The MidLife Health Guide for Women

As promised, the woman’s companion to the Midlife Health Guide for Men has finally arrived! From the onset, I must apologize; but face it gals, there were only three men’s health books on the shelves two years ago. I had to write a book for them first. The fact is men don’t generally last as long on Earth as women do and are sicker today than they ever were. (No rude comments, please.) Maybe a better way of looking at this is by helping your man stay healthier, I was also helping you out in the long run, too. It was virtually one book for both sexes. Now that the women’s version is finished, I have to shout, “Tu' che!” It winds up that this book will also help men by helping their woman feel healthier, younger, and more sensual.... This is NOT another book on menopause, or only one facet of Earth’s brilliant jewel we call woman. She’s infinitely more than a mere sum of all her parts. She’s uniquely complicated. Therefore, the book comprehensively meanders through life’s nuances that midlife women commonly face. Accordingly, reading it may be somewhat tedious at times, but it does illuminate many natural ways to prevent or treat these personal issues. Though quite complete, the book raises many new questions, itself. Isn’t that the way a book can imitate life? Compared to the earlier men’s book written in manspeak and more black and white, this women’s book is geared more toward the softer, yet choosier of the sexes so that she can take her time, cuddle up, and enjoy herself. It’s more about relationships and the stories behind our Middle-Aged Gals, or Maggies. Eventually, the reader will embark toward a healthier destination on her own terms and in her own sweet time. Oh, but what an entrance she’ll make, then!... Maggies, I'm grateful to you for disclosing your personal health concerns. You three represent the gambit of midlife and its challenges: Maggie 1 is not menopausal, only early middle aged in her thirties, but has valid health issues, tired, and has IBS. Maggie 2 is peri-menopausal in her early forties, yet has health problems as cholesterol, hypertension, and is confused about her options. She smokes, has metabolic syndrome, osteopenia, asthma, weight, anxiety and alcohol addiction. Maggie 3 is post-menopausal, proactive, yet feels as if she’s losing earlier gains. Off HRT three years, she doesn’t want to go back on hormones because of all the negative press. Now, let’s have you three Maggies tell us your stories in your own words. A brief assessment follows and then we’ll start our journey. Each subsequent chapter in the book addresses a certain aspect of women’s health—diet, exercise, hormones and so on. At each chapter’s end, we will review your progress and mutually design a tailored approach to a healthier you. Midlife is the time get your health in top gear! Are you ready, ladies?!” “You may be surprised to find out that there are all only two species on this entire planet that go through menopause. One is the sperm whale. The other is us, particularly, you—the human female. This had to be the work of natural selection and God long ago. I can only hypothesize of course, but during the challenging conditions of the Ice Age, it probably became beneficial for the continuation of our human species for the female to have menstrual cycles as opposed to estrous cycles. Think about it. Our closest fellow primates, monkeys and apes, go through estrous cycles. The females of these species have only a few weeks per year that they’re fertile. However, for probable compensation, they can reproduce their entire life span. This is much unlike human females, which have a fertile period of only a few days per month and are infertile the second half of their lives. Maybe this allowed better sharing of resources or easier mobility. Maybe this provided more frequent opportunities to become pregnant while having to stay cozy and warm during those many frigid nights. Who knows?”.... As emphasized many times before, “Your best health insurance is to be healthy in the first place.” Obviously, one’s own health is highly personal and unique. As such, no two people have exactly the same concerns, identical goals, or similar responses to various therapies. Unfortunately, traditional health care today delivers a one-size-fits-all approach. Riding this healthier road-less-travelled will demand patience from a rare duo—an experienced, yet new-thinking physician and a committed, proactive patient. This book helps get you on your way by discussing cutting-edge natural and medical modalities—diet, exercise, supplements, and hormonal balance. It’s about pro-aging and pro-health. Additionally, it provides resources for you to personalize your approach. Once you set the proper course and take the steering wheel of your health, you’re now on track to control your destiny. That goal is optimal aging, as opposed to normal aging with its many complications and disabilities. As our Maggies learned, it’s the best gift we can give ourselves, as well as to our family. As far as for our Maggies, I want to again thank you for your help and allowing us to peer into your private lives….