Sustaining your body’s healthy prime at 35 years and beyond
Her thirties can see a woman in full stride: as a career woman, raising a family, or just pushing herself to achieve another personal best. For the early part of that decade, the levels of estrogen, progesterone, and androgen hormones may be similar to what it was in her twenties, and the body still feels at its healthiest and strongest.[i]
But as these vital hormones gradually decrease in time as the body adapts beyond its reproductive phase, it is normal to feel more easily tired or fatigued, to be prone to muscular aches and injury, and to experience disruptions in mood and sexual activity.[ii] This, in addition to the heightened stress of multiple roles, may give the impression of “slowly feeling the years.” And while age is certainly just a number, these changes might impact the trajectory that a woman has set for herself, be it in her field of choice or in the constant pursuit of the best version of oneself.
35 – A Turning Point?
While menopause has been a constant topic for women in their forties, the period of transition that precedes it warrants its own attention. Called perimenopause, the intermediate phase is marked by subtle biological changes from estrogen levels that have started to fluctuate. For some, it starts as early as 35, but the symptoms are often brushed off as simply an effect of overwork or a less than ideal lifestyle. However, the shift in hormone levels may lead to an increased risk in hypertension, heart disease, anxiety and depression. [iii]
Perimenopausal symptoms may be initially hard to differentiate from the effects of normal aging, as the latter may not be also too apparent, depending on the individual’s pre-existing state of health. To compare, here are some of the average signs of aging:
Normal aging (mid-30s to early 40s):[iv]
- Stiffer joints and lesser muscular bulk
- Slower rate of recovery
- Decrease in energy
- Less efficient heart muscle
- Changes in regular digestive movement and urinary functions
Perimenopause can compound to these symptoms of aging in the following ways:[v]
- Irregular periods
- Regular sleep disruption (with or without hot flashes)
- Vaginal dryness and bladder problems
- Changes in sexual drive
- Increase of LDL cholesterol levels
Addressing early onset symptoms from both aging and perimenopause, particularly if a woman is predisposed to said health conditions, can help sustain her level of productivity and general sense of well-being in this period of transition, as well as prepare the body for the greater changes ahead.
The Long Game
The preventative approach of caring for oneself applies well in the case of aging. Among the best practices include developing a more active lifestyle, maintaining the appropriate weight and body shape, mindfulness of stress triggers, and seeking proper medical advice regularly.
And while a proper balanced diet is similarly a fundamental part of taking care of the body, supplements aid in covering nutritional bases.[vi]
NOW® Foods offer health supplements for women so that they can adapt to the challenges of transition while feeling at their best and most productive.
- Multivitamins: All-around support beyond basic nutrition
Plus Superfruits – Pomegranate, Acai, Mangosteen
Vegetarian/Vegan- friendly
With Green Superfoods, Iron-free
- Cardiovascular health
Omega-3 Fish Oil, DHA, and Vit. D-3
Combining the benefits of CoQ10 and Omega-3
- Vaginal health
Probiotics for maintaining the feminine flora balance and boosting the immune system
- Healthy urinary tract
With D-Mannose that cleanses the urinary tract and maintains a healthy bladder lining
- Brighter skin, stronger bones
Combines oral Glutathione and Ceramosides to improve skin’s moisture, glow, and elasticity
Bone Metabolism Formula with Minerals & Vitamin D-2
In playing the long game in sustaining the body’s prime with awareness and early preventative steps, the benefit will be evident not simply in having lived long, but in having a life well-lived.
If you’re interested in finding more about how to take care of your body, don’t hesitate to explore the rest of this website and blog! In fact, you may enjoy this post on natural skincare!
[i] https://healthcare.utah.edu/womenshealth/20s.php
[ii] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666
[iii] https://www.ssmhealth.com/womens-health/ages-35-49
[iv] https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/aging.html
[v] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666
[vi] https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-you-need-a-daily-supplement