Currently at Preventative Medicine @ Bend we offer two Ozone therapies.

1. MAH: MAJOR AUTO- HEMOTHERAPY This procedure involves introducing ozone into your blood by removing blood via an IV catheter in a vein connected to a sterile bag of saline containing approximately 250 cc. of sterile saline. This is a closed sterile system. Ozone is then introduced into the blood/saline mix, and then under gravity is infused back into the patient.  This prodecure takes approximately 45 minutes.  The effect last approximately 72 hours. This procedure is indicated in: infections, eg, Lyme, herpes,  fungal, viral and bacterial, and inflammation (eg. MS) This therapy is often done with UV light.  UV therapy has a 100 year history. In the early 1900 ’s a Danish physician won the NOBEL PRIZE for using UV light to treat infection.It improves the functions of our blood in pour bodies; oxygen carrying capacity, cell count, normalizing clotting, decreasing viscosity, increasing blood volume.  It inhibits Bacteria, viruses and decreases the inflammatory process.Ozone + UV may be very effective in treating infections, cancer, diabetes and circulatory disorders.
2. HYPERBARIC BIO-OXIDATIVE THERAPY (HOT OZONE, or TEN PASS)  This is OZONE treatment under pressure. Ozone attaches to the Red Blood Cells and plasma. Current studies are underway in Europe attempting to prove the ozone instigates or stimulates the bodies to produce its own stem cells. The treatment takes approximately an hour. The effects of Hyperbaric ozone lasts approximately 7 days after treatment. There are currently less than 2 dozen physicians in the US offering this procedure. Other ozone therapies include: Sinus injections, prolozone ( ozone injected into soft tissues and/or joints) rectal, bladder, and vaginal ozone. Limb bagging is done more specifically to treat wound infections of limbs often seen in diabetes and/or MERSA.

Due to today’s longer life spans, women can expect to spend a third of their life — or more — in their postmenopausal years.

While the women of yesteryear were forced to “grin and bear it” when it came to hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, and mood swings, the arrival of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the 1960s liberated millions of women from “l’enfer des femmes” (a woman’s hell).

The Early Promise of Estrogen

In 1966, Robert A. Wilson, M.D.’s book, Feminine Forever, informed women that “menopause is completely preventable” and advised them to take estrogen. The promise of remaining “feminine forever” was met with enthusiasm, and synthetic estrogen became the standard therapy for women undergoing “the change.”

When it later became obvious that estrogen encourages the growth of the uterine lining, which could increase the risk of cancer, the medical community suggested progesterone to protect the uterus. But rather than combine natural, bioidentical progesterone (which is identical to the progesterone produced in the body) with estrogen, pharmaceutical companies added progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone that was patentable.

Synthetic Hormones Hit the Scene

As a result, Prempro was born. It combined synthetic progesterone (progestin) with Premarin, a drug composed of three estrogens (estrone, equilin, and equilenin) that are derived from horse urine. These horse estrogens (also called CEE) are natural but not bioidentical to those found in the human body.

While the drugs relieved menopausal symptoms for millions of women, the long-term effects were unknown. That changed in 2002  when the results of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) came out.

The study, which included over 16,000 postmenopausal women, found the combination of non-bioidentical estrogen and progestin to significantly increase the risk of breast cancer and heart attack.1 It also found an increased risk of stroke in non-bioidentical estrogen users.2

Here is a summary of other findings:

• The risk of dying from breast cancer almost doubled among Prempro users in comparison to those taking a placebo.
• Among those taking estrogen plus progestin, the death rate from breast cancer almost doubled in comparison with the placebo group.3
• Overall, there was a 25 percent increase in the risk of invasive breast cancer in non-bioidentical HRT users.
• The use of CEE was associated with a reduced risk of hip fractures.
• Estrogen/progestin users had a reduced risk of hip fracture and colorectal cancer in comparison with users of a placebo.

Because of these study results, female hormone replacement therapy became a sinking ship that women began abandoning in droves. However, the WHI’s findings have recently been called into question.

Bioidentical Hormones Are a Safer Option

Bioidentical hormones, which have the same molecular structure as the hormones produced in the body, have actually been shown to have a protective effect against some diseases, including those whose risk is increased by non-bioidentical hormones.

In a study, women who used non-bioidentical estrogen and progestin had a 69% greater risk of developing invasive breast cancer over an eight-year period in comparison with non-HRT users. Those who used bioidentical estrogen and progesterone experienced a similar risk as non-HRT users.4

References:

1. JAMA. 2002 Jul 17;288(3):321-33.
2. JAMA. 2004 Apr 14;291(14):1701-12.
3. JAMA 2010; 304(15):1684–1692.
4. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008 Jan;107(1):103-11.

Your body is composed of a variety of different hormones, including growth and sex hormones, which carry messages between your organs and cells. Hormones are secreted by glands in the endocrine system to help the body stay balanced and function optimally. The main sex hormones include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, pregnenolone, and DHEA.1Aging is associated with a loss of sex hormones in both men and women. Replacing those lost hormones can restore feelings of well-being, sex drive and sexual pleasure, energy levels, plus reverse muscle and bone loss along with other functions that are associated with aging. By doing this, we can age more slowly and have a better quality of life into old age.2-4

Estrogen

Estrogen is found in greater amounts among women. As a pro-growth hormone, its main function in the body is growth and development. This hormone stimulates fat cells to grow and is a key component in reproduction. There are three different forms of estrogen: estradiol, estrone, and estriol. Estradiol is considered the main player in physiological function. A deficiency can cause several health concerns, including decreased libido, fatigue, inflammation, hair loss, mood swings, wrinkles, brittle bones, and dry skin.5-10 Excessive amounts of estrogen can cause bloating, bleeding, breast tenderness and  mood swings.11

Progesterone

Progesterone is considered the counterpart to estrogen. It is the antagonizer to estrogen-driven growth in the lining of the uterus.12 Progesterone is essential to the premenstrual cycle. It rises during the second part of the cycle to reduce premenstrual syndrome and prepares the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg. Additionally, progesterone is needed to support a healthy pregnancy, as low levels can result in a miscarriage.13,14 Progesterone is also neuroprotective.15 An imbalance in the ratio of estrogen to progesterone can lead to many problems with PMS symptoms like irritability, bloating, fluid retention, headaches, and fibroids.12,16,17 It works with estrogen to strengthen bones, sustain cholesterol levels, and support libido. Too much progesterone can cause fatigue, dizziness, and an increased appetite.

Testosterone

As the predominant hormone in men, testosterone helps to maintain healthy muscle mass, stamina, and strength. It also supports libido, energy, bone density, memory, and well-being.18,19 Testosterone is also necessary in proper balance for women. A deficiency of testosterone can also have negative effects on women, including low energy, decreased libido and well-being.20-22 A testosterone deficiency in men can cause fatigue, mood swings, low libido, and irritability.23-26 This hormone starts to decline in men around 35 years old, causing an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen. Too much testosterone can cause aggression, depression, impotence, and excessive libido.

Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone is produced from cholesterol and is a precursor to other steroid hormones, including progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and DHEA. Pregnenolone levels decline with age, and a deficiency can lead to anxiety, mood imbalances, greater perceived stress, and poor cognitive function.27-30 Pregnenolone levels can be restored to benefit cognitive function, mood, memory, and cardiovascular health. By converting to DHEA, too much pregnenolone may cause acne.

DHEA

As the most abundant steroid hormone in the body, DHEA is the precursor to testosterone and estrogen. It is released in the body by the adrenal glands. As we age, DHEA levels decline leading to fatigue, mood swings, and cognitive ailments. DHEA helps to stimulate protein synthesis, decrease visceral fat, support bone health, and maintain cardiovascular health.31,32DHEA levels that are too high can cause acne, increased facial hair, skin rashes, and liver dysfunction.

References

1. Rouzier N. How to achieve healthy aging. 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: Worldlink Medical Publishing; 2007.
2. Hortsman AM, et al. The role of androgens and estrogens on healthy aging and longevity.J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2012 Nov;67(11):1140-52.
3. Velders M, et al. How Sex Hormones Promote Skeletal Muscle Regeneration. Sports Med. 2013 Jul 26. [Epub ahead of print]
4. Cameron DR, Braunstein GD. Androgen replacement therapy in women. Fertil Steril. 2004; Aug;82(2):273-289.
5. Simon JA. Identifying and treating sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women: the role of estrogen. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2011 Oct;20(10):1453-65.
6. Calleja-Agius J, et al. Skin connective tissue and ageing. Best Pract Res Clin ObstetGynaecol. 2013 Jul 10. pii: S1521-6934(13)00074-6.
7. Mirmirani P. Managing hair loss in midlife women. Maturitas. 2013 Feb;74(2):119-22.
8. Tiidus PM, et al. Estrogen Replacement and Skeletal Muscle: Mechanisms and Population Health. J Appl Physiol. 2013 Jul 18. [Epub ahead of print]
9. Graziottin A, et al. Depression and the menopause: why antidepressants are not enough?Menopause Int. 2009 Jun;15(2):76-81.
10. Martín-Millán M, et al. Estrogens, osteoarthritis and inflammation. Joint Bone Spine. 2013 Jul;80(4):368-73.
11. Bitzer J. Hormone withdrawal-associated symptoms: overlooked and under-explored.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2013 Jun;29(6):530-5.
12. Kim JJ, et al. Progesterone action in endometrial cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and breast cancer. Endocr Rev. 2013 Feb;34(1):130-62.
13. Dodd JM, et al. The role of progesterone in prevention of preterm birth. Int J Womens Health. 2010 Aug 9;1:73-84.
14. Spencer TE, et al. Biology of progesterone action during pregnancy recognition and maintenance of pregnancy. Front Biosci. 2002 Sep 1;7:d1879-98.
15. Singh M, et al. Progesterone and neuroprotection. Horm Behav. 2013 Feb;63(2):284-90.
16. Rosenfeld R, et al. Hormonal and volume dysregulation in women with premenstrual syndrome. Hypertension. 2008 Apr;51(4):1225-30.
17. Silberstein SD. Sex hormones and headache. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2000;156 Suppl 4:4S30-41.
18. Carruthers M. Time for international action on treating testosterone deficiency syndrome.Aging Male. 2009 Mar;12(1):21-8.
19. Araujo AB, et al. Prevalence of symptomatic androgen deficiency in men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Nov;92(11):4241-7.
20. Pluchino N, et al. Androgen therapy in women: for whom and when. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2013 Aug 3. [Epub ahead of print]
21. Basson R. Testosterone therapy for reduced libido in women. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;1(4):155-64.
22. Glaser R, et al. Beneficial effects of testosterone therapy in women measured by the validated Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Maturitas. 2011 Apr;68(4):355-61.
23. Harman SM. Testosterone in older men after the Institute of Medicine Report: where do we go from here? Climacteric. 2005 Jun;8(2):124-135.
24. Miner MM, et al. 12-Month observation of testosterone replacement effectiveness in a general population of men. Postgrad Med. 2013 Mar;125(2):8-18.
25. Lejeune H, et al. [Hypoactive sexual desire and testosterone deficiency in men]. Prog Urol. 2013 Jul;23(9):621-8.
26. Borst SE, et al. Testosterone replacement therapy for older men. Clin Interv Aging. 2007;2(4):561-6.
27. Semeniuk T, et al. Neuroactive steroid levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001;13:396-398.
28. Morgan CA 3rd, et al. Relationships among plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and cortisol levels, symptoms of dissociation, and objective performance in humans exposed to acute stress. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2004 Aug;61(8):819-25.
29. Ritsner MS. Pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone as an adjunctive treatment in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: an 8-week, double-blind, randomized, controlled, 2-center, parallel-group trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2010 Oct;71(10):1351-62.
30. Heydari B, et al. Low pregnenolone sulphate plasma concentrations in patients with generalized social phobia. Psychol Med. 2002 Jul;32(5):929-33.
31. Kroboth PD, et al. DHEA and DHEA-S: a review. J Clin Pharmacol. 1999;39(4):327–348.
32. von Mühlen D, et al. The Dehydroepiandrosterone And WellNess (DAWN) study: research design and methods. Contemp Clin Trials. 2007 Feb;28(2):153-68.

Americans spend over $34 billion on alternative medicine each year.1 The bulk of this expense goes toward nutritional supplements. As the supplement market continues to expand, questions about vitamin use persist: “Do you really need 12 different supplements a day? If you eat relatively healthy, including fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, shouldn’t that be enough?”

Here are four main reasons to consider taking supplements:

1. Nutrient-Deficient Diet

Many Americans neglect eating the most nutrient-rich foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, which are needed for the body to stay healthy. Instead, most individuals eat processed, easy-to-grab foods that are high in calories and low in nutrition. It is understandable that most Americans are nutritionally deficient, when the two main vegetables in their diet are tomatoes and potatoes in the form of ketchup and French fries.2

According to a National Health and Nutritional Survey, the majority of Americans fall short on nutrition. This survey reported that on average, Americans consume fruits and vegetables only 1–2 times per day. Not surprisingly, approximately 10% or less of the population met the USDA guideline of eating a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.3-5

2. Quality of Food

The nutritional content of our food has significantly changed over the years. Unless you have your own garden, most likely you rely on commercial agriculture for fruits and vegetables.6,7 In the post-World War II era, commercial farmers discovered that healthy-looking, colorful crops could be produced with less effort by replacing standard mulch and manure fertilizers with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer. Over time, the NPK fertilizer yielded crops that were deficient in many other essential micronutrients.

If the nutrients are deficient in our soil, they will be deficient in our foods. It may not be coincidental to note that these changes have paralleled a sharp rise in many chronic degenerative diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Nutrient-deficient food has also contributed to sub-clinical nutritional deficiencies that affect the world population.8

The change in the modern diet from a hunter-gatherer has also had an impact on health. A diet higher in cereal grains has become a double-edged sword. While providing food and calories for a growing world population, the change has led to a decrease in the actual ratios of highly nutritious foods to less dense nutrition being consumed. Increasing carbohydrates and decreasing protein, vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients that were once readily consumed has resulted in poorer health. In most parts of the world, wherever a cereal-based diet has replaced a primarily animal-protein diet, there is a noted reduction in stature, an increase in infant mortality, anemia, incidence of infectious disease, bone disorders, and cavities, plus a decrease in life span.9

Furthermore, as foods are processed, the nutrients are stripped down further. This makes foods that seem healthy truly devoid of nutritional value. Commercial milling of cereal grains removes the bran and germ from the starchy endosperm, the latter being what is ground into flour. This process reduces the amount of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.10 And by removing the fatty acid content from the flour, any resulting bread will last longer on a store shelf, passing itself off as food but really offering little health value.

3. Varied Nutritional Needs

When it comes to nutritional requirements, what your body needs is determined on an individual basis. The recommended dietary allowances (RDAs), developed back in the 1940’s when our food and soil were very different, are an overall guideline to follow. It is truly impossible for the RDA estimate to meet the needs of every individual. In 2004 a study showed that in order to improve weight loss in adults, protein levels above the RDA would be necessary, depicting the RDA levels as inadequate.11 Therefore, supplementation may be needed to replenish specific nutritional shortfalls.

4. Antioxidant Protection

Our environment bombards us with an increasingly high level of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress comes from air and water pollution, consumption of fats and fried foods, diets high in sugar, smoking, alcohol, illegal drugs, medications, sleep deprivation, emotional stress, and excessive exercise.

The accumulation of oxidative stress leads to chronic diseases, including cancer. We know that cancer is a preventable disease that requires long-term lifestyle commitments to better habits. Pharmaceutica Research in 2008 reported that 1 million Americans and more than 10 million people worldwide were expected to be diagnosed with cancer. Of those figures, only 5–10% of all those cancers will have been caused by genetic defects whereas 90–95% of them are rooted in environment and lifestyle. The report goes further stating that tobacco will account for 25–30% of cancer deaths; diet will be related to 30–35%; and infections will likely cause 15–20%. The remaining cancer deaths would be due to environmental pollutants, stress, radiation, and other factors.12

According to former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop, our current dietary practices contribute to many of these chronic diseases:

The preponderance of the evidence … substantiates an association between dietary factors and rates of chronic disease. In particular, the evidence suggests strongly that a dietary pattern that contains excessive intake of foods high in calories, fat (especially saturated fat), cholesterol, and sodium, but that is low in complex carbohydrates and fiber, is one that contributes significantly to the high rates of major chronic diseases among Americans. It also suggests that reversing such dietary patterns should lead to a reduced incidence of these chronic diseases.13

While supplements help maintain nutrient levels and provide greater protection from chronic ailments, don’t expect them to counterbalance a diet of fried, sugar-laden foods. A balanced diet, exercise, and supplements are essential to a healthy lifestyle, as the body needs all the help it can get to sustain energy, immunity, cognitive function, and overall health.

Preventative Medicine Clinic is located at 1245 NW Galveston in Bend, Oregon and can help you plan for health success.

References

1. Horrigan BJ. Americans spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on CAM. Explore (NY). 2009 Nov-Dec;5(6):324-5. Retrieved on August 12, 2013 from http://nccam.nih.gov/news/2009/073009.htm
2. USDA. Economic Research Service. Retrieved on August 12, 2013 from http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/vegetables-pulses/potatoes.aspx
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State-specific trends in fruit and vegetable consumption among adults — United States, 2000-2009. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010 Sep 10;59(35):1125-30.
4. State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables 2013. Retrieved on August 12, 2013 http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/downloads/State-Indicator-Report-Fruits-Vegetables-2013.pdf
5. State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables 2009. Retrieved on August 12, 2013 http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/downloads/StateIndicatorReport2009.pdf
6. Esther G. Dirt Poor: Have Fruits and Vegetables Become Less Nutritious? Because of soil depletion, crops grown decades ago were much richer in vitamins and minerals than the varieties most of us get today. Sci Am. April 27, 2011. Retrieved on August 12, 2013 http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=soil-depletion-and-nutrition-loss&print=true
7. Davis DR, et al. Changes in USDA food composition data for 43 garden crops, 1950 to 1999. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Dec;23(6):669-82.
8. Serdula M, et al. Flour fortification with iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and zinc: Proceedings of the Second Technical Workshop on Wheat Flour Fortification. Food Nutr Bull. 2010;31(1 Suppl):3S-96S.
9. Cordain L. Cereal Grains: Humanity’s Double-Edged Sword. World Rev Nutr Diet. Basel, Karger, 1999, vol 84, pp 19–73.
10. Slavin J. Grain Processing and Nutrition. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2000 Jul;40(4):309–326. Layman DK. Protein quantity and quality at levels above the RDA improves adult weight loss. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Dec;23(6 Suppl):631S-636S.
11. Anand P, et al. Cancer is a Preventable Disease that Requires Major Lifestyle Changes.Pharm Res. 2008 September;25(9):2097–2116.
12. Koop CE. The Surgeon General’s Report on NUTRITION AND HEALTH Summary and Recommendations 1988 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service DHHS (PHS) Publication No. 88-50211. Retrieved August 13, 2013 http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/ps/access/NNBCRT.ocr

Hormone imbalances can occur in men and women of almost any age.1 A variety of factors can be related to these imbalances, including high insulin levels from diets high in refined foods and sugar, exposure to environmental toxins (xenoestrogens), high consumption of hydrogenated fats, and lack of physical activity leading to weight gain.2-5

Age is also a factor in reduced levels of hormones, creating feelings of imbalance in everyday pursuits. For example, testosterone levels in women begin going down after age 20. By age 40 a woman’s testosterone level will be half of what it was when she was 20 years old. This is why getting hormone levels checked even while in your 20′s may be necessary if you aren’t feeling yourself. For women between the ages of 40–60, testosterone levels can remain pretty constant. After menopause testosterone declines once again.1

How can you help hormones maintain balance?

Diet

The food you choose to eat can have a major impact on your health. If your diet is high in sugar, processed carbohydrates, hydrogenated fats, genetically modified foods, and conventional beef, dairy, and poultry, then you are more susceptible to obesity and all the associated diseases, plus an increase in hormone imbalances.6-11 It’s important to maintain a healthy weight, as storing excess fat can lead to hormone imbalances and an increase in stored environmental toxins. Toxins have a negative impact on overall health and should be avoided at all ages of life, especially during pregnancy where the developing baby can carry the negative impact the rest of its life.12-15

Exercise

Physical activity is important to hormone balance, not to mention overall health and a good mental state. Exercise helps to keep cortisol levels low and also helps maintain hormone balance by reducing the level of cortisol in the body and sustaining serum insulin levels. Cortisol levels can become significantly high when the body is experiencing stress, either real or imagined.17 Exercise helps counter the effects of stress and regular moderate exercise can lower cortisol levels.18-20 Moderate exercise for 30 to 60 minutes each day can have a profound effect on hormone balance.21-23

Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can balance hormone levels that become upset or deficient through lifestyle habits and aging. Unlike conventional HRT, BHRT is derived from plant sources and structured similarly to hormones circulating in the body.24-26 Since the Bioidentical hormones are recognized in the body, they are effectively assimilated and used. BHRT replenishes the body with the healthy hormone levels your body needs to function optimally. Forms of BHRT include progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.

Blood tests are taken to determine hormone levels. If there is a deficiency or imbalance, BHRT is recommended to safely balance hormone levels. Restoring hormone balance can provide greater protection from chronic diseases and alleviate menopausal symptoms. Saliva testing of hormonal levels is used by some practitioners, but peer-reviewed studies from saliva testing are not nearly as prevalent. Serum hormone studies show the ideal levels to reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

Compounding pharmacies specialize in producing BHRT. Doses are determined on an individual basis and available in different administrations (topical, oral, sublingual, etc.). A few studies show that topical BHRT has a better safety profile than the orthodox oral HRT.27-29 It is important to note that most physicians are not trained in prescribing BHRT and they may be unfamiliar with the medical literature that supports this treatment. Fortunately, there are physicians specializing in age-management medicine who can help you determine which BHRT treatments are best for you.

References

1. Rohr U. The impact of testosterone imbalance on depression and women’s health.Maturitas. 41 Suppl. 1 (2002) S25–S46.
2. Ruano M, et al. Morbid obesity, hypertensive disease and the
   renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis. Obes Surg. 2005 May;15(5):670-6.
3. Masi AT, et al. Neuroendocrine, immunologic, and microvascular systems interactions in rheumatoid arthritis: physiopathogenetic and therapeutic perspectives. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1999 Oct;29(2):65-81.
4. Nadal A, et al. The pancreatic beta-cell as a target of estrogens and xenoestrogens: Implications for blood glucose homeostasis and diabetes. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2009 May 25;304(1-2):63-8.
5. Park SH, et al.  Cell growth of ovarian cancer cells is stimulated by xenoestrogens through an estrogen-dependent pathway, but their stimulation of cell growth appears not to be involved in the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK-1 and p38. J Reprod Dev. 2009 Feb;55(1):23-9.
6. Kochan Z, et al. [Dietary trans-fatty acids and metabolic syndrome]. Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2010 Dec 27;64:650-8.
7. Biswas M, et al. Reduced total testosterone concentrations in young healthy South Asian men are partly explained by increased insulin resistance but not by altered adiposity. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2010 Oct;73(4):457-62.
8. Kelly DM, et al. Testosterone: a metabolic hormone in health and disease. J Endocrinol. 2013 Apr 29;217(3):R25-45.
9. Pimentel GD, et al. Intake of trans fatty acids during gestation and lactation leads to hypothalamic inflammation via TLR4/NFκBp65 signaling in adult offspring. J Nutr Biochem. 2012 Mar;23(3):265-71.
10. Collison KS, et al. Effect of trans-fat, fructose and monosodium glutamate feeding on feline weight gain, adiposity, insulin sensitivity, adipokine and lipid profile. Br J Nutr. 2011 Jul;106(2):218-26.
11. Duque-Guimarães DE, et al. Early and prolonged intake of partially hydrogenated fat alters the expression of genes in rat adipose tissue. Nutrition. 2009 Jul-Aug;25(7-8):782-9.
12. Lang IA, et al. Association of urinary bisphenol A concentration with medical disorders and laboratory abnormalities in adults. JAMA. 2008 Sep 17;300(11):1303-10.
13. Markowski VP, et al. Tissue-specific and dose-related accumulation of arsenic in mouse offspring following maternal consumption of arsenic-contaminated water. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2011 May;108(5):326-32.
14. Blüher M. Adipose tissue dysfunction contributes to obesity related metabolic diseases.Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Apr;27(2):163-77.
15. Silva AP, et al. Dietary fatty acids early in life affect lipid metabolism and adiposity in young rats. Lipids. 2006 Jun;41(6):535-41.
16. Eliakim A, Nemet D. Exercise training, physical fitness and the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor-1 axis and cytokine balance. Med Sport Sci. 2010;55:128-140.
17. Turakitwanakan W, et al. Effects of mindfulness meditation on serum cortisol of medical students. J Med Assoc Thai. 2013 Jan;96 Suppl 1:S90-5.
18. Broocks A, et al. Effect of aerobic exercise on behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to meta-chlorophenylpiperazine and to ipsapirone in untrained healthy subjects.Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001 May;155(3):234-41.
19. Marc M, et al. Plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations in the warmblood horse in response to a standardized treadmill exercise test as physiological markers for evaluation of training status. J Anim Sci. 2000 Jul;78(7):1936-46.
20. Scerbo F, et al. S. Effects of exercise on cravings to smoke: the role of exercise intensity and cortisol. J Sports Sci. 2010 Jan;28(1):11-9.
21. Hill EE, et al. Exercise and circulating cortisol levels: the intensity threshold effect. J Endocrinol Invest. 2008 Jul;31(7):587-91.
22. Cust AE. Physical activity and gynecologic cancer prevention. Recent Results Cancer Res.2011;186:159-85. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-04231-7_7.
23. Haff GG, et al. Force-time curve characteristics and hormonal alterations during an eleven-week training period in elite women weightlifters. J Strength Cond Res. 2008 Mar;22(2):433-46.
24. Watt PJ, et al. A holistic programmatic approach to natural hormone replacement. Fam Community Health. 2003 Jan-Mar;26(1):53-63.
25. Mahmud K. Natural hormone therapy for menopause. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2010 Feb;26(2):81-5.
26. Francisco L. Is bio-identical hormone therapy fact or fairy tale? Nurse Pract. 2003 Jul;28(7 Pt 1):39-44, table of contents.
27. Eilertsen AL, et al. The effects of oral and transdermal hormone replacement therapy on C-reactive protein levels and other inflammatory markers in women with high risk of thrombosis. Maturitas. 2005 Oct 16;52(2):111-8.
28. Kurtay G, et al. A comparison of effects of sequential transdermal administration versus oral administration of estradiol plus norethisterone acetate on serum NO levels in postmenopausal women. Maturitas. 2006 Jan 10;53(1):32-8.
29. Lazzeroni M, et al. The effect of transdermal estradiol or oral conjugated oestrogen and fenretinide versus placebo on haemostasis and cardiovascular risk biomarkers in a randomized breast cancer chemoprevention trial. Ecancermedicalscience. 2008;2:67.

Do you feel like the weight of gravity is setting in? You keep telling yourself, that you’re too young to feel old, but your aching muscles, sore joints, and decreased energy tell you otherwise.

What are some key factors to feeling old?

• Oxidative stress from diets high in sugar and processed foods
• Inflammation from diets high in hydrogenated oils
• Raised cortisol levels from poorly managed stress
• Overuse of prescription drugs
• Dehydration and large amounts of soda consumption
• Sleep deprivation
• Low thyroid function
• Hormone imbalances

While life expectancy for humans has increased, for many individuals the quality of life has decreased. According to the World Health Organization, the United States ranks 37th in the world when it comes to overall health.1 More Americans are experiencing obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Surprisingly, women in other countries do not suffer from symptoms of hormonal imbalance to the extent that American women experience PMS, endometriosis, fibroid tumors and menopausal symptoms.

Why do Americans suffer more from health ailments? A key factor is found within hormonal imbalances. For women, an extremely common hormone imbalance is “estrogen-dominance.”

Estrogen-dominance

Severe symptoms of menopause, PMS, heavy menstrual bleeding, and endometriosis, as well as the progression of fibroid tumors and cancer, can all be related to estrogen-dominance.2,3,4Estrogen is a primary hormone found in men and women. While it is necessary for cardiovascular health, reproduction, bone development, and cognitive function, an excessive amount of estrogen can cause health problems.

How does estrogen-dominance develop? Obesity can be a major factor in estrogen-dominance, as estrone (a form of estrogen) is stored in fat cells.5 Another source can be found in compounds known as PCBs, BPAs, and Phthalates.6 These materials contain xenoestrogens (estrogen-like chemicals) that can be found in plastics, petroleum-based products, and household cleaning supplies. Xenoestrogens can also be found in herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides that are used on our food supply. These compounds can cause significant health ailments, including estrogen-related cancers.7 The high-fat, western diet that is based on refined, processed foods and saturated animal fats can also contribute to estrogen-dominance.8

While obese men store more estrone, they typically aren’t affected with estrogen-dominance. However, men can experience testosterone deficiency as they age, which can lead to increased body fat, low libido, mood imbalances, fatigue, and cardiovascular ailments.9

If you have concerns about hormone imbalances, you can check your hormone levels with simple blood tests. A hormone imbalance or deficiency can be safely and effectively treated with bioidentical hormone replacement. Maintaining healthy hormone levels can help restrain significant health problems, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, depression, and menopausal symptoms.10,11,12

References

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3. Bentrem D, Fox JE, Pearce ST, et al. Distinct molecular conformations of the estrogen receptor alpha complex exploited by environmental estrogens. Cancer Res. 2003;63(21):7490–7496.
4. Kubista E. [Diagnosis and therapy of fibrocystic breast disease]. Zentralbl Gynakol. 1990; 112(17):1091–1096.
5. Turner N. The Hormone Diet: A 3-Step Program to Help You Lose Weight, Gain Strength, and Live Younger Longer. New York, NY: Rodale;2009.
6. Tapiero H, Ba GN et al. Estrogens and environmental estrogens. Biomed Pharmacother. 2002 Feb;56(1):36–44.
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8. Hall DC. Nutritional influences on estrogen metabolism. Applied Nutritional Science Reports. 2001:1-8.
9. Watt PJ, Hughes RB, et al. A holistic programmatic approach to natural hormone replacement. Fam Community Health. 2003;25(1):53-63.
10. Walsh B and Schiff I. Menopause. In Principles and Practice of Endocrinology and Metabolism. New York : Lippincott, Williams and Williams;2001.
11. Cameron DR , Braunstein GD. Androgen replacement therapy in women. Fertil Steri. 2004;82(2):273-289.
12. Formby B, Wiley TS. Progesterone inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells: inverse effects on Bcl-2 and p53. Ann Clin Lab Sci. 1998;28(6):360–369.