Menopause is the cessation of menstruating and fertility; the average age this occurs is 51. Perimenopause is the phase when the body starts transitioning into menopause. This process can start at age 40 and as a result, changes in estrogen and progesterone levels occur. This puts a 40-year old woman at an increased risk for several health problems. A balanced diet and vitamin supplements can help ensure health and wellness.
Calcium
The estrogen levels of a 40-year old woman in perimenopause naturally start to decline. At normal levels, estrogen provides protection for bones. It does this by replacing old bone with new bone as it is being used. As estrogen levels drop, this process of replacing bone is slowed down, leaving bones less dense. This condition is called osteoporosis and can increase the risk for bone fracture. Women up to age 51 need 1000 mg of calcium a day. Calcium is available as supplements and in multivitamins.
Vitamin D
As estrogen levels fluctuate and decline, a 40-year old woman's risk for heart disease increases. Lower estrogen may increase the low-density lipoprotein, or LDE, which is known as the "bad" cholesterol. Elevated LDL contributes to heart disease. Studies suggest that vitamin D may help decrease the risk of heart disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Women up to age 51 need to take 200 IUs a day. Vitamin D is sold separately and included in multivitamins.
Vitamin C
Menopausal women are at an increased risk for macular degeneration and glaucoma because the protective qualities of estrogen are absent. These are two serious eye conditions that can lead to blindness. A 40-year old woman can start addressing this risk with the intake of vitamin C. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, vitamin C can protect the eyes, specifically, from macular degeneration. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin C for women is 75 mg a day. However, to treat the risk for certain conditions, such as macular degeneration, 500 to 1,000 mg a day is advised.
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