What Women Need (Nutritionally) Part 2

So what is the difference between a women's multivitamin and a men's multivitamin? If you run out of yours, is it a big deal for you to sneak a few of the other for a few days, until you can run out to the store again?

Our last blog post talked about how it's probably best to get nutrients from food, although this can be difficult. So, if you decide to take a supplement, such as a multivitamin, what's the difference?

Different companies will come up with different formulations, so it's important to check to label to be sure that if there is a specific nutrient that you are looking for, that it's in there in the amounts that you would like. Also, there's a huge difference in the absorptivity of different supplements, so that's important to keep in mind, if you've been taking a certain brand consistently for a while, but find that you do not feel any difference from it. All vitamins and supplements are definitely not created equal.

Now, here are a few key points for women's supplements:

Calcium: Needed to support strong bones and prevent bone density loss, which can lead to osteoporosis. (Have you heard a story of how an old lady fell and broke her hip? Her hips were weak from not enough calcium, and so broke from the small impact of a fall.)

To aid in absorption of calcium, it is recommended that calcium be taken with Magnesium and Vitamin D.

Iron: When women menstruate, they lose some iron. For this reason, women's vitamins have more iron that those for men. Women that are past menopause do not need this extra iron any more. The extra iron is not included in men's vitamins because excessive iron can build up in the body, causing undesired things to happen.

These are just the basics, a small taste of general nutritional information for you. I provide guidance for my clients with personalized goals and requirements. Visit Dorothy Pang, L.Ac's website at www.AcuSpaWellness.com for a full list of services provided.

What Women Need (Nutritionally) Part 1

Men and women are different. Emotionally and physically, and this also means nutritionally!

Why are there multivitamins that are targeted specifically towards women? Are these really necessary?

Of course it is probably best to get all of the nutrients that your body needs from food sources, instead of a supplement when possible. However, the nutritional profile of the food that is available to us is definitely in decline. The things that we grow to eat do not have the same nutrient value as 50 years ago. Generally we believe that the effects of commercialized farming are stripping the earth of it's minerals faster than they can be replenished, which means less nutrients for our food to absorb and therefore contain. Studies are showing that generally organic foods contain more nutrients that non-organic foods. One example can be found here:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/319226/organic_tomatoes_more_nutritious_10year.html?cat=5

So, what's in a women's multivitamin that is not in a men's formula? Of course, this will vary by company, so it's important to check the label. Our next blog post will go over a few key differences.

Interested in upping your personal wellness factor? Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are a fabulous, natural way to do so. Check out Dorothy Pang, L.Ac's website at www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more info on these ancient, time tested secrets to better health!

When is my Fertility Window?

Traditionally, ovulation has been thought to be a static event with a normal pattern that is very similar for every woman.

Medial doctors have told their patients that ovulation occurs on day 14 of a 28 day cycle. Or, if the cycle is not 28 days long, then it should be 14 days before the first day of the menstrual period. For example, if the cycle is 21 days, ovulation should be on day 7.

However, more modern research is showing that even with women with regular cycles, the day of ovulation can vary. In a woman with a regular 28 day cycle, ovulation can occur anywhere from day 9 to day 18. This is vital information for women that are trying ton conceive. If they are timing intercourse for a day 14 ovulation, but they are actually ovulating on day 9, the chances of getting pregnant are very slim.

Eggs, once they are released, only survive for about 24 hours, and need to be fertilized while in the fallopian tubes. This means intercourse needs to happen before ovulation occurs, so that the sperm has enough time to travel to the fallopian tube. (for more in depth explanation of anatomy, see our post from 4/24/09)

I use acupuncture and herbal medicine to help my patients to conceive. If you are curious, please visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com or call us at (650) 588-0888 to set up your first acupuncture appointment. I've helped many men and women to increase their fertility and give birth to healthy babies.

Acupuncture Effective for Increasing In-Vitro Pregnancy Rates

Many couples are finding that they have difficulty conceiving, and turn to assisted reproductive services (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intra-uterine injection (IUI). These services are being sought after more often as it seems that our fast paced and high stress lifestyle decreases fertility rates.

IUI and IVF are uncomfortable and typically costly procedures, so it makes sense that patients want to make sure that they are giving themselves the best chance for success. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are being pursued more and more as treatment for infertility, both as a stand alone treatment, and in conjunction with ART.

This is prompting more studies to examine the efficacy of these treatments, and the news is good. A study by doctors Zhang and Udoff of the University of Maryland showed that using acupuncture does increase the likelyhood of a preganancy when used in conjunction with ART procedures. The study on acupuncture and embryo transfers can be found here: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.39471.430451.BEv1

If you or someone you know is concerned about fertility, time is of the essence. Call Dorothy Pang, L.Ac. to schedule an appointment at (650) 588-0888 and see our website at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Benefits of Soy Being Unlocked

Researchers believe that diadzein, a compound found in soy, may be responsible for helping people to live longer. It seems to activate the proteins that are activated by restricted calories diets, which extends lifespan.

More information can be found here: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122538719/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

Acupuncture and Chinere herbal medicine can also be used to promote a long, healthy life. Once a month treatment is a great way to "tune-up" your body and ensure that your health is in your hands. Visit us at www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more information. Or call and schedule a consultation today at (650) 588-0888.

Acupuncture Relieves Hot Flashes, Alternative for Hormone Replacement

Menopausal and peri-menopausal women suffer from a variety of symptoms and to varying degrees. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is often mentioned as a way to manage the discomfort that can be associated with menopause. A randomized study done in China showed that women experienced relief with acupuncture care. Authors conclude that acupuncture is a good treatment option when women in menopause are not interested in hormone replacement therapy. Since hormone replacement therapy has it's risks, perhaps more women should consider gentle acupuncture as a treatment.

Full article is found here: http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/nep001

If you are seeking help for menopausal/peri-menopausal symptoms, visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com and experience our gentle acupuncture and convenient Chinese herbal medicine. We see many cases of menopausal symptom management, and have many happy patients to prove it!

How Do Low Calorie Diets Extend Lifespan?

Diadzein, a soy isoflavone, is being touted as a possible life extender. Researchers believe it activates the same proteins in the body that a restricted calorie diet does. We may be one step closer to finding out why it is that a restricted calorie diet seems to extend lifespan so much in rats...

It's hard to know if this applies to people as well, but it seems to. Restrictive calorie diets do seem to lead to longer lifespans. For more info on that, visithttp://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Could-soy-isoflavones-extend-life

Can we get this life-extending benefit without calorie restriction? I personally would not invest in diadzein supplements yet. Isoflavones can act like estrogen in the body, throwing off a normal healthy hormonal balance.

This is another example of why it's a good idea to talk to a professional about nutritional supplements. Dorothy Pang, licensed acupuncturist, is one such example. Visit us at www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more information.