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| July 2009 |
Hormones Part II |
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Hormones and Their Health Implications |
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| Greetings! |
 This month, a new read led me to cover the all too important topic of hormone health yet again. Many of our readers already know that my own struggles with endometriosis in my teens and early twenties is what originally sent me on my path to a career in alternative and natural medicine. The book Slim, Sane, & Sexy by Drs. Jay Mead and Erin Lommen, does an amazing job of putting into perspective the current health care crisis that synthetic hormone replacement poses. This book is an easy-read full of reputable references, real-life case histories and self-help symptom surveys.
This month, our newsletter is for anyone, male or female, who may suspect hormone imbalance, is questioning recommendations for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), isn't happy with their energy level or weight or would like more information about compound pharmacies and bioidentical hormones.
In good health naturally,
Dr. Kristy Allen |
| Health Implications of Hormone Imbalance |
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Did you know that symptoms of PMS and menstrual discomfort is NOT considered normal?
Did you know that hormone balance is critical for all of the following?
- emotional balance
- mental sharpness and memory
- physical youthfulness
- overall wellbeing
- cholesterol levels
- sleep cycles
- ability to handle stress
- sexual desire
- weight control
- joint health
- bone density
- muscle tone
Most importantly, hormone balance is crucial in preventing breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer!!
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| Important Dates |
Thursday, July 9th- Peggy Gordon, Natural Health Consultant, is in-office doing Meridan Stress Assessments for nutritional recommendations. If you missed her this month, she will be here the second Thursday of every month.
Thursday, July 9th- Inge will be hosting an after hours Silpada party! Come join us for jewelry and refreshments starting at 6:30.
Tuesday, July 14th-
Office Closed. Kristy golfs for charity with Heritage Christian Homes.
Wednesday, July 15th-
Dr. Kristy speaks at an Isagenix event.
7:30 PM at Iron Butterfly Health Club in Victor.
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE!
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| Pharmaceutical Companies and Their Involvement |
| Compounding used to be the only way the prescription medications were prepared. In fact, before the Industrial Revolution, this was the case with 100% of pharmacies being apothecaries. By 1920, that number fell to 80%, by 1940 to 20% and by 1970, only 1% of pharmacies were compounding.
Why? As pharmaceutical companies popped up around the globe, the role of pharmacists changed from chemist to dispenser of manufactured drugs.
In 1966, Dr. Wilson was credited with defining menopause as an "estrogen deficient disease." His work was supported by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and the use of Premarin, a synthetic form of estrogen from pregnant mare's urine, soared 170% within 3 years.
As a result of the increased use of Premarin, 2 main studies were performed to study the safety of synthetic hormone replacement. The Million Women Study ran from 1996 until 2001. In 2002, the Women's Health Initiative had to be stopped early due to obvious proof that the combination of Premarin and Provera (synthetic progesterone) increased a female's risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers as well as put them at an alarming increased risk of heart disease, stroke and blood clots.
After paramount proof that these therapies were not in the best interest of the consumer, the FDA continues to approve the use of BOTH Premarin and Provera!
If you are reading this, then we are under the impression that we do not have to side step around the fact that pharmaceutical companies generate high profits. They do this by creating a medication, whose biochemical structure is patented. By obtaining a patent, that company has a monopoly on the production of that particular medication.
Bioidentical hormones cannot be patented because patent laws prohibit patents on naturally occurring elements, chemicals or minerals. Drugs must be comprised of a new chemical entity (NCE) which is a unique molecule that does not exist in nature.
For this reason, there isn't as much publicity surrounding bioidentical hormone use. In fact, pharmaceutical companies have often generated negative press against the use of bioidentical hormone use. One could imagine the amount of profit that pharmaceutical companies stand to lose if this information starts to leak out to the masses. Afterall, PremPro is by far, the number one prescribed pharmaceutical in use today. |
| Saliva Testing vs. Blood Tests |
 As saliva testing research has progressed and gained accuracy, practitioners are finding more argument for saliva testing in place of blood tests.
Saliva testing measures only free, active hormone levels. Blood tests also measure inactive hormones that are bound to a protein. The free, active hormones is what we need information about. The free floating hormones are what have their effect on hormone sensitive tissues. The levels in blood are stored, and in effect, inactive.
Saliva testing is also the only accurate method for monitoring topical hormone supplementation. Saliva testing is non-invasive and convenient. It does not require a trip to the lab. A test kit with detailed instructions is sent home and collection is done over a 24 hour period (between days 19-21 for menstruating females) and then mailed to Labrix in a postage paid box. Once received by the lab, results are sent to your doctor within 5 days. Based on these results, nutritional supplementation and/or compounded hormones are prescribed. After 2-3 months, abnormal results are retested to monitor progress and alter treatment.
The test measures steroid hormones: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA as well as adrenal gland cortisol production. Because saliva testing is done at home, it is possible to get 4 timed cortisol collections allowing assessment of daily fluctuations of this hormone. |
| What Causes Hormone Imbalance? |
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The number of people with hormone imbalance related conditions is on al all-time rise. Why? Largely due, in-part, to our toxic environment. In the 1950's pesticides, herbicides and hormone additives were put into regular practice. We are just now seeing the long-term effects on our health.
Another player in hormone health is iodine. One third of the world's population is iodine deficient according to the World Health Organization.
Other environmental pollutants that affect hormone health:
- gas and diesel fuel exhaust
- antibiotic therapy of foods
- contaminated water
- heavy metals
- persistent organic pollutants (POC's)
- xenohormones/xenoestrogens such as dioxins and DDT
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| Bioidentical vs. Synthetic Hormones |
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Bioidentical means human identical hormones. They are usually taken from plant sources, most commonly wild yam and soy. They may also be referred to as phytohormones.
All sex hormones and cortisol are available in bioidentical forms. Because their biochemical composition is identical to the naturally occurring human form, they predictably act in the same manner without unpredictable and unwanted side-effects.
A synthetic form of a hormone can only perform a fraction of what the natural human form would be responsible for. Very often, the missing function that synthetic hormones cannot replace is the health promoting and cancer preventing functions.
Let's take progesterone as an example. Human progesterone protects the uterine lining and breast tissue from the damaging effects of too much estrogen. It also helps maintain bone density, protect the lining of blood vessels from hardening and plaquing, facilitates sleep and enhances cognition. On the other hand, synthetic progesterone has actually been shown by multiple studies increase the likelihood of heart disease, breast and endometrial cancer.
Compounding is another benefit:
Bioidentical and synthetic hormones are prescribed quite differently. Synthetic hormone replacement therapy is given to everyone in the same dosages without individual levels being tested before or after treatment.
Bioidentical hormones are obtained through a compound pharmacist based on levels from saliva testing. A cream, pill or sublingual tablet is then uniquely blended based in individual needs. A prescription is typically administered for 2-3 months and levels are then retested and dosages altered accordingly.
Bioidentical hormones are recognized by the body as it's own. For this reason, they are given in an attempt to bring the body's own production back into balance. This is contrary to traditional hormone replacement therapy, which will eventually take over the body's natural production. Synthetic hormones are usually prescribed for the duration of the patient's lifetime for this very reason.
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$20 OFF Saliva Testing
when purchasing the book Slim, Sane & Sexy, by Jay H. Mead, MD, & Erin Lommen, ND.
This book explains why it is important to have your hormone levels tested & how to approach your doctor about the information. It answers the questions you have pondered about sleeping problems, mood swings, fibroids, depression, unexplained weight gain, infertility, aches, migraines and other related symptoms. |
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This is an on-going offer from publishers of Slim, Sane, & Sexy, |
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