Women today are living longer, but are they living better quality lives?

It is a fact of life today that many women are juggling career, family, household responsibilities, and often sacrificing their own needs to take care of those around them. Some of the main health concerns that women face today are a result of these stressful and hectic lifestyles.

Stress is linked to heart disease, cancer, depression, anxiety, diabetes, and insomnia. When we are super busy, we don’t take time to eat properly, exercise and get adequate sleep, all factors that take their toll on our health – physically and emotionally.

Health expert Sherry Torkos explains how women need to make their health and well-being a priority and how this will also benefit those around them.

The Five Keys to Optimal Health

Proper Nutrition:

Food provides fuel for the body and the mind. This time of year, we are often enticed and mislead by the plethora of fad diets being promoted in the tabloids. In the video, Sherry discusses the power of functional foods specific for women.

Nutritional Supplements:

A daily multivitamin and mineral complex helps to make up for dietary deficiencies and nutrient-depleters (stress, toxins, Rx medication), and ensures your body gets all the nutrients it needs.

Fish oils are part of Sherry’s foundation because mounting evidence shows they can reduce the risk of heart disease (our #1 killer) and they are good for brain function.

Greens supplements are also highly recommended because they are rich in nutrients, fibre, prebiotics, and other powerhouse nutrients. Keep in mind that supplements should “complement,” not replace your diet.

Regular Exercise:

Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and it can also significantly cut your risk of our main health concerns: Diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Unfortunately, exercise is one of the first things to go when we get busy. We need to make it a priority because the health rewards are numerous, both physically and emotionally.

Aim for one hour of accumulated activity daily. If you don’t have a one-hour block, spend 20 minutes three times a day. Walking, biking, working out with weights, and yoga are all great activities that offer a range of benefits.

Adequate Sleep:

Sleep deprivation not only causes fatigue, but it is associated with heart disease, depression, memory loss, and weight gain.

New research links sleep deprivation and shift working to increased risk of breast cancer.

Goal: 7 – 9 hours each night.

Stress Management:

Considering that stress is linked to our major killers and over half of women are experiencing the adverse effects of stress, it is critical that we develop good stress management techniques, such as breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, and visualization.

Sherry explains how stress impacts our health beyond the obvious signs of muscle tension and a racing heart. She also suggests some natural stress management supplements.

For more information, pick up Sherry Torkos’ latest book, The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. In it, you’ll find:

• A thorough A to Z listing of the most common health conditions: From colds and ear infections to cancer, diabetes, depression, heart disease and osteoporosis

• A comprehensive guide to dietary requirements and the principles of a healthy diet

• Detailed information about vitamins and minerals, including recommended dosages for children, teenagers, adults, pregnant women and seniors

• Easy-to-follow exercise, sleep and stress-management tips that really work

• A reference guide to today’s top dietary supplements, herbal remedies and branded ingredients

• A natural prescription for each health condition, outlining conventional approaches to treatment, as well as safe and effective dietary, lifestyle, supplemental and therapeutic recommendations

• Tips on safe supplementing, including information about potential drug, nutrient and herbal interactions and how to create a supplement program

About Sherry Torkos, B.Sc. Phm.

Sherry Torkos is a pharmacist, author, and certified fitness instructor. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1992 and practises in the Niagara region of Ontario. As a leading health expert, Sherry has delivered hundreds of lectures to medical professionals and the public. She is frequently interviewed on radio and TV talk shows throughout North America and abroad. She has authored ten books, including The GI Made Simple, Live Well: A Woman’s Guide to Optimum Health, and Winning at Weight Loss. For more information, visit www.sherrytorkos.com.