A women’s health is affected by how healthy she was in childhood. Some experts believe that a women’s health could depend upon the nutritional health of her grandmother. Health starts with genetics but regardless of what genetics a women inherits she will affect how those genetics are expressed by her lifestyle choices, especially the choices made in childhood. The risk of certain diseases that develop in adult life may be reduced by childhood dietary intake.

Studies have shown that women who had childhood diets high in B Vitamins and Vitamin D had reduced incidents of breast cancer. Some experts believe that the bone disease osteoporosis, which commonly affects menopausal women, is actually a childhood disease. With adequate nutrition and exercise a young woman will build up a store of bone that will allow her to avoid osteoporosis in later life. Studies have shown that a diet composed of useable calcium, magnesium, silica, boron, strontium, and Omega 3 fatty acids support the production of healthy bones.

The consumption of refined sugar and other processed carbohydrates is high and increasing in the Western World. Convenience and fast foods often contain high amounts of refined carbohydrates. Refined sugar and carbohydrates affect important hormones including insulin and adrenalin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and it facilitates the movement of sugars into cells either for storage or for energy production. Insulin also regulates the release of energy from dietary fats. High sugar consumption will affect the pancreas and insulin secretion, reduce energy production, and may ultimately lead to the diabetes. Many people react to high sugar consumption by increasing their adrenalin production, which increases their levels of agitation and aggression. High sugar consumption may also reduce bone density by altering blood chemistry and drawing calcium out of the bones.

A high fat diet has been advised against by some health authorities. This makes sense when the diet consumed is composed of fats that are heat processed and contain high amounts of disease causing Trans-fatty acids. Animal fats are also associated with higher health risks since they often contain higher levels of toxins than plant oils including dioxins, petrochemical residues, pesticides, and hormones. Young women who consume excess amounts of animal products, including fats, meat, and dairy may reduce their level of health for the rest of their lives. Plant oils, such as flax seed oil, protect women from these health concerns.

A woman’s health starts long before she is born. Good health choices, such as a diet high in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and plant oils, along with regular exercise, will optimize health for women of all ages, regardless of what health factors are inherited.