Nurturing Your Health with Marla Ahlgrimm

From the vibrancy of youth to the wisdom of our senior years, our bodies undergo many transformations. Each stage of a woman's life brings about unique nutritional needs. Understanding these can have a profound impact on our overall well-being. According to women's health advocate and author Marla Ahlgrimm, it's helpful to tailor your diet to cater to these ever-evolving demands.

Early Adulthood

During a woman's early reproductive years, her body focuses on building bone density while she should be focused on establishing healthy habits. Marla Ahlgrimm stresses the importance of getting enough calcium and vitamin D, which are crucial for strong bones. Remember, peak bone mass is achieved around the age of 30, and milk, leafy greens, spinach, and fatty fish are all great sources of these vitamins. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that iron is also crucial, especially for women with irregular menstrual cycles, to help prevent iron deficiency anemia.

Core Reproductive Years

A woman's core reproductive years are between the ages of around 20 through her early 40s. During this time, the body needs a variety of nutrients and micronutrients. This is especially true for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Folic acid and choline are important for this stage. Marla Ahlgrimm says that flax seeds and walnuts are a great addition to a woman's diet. She also says that women who choose to breastfeed after pregnancy may need to adjust their calorie intake and be more diligent with their hydration.

"The Change"

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, around the age of 40, many women begin to enter perimenopause. This can bring many new challenges, such as mood swings, hot flashes, and bone density decline. Continued calcium and vitamin D intake are crucial. Just about the time a woman becomes truly comfortable with her body, menopause can also bring weight gain into focus. As a woman's metabolism changes, eating more nutrient-dense foods and controlling portions are beneficial. Marla says flaxseed and legumes may help relieve some menopause symptoms. Now is the time that women should prioritize fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for continued cardiovascular health.

The Sunset Years

Marla Ahlgrimm says that nutritional priorities shift later in life. Women in their 60s and beyond should focus on maintaining muscle health, bone density, and cognitive function. Protein intake becomes even more critical to help counteract age-related muscle loss. Marla Ahlgrimm says that lean meats, fish, eggs, and poultry are all great choices. As with all ages, the women’s health advocate reminds that hydration remains vital and cautions that a woman's sense of thirst may diminish with age. For digestive health, she recommends plenty of fiber and an increase in B-12 vitamin to help support neurological functions.

Marla Ahlgrimm emphasizes that nutrition is key to supporting a woman's ever-changing body through every stage. Each stage of life requires careful attention to the vitamins and minerals that a woman puts into her body.