In the dog days of summer, “women of a certain age” probably know well the difficulty of getting a good night’s sleep, especially when dealing with postmenopausal hot flashes. The benefits of sleep cannot be overstated in terms of our overall health. Inadequate sleep can lead to diabetes, obesity, elevated blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer. Fortunately, there is a natural remedy for this situation; it is as close as your sneakers, and costs nothing.
Yes, once again, it’s my favorite supplement: exercise. In March 2013, a study published in the journal Menopause found that women with high levels of leisure time physical activity over eight times as likely to experience good sleep quality. While the authors did not quantify exactly what types or how much physical activity was involved, we can presume that any activity is better than being sedentary. It’s amazing how much of our leisure time is taken up with electronic screens: computers, TVs, iPads, smartphones… we never have to be without these magical devices that keep our brains engaged, while allowing our bodies to wallow in torpor.
So get out there, and enjoy some walking, biking, swimming, or gardening, and get a better night’s rest tonight.
Pomi-T Follow Up…
My article about the beneficial effects of a new botanical supplement, Pomi-T, for prostate cancer patients brought a flood of interested feedback. However, I have been hard-pressed to find the actual product. It was produced by a British company called nature Medical Products, and sold out as a response to the publicity about the research study. An internet search yielded no further reliable information about the availability of Pomi-T or nature Medical Products. So until we have a source for Pomi-T in the U.S., keep eating your veggies, and look for other standardized supplements for pomegranate, broccoli, green tea, and curcumin (turmeric extract).