By: Julia Chaney

Health becomes a great concern as we mature; we may find our immune system becomes compromised quickly, and women, as well as men now may begin to show symptoms of menopause. We go to the doctor with new symptoms fearing the worst, but most of the time it is just the natural progression of our aging body. As one Dr. said to his athletic 50-year-old patient when hearing complaints of muscle aches and fatigue, “you are not as young as you used to be.” This is hard to comprehend when your mind says you are as young and fit as a 20-year-old, but your body disagrees.

There are many natural ways to maintain a meeting of that 20-year-old mind with that aging body. A lifestyle change can help to retain both a youthful body and mind. Just as you would do routine maintenance on your car, your body may need a tune up. Regular exercise and a healthy diet will go a long way to alleviate problems such as fatigue and aches and pains. Taking a few minutes each day to exercise and eat well will also boost your immune system.

Although menopause symptoms are common, many people do not know that symptoms can start as early as the late 30’s. This is caused by a subtle shift in the hormones in your body, a period known as perimenopause, but usually the worst symptoms manifest between the age of 45 and 55. Early on you may only show one or two indications of perimenopause, such as not sleeping well, headaches, or fatigue as well as some other distinctive complaints associated with this malady. Over time, other more common signs may manifest such as hot flashes and night sweats among others. A Dr. may prescribe hormone therapy in some cases, but sometimes natural herbs and vitamins such as Black Cohosh and vitamin E can go a long way to alleviate symptoms.

Although our bodies may disappoint us as we become Almost Seniors, there are many natural ways to slow, or at times stop some of the worst afflictions age seems to bring. An internet search can open untold avenues with non-medicinal fixes, such as diet, herbal medicine, acupuncture or acupressure that have been used for centuries the world over. Visiting a Homeopathic doctor is another option for natural healing.

While herbal medicines normally have fewer side effects, it is always prudent to first check with your regular physician for underlying problems before using any natural product. Some prescription medications cannot be taken with herbal products and when used together can be dangerous to your health. With this in mind, in most cases, natural medicine can be an excellent alternative to traditional medicines.