Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a cluster of physical and emotional symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle. Between 50 and 70% of women experience some degree of PMS regularly. Common complaints include fatigue, irritability, breast tenderness, headache, food...
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Many women lack vitamin K for bones
The levels of vitamin K in healthy menopausal women are inadequate to maintain bone health, says the lead researcher of a recent study from the University of Michigan School of Nursing. The researchers found that one early effect of declining estrogen is the...
Women and Cancer: Calcium may offer protection
A University of Minnesota Cancer Center study found that women consuming more than 800 mg of calcium each day reduced their risk of colorectal cancer by as much as 26 to 46%. A 26% reduction in risk of colorectal cancer occurred regardless of whether the calcium...
To Shed Pounds, Go Vegan: Study finds plant-based diet effective in weight loss
A low-fat, plant-based diet is more effective at helping women lose weight and improve insulin sensitivity than an omnivorous diet, shows a new study on 59 overweight, postmenopausal women. In the study, conducted by Neal D. Barnard, MD, half of the participants...
Reduce PMS Risk: Get more calcium and vitamin D, find researchers
A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D may lower the risk of developing premenstrual syndrome (PMS), according to a new study. While most women may experience mild emotional or physical premenstrual symptoms, as many as eight to 20% of women experience symptoms severe...
Reduce Colon Cancer Risk: Adequate vitamin B6 plus alcohol plays a role
According to a new study, women with a high dietary intake of vitamin B6 over several years have a decreased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Women who consume moderate to large amounts of alcohol in addition to vitamin B6 have more than a 70% reduced risk of...
Soy protein helps strengthen bones
Postmenopausal women who consumed high daily levels of soy protein had reduced risk of bone fracture, according to a new study. Xianglan Zhang, MD, MPH, from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine examined the relationship between soy food consumption and bone...
Black cohosh effective in hot flashes
Black cohosh is one of the most well researched herbs for menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes. In fact, several clinical studies indicate that black cohosh is as effective as hormone therapy for relief of this symptom. The herb was shown to be as effective...
New Breast Cancer Fighter: Kelp lowers dangerous hormone
A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, has found that a diet containing kelp seaweed lowered levels of the potent sex hormone estradiol in rats, and raised hopes that it might decrease the risk of estrogen-dependent diseases such as...
Many Women Lack D: Finding underscores need for education, say researchers
Low vitamin D status often may be overlooked by doctors, leading to inadequate vitamin D supplementation in patients with osteoporosis, say researchers. A study of 1,554 postmenopausal women showed that 52% of these women had suboptimal vitamin D concentrations. Most...