Problems at menopause are often much more severe than at puberty, largely because the diet has been deficient in many nutrients--protein, calcium, magnesium, vitamins D, E, and pantothenic acid--for years prior to its onset. For instance, persons who spend much of their time indoors may have no vitamin D whatsoever in their blood. Moreover, women who have a particularly difficult time during this period are usually those whose adrenals are exhausted.

Because calcium is less well absorbed and the urinary losses are greater when the output of estrogen decreases, such calcium-deficiency symptoms as nervousness, irritability, insomnia, headaches, and depression are common. These problems can be easily overcome if the intakes of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D are all generously increased and are well absorbed. Any woman having difficulty at this time should probably supplement her daily diet with the anti-stress formula, 5,000 units of vitamin D, and 500 milligrams of magnesium; and obtain daily 2 grams of calcium, which can be supplied by 1 quart of milk fortified with ½ cup of non-instant powdered milk. Approximately 500 milligrams of calcium, preferably with magnesium, should be taken at any meal and before bed when fortified milk is not drunk.

During the menopause the need for vitamin E soars 10 to 50 times over that previously required. Hot flashes and night sweats often disappear when 50 to 500 units of vitamin E are taken daily, but they quickly recur should the vitamin be stopped. If estrogen is given, the need for vitamin E increases still further.

Although the effect of cold creams apparently has not been specifically studied, it is known that estrogen, the adrenal hormones, and vitamins A, D, E, and K dissolve in mineral oil, from which most cold creams are made; and that mineral oil absorbs through die skin when creams containing it are used. These hormones and vitamins are then lost in the feces. Mineral oil in all forms should probably be avoided, particularly during the menopause. Creams having a base of avocado oil, bone marrow, or other vegetable or animal fat may be used instead.

When menopause symptoms are severe, the condition should be looked upon as another form of stress, and all nutrients needed to stimulate the production of adrenal hormones particularly emphasized. Emotional stresses, such as rebellion at growing older and fear that one will become unattractive or that one's sex life will cease, often play a role in menopausal disturbances; and they increase the need for all nutrients as readily as any other form of stress. There is, however, another point of view.

Varicose Veins

Although men have varicose veins, they are far more common among women. Anything that stops or interferes with the normal return of blood through the major veins in the legs, such as a tumor, cut, scarring, or clot, can cause other veins to become overloaded. A clot may form anywhere in the body yet lodge like a roadblock in the large leg vein. As in any detour, the blood is shunted along other roads; thus the smaller veins near the surface are forced to carry so much blood that they become unsightly.

The lack of any nutrient that allows blood to clot too rapidly may playa role in the production of varicose veins. Blood clots that block circulation have been produced in animals by a diet lacking vitamin E. If the vitamin is then given, such clots stop forming, the veins become dilated, and auxiliary blood vessels quickly develop around the clots which soon dissolve. Similarly, giving vitamin E to humans has apparently prevented clots and embolisms but clot formation recurs if vitamin E is discontinued. Varicose veins most frequently appear during pregnancy, when the requirement for this vitamin is unusually high and is both woefully deficient and often destroyed by iron supplements. Vitamins C, E, and several of the B vitamins are said to help dissolve clots.

Some investigators believe the major cause of varicose veins to be faulty elimination, in which an overloaded bowel presses against the veins in the lower abdomen year after year, gradually breaking down the valves in the veins and allowing a reverse flow of blood. Among people on diets of unrefined foods, such as the Zulus in Africa, varicose veins and hemorrhoids (another form of varicose veins) are virtually unknown. In fact only three cases among 115,319 patients were found to have varicose veins compared with 10 per cent of the hospital population in England. To correct the situation, a "1,000-year-old diet" of fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, cheese, sour milks, nuts, and whole-grain breads and cereals free from all refined foods is recommended. A millennium ago, few methods of refining were known, sugar was rare, and honey such a luxury that it was eaten by the common people only at wedding feasts.

Still another cause of varicose veins is a swollen, enlarged, or fatty liver which slows down the return of blood to the heart. In this case, a diet to correct liver damage should be adhered to. There is no doubt that varicose veins can be prevented by an adequate diet and that prevention is much easier than correction. When removed surgically without the cause being corrected and preventive measures taken, they usually reappear in a relatively short time.

Various emotional upsets, particularly suppressed anger, can make varicose veins worse. Deep within all of us is a primitive desire to kick when something goes wrong; even if such a desire remains unconscious, large amounts of blood are still sent to the legs. When varicose veins exist, there turn of this extra blood to the heart causes the already overloaded veins to swell still more. I have yet to know a woman whose varicose veins did not become severely troublesome if, for instance, she was furious because her husband was divorcing her. When such anger can be harmlessly expressed by kicking a pillow placed securely in a corner, further overloading of the veins can be prevented.

About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a Male Enhancement Facts company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2009 David Crawford of Male Enhancement Pills This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.