October Health Talk

Welcome to October; welcome to fall; welcome to Women’s Health Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As a woman about to turn 62 (!!??) I consider myself a wise “Crone”; an elder in our female community able to hopefully impart wisdoms to my younger sisters! Our female staff ranges in age from 30 to 62; all living a healthy lifestyle ready to impart knowledge!

Let’s discuss general health for women of all ages. I recommend a multi-vitamin for all women. It is nearly impossible to get all of our nutrients from our food in the best of circumstances. Factor in how much our food supply is processed; our busy lifestyles; so many of us in the workforce with no time to cook and we need a little help. At Complete Health Store we carry vitamin formulas for all ages of women; I am currently on “Prime Years”; a superior 2 a day for age 55+. We have chewable vitamins, liquids, capsules; tablets; even gummy bears! 

Depending on your age; Calcium is vitally important. Women begin losing calcium levels in their late 20’s. Talk to your doctor about supplementing. I personally drink 2 glasses of organic nonfat milk; and enjoy a cup of nonfat greek yogurt daily as well as “Lifetime Calcium Magnesium”; to ward of osteoporosis. Have your doctor check your iron levels and eat iron rich foods; such as spinach, strawberries, raisins and kale. Come check out our Firehouse Salad in our D’lightful Bitesdeli. This powerhouse and delicious salad features calcium and iron rich spinach, kale; protein rich almonds; and the antioxidant rich super fruit cranberries; best of all it tastes amazing!

Exercise ladies! Twenty minutes a day can speed up your metabolism for 24 hours; turning you into a fat burning machine! Weight bearing exercises help build strong bones and also burn fat! Finally studies have shown that a 30 minute walk daily can reduce your risk for breast cancer by 14%! This is big!

Because this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month I am going to cover some key points to help you arm yourself against this disease. Most importantly self-breast exams monthly past the age of 20 preferably the first week after your menstrual cycle ends. Studies have shown that a high fat diet attributing to large waist circumference almost certainly raises the risk for breast cancer. Fiber from whole grain cereals and fruits seems to help prevent breast cancer; include grapefruit; oranges; brussels sprouts and broccoli in your diet! Treat yourself to cherries ,grapes, fresh apples and all kinds of berries! Make sure your diet provides adequate amounts of essential fatty acids as found in fish oil and flax oil. A wonderful supplement I take is “Essential Woman” by Barleans which contains flax seed oil, evening primrose oil, and rosemary; it helps balance hormones and protects against breast cancer which is prominent in my family.

So ladies, let’s gather together, stay well’ exercise, eat right, spoil ourselves a little and celebrate life!

Take good care

Barbara