With age most women have a tendency to lose bone mass density increasing the likelihood of both developing osteoporosis and breaking a bone. One way to help keep bones healthy, of course, is to know and avoid the risk factors that can undermine bone mass density long before we reach our golden years.

What’s your risk?

Tick any of the following that apply to you:

• Do you have a family history of osteoporosis?

• Have you ever yo-yo dieted or suffered from an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia?

• Have you been prone to irregular cycles or did you have long gaps between periods when younger?

• Are you post-menopausal?

• Did you have an early menopause (before the age of 40)?

• Have you had a hysterectomy and also your ovaries removed?

• Have you taken certain medications – steroids, heparin, anticonvulsants, diuretics, long-term laxatives or antacids?

• Have you had a thyroid problem or a hyperparathyroid problem?

• Are you a smoker?

• Have you already broken any bones?

• Are you inactive?

• Have you got shorter with age?

• Do you have a heavy alcohol (more than 7 units per week) or caffeine (more than 2 cups of coffee or tea per day) intake?

• Are you of European or Asian descent?

• Do you have a digestive problem, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis or Coeliac’s disease?

• Are you slim or small boned?

• Have you never had children?

• Do you exercise too much?

If you ticked just one you have a higher than average risk of low bone density which increases your risk of osteoporosis.

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If you have stiff, painful joints you can help yourself the holistic way with a number of natural remedies and therapies.

The main forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused when the lining around a joint becomes inflamed. This usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body, such as both hips. Osteoarthritis occurs when

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This month’s case study is ‘Hannah’ who came to the Clinic with low libido:

At the age of 37 and after having my two children, I noticed a real dip in my libido, which was quite upsetting because it had never been a problem for me. Not only was it affecting me, it was having a negative impact on my relationship with my husband. I think it was an accumulation of no longer feeling ‘sexy’ and just physically too tired to make the effort. I had also been aware of feeling slightly drier which then made intercourse quite uncomfortable. I had a hectic life running around after a 2 and 4 year old, plus working part time, so by the evening when my husband was ‘in the mood’, I was ready for sleep. Talking to fellow mothers, it did seem a trend, but I knew that it was not what I wanted for myself because my husband and I had always had such a loving, fulfilling relationship. 

To read the rest of this article and for more information on ‘Natural News for Women’ please click here