Vitamin D Essential For Women Over 50

By Barbara Hannah Grufferman

Some great news was just released that is sure to make big believers in the power of vitamin D smile… and maybe just a little smug. Not only is this little “vitamin that could” essential for keeping our brain cells healthy and percolating as we age, but taken with calcium, it offers a host of other health benefits, too.

I got to know firsthand what combining vitamin D with calcium and strength training could do after I was diagnosed with osteopenia (a short train ride away from osteoporosis) when I turned 50 a few years ago. After following a daily program of taking the supplements, eating calcium-rich foods and doing push-ups (and a few other strengthening exercises), I stopped that osteoporsis train right in its tracks. Here’s the scoop…

The results of a major double-blind study by The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), which will appear in the next issue of Osteoporosis International, confirms that taking a combination of vitamin D3 and calcium every day not only offers tremendous health benefits, but is safe.

Conducted over seven years, the WHI study involved giving 36,282 postmenopausal women 1,000 mg of calcium plus 400 IU of vitamin D3 daily to test whether taken together and every day would reduce hip fracture, and secondarily, total fracture and colorectal cancer.

Results? The risk of hip fractures was reduced by a whopping 38% in women over 50. According to the study’s authors, “Long-term use of calcium and vitamin D appears to confer a reduction that may be substantial in the risk of hip fracture among postmenopausal women.”

Additionally, the study will reassure doctors and women who have been worried about the potential negative health impact vitamin D and calcium might have by showing that taken supplementally is safe without increased risk of myocardial infraction, cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular death. The risk of kidney stones or urinary tract infections, which has been previously studied and documented, appear to be modest and not something average postmenopausal women need to be concerned about.

To read the full report, click here.

What should you do with this information? The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), the leading resource for news, information and education about bone disease, recommends the following simple steps:

• Know your numbers: Have vitamin D and calcium levels checked at your next physical exam and talk with your primary care physician about how much calcium and vitamin D3 to take.
• Eat for strength: In addition to taking vitamin D and calcium supplements, eat plenty of dark, leafy greens (kale, chard, broccoli are great choices), and lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Drink in moderation: Limit alcohol to no more than two drinks a day, and for sure, don’t smoke.
• Get strong: Try gentle running (or fast-paced walking) for 30 minutes for cardio health and weight control, but make sure to include strength-training in your fitness program. One of the most important exercises you’ll ever do is the old-fashion push-up. Here’s a short video showing how to do both the modified and the full push-up:

WATCH: Push-Up Tips

For more information about combating osteoporosis as we age, visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation website.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says, ”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Mammograms – Are They Saving Lives?

by Linda Franklin 

Whether or not to have a yearly mammogram has women more than a little confused.  I  have been getting an annual exam since I was 40 – this year I didn’t.   I am scheduled to go again in January because I am afraid not to.  It’s a real dilemma – a damned if you do damned if you don’t scenario.

Last week there was an article in the New York Times blog on the latest research published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The research shows that, “mammograms increased diagnoses and surgeries, but didn’t save lives”.

Mammogram screening led to an increase in the number of breast cancers detected at an early stage but the number of cancers diagnosed at the advanced stage was essentially unchanged.  If mammograms were really finding deadly cancers sooner (as suggested by the rise in early detection), then cases of advanced cancer should have been reduced in kind.  But that didn’t happen.

So what are we to make of that?

Mammograms have become standard care for women based on the understanding that early detection is key to preventing death from breast cancer.  As the article states, “the trial results threatened a mammogram economy, a marketplace sustained by invasive therapies to vanquish microscopic clumps of questionable threat, and by an endless parade of procedures and pictures to investigate the falsely positive results that more than half of women endure.”

Are mammograms benefiting women, or are they just something that helps fund a dysfunctional health care system?   I guess every woman has to make that decision for herself.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says, ”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Women Drinking Diet Soda Risking A Stroke

by Linda Franklin

Ok, we’ve all read the multitude of reasons we shouldn’t be drinking  sodas, but here’s a new one.

A new study is linking regular consumption of sugary drinks with the risk of having a stroke.

Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study shows that women who said they drank the most soft drinks had an 83 percent higher risk of ischemic stroke than those who reported drinking the fewest soft drinks.

Earlier this year, a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine showed a link between drinking a diet soda every day and higher stroke and heart attack risk.

“It makes sense, if [sugar sweetened beverages] increase the risk for obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, inflammation, then it should, in fact, raise the risk for cardiovascular disease, and that’s what we’re seeing,” Cleveland Clinic’s Adam Bernstein, who was not involved in the study.

The study included 39,786 men and women in Japan between the ages of 40 and 59, who were tracked between 1990 and 2008. By the end of the study period, 453 people had ischemic heart disease and 1,922 people had had a stroke (1,047 of which were ischemic).

Is this news enough for you to stop drinking soda for good?

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Lady Parts Justice – Thanks Lizz Winstead

by Linda Franklin

There is a War on Women.  Lady Parts Justice needs you to enlist & speak out on behalf of lady parts everywhere.

Thanks to Lizz Winstead (co-creator of the Daily Show) for launching ladypartsjustice.com  her way of getting women to the polls.  Love her brilliant way of getting this message across.

Perimenopausal Depression

By Staness Jonekos

If you are suffering from hot flashes, night sweats, cranky moods or feeling hopeless for prolonged periods – you may be experiencing perimenopausal depression.  Researchers have shown that hormones directly affect the brain chemistry that controls emotions and mood.

Perimenopausal symptoms may be the cause of depression, and for some, it may even be clinical depression.

According to the North American Menopause Society:

A depressed mood –This is a normal, brief period of feeling blue or sad that is commonly experienced and rarely requires treatment.

Depression as a symptom – This type of depression may be due to a wide variety of medical or psychological problems, or to intense reactions to life events (such as divorce, losing a job, death of a loved one). It is usually short-term and most often does not require treatment, although it can progress to clinical depression.

Clinical depression — This is a pathologic disorder believed to result from a chemical imbalance in the brain. A clinical (major) depression requires treatment.

Women who had severe PMS in their younger years may experience more severe mood swings during perimenopause. There are many factors that can cause an increased risk for depression from your genes, to having a prior history to taking certain medications.  Certain endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism, or other illnesses, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, are also associated with depression.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• Overeating, or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.

Mild depression – feeling blue or sad – can be dealt with cognitive therapy, psychotherapy, meditation, Yoga, getting enough sleep, a positive outlook, healthy eating, incorporating appropriate supplements, acupuncture, and exercise. Exercise boosts your endorphins and can lift your mood. Engaging in new activities may help, such as taking Yoga or Pilate’s class, or getting out and trying new things, all while enlisting the support of your family and friends.

If you have lingering or worsening symptoms, you may need medication.  Depression can be a malfunction of your neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin, which is the feel good neurotransmitter. Medicines can be enormously helpful, although you will want to incorporate lifestyle changes as well.

According to the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation(SWAN):

The risk of major depression is greater for women during and immediately after the menopausal transition than when they are pre-menopausal.

If you suffer from depression whether mild, moderate or clinical, get support and visit your health care provider to discuss your options.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Designer Vaginas – Give Me A Break

by Linda Franklin

Designer vaginas – you’ve got to be kidding. This focus on being perfect, even when it comes to their va-ja-ja’s, just confirms my opinion that today’s woman is moving backwards.  I hate to see this happening when so many have worked so hard to help women appreciate themselves from the inside out.

Doctors report children as young as 11 seeking surgery.  Yes, you read that right.  The concept of beauty has extended from having the right looking cheeks to the right looking genitals.

The hour-long procedure which was originally popular with patients suffering from incontinence or a sagging of the vaginal canal following childbirth, is now more widely used for cosmetic purposes to either to enhance the appearance of the genitalia or boost sexual satisfaction.

While the average age of those requesting the surgery is between 30-45 some doctors are concerned the trend is causing teenagers to become increasingly ‘misled or confused’ about what is normal.

It’s just not right,’ Dr Iglesia, a Washington, D.C., gynecologist, noted in an editorial in the June issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Critics believe it is yet another service aimed at women pursuing an impossible ideal of physical perfection, and surgeons say the majority of patients have been influenced by internet pornography and the media industry.

One patient said she looked at ‘a few Playboys here and there’ before opting for labiaplasty

Dr. John Miklos who trained as a gynecologist and reconstructive surgeon, and now calls himself a ‘medical tailor,’ specializes in surgery to reshape a woman’s private parts. On average he performs as many as 180 labiaplasties a year to cut back the skin flaps surrounding the vaginal opening.

There are two main types of procedure available:

Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation

• For women who want to enhance or improve sexual gratification
• Most patients are women who have had children and experience vaginal relaxation
• The procedure enhances vaginal muscle tone, strength, and control
• Effectively decreases the internal and external vaginal diameters
• Builds up and strengthens the perineal body

Designer Laser Vaginoplasty

• Aesthetic laser enhancement for women who are concerned with appearance
• Sculpts and reduces the inner and outer labia
• Reduces excess skin
• Reduces thickness of the labia minora
• Pigmentation treatment to create uniform colouration
• Rejuvenates the relaxed parts of the vagina
• Augment any areas that are ‘flat’ with transfer of fat from other areas
• Removes fatty bulges of pubic area

The growth comes despite a warning from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in 2007 that strongly questioned the medical validity and safety of female genital cosmetic surgery which can cost between $2,500 and $12,000.

One of the major concerns is that many surgeons fail to explain risks, such as infections, scarring, pain and the loss of the very sensations some patients seek to enhance.

‘Even when women are told of potential complications, like insensitivity of the clitoris … they still may be unstoppable if they have the notion that they need a younger-looking or more perfect or more desirable vulva,’ said Harriet Lerner, a psychologist specializing in women’s issues.

Do women really think that men really care if you have the perfect vagina?  Not the men I have spoken to.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality.  Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

 

 

Oral Sex Is Good For A Women’s Health!

by Linda Franklin

Oral sex is good for women’s health and apparently engaging in this sexual act makes you happier.  Men all over the planet must be cheering this latest news.  A study done at The State University of New York, monitored the effects of semen’s ‘mood-altering chemicals.

The research showed that seminal fluid contains chemicals that elevates mood, increases affection, induces sleep and also contains at least three anti-depressants. Hell, they should bottle this stuff if all this is true.

Semen contains cortisol, which is known to increase affection, estrone, which elevates mood and oxytocin, which also elevates mood.

It also contains thyrotropin-releasing hormone (another antidepressant), melatonin (a sleep-inducing agent), and even serotonin.

To investigate whether semen has antidepressant effects, the authors rounded up 293 college females from the university’s Albany campus, who agreed to fill out an anonymous questionnaire about various aspects of their sex lives.

Their findings also suggest that women who have unprotected sex with their partners – and therefore are getting regularly inseminated by them – experience more significant depression on breaking up with these men than those who were not as regularly exposed to an ex’s semen, and that they also go on the rebound faster in seeking new sexual partners.

The most significant findings from this study, published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, were that, even after adjusting for frequency of sexual intercourse, women who engaged in sex and ‘never’ used condoms showed significantly fewer depressive symptoms than did those who ‘usually’ or ‘always’ used condoms.

Importantly, these chronically condom-less, sexually active women also evidenced fewer depressive symptoms than did those who abstained from sex altogether.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality.  Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Menopause and Your Man – What Is He Feeling?

 

by Linda Franklin

 

Menopause is a time of profound change for women, both physically and emotionally. But what about the husbands and partners we share our lives with? How are the changes we are going through affecting them?

It’s a subject that touches millions, but is rarely spoken about. Until now. In her new book, Sex, Meaning and The Menopause, psychotherapist Sue Brayne persuaded a group of men, all married to women who were going, or had gone, through menopause, to open up about their experiences.

Their stories show how menopause can cut right to the heart of a man’s sense of masculinity.

Women have each other to talk to or pick up the pieces when our worlds fall apart. But men don’t have that innate capacity. They may mumble to their friends about something that’s bothering them, but it’s rarely an open or honest conversation.

Most of the men featured in the book had never spoken about these things to anyone, but they were desperate for an outlet for their fears.

As one husband said, “its personal to talk like this, but I feel a sense of relief that I’ve been able to put it into words.”

One husband, 67, confessed he had an affair when his wife was going through menopause 13 years ago. While the father of four ended his transgression long ago, the emotion is still raw. ‘I don’t know if she was in denial about what she was experiencing, but it ended up with me shying away from speaking to her about anything to do with intimacy.

‘Only now can I see what a monumental change she went through. She moved from the role of wife, mother and lover to this matriarchal authority figure. That was a real challenge for me. Being married to a post-menopausal woman makes you face your own aging process. At the time, I didn’t understand any of this, so I reacted by falling in love with a much younger woman. And, then, of course, the damage is done.”

This might be an extreme example of the havoc the menopause can wreak, but I’m sure there are many men who will empathise with those who confessed they suddenly found their menopausal wives to be almost impossible to live with.

Some husbands found the change so dramatic they compared it to their wives undergoing a personality transplant. “I have no problem with my wife’s body or the fact she’s aging. So am I. In fact, I love the way she looks. She’s still a beautiful woman to me. But I get confused when she wants to get close to me because in the past this always led to sex, but now she rarely wants to make love.”

“I started to feel marginalized, especially when we ended up in separate bedrooms. I was servicing the family financially, eating with them and driving them around, but without having a relationship with my wife. It made me feel lonely, sad and angry.”

In the past ten years, divorces among the over-50s have triped, with the majority being filed by women

It’s clear that ignorance and confusion add to the problems couples suffer when a woman goes through  menopause. It’s so important to give men a chance to speak up — some women might be astonished to learn what they really think.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality.  Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

BodyLogicMD’s Wellness Project Giveaway

by Linda Franklin

We all love to get free stuff and here’s your opportunity to win a full year of comprehensive lab tests and consultations with a highly-trained physician.

In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of BodyLogicMD, a lucky winner, or two, will have the opportunity to experience balance and total wellness through the BodyLogicMD network – for free!

Participants enter by submitting a video to The Wellness Project, describing how symptoms of hormone imbalance and conditions of poor health have negatively impacted their lives.

Millions of men and women in the United States suffer from a variety of adverse conditions that negatively impact their health and quality of life. Many times these conditions, which range from hot flashes or weight gain to thyroid disorders or sexual dysfunction, are linked to a hormone imbalance. The physicians of the BodyLogicMD network know that it is possible to live life free of the aches, pains and discomfort of aging through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), balanced nutrition, routine fitness and stress management techniques.

Videos may be sad, hopeful, funny, sentimental or any combination that will effectively tell the participant’s story. Individuals may enter themselves or nominate someone they know. Videos will be judged by a panel of experts with influential backgrounds in the medical industry. These judges will narrow the videos submissions to 10 finalists and post to The Wellness Project Group Facebook page for voting by the general public.

The journey of each winner – from initial consultation through follow-up visits – will be documented through video and other mediums to give the public an inside look of the transformation that can be achieved through the pursuit of preventive health and long-term wellness. For more details visit BodyLogicMD.com/wellness-project.

I think this is an excellent opportunity to work with an medical expert on fine-tuning your body to run at maximum effectiveness.  I am a big fan of bio-identical hormones and I can tell you from first hand experience that the biggest benefit comes from your medical partner. It’s a team effort.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Penis Pumps Funded by Medicare – What About HelpingThe Women?

by Linda Franklin 

 

American taxpayers are spending $36 million a year on penis pumps to treat erectile dysfunction for Medicare patients.  After a political uproar that led to Viagra not being covered by Medicare, doctors began prescribing ‘male vacuum erection systems’ to patients — at an average cost of $338 each. 

The pumps have skyrocketed in popularity since 2007, when Medicare ruled that Viagra, and similar drugs for erectile dysfunction, were ‘lifestyle’ drugs and not medically necessary.

Last year, Medicare paid out $36 million — more than 160,000 vacuum devices.

So, wait a damn minute!  Men always find a way to get help in treating their sexual dysfunction while women are left to twist in the breeze. Remember the disrespectful way women wanting a little insurance coverage for safe birth control were treated not so long ago?  

Always, always the double standard.  Women aren’t supposed to be sexual beings and that’s why natural sexual enhancers like Zestra can’t get advertising spots on national television.  According to the American Medical Association, 43 percent of women suffer from sexual dysfunction, compared to 31 percent of men.    

The question is when will we narrow the margins on this ugly double standard? On the outside it appears our country is so progressive when it comes to sex.  But, clearly that’s not the case.  What is OK for the man is definitely not OK for the women.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.