We've all heard the term "hot flashes", unless we've lived under a rock, or are too young to pay attentino to such health woes. Hot flashes are typically associated with the period in life where a woman goes through what is called perimenopause, and then menopause.
This is the time of life for a woman where her menstrual cycle slows down, and eventually stops. There is also a profound hormonal shift in the body which lowers the levels of the signature female hormone estrogen in the body.
This dip in estrogen and subsequent increase of other hormones in the body causes several shifts that result in body changes which unfortunately involved discomfort and many times emotionally trying times. A big part of this landmark shift is something that has been medically and popularly coined as "hot flashes". Hot flashes are pretty much exactly what they sound like.
They are periods of time, varying in their length, where the body suddenly feels extremely overheated. Have you ever been in a highly stressful situation, or been put on the spot? There is a high likelihood that you felt something like a hot flash, with instantaneous sweating, a possible feeling of nausea and the sense that your body was suddenly "on fire".
The only problem is, menopausal and perimenopausal hot flashes tend to not only last longer and occur more frequently than the dubious uncomfortable situation we've all been in, and they also have some additional side effects that are even scarier if you're not sure what's happening to you. This is exactly the reason why so much attention has been focused on this symptom of menopause.
Women find this uncontrollable and unpredictable aspect of the life changing period to be alarming, and of course they seek ways to reduce them or even eliminate them.
There are some supplements on the market currently that are stocked on the shelves of popular drug stores and grocery stores, but what do they have in them that helps hot flashes, and can also aid in offsetting the other symptoms of menopause and the accompanying hormonal imbalance?
Many times the primary ingredient you will see in natural menopausal relief supplements are herbs and botanicals which contain a compound called soy, or soy isoflavones. These natural plant chemicals can gently mimic the effect of estrogen in a woman's body, and can help to replenish the effects of this hormone in the female body.
This is the reason they are used in herbal medicine to help diminish or help eliminate hot flashes, as well as alleviate other unpleasant symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.
Along with soy, there are a variety of other estrogen-mimicking compounds that are found in nature's herbs that are commonly used in modern day hormonal control supplements as well as dating back thousands of years for women who suffered from various side effects of estrogen deficiency.
Evening primrose oil is a very popular herb used to quell hot flashes. Evening primrose oil has long been used, sometimes in conjunction with other herbs, to remedy hot flashes by helping to restore balance in the body.
Evening primrose oil can, in some women who may be sensitive, produce unpleasant side effects , so just carefully read labels when you purchase anything.
Another herb that comes highly recommended for female hormone balance and hot flash symptoms is black cohosh. Black cohosh is another herb that has mild estrogen mimicking qualities, but again, this herb should be treated with caution as well, as it has been known to cause gastrointestinal issues for some sensitive individuals.
Other herbs that have these same mild estrogen qualities, and can also be taken are wild yam, fennel seed, and flax seed, the latter of which I personally like to use in cooking which is probably even better than buying it as a supplement.
It usually is recommended when you first start taking an herb, to start with small doses, to minimize any potential side effects and test the waters for any personal sensitivities to a particular herb before delving in head first.
With a little caution, and armed with some knowledge of herbs that you can seek which can help with hot flashes, many women have found that these herbs, or even combinations of these herbs has resulted in a very successful treatment for their hot flas

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Danna Schneider is the founder of Menopause Symptom Relief and Herbal Remedies for Menopause where news and suggestions on new natural ways to combat menopause symptoms and hot flashes can be found. .


Enjoy The Rainbow – The Color Wheel Of Fruits And Vegetables
The majority of people know that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day is very important. Also, by eating fruits and vegetables of a variety of different colors, one can get the best all-around health benefits. Each different color fruit and vegetables contains unique health components that are essential to our health. Fruits and vegetables are very important to our health because they are whole foods, created by nature, that are rich in a large amount of nutrients. The processed foods that we so commonly eat, can never compare to the health benefits provided by strawberries or broccoli, which have fiber, vitamins, and enzymes built right in. The phrase ?eating a rainbow? of fruits and vegetables is a simple way of remembering to get as much color variety in your diet as possible, so that you can maximize your intake of a broad range of nutrients. The colors of fruits and vegetables are a small clue as to what vitamins and nutrients are included. By getting a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables, you are guaranteed a diverse amount of essential vitamins and minerals.
When eating red fruits and vegetables including tomatoes, berries, peppers, and radishes, you take in nutrients such as lycopene, ellagic acid, Quercetin, and Hesperidin, to name a few. These nutrients reduce the risk of prostate cancer, lower blood pressure, reduce tumor growth and LDL cholesterol levels, scavenge harmful free-radicals, and support join tissue in arthritis cases. Carrots, Yams, Squash, Papayas, and other orange and yellow fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, flavonoids, lycopene, potassium, and vitamin C. These nutrients reduce age-related macula degeneration and the risk of prostate cancer, lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, promote collagen formation and healthy joints, fight harmful free radicals, encourage alkaline balance, and work with magnesium and calcium to build healthy bones. White fruits and vegetables, including mushrooms, white tea, flaxseed, and pumpkin, contain nutrients such as beta-glucans, EGCG, SDG, and lignans that provide powerful immune boosting activity. These nutrients also activate natural killer B and T cells, reduce the risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancers, and balance hormone levels, reducing the risk of hormone-related cancers. Wheat grass, barley grass, oat grass, kale, spinach, cabbage, alfalfa sprouts, mustard greens, and collard greens are all examples of green vegetables that contain chlorophyll, fiber, lutein, zeaxanthin, calcium, folate, vitamin C, calcium, and Beta-carotene. The nutrients found in these vegetables reduce cancer risks, lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels, normalize digestion time, support retinal health and vision, fight harmful free-radicals, and boost immune system activity. Blue and purple fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, pomegranates, grapes, elderberries, eggplant, and prunes contain nutrients which include lutein, zeaxanthin, resveratrol, vitamin C, fiber, flavonoids, ellagic acid, and quercetin. Similar to the previous nutrients, these nutrients support retinal health, lower LDL cholesterol, boost immune system activity, support healthy digestion, improve calcium and other mineral absorption, fight inflammation, reduce tumor growth, act as an anticarcinogens in the digestive tract, and limit the activity of cancer cells.
These nutrients that are found in the above-listed fruits and vegetables can have a significant impact on our health. Quercetin, which is found in apples, onions and other citrus fruits, not only prevents LDL cholesterol oxidation, but also helps the body cope with allergens and other lung and breathing problems. Ellagic acid, which is mainly found in raspberries, strawberries, pomegranates, and walnuts, has been proven in many clinical studies to act as an antioxidant and anticarcinogens in the gastrointestinal tract. This nutrient also has been proven to have an anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells, because it decreases their ATP production. The best-known of the carotenoids, beta-carotene, is converted into vitamin A upon entering the liver. Although being known for its positive effects on eyesight, it has also been proven to decrease cholesterol levels in the liver. Clinical studies have proven that lycopene, mainly found in tomatoes, may decrease the risk of prostate cancer, as well as protect against heart disease. Lutein, which is found in blueberries and members of the squash family, is important for healthy eyes. However, it does support your heart too, helping to prevent against coronary artery disease.
Along with the above stated nutrients, there are even more nutrients found in fruits and vegetables that provide a great deal of support to our body. Almost everyone has heard of vitamin C, which keeps our immune system strong; speeds wound healing, and promote strong muscles and joints. This nutrient is scattered throughout the spectrum of fruits, but commonly associated with oranges and other citrus fruits. Potassium, which is the nutrient most Americans are deficient in, does great things for our hearts, and lowers blood pressure. Another good food component many people don?t get enough of if fiber, found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Flavonoids, which include anthocyanins, flavones, isoflavones, proantocyanidins, quercetin and more, are found almost everywhere. They are responsible for the colors in the skins of fruits and vegetables and help to stop the growth of tumor cells and potent antioxidants. They also can reduce inflammation. Beta-glucan, found in mushrooms, stabilizes and balances the body?s immune system by supporting white blood cells. EGCG is found in tea and has been shown to reduce the risk of colon and breast cancer. It boosts the immune system and encourages T-cell formation, which defends our body against sickness and disease. Lastly, bioflavonoids, which are found in citrus fruits, are considered a companion to vitamin C because they extend the value of it in the body. These nutrients have the capabilities to lower cholesterol levels and support joint collagen in arthritis cases.
The number one excuse for not eating the required five servings of fruits and vegetables each day is they are too expensive. However, as compared to the amount of money spent on prepackaged, processed, and fast foods, most fruits and vegetables (with the exception of those that are not in season) are not all that expensive. Because frozen fruits and vegetables retain the majority of their nutritional value, they can be an excellent alternative when certain foods are out of season. Someone who is not able to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day can also drink fruit and vegetable drinks in their place. Although this shouldn?t become a habit, fruit and vegetable drink mixes can be an excellent substitute when you?re rushed or traveling. The need for fruits and vegetables in our diet is growing rapidly with the type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol, hypertension that result from the ?Typical American Diet? of fatty meats, processed sugars, and refined grains. Great fruit drink Mixes and vegetable mixes can be found at your local health food store or internet health food store.
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Visit VitaNet Health Foods at http://vitanetonline.com/ VitaNet sells high quality supplements like Lightning Drink mix Powders from Natures Plus. Please link to this site when using this article.


Green Drinks – A Great Way to Get Your Greens
Although Green Drink mixes have had a small group of fans up until this point do to their bad taste, there are now Green Drink mixes available with great flavors that are also plentiful in nutrients. Green Drink mixes have recently become very popular because of the large part of the vitamins and minerals that they provide with ease and convenience. Even a person who is extremely devoted to getting the recommended 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables can find it hard some days. According to the National Cancer Institute, 87% of US families don?t get the daily fruits and vegetables needed to stay healthy.
As far as fiber is concerned, most Americans only eat 15 grams of fiber per day, which is less than half of the 35 grams that health and nutrition experts recommended in order to prevent heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. In one single serving, most green drink mixes contain 6 grams of fiber. The best green drink mixes are made up of inulin and oligofructose (OF), which are two soluble fibers that come from chicory root and are packed with nutritional goodness. While in the body, this type of fibers increase the numbers of friendly bacteria by providing the necessary nutrients needed so the friendly bacteria can multiply. Fiber also rids the intestinal walls of unwanted waste and toxins. Both inulin and oligofructose improve the digestibility of calcium and can increasing bone production and slow the rate of bone breakdown.
Although we cannot fully digest grasses because we can?t digest the compounds, that grasses and other plants use to maintain their structure (fibers), green drink mixes contain grasses because they are extremely rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants hunt free radicals. Damage from these free radicals is the number one cause of aging and also may lead to heart disease and cancer. Green drink mixes that contain barley grass provide about 2 servings of green vegetables just from the single ingredient. Barley grass, a nutrient-dense substance, contains many antioxidants that help fight caner and boost the immunity. For example, radish sprouts, which contain vitamins A and C, folate, calcium, and potassium, have superior antioxidant action and are a common ingredient in green drink mixes.
Chlorophyll for example, triggers biochemical reactions in nearly all living organisms and is also important along with the antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber found in a good green drink mix product. The chlorophyll molecule contains magnesium, which is vital for muscle contraction, the conduction of nerves, and maintaining heart and blood pressure. Because nearly 70-80% of American adults don?t get an adequate amount of green vegetables, they also aren?t getting enough magnesium in their diet. Most green drink mix products also contain wheat grass, which is full of valuable nutrients such as beta-carotene, riboflavin, folic acid, tyrosine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid. A good green drink mix product should also contain vegetables, leafy greens, and other nutrients, such as blue green algae.
Even though Green Drinks are valuable to everyone, people with leaky gut syndrome, autoimmune disease, cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis benefit the most from green drink mixes in their daily diet. Because the vitamins and minerals in green drink mixes can be easily metabolized, people with leaky gut syndrome are able to get their needed vitamins and minerals back into their system in a soothing, natural way. High quality green drink mixes also contain vegetables rich in carotenoids, which show great results for immunomodulating effects in people with autoimmune disease. Green drink mixes contain many whole foods such as cabbage, inulin, oligofructose, radish, tomato, and kelp, which feed the body and help fight cancer. Green tea, broccoli, cabbage and carrots, which are found in a high quality powdered green drink mix, have great cardio protective effects. The broccoli and cabbage combination is able to reduce LDL cholesterol by 8.5% after only 9 weeks of use. Beta-carotene, which is found in carrots, also decreases cholesterol levels in the liver by up to 44%. Diets rich in vegetables, which contain calcium, magnesium, and potassium, helps to keep bones strong and prevent osteoporosis. When choosing a green drink mix product, make sure that it is one that has a good amount of fiber to help the bone-building minerals be absorbed into the system.
Along with the antioxidants found in barley grass and radish sprouts, there are many nutrients that are found in green drink mixes that provide significant health benefits. For instance, lycopene, which is a plant-based antioxidant compound that may protect against cancer and heart disease, is also more powerful than beta-carotene, the best-known carotenoid. With more than 70 studies examining the link between lycopene and cancer, strong evidence suggests that lycopene can protect against prostate, lung, and stomach cancers, and perhaps cancers of the cervix, colon, rectum, esophagus, mouth, and pancreas. Lycopene may also fight heart disease and prevent congestive heart failure.
Because green drink mixes contain alkalinizing foods, they can help balance out the increased intake of processed foods, which has led to an imbalance of acid in the body?s system. For instance, although lemons and grapefruits are considered acidic, their action in the body actually makes them an alkalinizing food. These alkalinizing foods also support bone health because they contain potassium and magnesium, which are two minerals that are very sparse in the body because they are depleted after ingesting a large amount of acid-producing food. In fact, potassium and magnesium from whole foods can improve bone mineral density for many older individuals.
Although some green drink mixes taste worse than plain old vegetables, there are high quality green drink mixes with a natural, fruit, or mint flavors. These added flavors can turn the most ardent veggie avoider into an instant fan. Plus the benefits of drinking green drink mixes are the almost instant intake of chlorophyll, magnesium, antioxidants, plant enzymes, and fiber. When the person taking the Green Drink mix realizes that they are combing good taste with an instant intake of the above nutrients, the value and convenience of the green drink mix becomes extremely obvious. These green drink mixes can provide a great-tasting, ultra-pure, whole-food way to get the essential nutrients that most Americans are lacking. In turn, these nutrients can help prevent cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, while enhancing energy, supporting digestion, and boosting your immune system. Green drink mixes and other great supplements can be found at your local health food store or internet Health food store.
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Visit VitaNet Health Foods at http://vitanetonline.com/ VitaNet sells high quality supplements like Green Drink Mix from Natures Plus. Please link to this site when using this article.