Pomegranate Pills & Menopause

Menopause can be a difficult, depressing time of reckoning for some women, but this stage in your life doesn't have to be grueling, uncomfortable or disheartening. New discoveries are made every day in the treatment of symptoms for this natural aging process. Statistic's show that Americans, particularly women, are living longer than ever. According to the study by HCFA Medicaid Life Expectancy Tables, a woman who is age 50 in the year 2009 has a life expectancy of 80 years. Therefore, menopause is not to be considered the end of your life; it should be thought of as freedom from menstrual periods for the next few decades. Doctors can help you with suggestions, and a healthy diet plays a prominent role in relief of certain discomforts. Pomegranate pills or capsules have been found to be helpful in diminishing many of the symptoms of menopause.

History

• Most of us have heard the TV commercial extolling the virtues of "five a day," promoting the health benefits of eating at least fruits fruits and vegetables per day. Although they are all beneficial to your health, some have been isolated as super foods. The pomegranate, also know as the Chinese apple, is one such fruit.

Significance

• Pomegranates are known to contain antioxidant polyphenols; natural phytoestrogens; ascorbic, citric, fumaric and malic acids; amino acids; and vitamins B and C. A 2009 UCLA study called pomegranate juice the healthiest juice. This powerhouse of a fruit contains most of every type of known antioxidants and has been proven to be effective at reducing the risks of contracting heart disease, breast or prostate cancer.

Function

• How could a simple fruit help with menopausal symptoms? Studies show that pomegranate fruit, juice and the pill or capsule supplements help keep women's hormonal health in balance because it contains seldom-seen estrogen compounds that regulate hormones. Not only do these studies show a decrease in hot flashes, they also claim to help the libido, lower the occurrence of mood swings and help maintain bone density.

Misconceptions

• Health food supplements are not currently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. For this reason, you should not embark on taking a pomegranate pill without consulting your doctor. Most manufacturer's of the pomegranate pill or capsule advise taking two to four pills daily. Keep in mind that the pomegranate fruit has much of the same properties as grapefruit, and there are medications which can't be taken in combination with grapefruit, so it's advisable to ask your pharmacist or physician beforehand.

Potential

• Because various studies have brought the pomegranate fruit to the top of most super foods lists, many more studies are being conducted on finding out more about this tangy, juicy fruit. Thus far, soy has been often touted as a double-edge sword because although helpful with menopausal symptoms in some women, it also can increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Pomegranate pills might just be the answer menopausal women have been praying for.