Integrative natural health solutions for midlife women
by Vanita Dahia
Published on: 24/09/2025
Integrative natural health solutions for midlife women
Published in Frontiers in Nutrition Journal
Co-authors: Vanita Dahia, David J. Hunter, Will Shannon, Anastasia Suraev, Sandra Villella, Gerald Münch, Diana Chan-Lau
Why This Matters
Midlife can be a complex period for women, marked by significant hormonal shifts like menopause, alongside increased risks for conditions like osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and chronic pain. While many women are turning to Natural Health Products (NHPs)—like herbal medicines and supplements—for support, there’s often a disconnect between their popular use and the available scientific evidence.
What We Did
Our multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, and experts gathered to address this gap. Our article offers a crucial perspective on how to optimize NHP use alongside conventional care.
We advocate for:
- 🔬 Robust, systematic frameworks to generate high-quality evidence on NHP efficacy and safety, like those used for conventional medicines, but tailored for the complexity of natural compounds.
- 🌱 Key considerations in product development, including understanding different extracts (like root vs. leaf), improving the bioavailability of active compounds (think better absorption for things like curcumin!), and recognizing the impact of different chemical forms (like various types of magnesium).
- 🗣️ Enhanced education and communication for both health professionals and consumers to ensure safe, responsible, and informed use, minimizing risks of herb-drug interactions.
Read the Full Article
We believe that combining evidence-based approaches with multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to responsibly integrate NHPs and ultimately improve health outcomes for midlife women.
A huge thank you to my fantastic co-authors: David J. Hunter, Will Shannon, Anastasia Suraev, Sandra Villella, Gerald Münch and Diana Chan-Lau. It was an incredible collaborative effort!
Check out the full paper for a deep dive into the practical, clinical, and regulatory considerations for integrating these solutions!
➡️ Read the full article here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1629648/full
