Garlic: onions, especially the skins are one of the best sources of quercetin which can help with the eye problems associated with diabetes, namely diabetic retinopathy. Garlic has the ability to reduce blood sugar levels.

Beans: are high in soluble fiber that reduces the rise in blood sugar after meals, delay the drop later on and help to maintain blood sugar close to desire levels.

FREE Recipe:
NoDiet Diabeany Soup

2 cups of water
1 tsp. of safflower leaves steeped in 1-cup of hot water for 5-mins and strained
1 washed, unskinned onion
8-ozs. kidney beans (if can version is used, reduced cooking time to 30-minutes)
2 carrots chopped
6 cherry tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup broccoli spears
1 celery stalk, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp. turmeric
4 bay leaves
1/4 tsp. fenugreek seed
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 tbsp. ketchup
1/4 cup sour cream (2-tablespoons barley powder)
2 tbsp. parsley (chopped to garnish)
sea salt (optional) lemon juice is better

Method: Combine all the ingredients, except parsley, sour cream and ketchup in a saucepan or crock pot bring to a boil, lower the heat and allow to cook slowly for 1 1/2 hrs. add sour cream and ketchup during the last 15-mins. Take out the onion and remove the outer skin. Serve with chopped parsley sprinkled on top.