Q |
What is the single most important dietary advice you can offer women ages 25-40? |
A |
Make sure you're getting enough calcium. Guidelines for that age group recommend at least 1,000 mg per day. Yet most women ages 25-40 get much less than the suggested daily amount. Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium and a great dairy food choice for women who limit their intake of milk and cheese. It has many advantages over supplements. One cup can provide as much as 450 mg of calcium, almost half the daily-recommended intake. Calcium helps fight osteoporosis, the thinning and loss of bone mass that affects 25 million Americans as they age. Incorporate calcium-rich dairy foods such as milk, Live and active cultures yogurt, Swiss and cheddar cheese, salmon, calcium-fortified orange juice and cooked broccoli into your diet on a daily basis to help ensure you're getting the calcium you need.
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Q |
As a woman going through menopause, what sort of changes should I be making in my diet? |
A |
During menopause, women have a higher risk of fracturing bones and suffering from osteoporosis, the thinning and loss of bone mass. Risk factors for osteoporosis include some over which we have no control, such as family history and ethnic background. But other risks can be controlled. Health experts agree that a diet high in calcium is one of the best ways to prevent osteoporosis. A "food first" approach involves eating a variety of dairy foods, such as live and active culture yogurt and milk, everyday. Remember, calcium is critical for bone growth, development and maintenance at every age and stage of life.
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Q |
Do pregnant women need to increase their calcium intake? |
A |
Yes. During pregnancy, calcium intake is crucial, as it can help regulate maternal blood pressure and help reduce the incidence of hypertension by as much as 70 percent. Hypertension occurs in approximately 20 percent of pregnancies. For women under the age of 25, adequate calcium intake is especially important because their bones are still increasing in density.
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Q |
Is it true that live and active culture yogurt can help prevent yeast infections? |
A |
Yes. Research suggests that eating yogurt containing L. acidophilus cultures on a daily basis may decrease yeast growth and infection in certain individuals. Vaginal yeast infections affect nearly 12 million women each year, so take steps to prevent infection by eating live and active cultures yogurt.
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