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Power Surge Live! Guest Chat
Thursday, Mar. 17, 9 PM (ET), 6 PM (PT)
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THE MAVERICK OF MEDICINE SPEAKS TO WOMEN
DUANE TOWNSEND, M.D.
AUTHOR OF A MAVERICK OF MEDICINE SPEAKS TO WOMEN
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Join us Thursday, March 17th at 9:00 PM (ET) when
Duane Townsend, M.D. a internationally renowned Gynecologist
discusses his latest book, The Maverick of Medicine Speaks to Women .
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The Maverick of Medicine Speaks to Women
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Dearest
********
Read the transcript here
Natural Alternatives to HRT
by Duane Townsend, M.D.
Slowly but surely, more and more physicians are phasing out estrogens and progestins and suggesting more natural ways to replace lost hormones. As is always the case, if you can extract compounds from nature that mimic female hormones, you forgo many of the side effects associated with artificial chemical imposters. Over 75% of woman do absolutely nothing after menopause and they need to become aware of the potential of natural products. It is possible to get progesterone and estrogen cream by prescription from compounding pharmacies. However there are no natural estrogens in current drug therapies. They are all manufactured except Premarin, which is obtained from the urine of pregnant mares. However, some estrogens cream such as Bi-est and Tri-est are one step away from being natural.
Isoflavones: Phytoestrogen Powerhouses
Among the isoflavones found in nature, Genistein rules. Numerous clinical studies (over 2000) clearly indicate that Genistein acts as a desirable weak estrogen in the body. Genistein has the unique ability to bind to receptor sites in breast and other tissue that would normally link up with estrogens made by the female body. Consequently, they provide significant protection to vulnerable tissue. In other words, genistein fools the body into thinking that its own estrogen has already been there. In this way, it acts as an anti-estrogen. Conversely, genistein can also boost estrogenic effects by stimulating safe estrogenic activity in postmenopausal women.
Genistein is also an antioxidant, blocking certain enzyme pathways that may lead to cancer (prostate) and making blood vessels more elastic. Clinical studies indicate that isoflavones protect against osteoporosis.
Isoflavones like genistein are metabolized by intestinal bacteria in the gut, absorbed from the intestinal tract and then transported to the liver. One reason soy-eating patients do so well is that continually consuming small amounts of soy protein can maintain steady phytoestrogen levels in the blood. Eating soy-foods that supply 50 mg/day of total isoflavones (close to what Japanese women eat) are able to maintain these levels. Is this a practical suggestion? Yes, It is possible to add a variety of soy-based foods to ones diet (soy nuts, spreads, soy milk, tofu etc.), however, many will or won't, simply because they don't like soy. If this is the case, an isoflavone supplement containing genistein may be a better way to go. Unquestionably, eating more phytoestrogenic foods during postmenopausal years is a good thing. If a woman is on any form of HRT, by all means they should eat soy or take genistein supplements as well as well as natural progesterone.
NOTE: For women who have had their ovaries removed and are experiencing premature menopause, low dose estrogen in combination with dietary soy supplementation and progesterone cream is advised. Black Cohash when added to Genistein and natural progesterone also provides excellent relief from hot flashes.
Menopause: A Progesterone Deficiency Disease?
In the great estrogen shuffle of menopause, the role of progesterone, not progestins, has been sorely neglected. First of all, be aware that progestin and progesterone are not the same thing. While estrogen production drops to around 40 percent during menopause, progesterone stops altogether. So even though there is a lot less estrogen, what is present is no longer balanced by progesterone - hence, even in menopause, estrogen can still dominate.
Without the mitigating effects of progesterone, vulnerable tissue (breast and uterine) is still at risk for cancer. To make things worse, giving a woman synthetic estrogen when progesterone is totally missing from her body, is even more risky. In fact, some studies have found that women low in progesterone had a tenfold increased chance of dying from cancer compared with women who have normal levels of progesterone. Replenishing progesterone may be a key to creating the best possible post-menopausal health scenario for women.
Why Don't More Doctors Use Natural Progesterone Cream?
The lack of medical interest in progesterone stems from simple ignorance. Moreover, because only drugs can be patented, pharmaceutical companies have no way of collecting the huge profits they've become accustomed to from natural compounds. Unlike patented drugs, products like natural progesterone can be marketed by various companies.
Natural Progesterone for Menopause
As mentioned earlier, menopause means zero progesterone production and that's not a good thing. Combining a good natural progesterone cream with soy isoflavones can go a long way to promote post-menopausal female health. I don't hesitate to require the cream as an integral part of a program designed to address the risks of osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer, uterine cancer, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, etc. One needs to ask , "What was the body supplied with when it was in hormonal balance?" First of all, women were continually producing estrogen which was at its highest level during the first two weeks of the cycle. Progesterone was also present and rose dramatically just after ovulation when the estrogen levels dropped. Now, doesn't it make sense to provide the body with both estrogen and progesterone once the ovaries stop making it? It never fails to amaze me that women who have had a hysterectomy are not told to replenish their bodies with progesterone as well as estrogen. Remember, I'm talking about natural progesterone, not progestins - like Provera - (which do nothing but impair the natural chemical reactions that occur in a woman's body).
While most studies are still in the anecdotal stage, the case for progesterone supplementation is a strong one. For instance, one double-blind study showed that using a topical preparation of natural progesterone cream led to a reduction in hot flashes in 83% of women, compared with improvement in only 19% of those given placebo.
Personally, I have found that combining progesterone cream with a genistein supplement gives even better relief. It seems that where one slacks off, the other picks up.
Micronized Progesterone
In the past, the only effective delivery system for natural progesterone was topically or through the skin. Currently oral, micronized progesterone is available by prescription. It is a form of progesterone that partially survives the digestive process and may offer another alternative to cream products. It appears to have merit for hot flashes, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and sexual functioning, but is relatively new and more data is needed. Moreover, in order to get the desired effects from micronized progesterone, the required dosage may result in undesired intestinal side effects.
Diet, Diet, Diet
While I'm all for using soy isoflavones, natural progesterone cream and low dose estrogen to combat the foibles of menopause, nothing is as important as what is consumed.
Clearly, a diet of red meat and lots of sugar and white flour foods, is a total disaster and soon patients are taking drugs to control cholesterol, depression, hypertension and diabetes. Over 60% of the population is overweight, a real boon for the pharmaceutical industry. Like it or not, the human body thrives on certain foods. To our great misfortune, we usually avoid the very foods we need and consume those that shorten our lives
Smart Eats for Menopause
As far as eating for menopause goes, it's the same plan as eating for optimal health and longevity. A special diet is not needed for individual disorders or diseases. What works for one, usually works for all. The studies on reducing heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's always start with an identical diet. Avoid the trans fatty acids, saturated fats, reduce omega 6 fatty acids and increase omega 3 fatty acids.
Eat more alkaline-producing foods like raw fruits and vegetables, legumes, raw nuts, and whole grains help prevent osteoporosis. Avoid fast foods, processed foods, processed sugar, hard fats and soft drinks. Eat soy foods and decrease or eliminate red meats (unless grass feed or free range, the same for chicken) and most dairy products (unless fat free). Try tofu, soy milk, tempeh, roasted soy nuts, and other soy-based sources of phytoestrogens.
Supplements containing isoflavones extracted from soy are commercially available. Freshly ground Flaxseed (as opposed to flaxseed oil) is also a good source of phytoestrogens and Omega 3 fatty acids. Phytoestrogens are also found in red clover and kudzu.
Move Your Muscles
It's not surprising to learn that sedentary women are more likely to have moderate or severe hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms than women who exercise. Many women note that their menopausal symptoms immediately ease up after an aerobic workout. Exercise also raises
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Human Growth Hormone and endorphin levels (the happy hormone), keeping weight down not only prevents bone loss but actually makes bones stronger. What more could one ask for? I'll put it this way - exercise is not optional. The case for diet, exercise and the natural way is clear. By modifying one's diet, exercising and taking a few supplements, the cost of health care can be dramatically reduced.
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Alice Stamm
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The Power Surge Community For Women
At Midlife And In Menopause
Celebrating 13 Years Online
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Doctor-formulated Revival Soy Protein is the #1 doctor-recommended soy protein in the country. Soy isoflavones eliminate menopausal symptoms.
Read one of Medical Director, Dr. Aaron Tabor's transcripts
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Why put your body through the rigors of adjusting to the "one-size-fits-all" HRT when naturally compounded, bio-identical hormones can be tailor-made to your body's needs?
Ask The Pharmacist
Also, read Paul Hueseman, PharmD's transcript
on bio-identical hormones
Visit our recommendations page for tips and advice on multi-vitamins and supplements to help ease menopausal symptoms, and improve your overall health.
If you haven't already done so, why not check out our extensive Educate Your Body area. There you will be able to read articles on midlife issues, as well as answers to commonly asked questions such as:
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