For those of you who are mothers, I hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day earlier this month.

In April, Alive Again together with a committee, hosted and put together a wellness conference called The Raw Truth Wellness Conference.

Almost 200 people were in attendance to hear from experts like Dr. David Lovice, an ear, nose, and throat specialist from Sumter who spoke about the medical and spiritual perspective for good health; AIM biologist Phillip Jermann who spoke on weight loss; and AIM Regional Meeting and Training Director Keith Duff who spoke on digestive health. Anne Buck and Barb Floyd shared testimonies, and Lere served as emcee of the event and spoke on the endocrine system.

In addition to the presentations, the conference featured community involvement with local supermarkets and business donating door prizes. AIM products and product-enriched snacks were served at the breaks, and all attendees received recipes and information. We received wonderful feed back and look forward to Raw Truth 2013. We should have a date soon. Thanks again to my committee, Marie, Joan, Anne, Christine and all the volunteers and helpers. I could not have done it without you.

I have had so many questions about this month's topic that I thought I would share it with you as it may even apply to you or someone you know.  

 Early Menopause

The average age of menopause is about 51 but perfectly normal women may have a much earlier menopause, with their periods stopping before the age of 45, whilst others find they carry on menstruating until their mid fifties.

But here are the definitions of the three distinct phases of menopause before discussing early onset menopause:

Pre-menopause - periods are still regular but the first symptoms, such as hot flushes and mood changes, may appear.

Peri-menopause- the function of the ovaries declines, the periods can become irregular and symptoms may be more severe.

Post-menopause- this is from the last period onwards. Of course, we can only know it is the last period after twelve months with no periods. Some women can go six months without a period and then another one arrives. Once a year has passed with no periods, it can be said that you are postmenopausal.

For those approaching this phase of life, it would be wise to follow a natural diet instead of a diet including high in  junk food. If you understand the Endocrine System you would know that the diet should cover the following:

Essential fatty acids(raw nuts, seeds and extra virgin oils, avocado, yellow corn on the cob (non GMO) and Oily fish).

Fresh vegetables, fruit and dried fruit(without sulphur dioxide)

Lifestyle should include regular exercise for the cardiovascular system and weight bearing exercises to prevent bone loss.

Take whole-food supplements (I like Barley Life and Leaf Greens - now in capsule form for convenience) to ensure that you have sufficient minerals, vitamins and amino acids (building blocks for protein). Click here to order. 

Avoid alcohol and caffeine - which definitely trigger hot flushes. Chocoholics, watch for caffeine in chocolates. Both alcohol and caffeine cause extreme changes in blood sugar levels. Essentially the drop in blood sugar causes the release of adrenaline in the body to help restore the balance by using our own sugar stores. This excess adrenaline puts a strain on our adrenal glands (part of the endocrine system).

These poor little glands (about the size of almonds, sit above the kidneys and these glands are also responsible for the manufacture of estrogen if the ovaries have been surgically removed. Excess adrenaline has been shown to dissolve bone. Coffee causes an acid reaction and calcium in its role as neutralizer, will be taken from your bones in order to balance that acid.

Drinking more than three cups of coffee each day increases the risk of Osteoporosis by 82% according to a study (British medical journal 1993, 1056-8 and American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1994) 60, 573-9)

So as osteoporosis is linked to menopause, take care not to over tax the adrenal glands.

Don't smoke and don't eat saturated fats and trans-fatty acids

(Found in animal foods including red meat, cheese and milk.) Heated fat blocks the body's ability to use Essential Fatty Acids which are responsible for prostaglandins which are the precursors to hormones. That is why AIMega from AIM is so essential (Also good for hot flashes and acts as a diuretic.)

And before you buy that "low fat" or "polyunsaturated" spread, read the labels, because the manufacturing process not only destroys nutrients, but it produces a food that cannot be properly metabolized by the body. (Margarine has been heated 4 times over 200 degrees centigrade).

If you're not guilty of the above indiscretions, have followed a healthy diet and taken care of your body you should ease into menopause without noticing it too much.

For the rest of us, there is help from AIM!

I have friends who have walked the road before me and they are grateful for AIM products like Renewed Balance Body Cream, Revitafem, Aim Barley Life, AIM Leaf Greens and AIMega. To find these wonderful products: CLICK HERE 

So this is the key ... Do something soon before the wheels fall off after you've hit the wall.

A friend of mine said this, "Menopause is a season, not a disease. It's not fatal. In fact, it's a good time to take stock. In the same way that a harsh winter is always followed by spring and new life, menopause can be a precursor to a fresh beginning to the rest of your life. Take time to reflect on what you did right the first two-thirds of your life, and dare to dream about your next twenty-five years or so".

Excellent books to read

(For humor) Barbara Johnson's book called "Living Somewhere between Estrogen and Death"

Dr John Lee "What your doctor may not tell you about Menopause"

Dr John Lee "What your doctor may not tell you about Premenopause"

Anna Rushton & Dr Shirley A. Bond "Natural Progesterone" (Harper Collins Publishers)