Women Need Extra Nutrients For Hormonal Balance To Slow Aging

An uncomplicated recipe for [tag]optimal aging[/tag] is good nutrition plus regular exercise. As a [tag]woman ages[/tag], her body naturally loses muscle and body fat accrues more easily. One of the things that causes these changes are alterations in a [tag]woman's hormonal balance[/tag]. Good nutrition and exercise don't just slow down muscle loss and aid with weight control, they also help a woman guard against heart disease, stroke, a broken hip because of osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, cancer, even the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other health problems.

Those risks increase with eating a poor diet as well as family history, inactive lifestyle, and stess. The more muscle the body has, the more calories it can burn. Keep weight gain down by cuting back on calories, get regular aerobic exercise, and do strength training by lifting hand weights.

Keep bones strong by getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D is critical to calcium absorption in your body and if you spend less time in the sun then you need the vitamin D supplement. Boost calcium and vitamin D. That means three to four 8-ounce servings of low-fat dairy every day. Take a daily multivitamin. These will compensate for gaps in your nutrition picture. If you are lactose intolerant, try hard cheese, yogurt, fortified products like orange juice, canned salmon, broccoli, and legumes.

These simple steps for good nutrition should be a part of your life as you age. The good nutrition found in a Mediterranean-style diet is thought to lower heart disease risk, because it is low in calories and fat, especially trans fats and saturated fats. Red meats should be eaten less often and wine should be consumed in low to moderate amounts. Enjoy the bounty native to Mediterranean countries with plenty of seafood, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and olive oil. Limit the soft drinks, sugar, and sweets; they can be loaded with calories and have little nutrition.

Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes and enjoy a vegetarian meal a few times a week. Avoid trans and saturated fats, like those found in butter, margarine, salad dressing, fried foods, snack foods, sweets.