fbpx

women’s health

Halt Uterine Fibroids & Heavy Periods

By Lorna Vanderhaege Heavy menstrual bleeding and endless spotting caused by uterine fibroids is the main reason for  hysterectomy – and Canada has the highest rates of hysterectomy in the world. If both the uterus and ovaries are removed women are thrown into...

For women, fatigue may signal low iron

Iron is a critical nutrient needed to supply oxygen to the cells and tissues and to help produce brain chemicals, amino acids and hormones. Iron deficiency can result in anemia, a condition that causes fatigue, loss of appetite and shortness of breath. The General...

Ovarian cancer and diet

New research on ovarian cancer, one of the five most deadly cancers among women in developed countries, suggests that a balanced plant-based diet may help in its prevention. The National Cancer Institute says this strategy is important since ovarian cancer often...

Whether juice or pill, cranberry works!

The Kidney Foundation of Canada says Canadian women make about 500,000 visits to doctors each year to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). For years, scientists knew that cranberry could help prevent UTIs but could not explain why. Then in 1984, a researcher...

Probiotics key in avoiding yeast infection

Dietary strategies to prevent and treat yeast infections include eliminating sugar intake while increasing intake of whole grains, vegetables, vitamins C and E and the mineral zinc. Other highly recommended nutrients for yeast infections include digestive enzymes,...

B-vitamins lower breast cancer risk

A comprehensive review by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health reveals that folic acid and vitamin B-6 can help protect women against breast cancer. While several studies have shown that a diet rich in B-vitamins may help reduce breast cancer risk,...

Calcium, body mass affect bone health

Researchers at the University of Tennessee report that adequate calcium intake, lean body mass and physical activity are the three most important factors in maintaining healthy bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC)—both factors in determining...

Iron ensures mental and physical energy

Iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia, is a condition common to women of childbearing age. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, shortness of breath and decreased immunity. A woman’s risk for anemia can increase during pregnancy, from vigorous exercise, or if the...

Magnesium intake critical in pregnancy

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that causes pregnant women to retain water and swell at their ankles, hands, feet and face. Other symptoms include high blood pressure, headaches and light sensitivity. If left untreated, pre-eclampsia may result in vomiting, convulsions...

Cut breast cancer risk

A new study provides evidence that certain nutrients found in vegetables may help protect against breast cancer. Women with high blood levels of several different carotenoid substances faced up to two times lower breast cancer risk than women with low levels,...

Life after HRT: many natural options

Just as the largest number of North American women in history are reaching menopause, the medical “treatment of choice” is being called into question. One of the largest and best designed studies on the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was recently abandoned...