Health Initiative S Woman

Health Initiative S Woman

Health Initiative S Woman

Health Initiative S Woman

By: Admin | Date: November 11, 2011 | Categories:

Women are faced with different health challenges at all stages of life – through adolescence to pregnancy to menopause and beyond – and healthy lifestyle choices are essential to optimize your health during each of these stages. Physical, mental, emotional and environmental factors are all equally important contributors to overall health at any age. Nutritional health is related to each of these factors, thus a healthy diet is crucial to achieving optimal health for women at all ages.

Balance is Key

The basics of any healthy diet starts with eating a balanced diet containing lean protein (think chicken, turkey or tofu), complex carbohydrates from whole grains and vibrant fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats from fish, olive oil or flaxseeds. These foods all provide essential nutrients and also have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that serve to maintain optimal health as well as prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and cancer in both men and women.

Beyond a healthy diet, women require specific nutrients during each stage of their lives to maintain optimal health. For example, optimal levels of calcium, iron, zinc and folic acid are critical for adolescent women to develop healthy bones, teeth, skin, nerves, muscles and immune function. Low levels of these and other nutrients early in the developmental stage sets the stage for health complications such as osteoporosis, immune deficiencies, anemia, and cognitive deficits. Folic acid is needed for DNA synthesis and is critical both during the developmental years for proper growth, and during pregnancy to prevent serious birth defects such as spina bifida.


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