Nutritional Support for PMS and Menstruation

If you suffer from PMS or difficult periods, your diet could play an important role in alleviating your symptoms. Bloating, cramping, and fatigue experienced the week or so before your period are often due to fluctuating hormones. These hormones also cause a drop in the level of chemicals in the brain that regulate mood such as serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, a natural pain killer, which causes moodiness and depression. Luckily, research has found that certain foods can help many women decrease the severity of their monthly symptoms.

What to eat to reduce your PMS

·         Eating 6 small meals a day, rather than 3 larger ones, can help reduce your bloating and keep your energy up.

·         Complex carbohydrates  (Whole Wheat) during this time can calm you down considerably.

·         Including some healthy fats in your diet can also help boost mood and increase brain function.

·         If you have abnormally heavy bleeding, consider upping your intake of iron, preferably from an animal source. While iron won’t help you reduce the bleeding, it can protect you from anemia which is common in these cases.

What NOT to eat if you suffer from PMS

·         Avoid refined sugar and salt – sodium causes water retention, which is the last thing you need when you’re feeling bloated, and refined sugar exacerbates mood swings and fatigue.

·         Caffeine and alcohol also are known to worsen symptoms.

·         Saturated fat found in meat is thought to raise estrogen levels in the blood, which can make PMS worse. You may want to try sticking to vegetable proteins like soy and nuts, to see if it makes a difference in your symptoms.

         Madhavi Sharma, Lifestyle Consultant at Cardiac Clinic

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Nutrition for the Woman of Substance

Eating well is one of the best ways you can take care of yoursefl as a woman—and those who depend on you!

Women at risk...

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women over 65. According to worldwide research, women are 4 to 6 times more likely to die of heart disease than of breast cancer, and heart disease kills more women over 65 than all cancers combined. Women develop heart problems later in life than men -- typically 7 or 8 years later. However, by about age 65, a woman's risk is almost the same as a man's. Right here in Botswana, we see more women than men with high blood pressure, diabetes and related illness. This is frightening, as women are the core of our nation.

Unfortunately, women also tend to ignore the “symptoms” as they are “too busy” to take care of it. So basic symptoms are often put down to being tired or just stress.

You can spend lots of time and money trying to get rid of all those symptoms of menopause, and while many of these treatments do offer relief from menopause symptoms, often there are much simpler ways to deal with the associated discomforts.

A club designed only for Women, to help you with everyday challenges, health issues and Lifestyle management. Women are the foundation of our Nation, the Care Givers and the past, present and future. We are determined to build a team of Stronger, Healthier, Happier Women right here in Botswana. This Club is lauched in Association with Barloworld Motor.

The GO RED Campaign is dedicated to this end.

So we have developed a package whereby for only P50 a month Women get a full range of practical, solid information and assistance. You simply download your Pledge Card and send it to us (Scan and Email, Fax or Post, or Drop Off) with proof of payment (3 months at a time), and we do the rest. 

Some of the benefits are:

• Weekly E-Newsletter just for Women’s needs and challenges regarding health and lifestyle right here in Botswana. 
• Regular information feed through Heart Foundation Botswana Website.
• E Care Website Membership: You get your own password for your personal use only, for full support on any and all issues through dedicated, personalized service run by professionals, practitioners and specialists.
• Discounts and Benefits only for Women from a range of outlets.
• Exclusive Invitations to range of Events/Functions for Women, Members only, at subsidized cost (limited numbers per event). 

 Such as Winter Jive, Barloworld Ladies Test Driving Party, Tea Parties, Breakfast, Wellness Activities, Spi- A-Thons, Pamper Days. Wellness Fairs and Expos just for women, and lots more.    Each one of these events offers a range of activities, speakers, hampers and loads   of info and support.

• Exclusively Designed T-Shirt for Members Only, at low rate.  Accessory range will also develop.

 Tickets up for grabs for workshops, conferences and other functions that would benefit Women.

 Free Workshop Once a Year for Women’s Wellness: “Just One of Those Things?”

Sign your pledge . . .

Women are Fighting Heart Disease

Heart Foundation Botswana and Barloworld Motor launched a campaign to get women to take on the fight against Heart Disease and related illness.