The most frequent reasons for fatality among female inhabitants of the UK are diseases related to the cardiovascular system (heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and the like) and cancer (especially breast, cervical and ovarian).
The death rate of women due to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease has grown steadily since 2006. Death rates from Alzheimer’s disease are currently among the highest. It is anticipated that death rates associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s will go up in the year 2023.
In addition to the aforementioned issues, women are most commonly affected by: exhaustion and lethargy, mental health issues (particularly stress and melancholy), corpulence, diabetes, osteoarthritis, autoimmune ailments, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, endometriosis, migraine headaches, problems caused by hormonal discrepancy and strain, and pregnancy and fertility issues.
Current and Past Female Health Status
Generally, there hasn’t been a noteworthy advancement in the well-being of women from the prior generation. In many cases, it is even worse. As an example, breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among women in the UK. Since the beginning of the 1990s, there has been an approximate rise of 23% in incidences of breast cancer. It was discovered that mammograms, which were thought to decrease the chances of having breast cancer, could actually make it more likely. For women who received a chest X-ray before turning 20, the possibility of having breast cancer prior to turning 40 increased by over 100%.
Key Causes of Poor Female Health and How to Cope with Them
The continuing bad health of UK females is largely attributed to their failure to alter their bad eating habits. Eating an unhealthy diet is the primary cause of preventable illnesses across England. Apart from malignant tumors, there has been an increase in cases of diabetes and weight gain. Approximately one-fourth of individuals in Great Britain are presently overweight, and one-third of 11-year-olds have exited primary school carrying an excess of weight or being obese. Many women are being afflicted with feelings of unease, depression, and lasting stress due to this issue, which is also having an impact on their health. It is unquestionable that an unhealthful diet and style of living passed down from one generation to the next is the major cause of the ongoing ill health of women in the UK.
Key Nutritional Deficiencies Among Women
Linus Pauling, the two-time Nobel Prize recipient, stated that much of illness and disease could be linked to deficiencies in nutrition, such as vitamins, mineral, trace elements, and antioxidants. In the UK, women can have health difficulties caused by not taking in enough vitamins or minerals, with the most regular (and most likely to be the result of their ill health) being deficient in vitamin D, B12, K2, magnesium, zinc, selenium, iodine, and iron.
It is regrettable that fruits, vegetables, and animal products nowadays contain fewer vitamins and minerals as a result of serious soil deficiencies, overly swift growth, and various other elements. Consequently, the food lacks a suitable amount of nutrients, so only biodynamic agriculture, which is distinct from organic farming, is capable of fixing this dilemma due to its capacity to enrich the soil. Foods that are labeled as organic contain fewer amounts of pesticides and herbicides, but there is no significant difference in the level of nutrients.
The situation is even more dire because most women today consume foods with minimal nutritional benefits, or that could cause their bodies to lose nutrients. The most perilous items to consume are those with large amounts of glucose or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a sugar that has been processed and may be in a number of various goods, polished rice, and goods like white bread, doughnuts, cakes, biscuits, or pasta that contain processed flour. As well, ongoing emotional stress and the widespread consumption of items such as caffeine drinks, black and green tea, and alcoholic beverages can lead to significant nutrient deficiencies and bad health.
Recommended Nutritional Supplements for Women
Experts suggest that it’s optimal to ingest 2,000 – 5,000 International Units (IU) of Vitamin D3 with the morning meal. It is essential to take in Magnesium on a regular basis, as Vitamin D alone will be of no help if there isn’t enough Magnesium in the system. This is because Vitamin D cannot be transformed into its active D4 form for it to be processed by the kidneys. Furthermore, when one consumes vitamin D tablets, this can result in a lack of magnesium, which can cause difficulties sleeping, as well as spasms in the muscles, as well as other signs! In order to receive the full benefits of taking vitamin D while avoiding potential harm from toxic levels and calcium deposits, one should combine that supplement with Vitamin K2, not K1.
Consume magnesium with a high level of bioavailability, such as magnesium bis-glycinate, magnesium citrate tablets, or magnesium citrate without additives: 150-200mg roughly 30 minutes prior to breakfast and the same quantity about 1 hour just before going to sleep. Millions of people have magnesium inadequacy without even realizing it as a result of depleted soil and an over-processed diet. Magnesium insufficiency can be the underlying cause of numerous health issues, however, it is very hard to detect since little of the body’s total magnesium is stored in the bloodstream and does not show up in tests.
Consume 1,000 to 2,000 micrograms of Methylcobalamin in supplemental form every morning following your breakfast. The supplement should be dissolved beneath your tongue. In order for a person to get the necessary quantity of B12, a large quantity of supplementation is necessary since only a very small proportion of the total can be taken up. Vitamin B12 is the definitive nutrient for averting harm to your nerves caused by elevated blood sugar levels, contamination, statins, and other components. It is also an excellent energy booster and detoxifier. A shortage of this vitamin is rampant, not just among the elderly and vegans but also those that eat meat.
Take 10-15 milligrams of Zinc around a mealtime(s) each day. A quality multivitamin-mineral supplement will usually provide an equivalent dosage. Make certain your zinc supplement contains approximately 0.5mg to 1mg of Copper for each 10-20mg of zinc. You need a well-designed multivitamin supplement that contains Selenium, Molybdenum, Manganese, and other minerals and trace elements.
It appears that the Japanese, who are generally in excellent health, tend to ingest more than 14,000 mcg of iodine on a daily basis. This is much higher than the recommended daily amount of 150 mcg of iodine. Seaweeds like Kelp contain some of the highest concentrations of iodine in nature. Taking kelp in any shape or form – whether tablets, capsules, or powder – on a regular basis can ensure you get the necessary iodine to help your thyroid run effectively and enhance your metabolism.
It is suggested to acquire iron from good natural sources like Super Greens from HealthAid, chlorella, spirulina, blackstrap molasses, and wheatgrass. If you are low on this nutrient, you should take Iron bis-glycinate. This is known to be the optimal form of iron, as it is highly absorbable by the body and doesn’t lead to gastrointestinal issues such as constipation. Iron bisglycinate is a type of non-heme iron that stays intact during transit through the stomach and intestine. Research demonstrates that iron chelate is more readily taken up by the body than other forms of iron. The most effective absorption of iron bisglycinate is achieved when it is taken in conjunction with vitamin C. To ward off any oxidative damage caused by an excess of iron, it is recommended to consume it in combination with Alpha lipoic acid in doses between 250 to 500 milligrams. To avoid having an iron deficiency, abstain from drinking coffee, black tea, or green tea.
The Ambition for Women’s Health
A New Approach
The Women’s Health Strategy will emphasize female well-being from the beginning of life to its conclusion. A life course approach looks at the health and care needs of females across the span of their lives instead of focusing on just one condition at a single time. This differs from a disease-orientated strategy which focuses on remedies for a single disease. The goal of this is to pinpoint particular phases, changes, and environments that could be used to support healthy behaviors, avoid health problems or return to general well-being. It is essential to account for how circumstances in one’s life may have an effect on their well-being later on. Women who experience hypertension or pre-eclampsia while pregnant are prone to suffering heart attacks or strokes down the line.
The World Health Organization and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have both accepted and put into practice the ideas expressed in the document Better for Women. This way of doing things gives us the opportunity to step in prior to any adverse effects arising and to better the health spans of those across the generations, as well as raise the general standard of living.
Women’s Voices
Taboos and Stigmas
We were informed that various stigmas and prohibitions still exist in a great deal of women’s health topics. Taboos and stigmas can make it more difficult for women to look for assistance; this can even encourage the idea that severe signs and symptoms are usual or something that has to be tolerated. The results of the public survey indicated that people felt more relaxed discussing health problems like diabetes or coronary heart disease than particular conditions associated with females, like gynecological complications or the menopausal period. Survey takers expressed very little ease when discussing disabilities and psychological issues. Mental health issues, particularly for women, encompass postpartum depression. It was also revealed that certain conditions, including autism, might show signs which differ between women and men.
Feeling Listened to by Healthcare Professionals
In a poll of the public, a majority of those surveyed (84%) reported times when their opinions and views were not taken into account by medical professionals. We were informed that ladies had encountered this problem at each juncture of the experience, starting from the first talk of indications to further conferences, contemplation of treatment rehearses, and ensuing care. We heard reports that women were not heard when their main complaint was chronic pain, such as being told that having heavy and agonizing periods was just the norm or something they would grow out of. There have been apprehensions expressed by participants that some health workers have supposedly employed gender expectations concerning female’s desire for children so as to veto operations such as sterilization.
Priority Areas
Menstrual Health and Gynaecological Conditions
In the request for a public proof test, period wellbeing was the issue most chosen by renditions matured 16 to 17 to be remembered for the Women’s Health Strategy. Gynecological conditions were the number one subject selected by those between the ages of 18 to 19, 20 to 24, and 25 to 29. Elderly individuals demonstrated a stronger inclination to converse with healthcare personnel about gynecological maladies compared to younger participants; however, just 8% reported having sufficient accessibility to details about associated issues such as endometriosis and fibroids.
Women reported having to be persistent and proactive in their own advocacy in order to get an accurate diagnosis, even if it took months or years for conditions like endometriosis. These delays often had a negative impact on their well-being and general happiness.
Organizations that have provided written evidence have shown that women with endometriosis or PCOS have had long periods of time before achieving a diagnosis. Documentation additionally stated that necessities for care may alter over a person’s lifespan and that there needs to be an increase in comprehension and facts regarding those conditions since women may not always know that what they are going through is not the norm.
Next steps
We will investigate methods of heightening consciousness with regard to severe manifestations of disorders like heavy menstrual flow, endometriosis, and PCOS and search for methods of caring for and tending to those afflicted with such symptoms. This new approach will provide details about how we plan to handle menstrual health, gynecological conditions, and gynecological cancers.
Fertility, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Loss, and Post-Natal Support
The Women’s Health Strategy survey revealed that issues surrounding fertility, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and post-natal support were particularly significant for those aged 30 to 39; this was the most prevalent topic selected by this demographic, and among all participants, it was the second most chosen topic. The public survey and written submissions revealed a vast array of topics, such as contraception, pre-pregnancy health, fertility and infertility, miscarriage and stillbirth, aid for expectant and first-time moms and their companions, pelvic floor fitness, and patient experience and security. The written submissions especially emphasized the need to continue working on narrowing the gaps in the level of care given to expecting mothers and newborns.
A central point discussed was the need for more knowledge of the reasons why infertility occurs, the chances of a successful gestation after a certain age, the state of a female’s health before conception, and the real effectiveness of assisted reproductive therapies.
Another key issue raised was miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Survey participants that were female gave detailed accounts of how heartbreaking a lost pregnancy is and the significant range of help they got from healthcare facilities and their companies.
Some submissions suggested that pregnancy can be a critical period in a female’s journey and that it provides a chance to strengthen a woman’s health, such as providing guidance on smoking, weight issues, and specific care like postnatal birth control.
Next steps
We strive to enhance results for mothers and infants, particularly focusing on lessening maternal and newborn disparities. Gaining greater insight into the root causes of pregnancy-related issues and accumulating and breaking down data is essential in confronting the disparities.
In this course of action, we will contemplate ways that we can enhance medical and job-related assistance for females and their companions who have faced pregnancy miscarriages along with other issues linked to pregnancy and fertility. The DHSC-commissioned Pregnancy Loss Review’s advice will be taken into account when making decisions.
We will be collaborating together with the future Sexual and Reproductive Health Technique to potentially guarantee that the dual strategies explain our policy for increasing women’s sexual and reproductive health.
