Heart disease is not a disease that only affects men. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease kills more than 500,000 women annually. In 2001, well over half of the people who died from heart disease were women.
Yet, “Women still think they cannot have coronary disease,” says Dr. Massimo Guisti of Cardiovascular Associates of Virginia, PC. “They are more afraid of ovarian or breast cancer, but coronary disease is the actually the leading cause of death in women.”
Heart disease often presents itself differently in women than it does in men. That includes the warning signs of a heart attack as well. In addition to the classic heart attack warning signs, such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath and pain in one or both arms, women may experience these less common signs:
* Atypical chest, stomach or abdominal pain.
* Nausea or dizziness without chest pain.
* Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing without chest pain.
* Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue.
* Palpitations, cold sweat or paleness. Read more…
Thinking about pregnancy? Whether you’re aiming to get pregnant next year or in the next few months, you should be getting ready now. This is the time to take inventory of your nutrition habits and make necessary changes that will promote good health for you and a healthy environment for your baby.
Do you drink a lot of coffee? Skip meals? Do you avoid food groups like fruits? Are you on the low carb craze? Using the following guide will help in evaluating your food choices. Are you getting the recommended number of servings from each group? This guide shows a range of daily servings for each food group. The number of servings that is right for you depends on how many calories you need. Calories are a way to measure energy. The energy your body needs depends on your age, sex, body structure, and activity level.
If you have lower calorie needs, select the lower number of servings. If you have higher calorie needs, select the higher number of servings. The amount of food that is considered to be one serving is also listed. If you eat a larger portion, it is more than one serving. For example, a hamburger bun is 2 servings. If you have a combination food like pizza, estimate the food groups that it represents – bread group (crust), milk group (cheese), vegetable group (tomato sauce).
Bread, Grains and Pasta (6-11 servings)
* 1 slice bread
* 1 pancake
* 1 tortilla
* 1/2 bun
* 1 bagel or English muffin
* 1 small muffin
* 1/2 cup cooked rice, pasta or cereal
* 1 roll Read more…
Energy. We want it, we need it, but we don’t always have it. When we’re energized, the impossible seems doable and your hectic life feels like smooth sailing. So what essential part of your diet helps increase your energy as its main benefit? Iron, of course, which is why extreme ironing is for everyone.
Iron is an essential mineral many people know little about. It is a part of the blood cells in the body. The main function of iron is to help carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles and other organs. About 30% of the body’s supply of iron is in storage, ready to be replaced if any is lost. When iron is low, this oxygen consumption slows down.
Iron deficiency is more common than many think. It is estimated that only 65-70% of all Americans meet their daily recommended intake. When depleted, oxygen circulates more slowly. If the body is low in iron, fatigue, irritability and headaches may occur. If the deficiency becomes significant, this can lead to anemia. If left untreated, anemia can be serious, with potentially life-threatening complications.
There are several select groups of people that are more at risk for developing iron deficiencies. First, women are more likely to develop this problem, partly because of the loss of red blood cells during menstruation. Also, pregnant women need to be sure to consume enough iron. Read more…
Think About Your Diet and Fitness Routine Now
Caring for your health before you become pregnant may help you identify areas that put you and/or your baby at risk during pregnancy. First, schedule a pre-conception counseling appointment with your doctor. This discussion can educate you on things to come and help you prepare, both physically and emotionally, for pregnancy.
Here are a few things to consider prior to becoming pregnant.
Your weight - Your doctor will recommend that you achieve a healthy weight before becoming pregnant. If you are overweight, you are at risk for high blood pressure complications during pregnancy. If you are underweight, you are at risk of delivering a low birth-weight baby. What is a healthy weight? Check out the chart below. Important - once you are pregnant, dieting is out of the question. You want to try to achieve your healthy weight prior to becoming pregnant.
Exercise - Generally, if you are currently active, your doctor will advise you to continue your normal exercise routine throughout your pregnancy, as long as there are no complications. However, starting a big exercise program while you are pregnant is typically not recommended. Ask your doctor about exercises appropriate for you and your particular circumstances.
Diet - To ensure a healthy pregnancy, you should follow a healthy, well-balanced diet, including a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. Your physician will likely ask you about your caffeine intake as well as your daily consumption of calcium-rich foods, folic acid and vitamins C and A. Supplements are usually recommended, such as a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid. Read more…
Nutritional Needs: Women vs. Men
Women love talking about diet and nutrition. That’s probably the reason that most of the diet information out there caters to women. But what about men? Do men need to worry about osteoporosis? Do they need to worry about anemia? Let’s take a look at a few major nutrients for men and women.
1. Calcium
Women: Calcium is important for women, particularly in lowering the risk of osteoporosis. A diet high in calcium and Vitamin D has been proven to lower risk of bone fractures. In addition, calcium also plays a role in regulating blood pressure. How much for women? For women under 50 years old, the recommended amount is 1,000 milligrams. For women over 50, the recommendation increases to 1,200 mg.
Men: Calcium is also important in lowering the risk of osteoporosis in men, but too much of it may be harmful. Studies have shown that men who consumed high levels of calcium from foods and supplements have an increased risk of prostate cancer. How much for men? For all ages, the recommended amount is 800 mg. That is equivalent to not more than 3 servings of dairy per day. Read more…
PMS. Three little letters that spell dread and discomfort for millions of women every month. It is reported that more than half and perhaps as many as 85 percent of all women experience discomfort related to menstruation, common referred to as Premenstrual Syndrome. In this article we’ll explore how your diet (and some nutritional changes) can help you eat to beat monthly PMS symptoms.
What is Premenstrual Syndrome?
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is the name for a group of symptoms that begin 7-14 days before your period (menstruation). The symptoms include a variety of physical and psychological symptoms and usually stop soon after your period starts.
While the exact cause of PMS is unknown, it seems to be closely related to the fluctuating levels of hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. Some women may be more sensitive than others to changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Stress and emotional problems do not seem to cause PMS, but they may make it worse.
Signs and symptoms of PMS
Symptoms vary from one woman to another, but the most common physical and emotional symptoms include: Read more…