Menopause

Nutrients, Minerals and Vitamins for Menopause

New research finds that taking vitamins for menopause relief may help women to reduce or alleviate some of the symptoms caused by this condition. Various minerals and natural plant substances that provide phytoestrogens can also be beneficial.

What is Menopause?

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle, and it’s something every woman goes through eventually. While the typical age for menopause is 51, it can affect women in their 40s, or later in their mid- to late-50s. In most cases, a doctor won’t diagnose menopause until the woman has gone through a full year without experiencing any periods. Although menopause is a natural process, it does result in symptoms that can cause discomfort and physical pain as well as emotional changes.

Symptoms of Menopause

As women near menopause, they can begin experiencing any of the following symptoms:

irregular periods
chills and/or hot flashes
vaginal dryness
sleep problems, including night sweats
mood swings
slowed metabolism, resulting in unexplained weight gain
skin problems and thinning hair
breast changes, including a loss of fullness
inhibited sex drive or libido

Middle-aged to older women are cautioned to take better care of their overall health as a result of an increased risk of certain medical conditions. Post-menopausal are more likely to suffer from bone loss or osteoporosis as a result of hormonal changes or vitamin deficiencies. Decreased estrogen levels also result in an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, so controlling cholesterol and hypertension is especially important. The vagina and urethra become less flexible after menopause, so older women also experience decreased control over urinary function. Combined with vaginal dryness, these effects can also inhibit sexual desire and activity.

Since menopause is a natural condition, it’s not something that can be prevented or cured. However, women can make lifestyle changes and try treatments suggested by their doctors to help alleviate or diminish the severity of symptoms. New research has found that dietary supplements may also help women reduce their menopausal symptoms.

Vitamins for Menopause Relief

Vitamin A

There’s some debate in regard to the effects vitamin A has on the health of menopausal women. This is because preformed vitamin A, also called retinol, is stored in the liver, and too much of this compound can lead to liver toxicity. Some research also indicates that vitamin A increases the risks of hip fractures in women. This effect was not found when vitamin A was delivered in the form of beta-carotene. In this case, vitamin A may actually boost bone health.

Vitamin B-12

This may be one of the most essential vitamins for menopause because it helps with bone health, red blood cell count and brain function. As people age, a vitamin B-12 deficiency becomes more common, so it’s more important to take a B-12 supplement to boost your supply of this vitamin to healthier levels. Women aged 14 and up should be getting at least 2.4 micrograms of B-12 on a daily basis. Vitamin B-12 is primarily found in red meat, poultry, fish and dairy products.

Vitamin B-6

This nutrient is vital to the production of serotonin, which is a hormone responsible for regulating mood. Post-menopausal women commonly experience a B-6 deficiency, which is why mood swings and depressive episodes are more common for older women. By the same token, mood can be better regulated by increasing your intake of vitamin B-6. Taking a supplement can help alleviate depression or reduce the frequency of depressive episodes.

Vitamin D

Most people have a vitamin D deficiency because the best source of this nutrient is direct sunlight. Since skin cancer is also a concern, people tend to limit their exposure to sunlight, however, in short bursts, the sun’s rays can have positive effects on your health.

It’s especially important for post-menopausal women because it boosts bone strength, prevents the loss of bone density and lowers the risks of fractures. Women over 50 should be getting a minimum of 20 mcg of vitamin D each day. In addition to taking a supplement, you can also find this in the oil from fatty fish or in cheese or egg yolks. Fortified cereals also contain vitamin D.

Can Estrogenic Herbs Relieve Menopausal Symptoms?

Estrogenic herbs are natural plants that contain compounds that resemble the estrogen in human women. Because of their structural similarity to estrogen, once ingested, the compounds in estrogenic herbs act as weak estrogens in the body. As such, consuming estrogenic herbs can be effective in reducing or eliminating many symptoms of menopause. In particular, women who have taken estrogenic herbs have reported that headaches, night sweats and inhibited libido were alleviated by the use of the herbs.

Some common sources of estrogenic herbs are red clover, soy and dong quai. While you can find these in many health food stores, it’s more convenient to get these herbs together in a single supplement. Menochron is an example of a high-quality supplement that’s engineered to help soothe the symptoms of menopause. In addition to containing estrogenic herbs, these types of supplements also often contain daily servings of other important vitamins and nutrients.

In addition to adding a supplement to your daily routine, your doctor may suggest more dietary or lifestyle changes to help you manage menopausal symptoms. While each woman experiences menopause symptoms differently, the symptoms can usually be managed better by giving the body the nutrients it needs. Since most symptoms, including hot flashes and diminished libido, result from vitamin deficiencies, ingesting more nutrients and reducing the consumption of processed foods may provide the best solution.

Certain Lifestyle Factors Found to Increase Risk of Menopause Hot Flashes

Nov 22 by Ewcopywriting

Menopause is a natural occurrence in a woman’s life, and as such should not be considered an illness or adverse medical condition. Although it typically occurs when a woman reaches her 40s or 50s, it can occur earlier. The onset of menopause is marked by a woman’s last menstrual period; specifically, menopause commences with the cessation of the menstrual cycle for at least a 12-month period. While this is a natural occurrence, it does produce some adverse symptoms, which women may experience for years after they have had their last period. The severity and frequency of the symptoms will vary from woman to woman, so some may only experience them for a brief time. A new study finds that two lifestyle habits increase the chances of experiencing menopause hot flashes, offering a possible way to reduce the risk of certain menopausal symptoms.

What are Some Symptoms of Menopause?

Once a woman experiences menopause, she’s no longer fertile and cannot conceive a child. This is just one result of the lower levels of estrogen the body now produces. Since hormone levels are decreased during this period, other physical and emotional changes can also occur. These symptoms often include:

vaginal dryness
hot flashes
night sweats
irregular sleep patterns
urinary problems, including urinary tract infection
depression
mood swings
inhibited cognitive abilities, especially poor concentration and memory recall

As women enter this stage in their lives, they also have a greater risk of developing certain diseases. Lower estrogen levels raise the risks of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and breast cancer. In some cases, women can counteract these increased risks by altering their diets, increasing physical activity and making other natural changes.

Certain Lifestyle Habits Increase Risk of Menopause Hot Flashes

Two of the most troubling symptoms that women experience are menopause hot flashes and night sweats. According to some new research, these symptoms can be alleviated by making a few lifestyle modifications, but only if the changes are made earlier in life. The researchers found that hot flashes and night sweats were less common among women who had quit smoking and reduced their body fat by the age of 40.

It’s believed that the hypothalamus region of the brain is responsible for controlling body temperature. A misfiring in this part of the brain may be responsible for causing the hot flashes and night sweats that older women experience after menopause. These symptoms, which are called vasomotor symptoms, are experienced by more than 85 percent of menopausal women. New research that was conducted at Australia’s University of Queensland suggests vasomotor symptoms may be avoided with some lifestyle changes.

Dr. Hsin-Fang Chung led the project, which involved combing over eight previous studies that evaluated the health of 21,460 middle-aged women. The subjects in the study were all over 50 years of age and consisted of women from the U.S., U.K., Japan and Australia. The team compared obesity and smoking habits of the subjects against their risks of experiencing vasomotor symptoms. In making the comparisons, the researchers noted how the changes occurred in relation to the stage of menopause each subject was experiencing.

As the research project began, more than 60 percent of the subjects reported experiencing night sweats or hot flashes. The researchers also noted that more than half of the women in that group were overweight, with 21 percent of them registering as obese. Additionally, 17 percent were smokers. The study revealed that the women who were smokers and/or obese for most of their lives experienced vasomotor symptoms more frequently and more severely as they reached menopause.

Specifically, Dr. Chung reported that obesity raised the risks of experiencing more pronounced vasomotor symptoms by 60 percent. Smokers raised their risk of experiencing hot flashes and night sweats in menopause by 80 percent when compared to non-smoking women. When combined, smoking and obesity raises the risks of experiencing more severe hot flashes and night sweats by three times. This was found to be especially true for women who smoked more than 20 cigarettes daily, or those who had smoked for more than 30 years consistently.

The research found that these effects could be prevented by making early lifestyle changes. The women who quit smoking before the age of 40 faced the same risks of experiencing severe vasomotor symptoms as women who had never smoked. Similarly, dropping excess weight earlier in life will help women enjoy these same benefits when they do reach menopause.

How Can You Alleviate the Symptoms of Menopause Naturally?

Improve Your Diet

Your eating habits can greatly affect the severity of your menopausal symptoms. Spicy foods should be avoided as much as possible, while coffee, soda and alcohol should be eliminated. Staying away from caffeinated products in the late afternoons and evening hours can also improve sleep quality. Your doctor can provide you with a more thorough list of foods you should avoid and those you should add to your diet.

Take a Supplement

A daily supplement, such as Menochron, can also help alleviate certain menopause symptoms. The supplement’s isoflavones mimic the effects that natural estrogen has on the body, supporting healthy hormone balance and helping to make up for the lower levels of hormones. Additionally, other ingredients help the body metabolize sugar and fat more efficiently, protect bone health and fight free radicals. Research also shows that testosterone supplementation may help boost libido and improve sexual health during menopause.

Get More Exercise

The body needs a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise each day, but women facing menopause should be getting more physical activity. Workouts should combine cardio activities such as brisk walking, jogging or swimming with resistance training activities like lifting weights, push-ups and crunches, and should make up at least 60 minutes of each day.

Physical Therapy May Help

Finally, yoga, acupuncture and massage therapy may help to reduce some symptoms. While these treatments haven’t been shown to affect vasomotor symptoms, they may help alleviate other symptoms. They can help keep the body more limber, so workouts will be more effective, and they reduce stress and allow subjects to rest easier. If you have difficulty sleeping, one of these methods may improve your ability to sleep soundly.

The Best Natural Nutrients for Menopause

Aug 23 by Ewcopywriting

Menopause is a normal biological process that all women go through at some point in their adult lives. Typically beginning in a woman’s 40s and 50s and lasting anywhere from seven to 14 years, menopause marks the end of the reproductive period, which means that a child can no longer be conceived. As such, the body goes through a number of changes that can make this time of life uncomfortable or even painful, depending on the severity of the biological changes and symptoms. Fortunately, there are a number of natural nutrients for menopause symptoms. Learning more about these nutrients can help you better manage your symptoms and find relief.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has gone a full 12 months without menstruating. During this time, the body will also reduce or stop the production of certain hormones, including estrogen. These hormonal changes can cause a variety of symptoms to develop. Common symptoms of menopause include:

sleep difficulties
mood changes
fatigue
depression
easily irritated
rise in heart rate
headaches
aches and pains in the joints and muscles
vaginal dryness
decreased sex drive
hot flashes
uncontrolled bladder function

While there is no way to stop or prevent menopause, there are things you can do to help minimize its impact on your daily life. If your symptoms are especially severe, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy and other treatments that will address each symptom individually. For instance, he may prescribe an anti-depressant to help control mood swings and other medications to reduce bone loss. Alternatively, mild symptoms can be alleviated or reduced by taking a high-quality dietary supplement.

Receiving Nutrients for Menopause Through Supplementation

There are a variety of vitamins and nutrients for menopause that can help women better manage uncomfortable symptoms. While these are natural nutrients, it can be difficult to get enough of them through dietary changes alone. Additionally, it can become problematic to try and take a supplement for each individual nutrient. This is why high-quality supplements that combine many helpful ingredients can be a preferred alternative.

High-quality supplements like Menochron are engineered to deliver some of the most effective nutrients necessary for soothing some of the symptoms caused by menopause. Below are listed some of the most effective nutrients in Menochron, along with insight as to how each nutrient can help you if you’re going through menopause.

Calcium

Bone loss is a significant side effect of menopause, which is why older women face a greater risk of developing osteoporosis. Calcium is necessary for strong, healthy bones, but unfortunately, most people don’t get enough calcium in their diets. For women in menopause, it’s necessary to get between 1,000 and 1,500 mg of calcium each day from their diet and supplementation.

Soy Isoflavones

Reviewing 19 previous studies, researchers were able to determine that taking a soy isoflavone supplement helped post-menopausal women reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes. The necessary ingredient in the supplement is genistein, which is a common isoflavone found in soy. The research found that regular consumption of soy isoflavones can help reduce hot flashes by up to 11 percet.

Dong Quai

There are phytoestrogens in dong quai that can help make up for the reduced estrogen production that occurs during menopause. It’s important to take a supplement that offers dong quai in moderate doses, however. Taking too much of this nutrient can affect the functioning of the endocrine system, which is responsible for regulating hormone production.

Damiana Leaf

Commonly found throughout North and Central America, the leaves of damiana are heavy in helpful nutrients and vitamins. For this reason, many Mexican cultures have used the leaf to treat a vast variety of medical conditions. For women in menopause, damiana leaf can help restore the sex drive, help regulate the central nervous system and alleviate other symptoms of menopause.

Wild Yam

Also called Dioscorea villosa, wild yam can be taken orally or in a progesterone cream. There are only a few studies on its effectiveness on treating the symptoms of menopause, but the results suggest that it can be beneficial in helping to alleviate certain symptoms. In particular, women in the studies reported experiencing less tension, anxiety and nervousness. Additionally, they reported that muscle and joint pain was alleviated and that they slept better with fewer instances of insomnia.

Red Clover

Several studies have found that red clover is another essential nutrient in controlling the symptoms of menopause. For instance, women in one study were found to have less bone loss as a result of taking red clover supplements. Other menopausal symptoms were reduced in a different study. That study also found that the red clover supplements helped keep the women’s triglyceride levels within healthy ranges. In a study conducted on animals, it was found that red clover supplements increased collagen production, helping to keep the skin looking youthful and healthy. The researchers in that study believed the improved collagen production might also alleviate vaginal dryness.

The benefits listed here are just a few of the ways a high-quality supplement can help manage the symptoms of menopause. While you should consult your doctor about treating your menopausal symptoms, taking a supplement can be used in conjunction with other methods of treatment to restore a healthier quality of life.

Testosterone for Menopause May Offer Unexpected Benefits in the Bedroom

Aug 14 by Ewcopywriting

Menopause is a period of time in a woman’s life that is characterized by a lack of menstruation for 12 consecutive months. Menopause most commonly occurs sometime in women’s 40s or 50s. While being free from the inconveniences of having a monthly period may seem like a blessing, menopause can actually produce some uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful, symptoms. During menopause, it’s also not uncommon to experience a drop in libido or sexual desire. New research suggests testosterone for menopause may help increase women’s sexual health while also boosting libido. This latest study brings hope for women who want to live full, satisfying lives into their 50s and beyond.

Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause is most commonly associated with symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings and night sweats, so it may be surprising to learn that menopause also raises the risk of bone loss and of developing osteoporosis. Since the lower estrogen levels in the body that accompany menopause affect calcium levels in the bones, the bones become more brittle and lose volume. As a result, bone fractures become more likely in menopause and women’s bones, especially in the hip and spine, are more prone to breaks. A condition of weakened bones can persist for several years after the woman has experienced her last menstrual period.

Other common symptoms of menopause include:

hot flashes
vaginal dryness
chills
insomnia
night sweats
mood swings
slowed metabolism, which can result in unexpected weight gain
thinning hair or hair loss
dry skin
decreased breast volume

Menopause affects each person differently, and even women in the same family may have completely different experiences. The frequency and severity of symptoms will also differ, so effective methods of treating symptoms will also vary. Once you reach menopause, regularly consulting your doctor can help you better manage the condition.

Taking Testosterone for Menopause Boosts Libido and Helps Improve Sexual Health

While we primarily think of testosterone as a male hormone, it is also found in women. Along with estrogen, testosterone is one of the six hormones produced by the female reproductive system, and whose levels fall after menopause. Low testosterone levels can affect many aspects of life, including libido. This fact has led researchers to conduct a 12-week study that looked at the effects testosterone treatments would have on post-menopausal women.

Spread across 36 trials, the researchers studied reports on 8,480 subjects. The participants in the study were followed via patient records spanning a time period from 1990 through 2018. Some of the participants were given testosterone treatments, while another group received other hormone treatments such as estrogen. In a third group, subjects received placebos. By the end of the study, the researchers found that overall sexual health was improved in the majority of women who were receiving regular testosterone treatments.

Sexual health was just one aspect of overall health that was examined for changes in this study. The researchers also examined cognitive, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and emotional health. Breast health, cholesterol and hair growth were also evaluated during the study.

The participants in the study who received the testosterone treatments reported having a greater number of satisfying sexual encounters. Additionally, they noted that their sexual interest, or libido, had also returned to more normal levels. They also said they experienced more orgasms. The feeling of awkwardness that may accompany sexual encounters was also affected by testosterone treatments. The subjects said they had an improved self-image of themselves, which gave them more confidence in the bedroom. Sexually related concerns that previously caused them to feel stressed about sex had also been resolved or diminished.

Susan Davis, who headed up the study and works out of Melbourne, Australia’s Monash University, said that using testosterone for menopause is about more than increasing the number of satisfying sexual encounters. She says it can create a greater sense of well-being that helps post-menopausal women have healthier sexual encounters. The lead researcher adds that more research is needed to confirm these findings. Although this study didn’t show an effect on bone density, cardiovascular health or other factors, Ms. Davis hopes continued research will show that testosterone benefits those aspects of health as well.

Natural Ways to Alleviate Symptoms of Menopause

While testosterone treatments may be used to help restore sexual health in post-menopausal women, there are more natural treatments that can alleviate the symptoms of menopause. Following are just a few options that you may want to try.

Eat the Right Foods

In general, studies have shown that a plant-based diet leads to better health, but certain veggies may specifically help promote healthier estrogen production. These foods include broccoli, kale, cabbage and other cruciferous foods. Some research suggests that high-fiber foods can also increase estrogen production.

Take a Daily Supplement

There are many vitamins and minerals that can affect the different symptoms of menopause. For instance, ginseng can affect sexual arousal, red clover may boost bone health or St. John’s Wort can be used to improve sleep and mood. Rather than trying to add a variety of supplements to your daily routine, try to find one high-quality supplement that includes a diverse range of vitamins and minerals. For instance, the natural supplement Menochron is specially engineered to help post-menopausal women alleviate certain symptoms of menopause.

Get More Exercise

Moderate- to high-intensity physical activity can help alleviate a number of symptoms of menopause. Specifically, getting a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise each day can help you sleep better, diminish anxiety and depression and improve bone density. Regular exercise will also help you control your weight, ensuring you’ll build more lean muscle mass.

Take Time to Relax

Alleviating stress is important for everyone, but it’s especially vital to the health of post-menopausal women. If you don’t find healthy ways to alleviate stress, you’ll be more prone to unhealthy eating habits, sleep disorders and drug or alcohol abuse. Look for activities you enjoy and those that you find relaxing. Try reading a book, taking a warm bath, meditating or practicing yoga.

If you’re concerned that you may be entering menopause, you should consult your doctor. Your doctor may recommend other treatments and lifestyle changes that will help alleviate your symptoms. In adopting healthier habits, you may find that the symptoms of menopause are more easily managed.

Common Antibacterial Chemical Linked to Osteoporosis

Jul 11 by Ewcopywriting

Throughout your lifetime, your body produces bone in order to maintain high bone density. However, with age, this process slows and bone loss can begin to outpace healthy bone production, resulting in a condition called osteoporosis. This condition can affect men, but it primarily affects older women as decreased levels of estrogen that accompany menopause contribute to the process. In women, estrogen helps protect the bones, but a deficiency causes bone growth to slow. With a new study showing a common antibacterial chemical linked to osteoporosis, looking for natural ways to boost bone health becomes a more pressing concern.

The Consequences of Osteoporosis

When a person develops osteoporosis, the health of their existing bones also becomes compromised. Since bone density is lost, the bones can become fragile and brittle. This is why people with osteoporosis are at a greater risk for fractures in the hips, spine and wrists. Although there are no observable symptoms of the condition, those who develop osteoporosis may exhibit a stooping of the spine. They may also experience bone pain as the condition worsens.

As previously mentioned, osteoporosis is most commonly the result of a decrease in estrogen levels in post-menopausal women. However, there are some lifestyle habits that can increase the risks of developing the condition. For instance, unhealthy eating habits deprive the body of essential vitamins and nutrients that help keep the bones strong and healthy. Additionally, smoking can also negatively impact bone health.

While there is no cure for osteoporosis, the condition can be treated by making lifestyle changes. Eating a healthier diet and taking certain dietary supplements can help strengthen the bones and slow the progression of the disease. Additionally, physical activity helps build body strength, including helping to stave off bone loss.

New Study Finds Common Chemical Linked to Osteoporosis

Triclosan, a chemical that was previously banned from use in antibacterial hand soap but can still be found in other personal care products like toothpaste, mouthwash and bar soap, has been found to pose serious health risks to millions of people in the way that it affects bone health. A recent study, which was conducted at China’s Hangzhou Medical College School of Public Health, sought to clarify why triclosan is so harmful to bone health.

The study drew data regarding adult women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The data was gathered via face-to-face interviews from 1,848 adult women of various ages. In evaluating the women, bone density was tested, osteoporosis markers were examined and urine was tested for triclosan.

The research team discovered that women with higher levels of triclosan in their urine also had more mineral loss in their bones. Similarly, those with lower triclosan levels had healthier bone density. These results were not found in younger women, which may suggest that the effect triclosan has on bone density is cumulative.

The next step in the study was to compare triclosan levels with the presence of osteoporosis, but there were only a limited number of subjects with the condition. Of the post-menopausal women, only seven were found to have osteoporosis. These women were evaluated in four regions of the body for the presence of triclosan, but the compound could not be linked to osteoporosis in three of those regions. Within the fourth region, the upper thigh area, triclosan was associated with the development of osteoporosis.

While the study did show a link between triclosan and osteoporosis, the evidence wasn’t as compelling as was expected at the start of the study. The research did confirm that triclosan affects bone density in some way, but the research team admitted that further studies would be needed to more fully prove this common chemical linked to osteoporosis. Going forward, the next step will be to confirm a causal relationship between the compound and the development of osteoporosis.

Natural Ways to Boost Bone Health

Trying to avoid products that contain triclosan is one step you can take to keep bones healthy, but there are also many more natural ways to boost bone health. Here are just a few ways you can promote better bone health and stave off the loss of bone density.

Eliminate Bad Habits

As previously discussed, smoking is harmful to bone health. In particular, it can prevent new bone growth by decreasing estrogen production. Drinking alcohol can also negatively affect bone health.

Increase Physical Activity

Exercise protects your bones in a number of ways. First, it helps to build muscle, which serves as a better protective layer over bones than fat tissue. Additionally, frequent exercise will help improve balance, range of motion and agility, which are all useful in helping to prevent falls.

Vitamin D and Calcium

If you remember the milk commercials from your childhood, you already know that calcium is essential to bone health and growth. Every adult should be consuming 1,000 mg of calcium daily, but women over 51 years should be getting 1,200 mg daily. Anyone over the age of 71 should also be getting a minimum of 1,200 mg of calcium a day. Your body also needs vitamin D, which is used to help absorb calcium. The best way to get vitamin D is through moderate sun exposure, though it can be also be found in dietary supplements.

Additional Supplements for Bone Health

There are a number of other vitamins, minerals and natural compounds that can help keep bones strong. For instance, a steady supply of magnesium will aid dietary calcium in promoting better bone strength. Magnesium is found in dark, leafy green vegetables, nuts and whole grains.

An adequate supply of vitamin K will also help bone strength by binding calcium to the bones. In regard to vitamin K, taking too much can be just as harmful as developing a deficiency. If you choose to take a vitamin K supplement and you are on blood thinners, talk to your doctor first.

Finally, methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, can help treat the pain and discomfort associated with osteoporosis. It does this by reducing internal inflammation and alleviating joint pain. MSM has also been found to boost the health of the immune system, which may help protect against bone loss and other traits of osteoporosis.

The best way to add these vitamins to your daily diet may be to take a comprehensive, high-quality supplement designed to promote better bone health. While a healthy diet and plenty of exercise is always essential to overall health, taking a supplement can help ensure you get all of the vitamins, minerals and bone-building ingredients you need each day.

Optimism Lowers Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Jan 31 by Ewcopywriting

If you don’t have diabetes, you likely know someone who does have it — and you may even be at risk of developing the condition later in life. This is because diabetes is serious health concern that has become more common with the passage of time. When the Center for Disease Control started tracking the illness in 1958, they found that only one percent, or 500,000, people in the U.S. had been diagnosed with diabetes. By 2015, that percentage had risen to 9.4 percent of the U.S. population; a number which includes 30.2 million adults in addition to children affected by early development of the condition.

In the 20 year span from 1990 through 2010, the CDC calculated that the number of diabetics tripled. Additionally, they found that twice as many people were being diagnosed with the disease from one year to the next. While anyone can develop diabetes, the risks increase with age. The recent CDC report highlighted the percentage of people living with diabetes within each age group:

18-44 years – 4 percent
45-64 years – 17 percent
65 years and up – 25.2 percent

We already know that modifiable factors, such as eating habits, exercise and physical fitness, can affect the risks of developing diabetes. Conversely, there are risk factors, such as genetics, age and race, which cannot be changed. We’re learning more each year about how certain factors either raise or decrease the risks of developing diabetes. Now, a new study has revealed that one’s mindset also plays a part.

Can a Positive Attitude Affect Diabetes Risk?

Research has suggested that diabetes and depression are closely related. People who frequently experience the symptoms of depression are also more prone to develop incident-related diabetes. Individuals who report frequent feelings of cynicism or hostility have also been found to have a higher risk of developing diabetes. Additionally, studies revealed that these same emotions may also cause post-menopausal women to experience more severe metabolic syndrome symptoms.

While these previous studies examined the negative effects of emotions on physical health, a new study sought to evaluate how positive emotions affected diabetes. Researchers gathered data from the WHI (Women’s Health Initiative) in an effort to evaluate how strong positive emotions affected blood sugar levels in post-menopausal individuals. Juhua Luo, Ph.D., out of Bloomington’s Indiana University, was the senior author of the paper, which was recently published in Menopause magazine.

Dr. Luo and his team examined records for 139,924 subjects. The earliest records for these women indicated that each subject was post-menopausal and had not yet been diagnosed with diabetes. The study followed these subjects through clinical check-ups across a 14-year time span. By the end of the study, research showed that 19,240 of the women developed type 2 diabetes.

Going further, the research team separated the women by personality traits. In doing so, they found that women with a more optimistic mindset were 12 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Women with more negative emotions were found to have 9 percent greater risk of developing the illness, while those women shown to possess the most hostile emotions had a 17 percent higher risk of developing diabetes. The only factor that mitigated this increased risk was obesity: Overweight women were less affected by hostility and negative emotions when it came to diabetes risk.

This research also suggested that women who experience hostility and negative emotions throughout their lives may still reduce their risk of developing diabetes. By seeking out mental health treatment for frequent negative emotions, not only can women reduce their risks of diabetes, they can also improve their overall mindset.

Preventing or Reversing Type 2 Diabetes is Possible

The bottom line: If you really want to lower your diabetes risk, it’s necessary to make changes in your life now. While people are often born with type 1 diabetes, a condition in which your body isn’t making insulin, type 2 diabetes, a condition that involves your cells’ inability to properly process the insulin, develops over time and its development is often influenced by lifestyle choices.

Just as poor lifestyle habits can promote the onset of type 2 diabetes, healthier choices can help control or prevent the condition. The first step to take is to change your diet. Diabetes concerns your body’s inability to process sugar or glucose, so limiting your sugar intake is essential. In addition to the obvious sugary foods and beverages, you should also limit or eliminate your intake of refined carbs. Once ingested, refined carbs are broken down into sugars and stored for use, which causes a spike in blood sugar levels.

Additionally, you should be getting a sufficient level of exercise each day. Doctors recommend a minimum of moderate to high-intensity exercise in 30-minute daily intervals. The physical activity will increase insulin sensitivityin your body’s cells, making it easier for you to process glucose. While 30 minutes is recommended, getting more exercise will only help your body become more sensitive to insulin.

You might also consider taking a daily supplement to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels already within normal ranges. If you choose to add a supplement to your daily routine, look for one that provides ingredients such as chromium picolinate, vanadium and fenugreek.

Before making any lifestyle changes, it’s important to discuss your concerns with your doctor. He may have more recommendations for you that directly relate to your situation. Even when developing type 2 diabetes is not avoidable, making these lifestyle changes can help you live better with the condition.