Your top menopause questions answered

Published by admin on May 10th, 2011 - in Hormones, Women's Health

Are bioidentical hormones safer?

When the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study concluded in 2002 that postmenopausal women using synthetic estrogen/progestin had higher rates of heart disease and breast cancer, “people stopped cold-turkey overnight and were scared to death,” says Christiane Northrup, MD. “Many were left with insomnia, intolerable hot flashes, and a decreased quality of life.” But, she points out, the study focused on women ten years past their last period, and only looked at Premarin (an artificial estrogen made from pregnant mares’ urine) and Provera (a synthetic progestin). “Bioidentical hormones were not studied at all,” she says.

Bioidentical hormones are typically plant-based (from sterols found in yams, soybeans, and other plants) and are manufactured in a lab to be chemically identical to those produced in the body. Some are standardized and approved by the FDA; others are custom-compounded in a pharmacy, based on an individual woman’s hormonal needs. Although the medical community is far from convinced, some studies suggest bioidenticals may be safer. One study followed 80,000 newly postmenopausal women in France for eight years and found that those taking bioidentical estrogen had significantly less risk of breast cancer than those on synthetic estrogen. Large multicenter trials are underway to further investigate bioidenticals’ impact on other health risks.

Is it perimenopause?

Although every woman’s experience is different, studies show about 15 percent of women sail through “the change” with no symptoms. For others, mild symptoms start as early as 40 and persist for years during perimenopause, the stage leading up to the last menstrual period. First come dipping progesterone levels, which can lead to insomnia, tender breasts, and irritability. Then, as ovaries produce less estrogen—typically around the mid-to-late 40s—70 percent of women experience hot flashes. Around age 51, as we approach true menopause (defined as the day we’ve gone a full year without menstruating), estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone plummet, often leading to vaginal dryness, brain fog, and a crescendo of discomfort before hormones level off and symptoms subside in postmenopause.

HRT and age: Is younger better?

A growing body of research suggests that when hormones (either synthetic or bioidentical) are used in younger women (ages 49–59) during perimenopause or shortly after, they tend to work better— particularly for boosting memory—and they seem to carry less risk. In March 2010, the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) actually revised its position statement on hormone therapy, saying the benefits may outweigh the risks for younger women. “It appears that the risk of heart disease in women using hormones is largely confined to older women,” says NAMS president Cynthia Stuenkel, MD.

Written by Lisa Marshall of Delicious Living.

http://newhope360.com/aging/your-top-menopause-questions-answered

I thought I would post this article primarily because of the first question. There are some great books on bioidentical hormones and menopausal support. Dr. Lee has a number of books including “What Your doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause” and “Natural Progesterone – The Multiple Roles of a Remarkable Hormone”. The only book we sell (for zero profit I might add) is “Woman to Women” by Kim Balson. She’s a member of our advisory board.

No Comments »

Use Natural Healing for Anxiety and Panic Disorders

Published by admin on May 2nd, 2011 - in Mood and Memory, Omegas

Quite often, people only think of supplements for body health and not mental health.  Here is a good bit written by Luella May for Natural News.

Anxiety disorders are characterized by an overwhelming sense of apprehension. Sometimes such apprehension may become constant. Numerous physical symptoms may accompany anxiety with over 100 physical anxiety symptoms reported, including muscle tightness, heart palpitations, chest tightness/pain, dizziness, numbness, tingling, and electric shock feelings. Anxiety disorders often tend to progress to what is called a panic disorder and panic attacks. The Mayo Clinic definition of a panic attack is: “A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that develops for no apparent reason and that triggers severe physical reactions. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you`re losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.” That is why it is common for a person experiencing a panic attack to feel that death is imminent. Fortunately, there are some good natural solutions to combat anxiety and panic symptoms.

Anxiety and panic disorders are very common, having reached epidemic proportions. They affect an estimated 2.4 million Americans. That means that one in 113 Americans lives with this condition.

The causes for this disorder are varied. Sometimes it simply has a physical source. However, many times the disorder is due to emotional issues. Contributing to this disorder are environmental factors, one of the most important of which is poor nutrition. Sugar, processed foods, junk foods, fast foods, etc., all contribute to its devastating effects.

Medications given by conventional medicine, such as SSRI`s and benzodiazepines, only mask the symptoms. While at times appearing to bring relief, they come with their own price, addiction and side effects, some of which are dangerous. Additionally, benzodiazepines tend to lose their effect after a short period of time, necessitating an increase in dosage in order to attempt to relieve those dreaded bodily manifestations.

Natural alternatives are a safer and more effective way of dealing with anxiety and panic. There are supplements that will not only help to relieve those feelings of anxiety and panic but aid in total healing.

Colloidal Gold improves neural communication in the brain. It is believed to be responsible for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.

Oleander Extract has demonstrated effectiveness against many conditions, including anxiety.

5-HTP turns into serotonin. Serotonin is important in regulating anxiety.

I-Theanine is a natural relaxant which supports the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

GABA – Low levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid may be responsible for a person not being able to handle day-to-day stress. GABA decreases anxiety, induces relaxation and increases alertness.

KAVA elevates mood, wellbeing and contentment.

Omega 3`s – Among their many benefits, Omega 3`s relieve depression and maintain emotional balance.

Hawthorne Berry Syrup, besides supporting the cardiovascular system, has been reported to be beneficial for heart symptoms suffered during anxiety and panic attacks.

Iodine Supplementation. Oftentimes, anxiety is the result of an iodine deficiency. It is recommended that anyone suffering from anxiety and panic symptoms have their thyroid checked.

Bach Flower Remedies aid in relieving a variety of emotional disorders.

Diet cannot be overlooked. Proper nourishment will result in less anxiety. The ideal diet consists of as many raw fruits and vegetables as possible with a little chicken, turkey, and fresh water fish. Foods containing L-Tryptophan, such as turkey, help the body to relax.

Relaxation exercises and meditation play an important part in healing, as does talking with a qualified therapist.

An anxiety disorder is a very complex condition, involving the emotional and the physical. Healing from this condition encompasses Body, Mind, and Spirit. The best option in achieving total healing is addressing it by using nature`s pharmacy.

No Comments »

NPA calls new calcium study ‘faulty’

Published by admin on April 27th, 2011 - in Bone Health, Vitamins and Minerals

For those of you concerned about the new study presented by the British Medical Journal on the health risks of calcium supplements, please read this article by Pamela Bond of Natural Food Merchandiser.

 

A new study in the British Medical Journal claims that calcium supplements increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. But natural products industry experts criticized the research methodology and findings.

In the meta-analysis, Ian Reid, PhD, from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and other researchers used the Women’s Health Initiative Calcium/Vitamin D Supplementation Study dataset—a seven-year trial including 36,282 postmenopausal women—to evaluate how calcium supplements affect cardiovascular risk. They concluded that calcium supplements with or without vitamin D “modestly increase the risk of cardiovascular events,” and they called for reevaluating whether calcium supplement should be recommended for osteoporosis management.

Cara Welch, PhD, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs for the Washington, D.C.-based Natural Products Association, pointed out problems with the research. “We saw this same flawed analysis last year with some slight changes, but we’re still looking at a meta-analysis of other studies,” Welch said in a release. “The eight studies that were included last time weren’t originally set up to look at cardiovascular events, and the Women’s Health Initiative Calcium/Vitamin D Supplementation Study reported ‘no adverse effect of calcium and vitamin D … on any cardiovascular end point.’”

John Hathcock, senior vice president of scientific and international affairs for the Washington, D.C.-based Council for Responsible Nutrition, said the findings were more likely “a statistical methodology effect, rather than a true health effect,” and study authors seemed to pick and choose findings to make a case against calcium supplementation. “The authors elected to discuss in the text of the reanalysis those outcomes which would be most contrary to use of supplemental calcium, but barely identified possible beneficial effects,” Hathcock said. “For example, while the authors did include data for those who before the trial had ‘any personal use of calcium’ having a highly significant 16 percent decrease from death from all causes, they chose to ignore that point in their text, having identified it only in a table.”

Last summer, calcium came under similar fire for its link to increased heart attack risk, and, at the time, natural products industry associations criticized that study as well. CRN said in a statement that the conclusions of the 2010 meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal were “overstated.”  The NPA called the study “less than satisfactory.” Daniel Fabricant, then vice president of global government and scientific affairs for NPA, didn’t think the study provided enough evidence to warrant eliminating calcium supplements.

Despite the new published findings against calcium supplements, Welch still doesn’t think consumers should doubt the value of calcium supplementation. She said many studies tout the benefits of calcium and vitamin D, which helps people properly absorb calcium. If you take calcium, there’s no reason to stop, according to Welch. “We have seen over and over the argument that Americans can get all the nutrients they need from a balanced diet. But the fact is, most don’t,” Welch said. “We hope that all individuals who use calcium supplements for bone health, and especially those under the direction of a physician, will continue their supplementation and not be swayed by this flawed analysis.”

http://newhope360.com/bone-and-joint-health/npa-calls-new-calcium-study-faulty?page=1

 

No Comments »

The Amino Acid That Heals

Published by admin on April 21st, 2011 - in Amino Acids, Immune System

When a patient is rushed to the hospital after an overdose of acetaminophen, the antidote is N-acetylcysteine (NAC). This uncommon amino acid has also been widely used in Europe to treat bronchitis and is credited with reducing both symptoms and progression of the condition.

NAC is an antioxidant and a precursor to the most abundant mini-protein antioxidant found in cells: glutathione, a protein critical to immune cell function. HIV patients, who typically display low glutathione concentration in cells, were given 8 grams per day, up to 32 weeks. Subjects responded with elevated blood and immune cell, or T cell, levels and glutathione concentrations compared to patients receiving placebo.

An equally intriguing result was found when 37 smokers with impaired blood flow to their extremities were given NAC doses of 600 mg per day for two weeks. When retested, blood flow in subjects’ fingers was significantly improved, indicating NAC may help protect the lungs and blood vessels from the damage wrought by smoking. Additional studies are needed to confirm the long-term effects of NAC, and its safety in asthmatics.

This article was posted in www.newhope360.com by anthony Almada of Delicious Living.  Amino acids such as NAC are underutilized supplements and more pieces on the benefits of amino acids will be posted soon.

No Comments »

Enzymes: Digestion and Beyond

Published by admin on April 8th, 2011 - in Digestion

Amidst the growing popularity of digestive health supplements, enzymes for improved digestion have gained a foothold in the marketplace. However, systemic enzymes promising therapeutic benefits such as antioxidant protection, improved cardiovascular health and immune modulation are garnering increased attention.

The body is a cauldron of chemical reactions, and each such reaction requires the services of an enzyme. In the natural products marketplace, enzymes have become known as little facilitators of digestion, breaking down nutrients into their usable parts. Very specific in nature, each enzyme acts on a specific type of chemical, called a substrate, in what is commonly referred to as a lock-and-key relationship—the enzyme’s shape fits only its intended substrate. This is why people with insufficient production of the enzyme lactase struggle to breakdown lactose after ingesting dairy products.

Read more at:  Enzymes: Digestion and Beyond

This is an excellent article on the importance of digestive enzymes.  If you are researching what to take and why, I strongly suggest this read.

No Comments »
© Supplement Spot Blog