These are the Menopausal Signs You Need to Look Out For

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Menopausal Signs and Symptoms to Spot Early

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Women go through an incredible number of “stages” throughout their life- including puberty, adolescence, and child-bearing. No stage is feared, however, like menopause.

The emotional, physical and mental changes that can occur during this part of a woman’s life have led many people to think of menopause as a disease. But Menopause is not a disease; it is a normal biological process that every woman goes through.

With so many fears and myths about menopause, it can be confusing what to believe about when menopause occurs, what it typically feels like for a woman, and how you can navigate it with grace and ease.

When does menopause occur?

Many women believe that menopause starts right at 50. However, when menopause occurs will be unique to you. Some women begin developing menopausal symptoms in their early 30’s or 40’s, for others, it will be in their late 50”s. Factors like genetics (when your mother went through menopause), the health of the ovaries, ethnicity and how a woman cares for herself to slow and prevent the aging process will impact when it begins.

What should you expect when menopause begins?

In the years before a woman’s last period, many symptoms can begin to develop during a period of time prior to menopause, known as perimenopause. Perimenopause is a transitional phase where shifts in your hormone levels can make you feel “off” and not like yourself.

Perimenopause can be brief or last for years (literally a decade or more) and generally precedes menopause. Menopause is formally defined as a blood test (FSH over 50) which says your ovaries are finished producing hormones, along with no menstrual cycle for one entire year.

When menopause hits, many women experience the classic symptoms of menopause including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and changes in mood or how their brain works. Because perimenopause can cause similar symptoms, understanding what you may experience as your hormones shift in perimenopause as well as menopause is important for every woman to know.

Below is more information which can help you understand what you may experience with an excess or deficiency of female hormones during these important stages of your life.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pt-md” css=”.vc_custom_1542724948692{margin-bottom: 5px !important;}”]

Estrogen Deficiency

Estrogen is one of the main hormones made in a woman’s body and is considered to be the primary hormone that makes a woman a woman. This hormone is partially responsible for sexual development in girls during puberty and regulates the growth of the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle. Known as hypoestrogenism, estrogen deficiency refers to lower than normal levels of estrogen which can occur during perimenopause and menopause.

Many of the most notable symptoms associated with menopause are due to estrogen deficiency, including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. A less recognized sign of estrogen deficiency is a decrease in bone density which can put you at risk for osteopenia (bone loss) or osteoporosis (severe bone loss) and is associated with fractures of the hip or other bones.

Signs and symptoms of estrogen deficiency include:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Foggy thinking
  • Memory loss
  • Tearful
  • Depressed
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Heart Palpitations
  • Headaches
  • Minor Anxiety

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  • Temperature swings
  • Decreased sense of sexuality and sexuality
  • Reduced stamina
  • Dry eyes, skin, and vagina
  • Loss of skin radiance
  • Sagging breasts and loss of fullness
  • Pain with sexual activity
  • Weight gain
  • Increased back and joint pain
  • Gastrointestinal discomfort

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Estrogen Dominance

Menopause is more complicated than just the decline in estrogen that many women experience. In fact, some women develop an excess (or relative excess) of estrogen during this period of time causing a state called “estrogen dominance”.

Estrogen dominance is caused by increased total amounts of estrogen in a woman’s body or a decline in the balancing hormone for estrogen called progesterone. When progesterone levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, a relative increase in the effects of estrogen can occur causing estrogen dominant symptoms.

Symptoms associated with estrogen dominance include:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

  • Tender breasts
  • Breast swelling
  • Water retention
  • Nervous
  • Irritable
  • Anxious
  • Weight gain (hips or waist)
  • Headaches

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  • Heavy periods
  • Low libido
  • Fatigue
  • Sugar cravings
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Pelvic cramps
  • Nausea (“Start to feel like I did when I was pregnant”)

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Progesterone Deficiency

Women also produce progesterone in their ovaries during their menstrual cycles. Prior to menopause and following ovulation with each menstrual cycle, there is a rise in progesterone levels preparing the uterus for pregnancy to possibly occur. If a woman’s body identifies that it is not pregnant, progesterone levels begin to decline and the menstrual cycle begins.

While adequate progesterone levels are critical for stabilizing the lining of the uterus, this hormone is also important to balance the effects of estrogen in your body. Without sufficient progesterone levels to counter-balance estrogen in the body, symptoms such as poor sleep, mood swings, irritability, and anxiety develop.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

  • Headaches
  • Low libido
  • Anxiety
  • Swollen breasts
  • Irritability

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  • Insomnia
  • Cramps
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Lack of menstruation
  • Fuzzy thinking

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Progesterone Excess

Estrogen and progesterone work together to keep a woman’s body in balance. Occasionally a woman will have progesterone excess- typically because she is taking progesterone as prescribed by her physician.

Symptoms you may experience with excess progesterone in the body include:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Mild reactions

  • Drowsiness
  • Slight dizziness
  • A sense of physical instability

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Severe reactions

  • A feeling of being drunk or spinning
  • Heaviness of the extremities

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Manage Your Menopausal Symptoms for Relief

The sooner you identify the signs and symptoms related to menopause, the sooner you can help to rebalance your hormones and live in health and hormonal harmony. Managing your symptoms early on will help you transition into this important phase of your life as gracefully as possible.

There are a variety of services that can help to manage the most troublesome symptoms of menopause. Ruthie Harper MD is an expert in the use of natural or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to treat perimenopause and menopause.

Most people have heard of “natural hormones” but remain unclear about what “natural bio-identical hormones” are. Bioidentical hormones are hormones derived from natural sources such as soy or yam’s which mimic the exact hormonal balance the body has when it is making its own natural hormones. Bioidentical hormones relieve the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and allow you to regain your youthfulness and health.

Balance and Harmony

Women prefer natural bio-identical hormones when compared to the synthetic hormones prescribed by their physicians in the past because of better results, with greater quality of life and minimal side effects. It makes sense to replace and balance our hormones with what nature originally gave you for optimal health.

Bio-identical hormones are not typically available through traditional pharmaceutical prescriptions because bio-identical hormones are not patentable and dosages are individually tailored to each individual’s hormonal needs, unlike prescription hormones where there are only standard dosages that may not exactly fit your needs. For this reason, compounding pharmacies are used to get the exact amount and balance of bioidentical hormones made just for you.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a useful way of alleviating the pain and suffering which can occur with menopause and represents an important opportunity for improvement in the quality of life for women at this important stage of their life.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Will My Care Be Covered by Insurance?

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Will My Care Be Covered By Insurance?

The U.S. spends far more than any other country in the world on healthcare – a whopping $2 trillion per year. Despite this fact, problems abound in our healthcare system. Unsustainable costs, poor outcomes, frequent medical errors, poor patient satisfaction, and worsening health in our country all point to a need for transformative change.

A preventative model, focused on forestalling the development of disease before symptoms or life-threatening events occur is needed. When diseases do develop, a treatment model focused on finding and resolving the underlying causes of disease is imperative. And integration of all aspects of the individual’s biochemistry and lifestyle to create optimal health is necessary.

This type of care does exist through “integrative physicians”. However, the unwillingness of many insurance companies to cover this type of care can limit services for patients who often believe that health insurance should provide “health care” when in fact they only provide “disease care”. And this unfortunately may be the case for years to come.

Our practice focuses on blood work which can and will identify factors that lead to disease and allows a model of healthcare where the physician uses this information to provide long-term health solutions for the patient. We prevent patients from getting to a “disease destination” that they don’t want to get to before they decide they were on the “wrong road” and allow them to find and understand how to stay on the “right road” for health.

The illness based health care model and its cultural, technological, and economic underpinnings remain securely embedded in every aspect of our health care system and we must accept that this is what our current health insurance system pays for today.

We encourage you to take your health care into your own hands, opting out when insurance refuses to pay for disease care and instead chose health care. We applaud your willingness to take on this financial responsibility yourself and we will do everything on our power to make this decision count. We look forward to caring for you in health today and for years to come.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

What Causes Hair Loss in Women?

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What causes hair loss in women?

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Thyroid problems

Irregular amounts of thyroid hormones within the body can cause a multitude of problems, including hair loss. Having healthy thyroid hormone levels is important for your hair as well as for your overall health. Dr. Ruthie Harper will perform a complete testing for optimal thyroid function-critical for healthy hair as part of your evaluation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

An evaluation for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is important as well. Women who experience hormonal imbalances could show higher levels of androgens (male hormones) which could result in extra hair on the face and body. This ultimately causes hair on the scalp to thin, as well as irregular menstrual cycles, acne, and weight gain.

Autoimmune hair loss

Often called alopecia areata, this condition causes hair to fall out in patches. It’s caused by the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacking healthy hair follicles. In most cases, the damage is not permanent. When alopecia areata occurs, the missing patches usually grow back in 6 months to a year. In rare cases, people may lose all of the hair on their scalp and body, a condition called alopecia universalis.

Female pattern hair loss (Androgenetic alopecia)

If your mother, aunts, or grandmothers have experienced hair loss, it’s likely that you will experience it as well. Typically, each time a normal hair follicle is shed, it’s replaced by hair that is equal in size. However, women with female-pattern hair loss have new hair that is finer and thinner. Eventually the hair follicles shrink and may stop producing hair altogether.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 50% of women see this in their late 50s or 60s, although it can happen at any time.

Fungal infections (Ringworm)

Ringworm is a fungal infection that can affect the scalp, triggering a distinct pattern of hair loss that occurs in itchy, round patches. Bald areas can appear scaly and red. This condition is usually treated with antifungal medication. Family members should be checked for symptoms too since the fungus is easily spread by direct contact.

Hormonal shifts

During menopause, changing estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels can create imbalances where hair loss is accelerated and new hair growth is slowed.

Pregnancy

Many women notice fuller hair during pregnancy due to hormonal changes that keep resting hairs from falling out as they normally would. After childbirth, when hormones suddenly shift, a sudden and sometimes alarming amount of hair may be lost all at one time. It may take up to 2 years for hair to return to normal without proper care and intervention.

Anemia

Many women experiencing hair thinning or hair loss are often iron deficient. Replenishing the iron stores of balding patients increases their chances of hair growth in most cases, and stops hair loss in nearly every patient.

However, too much iron can be toxic so it’s important to follow the advice of a medical professional. Reasons why low iron levels might be present in the body include, heavy periods, postpartum blood loss, ulcers, and inflammation of the stomach with bleeding of the digestive tract.

Medication, such as birth control pills

Birth control pills have a little known side effect in the form of a higher potential for hair loss in women with a family history of hair loss. Other medications linked to hair loss include blood thinners and medicines that treat high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, and depression.

Dieting

You may lose more than just weight with a crash diet. Many people noticed hair loss within 3-6 months after losing more than 15 pounds, especially in weight loss programs that don’t include proper nutrition and vitamin supplementation.

Hair styling

Certain hairstyles such as extensions, cornrows, or tight ponytails can irritate the scalp and hair loss in a condition often called traction alopecia. Certain treatments such as hair dyes, chemical treatments, bad brushes, tight rollers, blow dryers, and flat irons can result in damage, breakage, and further hair loss. Removing the source of this irritation is critical due to how long-term use of these styles can cause scarring of the scalp and could lead to permanent hair loss.

Trichotillomania

This emotional/behavioral condition causes a compulsive tendency to pull hair from the scalp, brows, or eyelashes. Most of the hair pulling tends to occur in selected areas causing patchy hair loss instead of diffuse hair loss. Hair loss due to this cause cannot be treated effectively due to the psychological or emotional problems that must be addressed first.

Cancer treatment

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most common side effects of cancer treatment. Both treatments can cause damage to hair follicles, often resulting in dramatic hair loss. Damage is almost always short-lived, however, a healthy hair regrowth regimen can be supported by a comprehensive hair restoration program.

Stress

Extreme physical or emotional stress from surgery or illness can cause a sudden loss of hair called telogen effluvium. This occurs when the hair follicles stop growing and life dormant, falling out within 2 to 3 months. Being that telogen effluvium is often caused by stress, surgery, or illness, hair growth is typically restored within 6 to 9 months.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=”false” sidebar_id=”sidebar_1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”2″ gap=”10″ margin_top=”100″ margin_bottom=”0″ padding_top=”25″ padding_bottom=”25″ css=”.vc_custom_1515775655147{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Ready to Book a Consultation?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]

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What Is The AMD Prevention Pyramid?

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What Is The AMD Prevention Pyramid?

AMD prevention pyramid

The AMD prevention pyramid, created by C. Armitage Harper III, M.D., is designed to provide you with a plan that could delay, and even prevent, age-related macular degeneration. The plan is based on documented scientific research studies and calls for a change in everyday lifestyle choices, diet, and daily habits to achieve optimal eye health. Each element of the pyramid is described below.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pb-lg”]

Eye Multivitamin

A specially formulated product called Sight Defense MV has been created by a physician to specifically meet the nutritional needs of the eye and the rest of the body. By combining an eye vitamin with a comprehensive multivitamin and healthy omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) all of the patient’s daily supplement needs are met by taking one small packet twice daily.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pb-lg”]

Fish Oil: an Essential Fatty Acid for Your Eyes

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids including DHA and EPA that can decrease your risk of developing AMD and promote the overall health of your body. The word “essential” means that these fatty acids cannot be manufactured by the body; they must be obtained through food or supplementation. Experts recommend that high quality fish oil be consumed twice daily to maintain optimal eye health. Fish oils should be molecularly distilled to ensure that heavy metals and toxins are removed.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pb-lg”]

Margarine: The “Lucifer” of Oils

The hydrogenation process of oil converts healthy fats into unhealthy fats and destroys their ability to provide you with the building blocks for optimal eye health. Margarine contains 60% partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (also known as trans fats) and less than 5% of essential or health promoting fats. Use non-hydrogenated oils such as olive or nut oils to support your eyes with essential fatty acids.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pb-lg”]

Exercise: It May Help Slow or Prevent AMD

Studies have shown that patients with a high body mass index (BMI) or a higher waist circumference (representing excess body fat) experienced the fastest progression of AMD. This progression is significant in that those with high body mass index progress nearly twice as fast as those with a lower body mass index and smaller waists. People who began to exercise vigorously (3 times a week) saw a reduction in disease progression by up to 25 percent.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pb-lg”]

Exposure to Visible and UV Light Increases AMD Risk

In the Beaver Dam Eye 5 and 10 year study, it was found that teenagers and adults in their 30’s who spent their leisure time outdoors had a significantly higher risk of developing early AMD. Wearing hats and sunglasses provided effective protection against early development of AMD.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pb-lg”]

The Amsler Grid: Test Your Eyes Daily

The Amsler Grid tests the macula for healthy function, and is made of evenly spaced horizontal and vertical lines with a small dot in the center for fixation. When the macula becomes unhealthy, the normally straight lines of the Amsler grid become wavy. It is recommended that people diagnosed with or at risk of AMD test their vision daily using this grid.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pb-lg”]

Smoking: A Cause of AMD That is Preventable

Smoking leads to the breakdown of the layer between the retina and the blood vessels that nourish it, reducing the delivery of blood and oxygen to the eye that are critical for its health. Smokers are up to five times as likely to lose their sight related to AMD in their lifetime.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pb-lg”]

Dark-green, Leafy Plants Support Eye Health

Studies show that the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin present in dark-green plants like kale, spinach, collards, and mustard greens play an important role in maintaining healthy vision. These nutrients act like sunglasses that filter out damaging UV rays, protecting the retina and the overlying macula. They also act as free radical scavengers. The macula is critical to vision as this is where color and central vision are produced. Experts recommend eating dark green vegetables at least once each day.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pb-lg”]

Eat Brightly Colored Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants and help prevent AMD by providing protection against free-radicals and toxins. Antioxidant research supports the theory that higher intakes of vitamin C and E may help prevent or delay the development of AMD. Experts agree that eating brightly colored vegetables and fruits two to four times daily will help prevent AMD and provide support for optimally healthy eyes.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pb-lg”]

Eat Berries for Better Circulation to the Eyes

Berries contain a group of bioflavonoids known as anthocyanidins, which benefit the eyes by promoting the strength and elasticity of the tiny blood vessels that nourish the eyes and optic nerves. Research shows that berries improve circulation to the eyes and can slow the progress of AMD. Experts agree that people should consume berries at least three times a week.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”pb-lg”]

Cold-Water Fish is the Best Source for Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Deficiencies in essential fatty acids including omega-3 fats can lead to impaired vision. Studies suggest that prolonged deficiencies of these essential fats might lead to AMD. Experts recommend two-three servings per week of cold-water fish including wild salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, and tuna.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Drink Green Tea

Green tea has ingredients that prevent the formation of abnormal blood vessels which can leak and destroy the macula in AMD. For this reason, drinking green tea could prevent and possibly treat macular degenerative eye disorders. Together with green tea’s high level of antioxidants, green tea is very beneficial and should be consumed twice daily.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=”false” sidebar_id=”sidebar_1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

An alternative to the flu vaccine

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An alternative to the flu vaccine

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Flu season is upon us and you may be thinking about getting a flu shot  hoping that it will lower your risk of getting the flu this winter season.  However, there are a few things to consider before making this decision.

It’s impossible to predict with certainty which flu strains will predominate over a given flu season, impacting the effectiveness of the flu vaccine from year to year.  In fact, according to the CDC, “During years when the flu vaccine is not well matched to circulating viruses, it’s possible that no benefit from flu vaccination may be observed.”

There are also potential side effects from the injectable flu vaccine or the nasal spray including:

In children

In adults

runny nose

runny nose

wheezing

headache

headache

sore throat

vomiting

cough

muscle aches

Body aches

fever

One of the most effective ways to stave off the flu, with or without the vaccine, is to ensure that your immune system is functioning at its peak.  A number of controlled studies have determined the  link between optimal vitamin D levels and a lower risk of upper respiratory tract illnesses, including influenza.

More than one half of U.S. adults have vitamin D levels that are insufficient (less than 30 ng/mL).  As is true for most people, if your levels are low, taking the recommended low dose of 600 IU (or 800 IU if you’re 70 or older) of vitamin D daily will not be effective in raising your levels to  the recommended 60-80 ng/mL that provides protection against the flu. Research has shown; however, that a single high dose of 100,000 IU of Vitamin D taken for 2 days can raise levels 15 ng/mL in only two days.

As an alternative to the flu vaccine, we are recommending 100,000 IU of vitamin D be taken for three days, under a doctor’s supervision and in conjunction with Vitamin D levels being measured through your physician. Most people will need to follow this with 5,000 IU of vitamin D taken once daily thereafter (again under a doctor’s supervision).  In addition, it is essential that you take vitamin K2 along with vitamin D as Vitamin K is critical for maintaining calcium in your bones rather than depositing it in the walls of your blood vessels when taking Vitamin D.  We carry both the high dose vitamin D supplements (50,000 IU’s) and K2 supplements in our office.

Please contact our office today to have your vitamin D levels checked to determine if is this protocol is right for you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=”false” sidebar_id=”sidebar_1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”2″ gap=”10″ margin_top=”50″ margin_bottom=”50″ padding_top=”25″ padding_bottom=”25″ css=”.vc_custom_1513015230624{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Ready to Book a Consultation?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]

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Breaking research and news for our clients!

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Breaking research and news for our clients!

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]I attended a seminar last week that focused on gastrointestinal health and its role in diseases such as:

  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Celiac
  • Colitis
  • Crohn’s
  • Hashimotos
  • Headaches
  • Hives
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • PMS
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

And symptoms such as:

  • diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • low blood pressure
  • menstrual cramps
  • runny nose
  • weight gain

Breaking Science

The good news is there is new diagnostic testing to determine how healthy your gastrointestinal tract is and whether you are at risk for developing the above diseases or symptoms as a result of gastrointestinal imbalances.

I was so impressed by the significance of this information that we are now offering advanced testing for the specific biomarkers that determine the health of your gastrointestinal tract.

What is the testing?

By performing a simple blood test, the first marker we test you for is zonulin- a protein that determines how leaky vs healthy your gastrointestinal tract is. The second biomarker is called diamine oxidase, or DAO, which breaks down histamine. Histamine is responsible for symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, menstrual cramps, asthma, headaches, diarrhea, low blood pressure, runny nose, allergies and hives.   In addition, we also measure your histamine levels.

What do I do with this information? 

In combination with zonulin testing, we have developed scientifically based protocols to normalize DAO and histamine levels to resolve disease and relieve the symptoms listed above.  If you’re suffering from any of the symptoms or disorders mentioned here and are interested in learning more about a protocol that may be right for you, call the office today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=”false” sidebar_id=”sidebar_1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”2″ gap=”10″ margin_top=”50″ margin_bottom=”50″ padding_top=”25″ padding_bottom=”25″ css=”.vc_custom_1513015230624{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Ready to Book a Consultation?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]

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Prevention for Breast Cancer: What You Can Do!

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Prevention for Breast Cancer: What You Can Do!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]The significance of breast cancer when discussing women’s health cannot be overemphasized. The lifetime risk of breast cancer has tripled in the last 4 decades with breast cancer now ranking as the second leading cause of death for women in the US today.

With 1.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer each year, prevention for this disease should be of paramount importance. When discussing prevention, I often hear discussions recommending a woman perform regular mammograms and monthly self-breast exams. However, these are really early detection methods as opposed to true preventative interventions.

Preventative measures for breast cancer include understanding the role that various forms of estrogen play in breast cancer and learning how an optimally functioning liver supports healthy estrogen balance.

The Role of Estrogen in Breast Cancer

Hormones are often implicated in the development of breast cancer. Specifically, it is believed that exposure to higher levels of estrogen for a longer period of time in a woman’s lifetime increases her breast cancer risk.

Health proponents often question how and why something that the body naturally produces for health (estrogen) would create a risk for women such as breast cancer. The key may not be related to absolute exposure to estrogen itself, but rather exposure to unhealthy forms of estrogen that occur when the liver is not functioning optimally.

Healthy forms of estrogen are made daily in a woman’s body and are responsible for cell growth in the skin, bones and reproductive system. The body balances this cell growth by creating a pathway by which the active forms of estrogen are converted to inactive forms, signaling growth to stop.

This conversion from active to inactive forms of estrogen occurs in the liver and is critical for health. If the liver is not functioning optimally, metabolism from active to inactive forms of estrogen does not occur, and unhealthy forms of estrogen may accumulate leading to uncontrolled growth of breast tissue and cancer risk.

In support of this theory is the fact that breast cancer rates are the lowest when a woman’s estrogen levels are the highest (in her 20’s and 30’s) and conversely seem to increase as estrogen levels drop (in her 40’ s and 50’s).  During a woman’s 20’s and 30’s, her liver is healthy and functioning, not yet experiencing the decline  that often occurs with aging and time. Suboptimal liver function is frequent in a woman’s 40’s and 50’s.

This occurs from unhealthy eating, lifetime exposure to prescription medications that the liver must metabolize, as well as exposure to the ever-increasing number of toxins and chemicals in our environment that the liver is responsible for neutralizing.  The overburdened liver in a woman’s midlife has unfortunately become the rule rather than the exception. Without focused support for healthy function of this vital organ, by her 40’s a woman’s liver has sustained years of overuse and suboptimal function has resulted.

Diagnostic Testing to Determine My Risk

New diagnostic testing allows a woman to get critical information about how well her body is metabolizing active forms of estrogen to inactive forms. This test is called the Estronex Profile and measures estrogen levels and the healthy vs unhealthy forms of estrogen to help assess whether a woman is at risk of developing estrogen sensitive cancers. The test is easy-to-collect from a first-morning urine requiring no blood draw and can be done from your home!

Based on the results of the Estronex testing, healthy estrogen metabolism can be established and interventions recommended to improve the estrogen balance in a woman’s body. This will most often include recommendations on how to improve liver function with nutrients such as cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and brussel sprouts) as well as support with nutritional supplements that support healthy liver function. Healthy liver function allows healthy forms of estrogen to predominate, reducing risks of breast cancer while allowing the benefits of healthy forms of estrogen to remain.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=”false” sidebar_id=”sidebar_1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”2″ gap=”10″ margin_top=”50″ margin_bottom=”50″ padding_top=”25″ padding_bottom=”25″ css=”.vc_custom_1513015230624{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Ready to Book a Consultation?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]

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Natural Supplements to Prevent Aging of your DNA

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Natural Supplements to Prevent Aging of your DNA

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]DNA

The interest in DNA over the last 5 years has grown exponentially because it provides an additional tool to personalize both integrative health programs as well as provide preventative care for patients. Dr. Ruthie Harper used breakthrough’s from the human genome project to create SKINSHIFT, the only genetically designed skincare program that uses your genetic strengths and weaknesses to create a personalized skin care program just for you. The clinical results from approaching skincare in this way have been remarkable.

Shortly after launching SKINSHIFT, a DNA based macular degeneration test was released to help identify those at higher risk for vision loss related to this disease process. This further validated the value of looking at a person’s genetics to focus care. And now, we are seeing an increasing amount of research on how the length of our DNA or telomeres can affect how well we age and how long we live.

telomere

Telomeres are a critical region at the end of each DNA strand that provides protection for our DNA as our cells replicate. As our DNA replicates throughout our lifetime our telomeres shorten. Eventually, the telomeres become too short to allow cell replication, the cell stops dividing and cell death occurs. With cell death, aging occurs. The shorter our telomeres become, the less longevity we have and the more predisposed we become to the aging process and its associated diseases. So a goal for healthy aging and disease prevention is to keep out telomeres long and healthy.

An exciting new laboratory test allows physicians to document telomere length. Age adjusted telomere length is the best method to date to assess biological age using structural analysis of the length of an individuals telomere. Serial evaluation of telomere length is an indicator of how rapidly one ages relative to a normal population. Therapies directed at slowing the loss of telomere length may then be implemented to slow aging and age-related diseases. By documenting telomere length with objective testing, healthy aging can be established for each individual and protocols to support healthy aging can be designed and objectively followed.

telomerescore

The good news is that telomere length can be impacted through nutritional supplementation. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2009 showed that women who took a daily multivitamin had longer telomeres. In addition vitamins C and E were specifically associated with longer telomere length. In addition, pterostilbene a natural supplement which contains a relative of the anti aging nutrient resveratrol appears to be able to protect telomere length. By combining pterostilbene with its sister compound resveratrol and a high quality multivitamin, the body is provided a higher level of support for healthy aging and preservation of telomere length. These nutrients have become an important part of both our nutrition programs and integrative health care services. Feel free to contact us to learn more about telomere testing, protecting your telomere length and protocols for healthy aging 512 402 6309.

Xu Q, Parks CG, DeRoo LA, Cawthon RM, Sandler DP, Chen H. Multivitamin use and telomere length in women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Mar 11. Published Online Ahead of Print.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=”false” sidebar_id=”sidebar_1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”2″ gap=”10″ margin_top=”50″ margin_bottom=”50″ padding_top=”25″ padding_bottom=”25″ css=”.vc_custom_1513015230624{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Ready to Book a Consultation?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]

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Skin Cancer: What Is The Cause?

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Skin Cancer: What Is The Cause?

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Energy from the sun actually is a form of radiation. It consists of visible light and other rays that people can’t see. Invisible infrared radiation, for instance, makes sunlight feel hot. UV also is invisible, and causes sunburn and sun tan.

UV rays damage DNA, the genetic material that makes up genes. Genes control the growth and overall health of skin cells. If the genetic damage is severe, a normal skin cell may begin to grow in the uncontrolled, disorderly way of cancer cells. UV also can cause sunburn, and other damage that makes the skin look prematurely old and wrinkled.

Two kinds of rays exist in ultraviolet radiation:

  • Ultraviolet A (UVA)
  • Ultraviolet B (UVB)

Scientists once thought that excessive exposure to UVB rays was the main cause of skin cancer. Now they think that UVA also is involved. That’s why it is important to use a sunscreen product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Some cases of skin cancer, however, may be hereditary and run in families. In those cases, skin cancer is caused by abnormal genes that children inherit from their parents. Genes make parents and children look somewhat alike. They also make them likely to get some of the same diseases.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=”false” sidebar_id=”sidebar_1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Speed Your Medical Weight Loss With A Personalized Workout Program

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Speed Your Medical Weight Loss With A Personalized Workout Program

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]There are many different types of personalized work out recommendations in the exercise marketplace today. Each is designed to give you a different benefit or result. The goal of different programs may be to increase muscle mass, increase strength, build cardiovascular conditioning, or help with weight loss. Today we want to expose you to a new concept in exercise science called “The HGH Producer”.

“The HGH Producer” is the name of a particular type of workout that provides health benefits similar to that of a cardio workout, but offers some unique benefits not provided by any other form of exercise including cardio. The purpose of the HGH producer is to boost your natural growth hormone levels to give you the leaning, muscle building and metabolism boosting benefits of growth hormone. Growth hormone is a powerful anti-aging hormone that our body naturally produces to keep us young, lean and healthy. When done correctly, the HGH producer is designed to provide you with the maximum health and esthetic benefits of exercise in the shortest amount of time by boosting your natural growth hormone levels. The HGH Producer can be completed in 20 minutes a day and falls under the category of high intensity training or high intensity interval training.

The HGH producer is different from cardiovascular (cardio for short) exercise- the popular form of exercise designed to improve endurance and stimulate fat loss while exercising. Cardio exercises include anything from long distance running, skipping, biking or even power walking. All of these forms of exercise fall under the category of moderate intensity training because they typically last anywhere from a half hour to more than an hour with at a constant pace maintained during the exercise session (after a warm-up and followed by a cool down). While cardio exercise may burn calories while exercising and create some aerobic conditioning, The HGH Producer is much more powerful at creating long term health benefits because it-

1- Burns calories for the 24 hours following its completion. Not just while exercising.

2- Builds lean body mass unlike aerobic exercise

3- Provides both aerobic and anaerobic conditioning

4- Increases metabolic rate to create a better metabolism

5- Provides ant aging benefits because of its ability to support healthy growth hormone levels

No other from of exercise has such profound and life changing effects!

The HGH producer is part of our medical weight loss program and is an important part of boosting natural bioidentical hormones in your body. Email our office or come by and we are happy to share this fantastic program with you, or better yet set up a session where we personally coach you on how to do it! Boost your growth hormone levels with this unique new way of exercising and watch your body lean as well as your health improve![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=”false” sidebar_id=”sidebar_1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”2″ gap=”10″ margin_top=”50″ margin_bottom=”50″ padding_top=”25″ padding_bottom=”25″ css=”.vc_custom_1513015230624{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Ready to Book a Consultation?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]

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