Women must make their own health a priority
To highlight Women’s Month, three top South African health experts have encouraged women to make their own mental, physical and nutritional health a priority and not to compromise on their wellbeing for the sake of their many other roles.
International health and wellness expert Maria Ascencao says women have multiple, demanding roles – they’re mothers, daughters, wives, partners, caregivers, home-makers and bread-winners — often all at the same time.
“Women’s ‘mental load’ and their extensive responsibilities are often enormous and stressful which can take a huge toll on their health and well-being, especially during these unprecedented times” she said.
In addition, Ascencao says South Africans are beset with nutrient deficiency and compromised immunity and studies show half of SA women are obese — all contributing to risks such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and chronic kidney problems. Ascencao has urged women to review their diet and lifestyle choices and seek ways to improve their nutrition, physical and mental health—all of which could have a dramatically positive impact on their wellbeing.
Nutritional expert Vanessa Ascencao says women should invest in their health, adding that the notion that eating healthily is expensive is not the case when considering the costs of getting sick.
“Invest in your health. Eat a well-balanced diet rich in nourishing food such as fruit and vegetables in-season, healthy fats like nuts, seeds and avos and lean protein. Drink lots of fresh water. Aim for three healthy meals a day, don’t overeat, exercise regularly and get good restorative sleep every night,” she said.
Both experts suggest complementing diet with high quality supplements designed to boost immunity, fight inflammation and support good health such as BetterYou DLux vitamin D oral spray, Biomax Liposomal Vitamin C, Bio-Curcumin and Bio-Berberine with proven absorption.
Pharmacist Giulia Criscuolo says women should also make mental illness a priority, rather than an afterthought. She says South Africans have among the highest rates of stress and anxiety in the world with over 17 million dealing with either depression, substance abuse, anxiety, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. And, studies show that women are twice as likely as men to get an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.
“Social isolation and anxiety from Covid-19 may have long-term effects on our mental health and cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which was already a problem before the pandemic,” she said.
“Limit stress and pay attention to your mental load which is the typically exhausting role of managing a household, family and a job. Keep a consistent sleep schedule, eat healthily, take work breaks, have a cut-off time, pursue mentally healthy activities such as yoga, mindfulness meditation, reading, painting, journaling or simply doing a crossword puzzle.”
Criscuolo suggests taking credible natural stress remedies such as Bio-Canna CBD Oil which is 100% natural and highly bioavailable due to its liposomal properties. Research shows that Bio-Canna helps bring the body into homeostasis, while a study of US army veterans shows its’s efficacy in reducing anxiety and improving sleep.