Osteoporosis

The condition occurs because from around the age of 35 more bone cells are lost than replaced. This causes the bone density in your body to decrease. After the menopause bone loss speeds up making osteoporosis more likely. In women the risk is increased if they have an early menopause, have a history of osteoporosis in the family, or have their ovaries removed before the menopause.

Self Help

• Regular exercise, particularly weight bearing exercise, helps to keep the bones strong and healthy.
• It is a good idea to increase dietary intake of important nutrients around this time, like calcium and Vitamin D for bone strength and glucosamine for healthy joints.

Heart

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the biggest killer of adults in the UK. One in three men, and one in five women die from heart disease in the UK. 7 out of 10 people over 40 years have high cholesterol levels. ** It is the major cause of death for women over 45 and there is evidence of an increase in the incidence of coronary heart disease in the years after the menopause. ***

Therefore it is worth watching your diet and exercising, particularly if you have a history of heart disease in the family.

Self Help

• Reducing the amount of saturated fats or oils you consume - these are high in BAD cholesterol - replacing these with mono and poly unsaturated fats such as olive, sunflower and canola oils.
• Choose a more balanced diet with foods that have a higher fibre or Starch content - like bread, potatoes, fruit and vegetables.
• As part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, food supplements like CHOL-AID® may help you maintain a healthy cholesterol level.
• You may also consider taking a supplement to ensure dietary intake of nutrients that may help to maintain normal cholesterol levels and help keep the heart healthy. Popular choices include omega 3’s, polycosanols, and phytosterols.

** BHF statistics website, Jan 06
*** mamas health.com