As children, most of us have boundless energy and tend to engage in play during the day, eat when the body requires nutrition and sleep when we are tired.

This natural cycle gets side-tracked and neglected once we reach adulthood as commitment to family, work, community and financial obligations take precedent over our bodies' basic needs. What are the common diseases that often afflict women of this age group?

1) Heart disease

This silent killer is the no.1 killer of women. One out of 4 American women dies of heard related diseases. Between the ages of 40-60, the risk for cardiovascular disease in women increases.Why is this so? As women age, their estrogen levels, which have been monumental in protecting them against a host of diseases, gradually reduce. As they reach menopausal age, their risk for heart diseases increases.

Unfortunately, heart disease in women is often underdiagnosed as the symptoms are specific for women. Unlike the typical symptoms that afflict men, women also get more subtle warnings such as shoulder pain, shortness of breath and jaw pain.

Factors that contribute to heart disease include increased age, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, heredity, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. Based on research, African American and Hispanic women in particular have higher risk rates than Caucasian women.

2) Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. It is however, not the leading cause of cancer death in women. Lung cancer holds the top spot.Factors that contribute to heart disease include increasing age, genes, family history, race, the early onset of menstruation, excessive alcohol, poor diet and obesity.

Early screening such as mammogram is crucial in detecting lumps that may not be apparent to the naked eye. Women should also educate themselves on the proper way to regularly self-check their own breasts for subtle signs.Caucasian women have a slightly greater risk of getting breast cancer as compared to African-American.

3) Osteoporosis

It is quite a common sight to see the elderly walking with a hunched back and a cane or walker. It doesn't have to be the norm if we understand the cause of this ailment and take action to prevent it early in life.Our bodies will have built most of our bone mass by the age of 30. After this age, the body will work hard to maintain the mass and repair damages.

However, it is not too late to get strong bones even after 30 years old. Fractures can be avoided with adequate calcium in the diet and incorporating weight bearing exercises in one's lifestyle.

Factors that contribute to heart disease include increasing age, thin-boned framed, family history, anorexia, race, sex hormones, smoking, diet low in calcium and vitamin D, excessive alcohol and sedentary lifestyle. There has also been research on non weight-bearing activities such as cycling and swimming contributing to bone loss in the long term.

Caucasian and Asian women have the greatest risk of osteoporosis.

So start your youth active. Even if you are in your 30's or 50's, it's not to late to build strong bones and a healthy heart. There are steps you could take from now on to maintain good health such as cleansing your liver and gall bladder and eliminating toxins from your colon to avoid plague that lines your intestines, causing every chronic disease known to womankind. All it takes it a desire and commitment. It's the only home you'll ever have. Treat it like theTaj Mahal.

Staying healthy starts in your mind,