Best Natural Supplements for Menopause

Natural supplements for menopause can often ease temporary symptoms dramatically and make risky medical hormone treatments unnecessary. Some women sail through the change of life and don’t really need any help at all, but most experience anything from intermittent mild discomfort all the way up to debilitating hot flashes and mood swings that directly interfere with daily life.

The following natural supplements for menopause are among the best available:

• Black cohosh. Black cohosh is made from a plant native the eastern coast of the United States that is part of the buttercup family. One of the most popular of all the natural supplements for menopause, black cohosh has even been recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for use against hot flashes, migraines, heart palpitations, and mood swings.
• Dong quai. Dong quai is a Chinese herbal treatment for female problems that is sometimes called ‘the female ginseng.’ A relative of the celery family, dong quai is made from the root of the plant and is available as a tincture or tablet.
• Evening primrose oil. Evening primrose is an American wildflower that has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for a variety of ills and is a one of the better natural supplements for menopause. The oil is pressed from the seeds of the plant, which are rich in alpha-linoeic compounds similar to those found in flaxseed. These compounds appear to regulate female hormones and can be as effective as drug therapy for some menopause symptoms.
• Flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil is one of the best natural supplements for menopause because it naturally balances hormones. Flaxseed oil contains high concentrations of lignans, a nutrient necessary to proper hormonal function, and a powerful antioxidant. Take one to two tablespoons per day of the oil, or sprinkle a tablespoon of ground flaxseed on cereal each morning (the seeds are hard to digest, so grinding them first is recommended).
• B6 and B12 vitamins. These essential vitamins are found in lean meats, beans, and whole grain starches and help to regulate mood. A surprising number of women are chronically deficient in B vitamins even before menopause, but once menopause hits this deficiency causes serious mood problems. Taking a daily supplement can have dramatic positive effects.
• Folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin that reacts with neurotransmitters in the brain to prevent hot flashes. Folic acid supplements are widely available, and the nutrient also occurs naturally in dark green leafy vegetables, asparagus, beans, peas, lentils, and beer.
• Vitamin E. Vitamin E is rich in antioxidants and has been shown to reduce night sweats and hot flashes in menopausal and peri-menopausal women.

Taking natural supplements for menopause has become a more popular practice in recent years. Hormone therapy, which used to be routinely prescribed for women approaching menopause, has been found to increase the risk of various types of cancer. Natural supplements for menopause by contrast are safe and often even bit as effective as hormones.

Even better, many of these natural supplements for menopause are also excellent anti aging supplements for both genders—especially B6, B12, folic acid, vitamin E, and flaxseed. All are rich in nutrients that slow the aging process and foster all around good health and increased energy.

Related links:

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