Nutrition for Women

For the longest of time, menopause has been perceived as an uncomfortable phase in a woman’s life. But today, armed with more knowledge on the physiological and emotional changes that take place during menopause, more women can confidently meet the challenges posed during this crucial stage of life. Scientific research on herbs and nutrients is guiding formulators to come up with innovative nutritional formulas that work with the body’s natural system to help combat common symptoms associated with menopause.

Generally, menopause occurs between the age of 40 and 55 when there is a decline in the production of the hormones, estrogen and progesterone. These changes in hormone levels not only result in causing common symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability, mood swings, sleeping troubles, loss of libido, memory lapses, and depression, but they may additionally predispose women to certain health risks such as heart disease and loss of bone density. During this stage, strategic nutrition for women over 40 could play a vital role in alleviating these effects and minimizing health risks. Listed below are some ingredients that may be used to help support the special nutritional needs of women over 40:

  • Nutrition for heart health - Estrogen offers a protective influence over the arterial walls of the heart by raising the levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and lowering the levels of LDL (bad cholesterol). The decline in estrogen production during menopause may leave women vulnerable to heart disease. To compensate for the loss of protection, a regular intake of omega-3 supplements can help support heart health and may also help improve depressive tendencies.1
  • Nutrition for bone health – Lower levels of estrogen leave women more susceptible to the loss of calcium in bones, leading to loss of bone density. Calcium and Vitamin D supplements are essential nutrition for women in menopause.2
  • Phytoestrogenic herbs contain plant-like hormones called phytoestrogens which may help to modulate hormonal fluctuations during menopause. Such herbs include black cohosh, dong quai, red clover and flaxseed. 3-10
  • Non-estrogenic herbs, such as Lepidium Meyenii (Maca), the root of an Andean plant belonging to the radish family, support the endocrine system and are popularly used as a substitute to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Maca is believed to stimulate hormone production and naturally restore hormonal imbalance. 11
  • Other Nutrients – A broad-spectrum multi-vitamin with antioxidants supports optimal health. For menopausal women In particular, Vitamins E and C may help to alleviate hot flashes and mood swings. Vitamins, D, B-6, B-12 and folic acid may help support heart health and help rebalance metabolism. Magnesium may provide relief for anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia and irritability. 12-15

    • Private Label Vitamins or Supplements to Provide Nutrition for Women in Menopause

    Vitacap Labs provides you with the perfect manufacturing solutions to private label nutrition for women including label design and packaging options. We focus on scientifically-supported formulations and work within a GMP-certified facility assuring you of superior quality supplements that have the full potential for efficacy and safety. By partnering with Vitacap Labs, you’ll also enjoy the advantage of being able to place small order quantities, with minimums starting as low as 96 bottles.


    References
    1. 1.Ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid for the treatment of psychological distress and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, doi:10.3945/ajcn.2008.26749.
    2. 2.Menopause and Bone Loss, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 91, No. 3 0.
    3. 3.Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) for menopausal symptoms: a systematic review of its efficacy. Pharmacology Res. 2008;58(1):8-14.
    4. 4.Complementary and alternative medicine formenopausal symptoms :a review of randomized, controlled trials. ACP J Club 2003: 139: 21.
    5. 5.Black cohosh for the management of menopausal symptoms: a systematic review of clinical trials. Drugs Aging. 2009;26(1):23-36.
    6. 6.Menopause: a review of botanical dietarysupplements. Am J Med 2005; 118 suppl12B: 98-108.
    7. 7.Nonhormonal therapies for hot flashes in menopause. Am Fam Physician. 2006;73(3):457-64.
    8. 8.The effect of red clover isoflavones on menopausal symptoms, lipids and vaginal cytology in menopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled study. Gynecology Endocrinol 2005 Nov; 21: 257-64.
    9. 9.Phytoestrogens and menopause, BMJ. 2002 January 5; 324(7328): 52. . http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1121957/
    10. 10.Flaxseed Dietary Supplement Versus Hormone Replacement Therapy in Hypercholesterolemic Menopausal Women, Obstetrics & Gynecology: September 2002 - Volume 100 - Issue 3 - p 495-504.
    11. 11.Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content, Menopause. 2008 Nov-Dec;15(6):1157-62. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18784609
    12. 12.Prospective evaluation of vitamin E for hot flashes in breast cancer survivors. Journal of Clinical Oncology 1998 Feb;16(2):495-500.
    13. 13.Homocysteine Lowering Trialists' Collaboration. Lowering blood homocysteine with folic acid-based supplements: meta-analysis of randomized trials. Indian Heart Journal 2000 Nov-Dec;51(7 Suppl):s59-64.
    14. 14.Plasma total homocysteine response to oral doses of folic acid and pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin b-6) in healthy individuals. Oral doses of vitamin b-6 reduce concentrations of serum folate. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical Laboratory Investigation 1999 Apr;59(2):139-46.
    15. 15.Magnesium Supplements for Menopausal Hot Flashes, Journal of Clinical Oncology, March 1, 2009 vol. 27 no. 7 1151-1152.