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The Menopause Is A Mystery For One In Five Women… Kira Survey Reveals Dangerous Knowledge Gap

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Two out of five women who have gone through the menopause admit they were not prepared for the hormonal upheaval that comes with the change of life, and only one in four women aged 40 to 60 is confident she knows enough about the way hormones affect her daily life.

Although this milestone is a health challenge every woman will face, for many women menopause remains shrouded in mystery according to new research from Kira the women’s supplement specialists, has revealed. The research which surveyed 1,000 women found that one in five (21%) respondents said they did not understand the change of life. Perhaps not surprisingly, uncertainty is more common among women aged 20 to 40, with a third (32%) admitting they are not confident they understand the menopause.2

 

But shockingly, almost one in ten (9%) of women in the age range where they are likely to be experiencing some symptoms, or may already have stopped menstruating, admit they are not sure what the menopause is.

 

Of those who had already gone through menopause, almost half (47%) felt they were not properly informed. One in four (25%) admitted they were not prepared and almost one in five (18%) did not seek advice on the health implications and symptom control.

The implications of these insights are alarming as the hormonal changes associated with menopause can have a huge impact on health and emotional wellbeing.

On average, women in the UK reach menopause — which is defined as a year without a period— at the age of 51.  As levels of the hormone oestrogen fall, it triggers a range of symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats, heart palpitations, headaches, disturbed sleep, headaches, mood swings, depression, loss of libido, vaginal dryness and urinary tract infections.

 

Dr Catherine HoodBut there are also unseen changes. Dr Catherine Hood a women’s health specialist and an advisor to Kira says: “The incidence of coronary heart disease — which is Britain’s biggest killer — rises dramatically after menopause.  This is because oestrogen raises beneficial HDL cholesterol, lowers unhealthy LDL cholesterol, and improves heart and vascular function, so as oestrogen falls after menopause women lose all those heart-healthy benefits.

 

“Bone density also falls, which increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. One in two women over the age of 50 will break a bone. Worse still, of the 70,000 osteoporotic hip fractures each year, about 30% of patients will die within a year due to causes related to the fracture.

 

Dr Catherine Hood adds: “The lack of awareness surrounding menopause which this research has uncovered is very worrying. Ignorance is not bliss, it is being blind to the health challenges which come with the menopause. It also means women are blind to the positive steps they can take to bolster their health and relieve troublesome symptoms.”

 

“You don’t always have to resort to Hormone Replacement Therapy, and some women should not as there are times it can actually increase the risk of heart disease.

 

“If you prefer a more natural approach, there are supplements and herbal remedies which have been shown to support health and wellbeing and counter common problems such as hot flushes, night sweats and sleep disruption.”

 

Kira, one of the most trusted names in women’s’ supplements, has developed a range of products which support health and wellbeing during this time of change.

Kira’s traditional herbal products are fully accredited and carry the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) logo — which ensures they are made to the same exacting standards expected of pharmaceutical medicines. THR accreditation guarantees you receive the same dose every time and the remedy is free from any harmful additives.

Dr Catherine Hood in summary notes: “A healthy diet and plenty of exercise can also make menopause more manageable, but busy lifestyles mean a little extra help from a supplement or herbal remedy is often beneficial.

“Many of my patients say they find herbal remedies helpful, however the quality of these products can vary dramatically, so I would strongly advise against buying any herbal product that does not carry the THR logo.”

 

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Menopause marvels from Kira…

Kira Menopause relief (this product falls under the traditional herbal registration).

Every Kira Menopause relief tablet contains a consistent, standardised 6.5mg extract of Black cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa l), which is the equivalent of up to 55mg of dried root. A member of the buttercup family, black cohosh is also known as squawroot because Native Americans used the dried roots and underground stems, known as rhizomes, to relieve hot flushes, night sweats and other symptoms of menopause.

A 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 304 women with menopausal symptoms found black cohosh relieved symptoms more effectively than placebo.  A smaller study, also double-blinded with a placebo control, found that black cohosh was as effective as HRT at controlling hot flushes and other menopause symptoms.

You should not take Kira Menopause relief if you are:

  • suffering from liver or kidney disease (e.g. hepatitis, jaundice or cirrhosis) or if you have suffered such problems in the past.
  • suffering or have previously suffered from an oestrogen-dependent tumour
  • are of child-bearing age and not using contraception
  • are lactose-intolerant
  • are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • are allergic to any of the ingredients.
  • Under the age of 18 years

Kira menopause relief is available from Holland & Barrett RRP £10.20 

 

Kira Body Balance 40+

A vitamin complex designed to support bone health in women aged 40 plus. High-strength calcium (850mg), fluoride and vitamins D3 and K1 help support bone health and teeth.   Research has shown that calcium supplements reduce bone loss associated with advancing age and when vitamin D is taken with calcium it appears to reduce the risk of fractures by as much as 43%.  Vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid help reduce tiredness and fatigue and support the immune system, while copper helps maintain connective tissue which keeps skin supple and helps maintain the pigments in the hair.

Kira Body Balance 40+ is available from Boots RRP £15.39

 

Kira Restful sleep (this product falls under the traditional herbal registration).

As many as three out of five post-menopausal women report problems with insomnia while symptoms such as hot flushes can undermine sleep quality.  The root of Valeriana officinalis L has traditionally been used for the temporary relief of sleep disturbances due to symptoms of mild anxiety. Meta-analysis, a super study which combined the findings of 18 randomized controlled trials, found these “suggest valerian would be effective for a subjective improvement of insomnia”.

Each Kira Restful sleep tablet contains 300mg of the dried extract of valerian root (valeriana officinalis L.) — the equivalent of up to 1,800mg of the herb.

Do not take this remedy if:

  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • You are allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the ingredients (see section 6)
  • You are under 18 years of age
  • You are already taking a medicine which makes you feel drowsy

Kira Restful Sleep is available from Boots & Waitrose RRP £6.99 

UK Under-5s At Risk Of Becoming Generation D-

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mapRecent findings reveal six in ten (60%) UK parents are unconcerned about the risk of insufficient vitamin D levels in their child. The new findings have raised concerns among health experts, who fear the UK’s under-5s may be missing out on the essential vitamin, due to a lack of awareness of its benefits and the potential health risks associated with vitamin D deficiency.

 

Parents in the dark about vitamin D

 

The Generation D- report, commissioned by new public health awareness campaign Vitamin D Mission, reveals that despite its importance for childhood development, parents are not fully informed when it comes to their child’s need for this important vitamin.

 

A cause for concern is that despite its crucial role in ensuring the healthy growth and development of children’s bones and teeth, more than three quarters of parents (77%) are unaware of their child’s daily dietary requirement of vitamin D, with more than a third (35%) stating they have never received information about their child’s specific needs.

 

All children living in the UK are at risk of not getting enough vitamin D, with research revealing the average toddler is only getting 27% of the daily dietary vitamin D they need[1]. However, a lack of education about the risks associated with vitamin D deficiency means a fifth of parents (20%) remain unaware that under-5s rank among the most at risk of low levels of vitamin D (See appendix 1).

 

Parents in the UK are largely oblivious of the major health issues associated with low levels of vitamin D, with many unaware of the potential link to multiple sclerosis (95% unaware), osteoporosis (91% unaware), diabetes (95% unaware) and rickets (62% unaware). Furthermore, studies have also shown deficiency can cause poor growth in children and heart muscle disease and hypocalcaemic seizures in infants[2], as well as muscle weakness at any age.

 

The survey found that, despite a recent rise in cases of rickets in the UK, parents ranked low levels of vitamin D among the least worrying issues when it came to their child’s health. Meningitis topped the poll when touching on matters of most concern, with common child illnesses and conditions, such as flu and asthma, ranking higher than insufficient levels of vitamin D (see appendix 2).

 

Clinical consultant for the Vitamin D Mission and paediatrician, Dr Benjamin Jacobs, comments: “As a paediatrician at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, I see first-hand the health impacts of low levels of vitamin D in children living in the UK. From poor growth, soft bones and seizures, to heart disease and rickets, not getting enough vitamin D can result in a range of serious health issues in children and adults.

 

“Many parents are still not getting the message about this vitamin and its importance for child health so children are missing out on the vitamin D they need for healthy growth and development.”

 

Fortification and supplementation

 

The Generation D- report found that despite government recommendations, only one in seven (16%) parents provides their child with a daily vitamin D supplement, with three in five (60%) admitting they never give their child vitamin supplements at all.

 

Younger parents, aged eighteen to twenty-four, were found to be most likely to give their child cod liver oil or a vitamin supplement (47%) compared to just over a third of parents (35%) aged thirty-five plus.

 

Family GP, Dr Ellie Cannon, comments: “Labels like Generation Z and Alpha have been thrown around, but as this report reveals, the next generation is, in fact, set to be Generation D-.

 

“With parents lacking awareness of the vitamin’s role and therefore the need for supplementation, the UK’s under-5s are at risk of being vitamin D deficient. The Vitamin D Mission aims to raise awareness of this issue and end deficiency in our nation’s children, once and for all, to help ensure our kids grow up healthy and strong.”

 

Diet without the D

 

Worryingly, all children in the UK are at risk of not getting the vitamin D they need to support their growth and development, with findings from the report revealing over a third of parents (35%) are not aware their child needs a daily dietary source of vitamin D.

 

This is reflected in mealtime offerings, with the most popular kid’s meals containing next to no dietary vitamin D. Of the top seven meals, which includes firm favourites such as spaghetti bolognese (46%) and fish fingers (43%), only one was found to add to a child’s diet with vitamin D; scrambled eggs (41%) (See appendix 3).

 

One in five parents (22%) believe they meet their child’s specific vitamin D requirements through a healthy balanced diet. However, while the intention is good, the report reveals mums and dads are not always informed which foods contain vitamin D. A fifth of parents incorrectly think oranges (20%) and carrots (18%) contain the essential vitamin, with more than one in ten (11%) mistakenly saying cows’ milk is a source of vitamin D.

 

Furthermore, the survey also reveals that a quarter of under-5s (26%) are fed oily fish once a month or less, with one in seven (15%) never being fed this rich source of vitamin D. Half of parents (50%) have never fed their child liver, another good source of the vitamin.

 

The Generation D- report has been released to support the launch of the Vitamin D Mission, a campaign that aims to eradicate vitamin D deficiency in UK under-5s. As part of the campaign, the Mission has launched an online test which allows parents to estimate how much vitamin D their child is getting as well as offering helpful tips and hints on how they can include more sources of vitamin D in their child’s diet. For more information visit VitaminDMission.co.uk

Reasons Under-5s are at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency

1) The Sun In the UK, our skin isn’t able to make vitamin D from winter sunlight (November to March) as the sunlight hasn’t got enough UVB (ultraviolet B) radiation. 

In the summertime, children are outside less and when they are playing outdoors many parents are concerned about sun safety, therefore putting lots of sunscreen on them, which makes it even harder to synthesise vitamin D. Just ten to fifteen minutes without sunscreen during the summer months (April to October) can help provide a child with the vitamin D they need.
2) Food Not all children receive a varied diet and foods rich in vitamin D, such as oily fish.
3) Supplementation Low uptake of vitamin D supplementation is also a factor. In fact, a report from the Vitamin D Mission reveals less than one in five (16%) parents provide their child with a daily vitamin D supplement.

 

Appendix 2: Health Issues of Most Concern to Parents

Rank(1=most important) Health concern
1 Meningitis
2 Obesity
3 Childhood diabetes
4 Childhood cancer e.g. skin cancer
5 Whooping cough
6 Flu
7 Asthma
8 Low or insufficient levels of vitamin D
9 Getting their five-a-day
10 Allergies

 

 

Appendix 3: Top seven meals served to UK children

Rank Meal %
1 Spaghetti bolognese 46
2 Fish fingers 43
3 Scrambled eggs 41
4 Pasta with sauce 36
5 Roast Dinners 32
6 Baked beans on toast 32
7 Chicken nuggets and chips 29

Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines: Eye Witness Report

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Typhoon Haiyan, phillipines, Aid worker, Sandra Bulling, CARE International, is with CARE’s Emergency Team in the areas affected by the Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Nov. 11, 2013, 19:00 local time

 

“We arrived by boat at the port in Ormoc City. As soon as we stepped onto the port, we were in the middle of a disaster zone. Everything was destroyed. Tin roofing sheets were hanging off trees like wet blankets.

 

“All the houses along the coast are completely flattened. Everything is destroyed. Further inland, about 80 percent of the houses are roofless. About five percent of the houses are completely collapsed – these are mainly wooden houses. It seems like everyone we’ve seen has a hammer or tools in their hands, trying to repair their houses and their roofs. People are picking up poles and pieces of wood from the street. There are long queues at hardware stores, pharmacies. We waited in line for two hours to get fuel. So far the roads are okay, but it’s taking a long time to get anywhere.

 

“I talked to a shop owner whose shop was destroyed; he lost everything. He’s wondering how he’s going to feed his five children. I also met a little girl, who was trying to dry out her books. Her house was totally destroyed, but there she was, worried about her school books, because she wants to go to school. And it’s the only thing she has left.

 

“We just arrived in Jaro, a small town on the way to Tacloban. It’s dark now, so we can’t go any further. We’re staying in the police station tonight – not sure where we’ll sleep, maybe in the car, or outside. There’s an electricity pole that’s leaning dangerously over the police station, so everyone is trying to steer clear of that. Thank  you to the police for letting us use their toilets! Our plan is to go to Dulag, just south of Tacloban. Our driver just came from there, and says it’s very bad, and they need help.

 

“People are becoming quite desperate. Some officials just came and told us that there has been looting in the area, people trying to get rice for their families. People haven’t had food for three days, and they’re trying to feed their families. That’s why it’s so important to get food and emergency supplies in to these areas as soon as possible. In Ormoc, there was food; we could buy chicken and rice. But there were big queues at the food stalls and shops. We’re in an urban area now, and I don’t even want to think what it’s like the rural areas. We’ll start moving again at first light. I don’t think anyone is going to get any sleep tonight.”

 

One in Five Mums Feel They’re Doing a Bad Job.

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A fifth of mums (21%) say feeding their child manufactured baby food makes them feel like a bad mum. But should it? An independent report lifts the lid on what goes into those jars

Mums feel under pressure as almost four out of ten (39%) feel they are being ‘judged’ by other parents for not making baby food from scratch and one in five (21%) says it makes them feel like they are a bad mum, a survey by Cow & Gate released today reveals.

Mums heap pressure on themselves because a quarter (23%) are sceptical about manufactured baby food, and two in five (39%) are concerned about added salt or ‘nasties’, like preservatives. The research marks the launch of an independent report, released today, which seeks to expose the truth about one of the baby food industry’s biggest producers.

Lifting the Lid on Baby Foods, which is published today and written by Fiona Wilcock, independent public health nutritionist and food writer, investigates food practices by Cow & Gate. The report examines the manufacturing process, from field to production line to babies’ spoons, following the journey of a jar and detailing what is involved in making it.

Forty one million jars of Cow & Gate baby food are sold every year[i] and every jar meets the rigorous ‘baby grade’ standards, finds Wilcock; “Baby foods had a poor reputation in the past so it’s hardly surprising mums and dads are worried. But my report uncovered that there are no dubious ingredients you might have suspected in today’s baby food. Stringent standards, put in place by Cow & Gate, ensure baby foods are real food made from the best ingredients.”

The organic debate

Almost a fifth (18%) of mums will only feed their baby organic food because they believe this to be better quality food, and one in ten (9%) of those surveyed said they believe manufactured baby food contains pesticides. However, today’s report reveals that there are practically no pesticides residues in baby foods. The maximum permitted level of residues in any baby food is 10 parts per billion, which is equal to approximately one drop of water in two Olympic size swimming pools. It’s a little known fact that pesticides, albeit from natural origin, can be used on organic crops and that they can still carry the organic label. This finding negates the argument for only feeding babies with organic food and gives Wilcock the confidence to state; “In my opinion, they are certainly not inferior to organic foods, and could even, in some instances, be better.”

The survey reveals that more than two thirds (68%) of mums feed their babies manufactured baby food, yet less than one in ten (7%) feels confident that it’s good quality. This is why Cow & Gate encouraged Wilcock to investigate what goes on behind the scenes, to dispel the myths surrounding manufactured baby food and reassure mums of the quality of their products. Wilcock says; “I was astonished to learn about the extra commitment and requirements needed to reach the baby grade standard. I now think that even if I bought the highest quality ingredients, organic or not, I couldn’t match the degree of quality assurance that Cow & Gate baby foods have.”

Baby grade ingredients

From apple orchards in the Czech Republic to beef farming in Ireland, the report outlines the measures taken to ensure all baby food is made from baby grade ingredients, which have to adhere to strict guidelines. These ingredients go through multiple safety tests and have to be completely traceable. Farms are chosen where the food will grow best, away from sources of pollution, and where an absolute minimum of pesticides are used. Each step of the food journey is controlled and managed to the extent that every ingredient can be traced back to an individual field.

Dr Pavel Hejzlar, apple expert for Cow & Gate, comments; “We say it takes at least 18 months to learn how to become a baby food farmer. We work with farmers we’ve developed long term relationships with, people we know and trust. Quality and safety, at every level, is our primary concern. ”

Taste Test

Over a third of mums (36%) surveyed said manufactured baby food tastes bland. Wilcock says; “It’s sometimes easy to forget that we have an adult palate and have grown used to food to which we’ve added salt, sugar or flavoured sauces.” Wilcock’s report reveals that the adult food tasters at Cow & Gate have to be trained to re-educate their palates and some of them have talked of their reduced tolerance for salt and sugar in their own diet, as a result of testing baby foods.

Wilcock sums her report up by concluding thatmanufactured baby food is made from top quality baby grade ingredients and does not contain ‘nasties’. She concludes that parents should have confidence in Cow & Gate and the care it takes turning great ingredients into great meals for babies.

To read Wilcock’s report in full visit www.cowandgate.co.uk/liftingthelid

Top research findings;

· 68% of mums have fed their baby manufactured baby food yet only 7% feel confident that the food is of good quality

· 39% of mums feel judged for using manufactured baby food and 21% feel like a bad mum for using it

· 23% of mums feel sceptical about using manufactured baby food because they don’t know what goes in it, and 39% are concerned about added salt or ‘nasties’, like preservatives and colourings, which may be present

· 19% of mums feel that manufactured baby food is a necessity but wish they could do better for their child

· 18% of mums will only feed their baby organic food and 9% of those surveyed said they believe manufactured baby food contains a lot of pesticides

· Babies are more likely to be fed manufactured baby food in Worcester (100%), Chelmsford (100%) and Brighton & Hove (90%). They are least likely to be fed manufactured baby food in London (58%), Aberdeen (58%) and Coventry (54%)

· Mums in Gloucester (42%) and Brighton & Hove (45%) are most judgemental when they see other mums feed their children baby food. Mums in Swansea (7%) and York (9%) are less judgemental

· Older mums (45+) are more likely to feed their child organic food