Midlife Nibbles: Health Tips That Go Down Quick And Easy

Irony

“Being effective at social media, whether for business or personal use, means capturing people who have short attention spans. They’re only a click away from a picture of a funny cat, so you have to make your thing more compelling than that cat. And that can be a high bar.”

Author: Alexis Ohanian

Funny cat photo. Check. Midlife health tips that cater to the short of attention-ites. See? You get it all when I blog! So here, as promised, are five midlife nibbles that are quick and easy health tips. Bon Appetit!

1. The herb, Horsetail (Equisetum arvense), taken as a tea, one or two times a day, strengthens bones in pre-menopausal women. The glycosides in Horsetail nourish the heart and bones making it a valuable friend to post-menopausal ladies as well. In the unlikely event of urinary irritability or nervous sensitivity, discontinue use.
2. Get your Vitamin D levels checked! Our northern state of Minnesota keeps the risk of deficiency high. The best supplement is Vitamin D3; however, most fortified foods use Vitamin D2. Try to get 10 minutes of sunshine a day without the use of sunscreen, which blocks Vitamin D absorption. Vitamin D is crucial for keeping bones flexible and strong, and partners with calcium. Also, on 22, 2015 it was announced that about 8 in 10 people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) also have low vitamin D levels, according to a small British study.
3. Despite the joy of soy, many American women are unable to convert soy compounds to more potent forms. Also, because of weak phytoestrogen activity, it is not recommended that women who are at high risk for, or have had breast cancer, take soy supplements.
4. The lowly Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) offers a wealth of plant hormones and nourishes the liver. It can relieve hot flashes; digestive troubles, acts as a diuretic, and even helps thwart diabetes! Available as supplements, tinctures, wine, and tea, (and “greens” for salads!) the Dandelion is an amazing plant and ally to women. (If harvesting your own, avoid plants that are in areas treated with chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.) Dandelion use is generally considered safe. However, there have been rare reports of upset stomach and diarrhea, and some people are allergic to the plant. Individuals with an inflamed or infected gallbladder, or blocked bile ducts, should avoid using dandelion.
5. Feeling bloated? Ug. Try switching from mineral-lacking table salt to mineral-rich sea salt, or Himalayan salt. Also, the consumption of asparagus, grapes, cucumbers, and watermelon help release retained water.

Resources: Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, MD (www.DrLowDog.com), and New Menopausal Years The Wise Woman Way, by Susun S. Weed. Ash Tree Publishing, New York, 2002.