Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Hormones and Anti-aging with Dr. Garry F. Gordon MD,DO,MD(H) Gordon Research Institute REMEDIES; Growth Hormone: The Secret of Youth or a Cautionary Tale? By BONNIE DESIMONE Published: April 11, 2006 SIXTEEN years ago, a small-scale study of human growth hormone (HGH) therapy among older men opened a large debate in the medical community over whether it could stave off physical decline. Demands for prescriptions have increased, as has online demand for both legitimate and fraudulent forms of the product, known as HGH -- eventually growing into an estimated $1 billion global market. The catalyst for the HGH debate was a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 1990. A dozen healthy men, ages 61 to 81, were given HGH injections for six months. Among the results: lean body mass increased and body fat decreased; and blood sugar and blood pressure increased. Because evidence shows potentially harmful side-effects, most mainstream doctors caution against using HGH, except in strictly delineated cases. Other doctors say it is an effective anti-aging weapon. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E4D91E30F932A25757C0A9609C8B63 Still No Deal on Testing for H.G.H. By JULIET MACUR Published: August 24, 2011 Negotiations between the N.F.L. and its players union over testing for human growth hormone continued to stall Wednesday, with the union upset that it did not receive the scientific documents it requested from the World Anti-Doping Agency regarding the test for H.G.H. George Atallah, a union spokesman, said the antidoping agency refused to hand over documents detailing the validity and reliability of the H.G.H. test, which WADA uses and which has caught eight athletes since it was put in place in 2004. Growth hormone, banned by WADA, is said to increase lean muscle mass and boost recovery. It is illegal to possess in the United States without a prescription. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/sports/football/nfl-and-union-remain-stalled-over-hgh-testing.html Original Article Effects of Human Growth Hormone in Men over 60 Years Old Daniel Rudman, M.D., Axel G. Feller, M.D., Hoskote S. Nagraj, M.D., Gregory A. Gergans, M.D., Pardee Y. Lalitha, M.D., Allen F. Goldberg, D.D.S., Robert A. Schlenker, Ph.D., Lester Cohn, M.D., Inge W. Rudman, B.S., and Dale E. Mattson, Ph.D. N Engl J Med 1990; 323:1-6July 5, 1990 The declining activity of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis with advancing age may contribute to the decrease in lean body mass and the increase in mass of adipose tissue that occur with aging. To test this hypothesis, we studied 21 healthy men from 61 to 81 years old who had plasma IGF-I concentrations of less than 350 U per liter during a six-month base-line period and a six-month treatment period that followed. Plasma IGF-I levels were measured monthly. The administration of human growth hormone for six months in group 1 was accompanied by an 8.8 percent increase in lean body mass, a 14.4 percent decrease in adipose-tissue mass, and a 1.6 percent increase in average lumbar vertebral bone density (P<0.05 in each instance). Skin thickness increased 7.1 percent (P = 0.07). Conclusions: Diminished secretion of growth hormone is responsible in part for the decrease of lean body mass, the expansion of adipose-tissue mass, and the thinning of the skin that occur in old age. (N Engl J Med 1990; 323:1–6.) What is HGH? HGH is Human growth hormone, and it is produced and released by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. It is one of several endocrine hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, melatonin and DHEA that decline in production as we age. The hormone stimulates the liver to produce insulin-like growth factor, or IGF-1. That substance, in turn, spurs normal growth in bones and tissues. HGH has long been prescribed for children whose growth is affected by kidney disease or other conditions. The hormone has also been used to treat musclewasting diseases caused by AIDS. Growth hormone was harvested from cadavers until the mid-1980's, when researchers began to synthesize it using recombinant DNA technology. Although the process was expensive, it opened up more commercial and black-market opportunities. HGH costs $10,000 to $30,000 a year for the prescription injections. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E4D91E30F932A25757C0A9609C8B63 HGH – Human Growth Hormone Dynamics Our hormone system is best understood if you think of it as a cascade with the brain at the top followed by the pituitary gland, then target organs, e.g. ovaries, thyroid, testicles; and finally physical and mental functions e.g., skin thickness, menstrual periods, sex function, aggression, hair growth, etc. Simply put, HGH keeps humans young – it is the master hormone. There are five basic pituitary hormones: • Growth Hormone (GH) • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) • Thyroid stimulating Hormone (TSH) • Follicle stimulating Hormone (FSH) • Luteinizing Hormone (LH) The pituitary hormones are released into the general circulation and have effects on specific target organs, which then release hormones of their own. Thus, the pituitary hormones act like traffic controllers, they survey the scene, determine what is needed, and tell the organs when to release their hormones. Levels of HGH Decline with Age For most people the pituitary gland produces sufficient HGH to retain a youthful appearance until age 35 or so. Then somewhere between 40 and 50, the body’s ability to produce and release HGH declines, and the signs of aging become more apparent. Signs of aging and hormone decline • Thinning skin and increased wrinkling • Weakening heart and circulation • Decreased energy and stamina • Hair loss and discoloration • Excess body fat • Increased anxiety and stress • Lack of sex drive and desire • Diminished bone density • Decreased kidney function • Reduction in the rejuvenation process • Higher LDL Cholesterol levels • General fatigue Benefits of HGH replacement therapy Enhanced sexual performance Improved exercise capacity Improved quality of deep sleep Boost in energy levels Increased lean body mass Strengthened immune system Sharper memory and concentration Stronger bones Reduction in Chronic Fatigue Reduction in body fat Normalizing of blood pressure Increased HDL (good cholesterol) Decreased LDL (bad cholesterol) Enhanced feeling of well being Tighter, more hydrated and smoother skin Many other anti-aging and performance enhancing benefits Volume 23 | Issue 12 | Page 34 By Christian Weyer Hormones in Concert Multiple hormones act in concert to regulate blood sugar and food intake. The idea has already led to a new diabetes therapy; will it also yield new strategies for obesity? Most hormones have multiple actions that are well coordinated, and naturally integrated with other hormonal systems. It is, in many respects, the equivalent of individual musicians playing together in a philharmonic orchestra producing the most melodic, beautiful symphonies. Some hormones, such as insulin, thyroid hormone, or cortisol, are “major players,” and their deficiency or excess can result in life-threatening metabolic derangements. Others, such as calcitonin, pancreatic polypeptide, or amylin can be viewed as complementary signals that enhance, or “fine-tune,” a tightly regulated metabolic process. In many cases, the central nervous system (CNS) orchestrates and balances these hormonal interactions, serving as the role of conductor. Estrogen Advice: Guidelines for Using Estrogen Safely By John R. Lee, M.D. Here's a story that I hear every day: Joan, a premenopausal woman in her mid-40s goes to her doctor complaining of hot flashes, poor sleep, and lack of energy. She is still having regular periods. Her doctor tests her estradiol, FSH, LH, and progesterone levels, and finds them all to be normal except for very low progesterone. He then prescribes estradiol supplementation! Within three months Joan gains 25 pounds, is sleeping even less, feels irritable and anxious, and has headaches. Another estrogen supplementation scenario that I hear every day is the woman who is prescribed estrogen alone (without progesterone) and within a year has a pap smear that shows cervical dysplasia, soon followed by a hysterectomy. I consider this medical malpractice, but it happens to hundreds of women every day. The two most important basic guidelines in estrogen supplementation are: 1. Only women who are clearly deficient in estrogen should take it. 2. Estrogen should always be taken with progesterone regardless of your age or whether you have a uterus. Conventional medicine also fails to discriminate between different estrogens whether natural or synthetic, phytoestrogens, horse estrogen or human. They fail to consider the interaction between estrogen and diet, or estrogen and progesterone, let alone its interrelationship to testosterone, other androgens, thyroid, or corticosteroids. By PATRICIA COHEN Published: February 19, 2008 Midlife Suicide Rises, Puzzling Researchers A new five-year analysis of the nation’s death rates recently released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the suicide rate among 45-to-54year-olds increased nearly 20 percent from 1999 to 2004, the latest year studied, far outpacing changes in nearly every other age group. (All figures are adjusted for population.) For women 45 to 54, the rate leapt 31 percent. “That is certainly a break from trends of the past,” said Ann Haas, the research director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. By contrast, the suicide rate for 15-to-19-year-olds increased less than 2 percent during that five-year period — and decreased among people 65 and older. The question is why. What happened in 1999 that caused the suicide rate to suddenly rise primarily for those in midlife? For health experts, it is like discovering the wreckage of a plane crash without finding the black box that recorded flight data just before the aircraft went down. Looking at the puzzling 28.8 percent rise in the suicide rate among women ages 50 to 54, Andrew C. Leon, a professor of biostatistics in psychiatry at Cornell, suggested that a drop in the use of hormone replacement therapy after 2002 might be implicated. It may be that without the therapy, more women fell into depression, Dr. Leon said, but he cautioned this was just speculation. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120579429300643355.html Doctors Use Estrogen to Treat Memory Loss in Older Women Doctors who specialize in menopause say such cognitive problems are just as common as hot flashes and often more worrisome. "Women have been telling me this for 25 years," says Elizabeth Lee Vliet, a women's health physician with offices in Tucson, Ariz., and Dallas, Tex., who notes that her patients often speak of feeling "fuzzy-headed." She takes detailed blood tests and typically prescribes 17-beta estradiol, an FDA-approved estrogen replacement. "They come back a couple weeks later and say 'It was like someone turned a lightbulb on my brain! I can think again!' " The phenomenon isn't surprising considering that there are estrogen receptors throughout the brain, particularly in the areas that govern learning, memory and mood. Estrogen also stimulates the growth of dendritic spines that enable nerve cells to communicate, and increases the level of neurotransmitters, the brain's chemical messengers In addition, estrogen helps regulate glucose, inflammation and antioxidants in the brain. Neuroimaging studies have shown that when estrogen declines, there is markedly less cerebral blood flow and activity. Estrogen Therapy Gives Aging Brain Cells A Boost 28 Jun 2007 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/75168.php Cyclical, long-term estrogen injections protected brain cells from age-related deterioration, according to a new study conducted at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The study suggests that age is a factor in estrogen treatment and sheds light on the intricate relationship between mind, age, and hormones. In a multi-center study comparing older rhesus monkeys with younger female monkeys, researchers found that estrogen significantly improved cognitive function in older animals but not in young monkeys. Working with colleagues from the University of Toronto and the University of CaliforniaDavis, Drs. Morrison, Rapp, and Hao compared the outcomes of four groups of female monkeys that were ovarectomized, which induced menopause: old monkeys that received estrogen, old monkeys that did not receive estrogen, young monkeys that received estrogen, and young monkeys that did not receive estrogen. The treated animals received pure estradiol injections every 21 days while being tested on a series of cognitive tasks over the course of more than two years. Cognitive performance tests showed the older treated animals performed almost as well as the younger animals, whereas older untreated animals displayed dramatic cognitive decline. Surprisingly, the younger animals performed equally well with or without estrogen treatments. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/586876?src=mp&spon=2&uac=81207PR From International Journal of Impotence Research Are Declining Testosterone Levels A Major Risk Factor for Ill-Health in Aging Men? B. B. Yeap - 04/08/2009 As men grow older, testosterone levels fall, with a steeper decline in unbound or free testosterone compared with total testosterone concentrations. Lower testosterone levels have been associated with poorer cognitive function, and with impaired general and sexual health in aging men. Recently, lower testosterone levels have been linked with metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes, both conditions associated with cardiovascular disease, and shown to predict higher overall and cardiovascular-related mortality in middle-aged and older men. However, reverse causation has to be considered, as systemic illness may result in reduced testosterone levels. Thus, the strength of these associations and the likely direction of causation need to be carefully considered. Furthermore, these conditions may overlap, for example aging, lower testosterone levels, erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease are interrelated. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/586876?src=mp&spon=2&uac=81207PR Testosterone Levels Decline as Men Grow Older In men, circulating levels of testosterone increase at the time of puberty and peak in early adulthood. This is followed by a steady decline in testosterone levels with increasing age. In cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of men aged 30 or 40 years and above, total, bioavailable and free testosterone concentrations fall with increasing age with a steeper decline in bioavailable and free compared with total testosterone concentrations. In older men above the age of 65 or 70 years, the changes in total testosterone are overshadowed by more significant declines in free testosterone levels. The observation that in a cross-sectional analysis of 3638 men aged 70 years and above total testosterone levels were stable whereas free testosterone levels declined with increasing age[14] is supported by a study describing comparable total testosterone levels in groups of men aged 18.9 vs 75.4 years. Testosterone and Cognitive Function in Older Men Cognitive decline is a characteristic of advancing age and several studies have reported associations between lower testosterone levels and poorer performance in tests of cognitive function in men. …evidence from observational studies is not uniform, lower free testosterone, or a lower ratio of total testosterone to SHBG, appears to be associated with poorer outcomes on measures of cognitive function particularly in older men. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/586876?src=mp&spon=2&uac=81207PR Can the Age-related Decline in Testosterone Levels Be Prevented? Testosterone therapy is now available in a range of formulations and treatment can be individualized to achieve physiological testosterone levels. Topical testosterone formulations such as a patch or gel require daily applications, whereas testosterone supplementation using long-acting parenteral formulations provides stable circulating levels but require deep intramuscular injections or subcutaneous pellet implants. There are recognized risk factors for lower testosterone levels in aging men, which provide a starting point for designing putative lifestyle-based interventions. Higher BMI and waist circumference are associated with lower total, bioavailable or free testosterone and SHBG. The association between higher BMI and lower total testosterone appears more consistent than between BMI and free testosterone. Smoking, lower alcohol intake and physical activity or vigorous exercise are factors associated with higher total testosterone and SHBG levels. However, other studies have not confirmed these associations. It is important to note the severe damaging effects of smoking on cardiovascular and respiratory health far outweigh any possible benefit it may confer on testosterone levels. Therefore, one approach to preventing the age-related decline in testosterone levels in men would be weight reduction or avoidance of overweight, also limiting alcohol consumption and encouraging physical activity. Prevalence of Androgen Deficiency in Men with Erectile Dysfunction Tobias S. Köhler, Johnny Kim, Kendall Feia, Josh Bodie, Nick Johnson, Antoine Makhlouf, Manoj Monga Volume 71, Issue 4, Pages 693-697 (April 2008) Erectile dysfunction (ED) and androgen deficiency in aging men are two separate clinical entities that often overlap. Controversy exists regarding the most appropriate total testosterone level that defines androgen deficiency in aging men, and its prevalence in men with ED is still uncertain. We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of low and low-normal testosterone levels in men presenting for an initial ED evaluation. The prevalence of androgen deficiency was 7%, 23%, 33%, and 47% for testosterone levels of less than 200, less than 300, less than 346, and less than 400 ng/dL, respectively. An abrupt increase in hypogonadism prevalence occurred in men aged 45 to 50, beyond which a plateau of prevalence was maintained until older than 80 years of age. Age, the presence of uncontrolled diabetes, high total cholesterol, and anemia all correlated with significantly decreased testosterone levels in men with ED. The prostate-specific antigen level and creatinine did not affect the testosterone levels. Androgen deficiency was quite common in men presenting with ED and correlated significantly with age, uncontrolled diabetes, hypercholesteremia, and anemia. Although additional prospective studies evaluating the effect of testosterone supplementation in this population are needed, clinicians, including urologists, should be keenly aware of the large overlap of patients with ED who might also have the entity, androgen deficiency in the aging male. http://www.goldjournal.net/article/S0090-4295%2807%2902456-9/abstract REMEDIES; Growth Hormone: The Secret of Youth or a Cautionary Tale? By BONNIE DESIMONE Published: April 11, 2006 SIXTEEN years ago, a small-scale study of human growth hormone therapy among older men opened a large debate in the medical community over whether it could stave off physical decline. Since then, the arguments on both sides have become only more passionate. Demands for prescriptions have increased, as has online demand for both legitimate and fraudulent forms of the product, known as HGH -- eventually growing into an estimated $1 billion global market. Because evidence shows potentially harmful side-effects, most mainstream doctors caution against using HGH, except in strictly delineated cases. Other doctors say it is an effective antiaging weapon. Human growth hormone is produced and released by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. The hormone stimulates the liver to produce insulin-like growth factor, or IGF-1. That substance, in turn, spurs normal growth in bones and tissues. ''This is an experiment going on with unsuspecting people who are living on the hope that this will somehow help them retain their youth and vigor,'' said Dr. Robert N. Butler, a professor of geriatrics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. The catalyst for the HGH debate was a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 1990. A dozen healthy men, ages 61 to 81, were given HGH injections for six months. Among the results: lean body mass increased and body fat decreased; and blood sugar and blood pressure increased. An accompanying editorial called the study ''an important beginning,'' but raised ethical questions and said more research was needed. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E4D91E30F932A25757C0A9609C8B63 Your Bio-Identical Hormone Reference Bible forward by Suzanne Somers “Reading Stay Young and Sexy with Bio-Identical Replacement: The Science Explained is like taking a college course with the premier professors of our time. That would be Drs. Jonathan V. Wright and Lane Lenard. The confusion surrounding menopausal hormone replacement needs to be unraveled, and this book does just that. Replacing lost hormones due to aging or stress is the backbone of anti-aging medicine. Mainstream medicine tends to frown upon anti-aging as though it were a phenomenon that didn’t exist, but it is quite clear that human beings are living longer today than ever before. Unfortunately, that longer life may have very little quality left.” http://stayyoungandsexy.com/ J. Steroid Biochem. Molec. Biol. Vol. 65, No. 1±6, pp. 143±150, 1998 # 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved PII: S0960-0760(98)00027-2 An Updated Review of Environmental Estrogen and Androgen Mimics and Antagonists Carlos Sonnenschein* and Ana M. Soto For the last 40 y, substantial evidence has surfaced on the hormone-like effects of environmental chemicals such as pesticides and industrial chemicals in wildlife and humans. The endocrine and reproductive effects of these chemicals are believed to be due to their ability to: (1) mimic the effect of endogenous hormones, (2) antagonize the effect of endogenous hormones, (3) disrupt the synthesis and metabolism of endogenous hormones, and (4) disrupt the synthesis and metabolism of hormone receptors. Estrogen mimics are just a class of endocrine disruptors. Recent studies identifed antiandrogenic activity in environmental chemicals such as vinclozolin, a fungicide, and DDE, and insecticide. Moreover, a single chemical may produce neurotoxic, estrogenic and antiandrogenic effects. It has been hypothesized that endocrine disruptors may play a role in the decrease in the quantity and quality of human semen during the last 50 y, as well as in the increased incidence of testicular cancer and cryptorchidism in males and breast cancer incidence in both females and males in the industrialized world. http://bio.ijs.si/~upetrovic/png/Zaklj_predavanje_okolje_08/Endocrine_disruptors_J_Steroid_Biochem_Mol_Biol_6 5_143.pdf The Management of Estrogens, Estrogen Receptors, Estrogen Metabolism, and Cellular Immunity in the Treatment of Cancers. By Walter H. Wainright, President, Haelan Research Foundation as printed in Townsend Letter – August/September 2010 The reoccurrence of ER-positive breast cancer, at 8 years’ survival time, was reduced with the combined treatment of soy and Tamoxifen.26,27 The death rate was reduced with the combined treatment.27 Both Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors work by reducing the estrogen levels entering the ER-a sites. Soymilk consumption for two weeks lowers estradiol levels 27% in Japanese women, and they have lower circulating levels of estrogens because of their dietary soy, which is fermented. Unfermented soy products have undesireable characteristics. 26. Kuiper GG, Carlsson F, Grandien K, et al. Comparison of the ligand binding specificity and transcript tissue distribution of estrogen receptors alpha and beta. Endocrinology. 1997; 138:863-870 27. Barkhem T, Carlsson B, Nilsson Y, Enmark E, Gustafsson J, Nilsson S. Differential response of estrogen receptor alpha and estrogen receptor beta to parial estrogen agonists/antagonists. Mol Pharmacol. 1998;54:105-112. Review Estrogen receptor transcription and transactivation: Estrogen receptor alpha and estrogen receptor beta - regulation by selective estrogen receptor modulators and importance in breast cancer Benita S Katzenellenbogen and John A Katzenellenbogen University of Illinois and College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA Breast Cancer Res 2000, 2:335-344doi:10.1186/bcr78 "there has been great excitement generated by the findings that Tamoxifen, as well as the related SERM raloxifene, are effective in preventing breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease. Despite these exciting new findings, it was also noted in the National Cancer Institute-sponsored Prevention Trial that Tamoxifen was not a perfect SERM because there was increased incidence of endometrial cancer and venous thromboembolism. These findings highlight the importance of developing more optimal SERMs, particularly if these agents are to be used for breast cancer prevention and menopausal hormone replacement, where large numbers of healthy women would receive treatment for an extended period of time. An ideal SERM for these applications would be one that has no stimulatory action in the breast and uterus, and one that would block estrogen action at these sites, yet would act as an estrogen agonist in bone, liver, and the cardiovascular and central nervous systems." SERM = Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (preferably the ERβ beta receptor) http://breast-cancer-research.com/content/2/5/335/abstract The Complex Relationship between the two Estrogen Receptors α and β MYTH: “Women who take Tamoxifen should not take soy products because soy phytoestrogens occupy the same receptor sites as Tamoxifen”. Soy phytoestrogens are not estrogens, nor do they act like estrogens. There is not one study showing that phytoestrogens act like estrogens. All estrogens go to the ER-a sites and are absorbed in the liver (95%-98%) which only has ER-a activity. There is no ER-b in the liver. Interview with Dr. Jonathan Wright by Suzanne Somers Chapter 14 from Knockout: Interviews with Doctors Who are Curing Cancer and How to Prevent Getting It in the First Place. ©2009 SS: Has anyone ever gotten cancer from using bioidenticals? JW: I can’t say there is research on this; in fact, there’s virtually none. But I can tell you that I started prescribing bioidentical Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. hormones in the early 1980’s. Until now, 2009, I have talked to exactly one woman who came back and said “I started taking bioidenticals and I ended up with cancer,” but I think she had some other problems behind it. Her cancer was diagnosed almost exactly three months after she started taking bioidenticals. But because the size of her cancer there is no way it could have grown that fast in that amount of time. SS: What is the relationship of progesterone to cancer? JW: Progesterone is generally considered to be anticarcinogenic. It does reduce a woman’s risk of cancer if one is taking bioidentical estrogen. Testosterone (in womansize quantities) reduces a woman’s risk too, as does melatonin. But progesterone is the major protector in this group. SS: What do you mean the “major protector”? JW: If a woman is using bioidentical hormones, she should be using a pattern that includes estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and likely testosterone and a little bit of thyroid. Men using bioidentical testosterone should likely be using DHEA, melatonin and a little bit of thyroid too. 13th International Symposium on Functional Medicine Managing Biotransformation: The Metabolic, Genomic, and Detoxification Balance Points. Xenoestrogens, Biotarnsformation, and Differntial Risks for Breast Cancer Eleanor Rogan, PhD. CANCER INITIATION Until the last decade, epidemiological evidence of an association between sex steroid hormones and breast cancer risk, based on a retrospective study design such as case-control studies, was generally inconsistent. In spite of the lack of evidence, prospective cohort studies conducted in the last 10 years consistently observed that elevated levels of serum estrogens and androgens preceded the occurrence of breast cancer. In a pooled analysis of epidemiological studies of endogenous hormones and breast cancer in different populations, both estrogens and androgens were strongly associated with an increase in breast cancer risk, with evidence of a dose-response relationship. An etiological link has also been specifically demonstrated between sex steroids and breast cancer development in premenopausalwomen. Thus, exposure to estrogens is a recognized risk factor for breast cancer. To understand how estrogens can induce breast cancer, we need to begin by considering natural estrogens and xenoestrogens. The natural, endogenous estrogens are estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol. Contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy formulations include E1, E2, the synthetic ethynylestradiol, and the estrogens obtained from mares, equilin and equilenin. Many of these regimens also include progestins, almost always a synthetic progestin in the United States, rather than the natural progesterone itself. http://www.alternative-therapies.com/at/web_pdfs/ifm_proceedings_low.pdf Xenoestrogens, Biotarnsformation, and Differntial Risks for Breast Cancer (cont.) Eleanor Rogan, PhD. - http://www.alternative-therapies.com/at/web_pdfs/ifm_proceedings_low.pdf EXOGENOUS ESTROGENS We are exposed to exogenous estrogens from many sources, including food and drink. The estrogens in hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy formulations include both natural estrogens,such as E2, synthetic estrogens, such as ethynyl estradiol, and estrogens that humans do not synthesize, such as the equine estrogens equilin and equilenin. Typically, most of us think of the hormone replacement formulations as consisting primarily of the equine estrogens, but they actually include a significant component of E1 and/or E2. Equilin and equilenin are metabolized to 4-hydroxyequilenin (Fig. 17), which forms adducts with DNA. It is these adducts that we would expect to generate cancer-initiating mutations. Breast and prostate cancer are initiated by reaction of catechol estrogen-3,4quinones with DNA to form depurinating adducts that generate the mutations leading to cancer. These events have been demonstrated with the natural estrogens and may also occur with xenoestrogens. Some of the estrogenDNA adducts, estrogen-GSH conjugates, and estrogen metabolites may serve as biomarkers for risk of developing breast, prostate, and other cancers. We think they would be detected long before tumors appear. We think breast and prostate cancer can be prevented by using natural dietary supplements to decrease the opportunities for catechol estrogen-3,4-quinones to react with DNA. INTERNATIONAL MENOPAUSE SOCIETY HRT in the early menopause: scientific evidence and common perceptions Summary of the First IMS Global Summit on menopause-related issues March 29–30, 2008 Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the first-line and most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. But, despite massive, good-quality clinical outcome data on efficacy and safety when HRT is begun for symptoms in the early postmenopause, many physicians and lay people believe that hormones are risky and undesired even in the most appropriate case scenarios. Many misconceptions and misperceptions play roles in this complicated situation: some are purely scientific, others are cultural or social. The importance of the media and internet as effective, but unmonitored, means for dissemination of information, interpretation and recommendations cannot be ignored. Actual scientific facts and data have become trivialized in the mass media, often receiving less editorial scrutiny than normal journalism. Furthermore, many HRT prescribers and users do not attempt to broaden their knowledge on menopause and its treatment beyond capturing headlines or short commentaries, often produced by unqualified or prejudiced sources or unprofessional people. As a result, a gap has formed between the actual clinical evidence and the way it is perceived by all concerned. http://www.imsociety.org/pdf_files/comments_and_press_statements/ims_press_statement_13_05_08.pdf?SES SID=krplkcvf8f2u5ov4079v6l6k86 INTERNATIONAL MENOPAUSE SOCIETY HRT in the early menopause: scientific evidence and common perceptions (cont.) Summary of the First IMS Global Summit on menopause-related issues March 29–30, 2008 Breast Perceptions • All types of HRT cause an increased risk of breast cancer within a short duration of use. • HRT causes an increase in mortality from breast cancer. • The reported decline in breast cancer rates in the US following the publication of the WHI proves that HRT causes cancer. • HRT causes an increase in mammographic breast density. • Increase in mammographic breast density is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. The evidence • There is a wide variation across the world in the incidence of breast cancer and its risk factors. • There are multiple risk factors for breast cancer, including life-style factors especially alcohol intake, obesity and lack of exercise. These need to be included during counselling to put the magnitude of risk of HRT into an appropriate perspective. • After 5 years’ use of combined estrogen and progestogen, there is a small increase in risk of breast cancer in North American women of about eight extra cases per 10,000 women per year. However, no significant increase was seen in women without prior use of HRT in the WHI study. • Estrogen-only use does not cause an increase in breast cancer for up to 7 years. In observational studies, a small increase in the risk with estrogen-alone therapy appears with long-term use. • Women using combined HRT before a diagnosis of breast cancer have a reduced mortality. http://www.imsociety.org/pdf_files/comments_and_press_statements/ims_press_statement_13_05_08.pdf?SES SID=krplkcvf8f2u5ov4079v6l6k86 INTERNATIONAL MENOPAUSE SOCIETY HRT in the early menopause: scientific evidence and common perceptions (cont.) Summary of the First IMS Global Summit on menopause-related issues March 29–30, 2008 Bone Perceptions • HRT should not be used for bone protection because of its unfavorable safety profile. • HRT is not as effective in reducing fracture risk as other products, e.g. bisphosphonates. • Official recommendations by health authorities (EMEA, FDA) limit the use of HRT to a secondline alternative. HRT could only be considered when other medications failed, were contraindicated or not tolerated or in symptomatic women. The evidence • Overall, HRT is effective in the prevention of all osteoporosis-related fractures, even in patients at low risk of fracture. • Although no head-to-head studies have compared HRT to bisphosphonates in terms of fracture reduction, there is no evidence to suggest that bisphosphonates or any other antiresorptive therapy are superior to HRT. • It is therefore suggested that, in 50–59-year-old postmenopausal women, HRT is a cost-effective first-line treatment in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures. • Even lower than standard-dose preparations maintain a positive influence on bone indices such as bone mineral density. • HRT has a positive effect on osteoarthritis and the integrity of intervertebral disks. http://www.imsociety.org/pdf_files/comments_and_press_statements/ims_press_statement_13_05_08.pdf?SES SID=krplkcvf8f2u5ov4079v6l6k86 Estrogen receptor beta (ER ) agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN): biological activities of R- and S-enantiomers on behavior and hormonal response to stress Michael J. Weiser, T. John Wu, and Robert J. Handa* Endocrinology, doi:10.1210/en.2008-1355 December 12, 2008 Estrogens have been shown to have positive and negative effects on anxiety and depressive-like behaviors, perhaps explained by the existence of two distinct estrogen receptor (ER) systems, ERα alpha ERβ beta. The ERβ agonist, diarylpropionitrile (DPN) has been shown to have anxiolytic properties in rats. DPN exists as a racemic mixture of two enantiomers, R-DPN and S-DPN. In this study, we compared R-DPN and S-DPN for their in vitro binding affinity, ability to activate transcription in vitro at an estrogen response element (ERE), and in vivo endocrine and behavioral responses. In vitro binding studies utilizing recombinant rat ERβ revealed that S-DPN has a several fold greater relative binding affinity (RBA) for ERβ than does R-DPN. Furthermore, cotransfection of N-38 immortalized hypothalamic cells with an ERE-luc reporter and ERβ revealed that S-DPN is a potent activator of transcription in vitro, whereas R-DPN is not. Subsequently, we examined anxiety-like behaviors using the open field (OF) test and elevated plus maze (EPM), or depressive-like behaviors, using the forced swim test (FST). Ovariectomized young adult female Sprague-Dawley rats treated with racemic DPN, S-DPN, and the ERβ agonist, WAY-200070 (Wyeth, Princeton, NJ), showed significantly decreased anxiety-like behaviors in both the OF and EPM and significantly less depressive-like behaviors in the FST compared to vehicle, R-DPN or PPT (ERα agonist) treated animals. In concordance with the RBA and transcriptional potency, these results demonstrate that the S-enantiomer is the biologically active form of DPN. These studies also indicate that estrogen's positive effects on mood, including its anxiolytic and anti-depressive actions, are due to its actions at ERβ. Efficacy Comparison of Pueraria mirifica (PM) against Conjugated Equine Estrogen (CEE) with/without Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MPA) in the Treatment of Climacteric Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women: Phase III Study Verapol Chandeying MD*, Malinee Sangthawan MD** J Med Assoc Thai 2007; 90 (9): 1720-6 Full text. e-Journal: http://www.medassocthai.org/journal Perimenopausal women attending the Menopausal clinic of Hat Yai Regional Hospital were voluntarily recruited. The vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, as well as other unpleasant symptoms, urogenital and psychological symptoms, were also assessed. Patients were voluntarily enrolled and randomly received daily 50 mg raw material of PM, Group A, or daily 0.625 mg of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) with/without 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), Group B, depend on nonhysterectomized/ hysterectomized condition. Conclusion: PM, containing phytoestrogens, has estrogenic effect as similar as CEE, and can alleviate the climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women. PM demonstrates great promise in the treatment of climacteric symptoms. However, optimal doses should be clinically assessed to meet appropriate individual responses. Pueraria mirifica The “Miracle” Herb From Thailand Pueraria mirifica is an indigenous herb of Thailand, known in Thai as "Kwao Kreu" or "Kwao Kreu Kao" (White Kwao Kreu). It belongs to the Family Leguminosae, subfamily Papilionoideae, or the soy, bean & pea subfamily. The plants are commonly found in abundance in the forests of the north, west and northeast regions of Thailand at an altitude of 300-800 meters above sea level. Active principles in this plant are found in the tuberous root, which looks like a chain of round-shaped bulbs of various sizes connected to the next one via small root throughout the entire length of the root. The shape and size of the tuberous root are diverse depending on the environment in which it exists. Pueraria mirifica (PM) Also known as Thai kudzu, PM has been shown to be very effective at relieving menopausal symptoms, including vaginal dryness, hot flashes, insomnia, and irritability. Thirteen different species are native to Thailand, but only one has been used for seven millennia by both men and women for its hormone-like effects. The standardized for of PM contains a potent plant sterol known as miroesterol, which is particularly effective for relieving menopause symptoms safely and effectively. Miroesterol has estrogen like effects on bone and vaginal tissue, while also protecting the breasts and endometrium from the adverse effects of excess estrogen. In one study, that compared PM to conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), PM had an estrogenic effect that was similar to Premarin but without the side effects. Research has further shown that PM can halt the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro. Pueraria mirifica Promotes fibroblasts in Normal Breast Cells and Inhibits Estrogen-Dependent Breast Cancer Cells Sayan Sawatsri 1,Bundit Juntayanee1,Suwicha Jitpatima2, Prasert Boonnao1, Chuchat Kampoo N Ayuttaya3, Surapote Wongyai4and Neil Sidell5 A series of studies involving breast cell lines and the activity of Pueraria mirifica in vitro have been performed by the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand. These studies have shown that Pueraria mirifica root extract has potent anti-estrogenic properties against aggressive cell cancer lines in vitro, especially the proliferative estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer lines (T47-D, MCF-7, and ZR-75-1) obtained from the MD Anderson Cancer Institute (Texas) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). According to the study conducted at the School of Medicine, Saint Mariane University, Tokyo, Japan by Kuramoshi, T. and Smitasiri, Y. about the preliminary study of Pueraria mirifica in Japanese females, 50 healthy menstruating volunteer females, ages 20 to 49, were given between 100 to 600 mg orally of Pueraria mirifica root powder daily as capsules for 7 days, two weeks after menstruation. No reports of abnormally heavy, severe, or missed menstruation were recorded. Preliminary study of Pueraria mirifica in Japanese. Prof. Kuramoshi* Assoc. Prof. Yuthana Smitasiri** * School of Medicine, Saint Mariane University, Tokyo, Japan ** School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand Material: Pueraria mirifica powder from Kanjanaburi Province, Thailand Volunteer: Female 50 cases (Age varied during 20-49 years) Dosage used: 100-600 mg PM powder / day Taking Time: Any time Period of Taking: 2 weeks after menstruation finished for 7 days Menstrual cycle: 28-31 days Normal Value of result: Normal value for female Data collection: middle of February - 1st week of August 1999 Study Results: Effects of PM taken orally on female hormones Hormones examination (normal values) Pre – taking Post – taking Estrogen in serum follicular phase (20 – 40 pg./ml.) ovulation phase (150 – 400 pg./ml) luteal phase (100 – 300 pg./ml) 18 – 34 urine estrogen E1(3.0 – 17.6 g / 24 hr.) E2(0.7 – 9.0 g / 24 hr.) E3(3.0 – 26.8 g / 24 hr.) 3.6 – 16.3 0.6 – 8.1 3.2 – 27.1 2.9 – 15.5 0.8 – 7.6 3.5 – 24.9 <2 <2 urine pregnanediol (< 2 mg / 24 hr) 267 – 313 129 – 231 Pueraria mirifica (Puresterol) does NOT increase urine estrogen levels, thus avoids any estrogen related risks. How to Turn on Telomerase Activity and Find the Fountain of Youth. By Jeffrey Dach, MD By now, it is should be obvious to you that activating telomerase, protects the telomeres from shortening and will slow or reverse the process of aging. On the contrary, knocking out or inhibiting telomerase activity results in shortened telomeres with acceleration of the aging process. What Activates Telomerase ? Among other things, the bioidentical hormones, 17 beta estradiol (estrogen) and testosterone activate telomerase. The major mechanism for control and activation of telomorase is the hTERT promoter gene which stands for the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene. When the hTERT gene is sequenced, and the code reviewed, it turns out there are two estrogen receptor elements in this gene. This explains why 17-beta estradiol activates telomerase. The Harvard study used Tamoxifen on genetically modified telomeres. In the real world, tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker that occupies the cell receptors and turn OFF telomerase. Androgens were also found to turn on the hTERT gene and activate telomerase, and as expected, androgen blocker drugs inhibit telomerase. Bioidentical Hormones are the more logical choice… http://www.wellsphere.com/genetics-article/bioidentical-hormones-reverse-aging-new-harvard-study-by-jeffrey-dach-md/1295172 Environmental Toxins and Women’s Health Lyn Hanshew, MD 6/11/09 The exponential increase of diseases and symptoms is directly related to the increase in environmental toxins. Over 100,000 toxic chemicals have been released into our environment since World War II 1. A new study by the Environmental Working Group completed in May of 2009 2 found up to 48 toxic chemicals commonly used in everyday consumer products in blood and urine samples of five prominent women environmental activists who live across the U.S. "In everyone we found fire retardants, Teflon chemicals, fragrances, bisphenol A or BPA, and perchlorate" stated Sonya Lunder, MPH. These chemicals have been linked to birth defects, hormonal dysregulation and increased cancer rates. Anila Jacob, MD, MPH notes that health trends in the U.S. suggest that the chemical load plays a role, citing growing rates of autism spectrum disorder, diabetes, and certain cancers. “We are walking, talking toxic waste sites,” Nancy Evans from the Breast Cancer Fund stated in 2001 1. Her comments were regarding the CDC report published in 2001 documented the widespread pesticide contamination, high levels of Mercury and phthalates across the U.S. “I feel stupid, fat and tired” is a common lament of American women. Obesity rates have skyrocketed in the past 20 years with the CDC reporting in June 2009, with 1/6th of Americans overweight and an estimated 39.8 million people affected. Fifty percent of women in the U.S. age 20 to 74 are overweight or obese (The National Women’s Health Information Center). The incidence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is 1/544 Americans and an estimated 500,000 are affected. Thorough evaluation of these people will invariably reveal heavy metal toxicity and correlated neurological, immune and endocrine dysfunction. Journal of Advancement in Medicine Volume 11, Number 1, Spring 1998 Mercury Poisoning and Its Potential Impact on Hormone Regulation and Aging: Preliminary Clinical Observations Using a New Therapeutic Approach James P. Frackelton, MD, FACAM, and R. Lyle Christensen, PhD Mercury and other heavy metal poisoning, represent a problem that is more common than most physicians recognize. Such poisoning can also have far reaching import in the diagnosis and understanding of the patient's hormone status, especially in the aging individual. The diagnosis and treatment of mercury poisoning is a major key to the reversal of hormonal dysregulation, often seen in patients of any age. This paper reviews the important clinical connection between hormone dysregulation and mercury toxicity and offers suggestions for diagnosis and treatment. Correcting Hormone Imbalance with Detoxification Lyn Hanshew, MD 6/11/09 Environmental toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides and volatile organic compounds are more pervasive than ever. From contaminated air and food, to pharmaceutical byproducts in water supplies, as our toxic exposure increases, so does our bio-accumulation of these same toxins. The body has limited ability to metabolize, mobilize and excrete these poisons. Stored toxins negatively impact the neurological, immune and endocrine systems and as significant damage is done, we develop symptoms and disease related to these impaired systems. Let’s examine symptoms related to a toxically impaired endocrine system. Hormones are messenger molecules that interact with receptors on the cell membranes to instruct the cell as to what to do. Common symptoms/diseases of deficient endocrine function include: Obesity, Diabetes, Hypercholesterolemia, Hyper or Hypo glandular function, Infertility, Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Sexual dysfunction, Decreased libido, Impaired memory, Mood disorder, Sleep disturbance, Decreased cognitive function, Decreased cardiac function, Decrease muscle mass, Decreased bone mass, Osteopenia, Constipation, Cold hands/cold feet, and more. In conventional allopathic medicine, a patient is told that the “symptom” she is experiencing (such as one listed previously) is the “problem”, and “Oh, have I got a pharmaceutical drug for you!” Pharmaceutical drugs do not correct the problem of poisoned endocrine pathways. Specifically related to hormone production and regulation, Mercury and other toxins prevent the conversion of Free T4 (inactive) to Free T3 (active). The enzyme required for this conversion is the 5’-deiodinase enzyme. This enzyme is inactivated by Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium and Lead. Why do we need Iodine? Iodine is an essential element in every cell in the body. Our glandular tissues, including the ovaries, uterus, prostate, and the breasts, need adequate amounts of iodine to optimally function. White blood cells cannot effectively guard against infection without adequate amounts of iodine. Iodine enables the function of our thyroid gland, “the master gland of metabolism. It is necessary for the synthesis of thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Iodine deficiency leaves the thyroid gland unable to produce these hormones. When levels of thyroid hormones fall, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is produced by the hypothalamus. TRH then prompts the pituitary gland to make thyrotropin or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which stimulates the thyroid gland’s production of T4 and T3. Too little iodine can enlarge the thyroid gland producing what is known as a “goiter”. Iodine deficiency can also impair fetal brain development and can result in “cretanism”. Where do we get Iodine? The iodine content of most foods depends on the iodine content of the soil. Seafood is rich in iodine because marine animals can concentrate the iodine from seawater. Certain types of seaweed (e.g., wakame) are also very rich in iodine. Processed foods may contain slightly higher levels of iodine due to the addition of iodized salt or food additives, such as calcium iodate and potassium iodate. Dairy products are relatively good sources of iodine because iodine is commonly added to animal feed in the U.S. In the U.K. and northern Europe (however, iodine levels in dairy products tend to be lower in summer when cattle are allowed to graze in pastures with low soil iodine content). The table at left lists the iodine content of some iodine-rich foods in micrograms (mcg). We get much of our iodine from iodized salt, at least in the U.S. and Canada. Because the iodine content of foods can vary considerably, these values should be considered approximate. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iodine/ Why are we deficient? Deficient Soils. Glacial action and natural weathering can leach iodine from the soil leaving it deficient. Plants and animals raised in areas with iodine-deficient soil will be poor sources of iodine in the human diet and the animals themselves will be less healthy and productive. Goitrogenic Foods. Certain raw foods interfere with Iodine utilization, such as bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, garden kress, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radishes, rutabagas, turnips. However, cooking does appear to help minimize or inactivate the goitrogenic compounds found in these foods, since they are heat sensitive. Soy products (soybeans, soybean oil, soy milk, soy lecithin, tempeh, tofu, anything made with soy…) also inhibits Iodine utilization and should be avoided by individuals with low-thyroid functioning. Environmental Toxins – acting as endocrine disruptors and competing with iodine on cell receptors. Iodine Increases Toxic Mineral Elimination Iodine (12.5 to 50 mg daily) increases urinary excretion of lead and mercury as early as 24 hours post iodine intake. Mixing lead acetate (clear and soluble) and Potassium Iodide (Clear and soluble) forms lead acetate (yellow and insoluble) In intestinal tract, when lead from liver binds to iodine, it forms lead iodide, which prevents its reabsorption after elimination by the liver Abraham, G.E. The Orig. Int. 12(2):57-66, 2005 November 7, 2010 ACAM Michael B Schachter MD, CNS 48 New Uses of Iodine as a Chaotropic Element to Remove Toxic Metals Chaotropic element = increases the solubility of proteins in water and this may be one of the mechanisms involved in the elimination of lead and other heavy metals. Iodine doesn’t bind to the metal; rather it changes the structure of water, making the metals more soluble in water. Increases the wetness of water. Hatefi Br Y and Hanstein W.G. Solubilization of Particulate Proteins and Nonelectrolytes by Chaotropic Agents, Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 62:1129-1136, 1969. Cited in Guy Abraham Lecture at Iodine Conference-2007 November 7, 2010 ACAM Michael B Schachter MD, CNS 49 What are the symptoms of iodine deficiency? All of the symptoms of iodine deficiency are related to its effect on the thyroid: Goiter - Without adequate iodine, the thyroid progressively enlarges (develops a goiter) as it tries to keep up with demand for thyroid hormone production. Within a goiter, nodules can develop. Patients with a large goiter may experience symptoms of choking, especially when lying down, and difficulty swallowing and breathing. Pregnancy-related problems - Iodine deficiency is especially important in women who are pregnant or nursing their infants. Severe iodine deficiency in the mother has been associated with miscarriages, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and congenital abnormalities in their babies. Children of mothers with severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy can have mental retardation and problems with growth, hearing, and speech. In the most severe form, an underactive thyroid can result in cretinism (a syndrome characterized by permanent brain damage, mental retardation, deaf mutism, spasticity, and short stature), though this is not seen in the United States. Even mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy, which may be present in some women in the United States, may be associated with low intelligence in children. Hypothyroidism – As the body’s iodine levels fall, hypothyroidism may develop, since iodine is essential for making thyroid hormone. Common symptoms of problem with thyroid due to low thyroid or hypothyroidism are: • Fatigue and weakness • Low basal temperature (cold intolerance) • Dry and coarse skin • Hair loss • Cold hands and feet • Weight gain • Insomnia • Constipation • Depression • Poor memory, forgetfulness, dementia • Nervousness and tremors • Immune system problems • Heavy menstrual periods Possible Clinical Indications for Therapeutic Iodine Use Cancer-especially breast, prostate, uterine Thyroid conditions Cardiovascular conditions Allergies GI conditions Cystic breasts, diabetes, infertility and other endocrine imbalances Infectious diseases (All) Neurological & psychiatric conditions November 7, 2010 ACAM Michael B Schachter MD, CNS 52 Iodine Induces Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells • Molecular iodine (I2) is known to inhibit the induction and promotion of N-methyl-n- nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis and to regress 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene-induced breast tumors (rats) • Iodine induced apoptosis in all of the following cell lines, except MDA-MB-231: Cytotoxicity of iodine on cultured human breast cancer cell lines, namely MCF-7, MDAMB-231, MDA-MB-453, ZR-75-1, and T-47D. Schrivastava A, Tiwari, M, et al. Molecular Iodine Induces Caspaseindependent Apoptosis in Human Breast Carcinoma Cells Involving the Mitochondria-mediated pathway.The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 281, 19762-19771, 2006. November 7, 2010 ACAM Michael B Schachter MD, CNS 53 Iodine’s Role in Preventing & Treating CV Disease 1958: Finland had the highest rate of CAD mortality in Europe More prevalent in Eastern Finland compared to Western Finland—Why? Researchers checked 47 variables & found greatest statistical difference between East & West was iodine intake Risk of death from CAD was 353% higher in individuals with goiter & people with goiter died at a younger age November 7, 2010 ACAM Michael B Schachter MD, CNS 54 Dr. David Brownstein, author of the book “Iodine, Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It”, states that “Approximately 1.5 billion people, about one-third of the earth’s population, live in an area of iodine deficiency as defined by the World Health Organization”. Even though iodine is added to the salt supply, which can help prevent conditions such as goiter, it [iodized salt] is inadequate to prevent an iodine deficiency. David Brownstein, M.D. is a Board-Certified family physician and is one of the foremost practitioners of holistic medicine. He is the Medical Director of the Center for Holistic Medicine in West Bloomfield, MI. Dr. Brownstein has lectured internationally to physicians and others about his success in using natural hormones and nutritional therapies in his practice. https://www.drbrownstein.com/homePage.php What Is Resveratrol? Resveratrol is a natural superior antioxidant compound found in an abundance in red grapes (mainly the skins), grape seed extract, red wine, Japanese Knotweed, peanuts and some berries. A new study has also discovered that significant levels of resveratrol can also be found in cocoa powder and dark chocolate. Reported Resveratrol Health Benefits Include: • Anti-aging and Anti-oxidant • Increased levels of energy and better muscle health • Better heart health and cholesterol • Improved brain and kidney health Improved prostate health and a more regular urine flow • Improved breast health in women • Improved cell protection by inhibiting production of several human cancer cell lines • Resveratrol may reduce liver disease http://www.resveratrolhealthbenefits.net/ Beneficial Hormonal Herbs whole plant extracts of tribulus terrestris, schizandra, licorice and moomiyo, studies show hormonal effects on anabolic (skeletal muscle growth) effects of IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor -1) and reduction of body fat (catabolic effects). Tribulus terrestris is a herb that has been used in the traditional medicine of China and India for centuries. Research performed in Bulgaria and Russia indicates that tribulus increases levels of the hormones testosterone (by increasing luteinizing hormone), DHEA, and estrogen. The hardy schizandra plant, also called the magnolia vine, is an ancient and traditional Chinese remedy, used to help alleviate a wide range of illnesses and conditions, and is believed to work by activating enzymes to produce glutathione. Moomiyo, or “mumie” is a bio-stimulator, serves to elevate the immune system and neuro-hormonal regulation, controls oxidation-reduction processes, and has a positive influence on mineral metabolism. has been used by the elite Russian military and sports establishment for nearly four decades for increasing strength and muscle mass as well as for its recuperative powers. Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp) Powder Maca's reputation as a powerful enhancer of strength and stamina and as a libido-fertility herb goes back more than 500 years, and today it is gaining worldwide attention for its effectiveness. Maca is a radish-like root that grows in the mountains of Peru. Peruvian Maca Root naturally contains significant amounts of amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Maca is both a hormone balancer and an adaptogen. It helps stimulate the pituitary gland, acting as a kind of tonic for the hormone system. When the pituitary gland functions optimally, the entire endocrine system becomes balanced, because the pituitary gland controls the hormone output of the other three glands. Menopause. 2008 Nov-Dec;15(6):1157-62. Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women Brooks NA, Wilcox G, Walker KZ, Ashton JF, Cox MB, Stojanovska L. School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Victoria University, St. Albans, Victoria,Australia. OBJECTIVE: To examine the estrogenic and androgenic activity of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) and its effect on the hormonal profile and symptoms in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Fourteen postmenopausal women completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. They received 3.5 g/day of powered Maca for 6 weeks and matching placebo for 6 weeks, in either order, over a total of 12 weeks. At baseline and weeks 6 and 12 blood samples were collected for the measurement of estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and sex hormonebinding globulin, and the women completed the Greene Climacteric Scale to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms. In addition, aqueous and methanolic Maca extracts were tested for androgenic and estrogenic activity using a yeast-based hormone-dependent reporter assay. RESULTS: No differences were seen in serum concentrations of estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and sex hormone-binding globulin between baseline, Maca treatment, and placebo (P > 0.05). The Greene Climacteric Scale revealed a significant reduction in scores in the areas of psychological symptoms, including the subscales for anxiety and depression and sexual dysfunction after Maca consumption compared with both baseline and placebo (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings show that Lepidium meyenii (Maca) (3.5 g/d) reduces psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression, and lowers measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women independent of estrogenic and androgenic activity. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18784609 Ensure Safe, Effective Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement: Select the Right Hormone Test for Your Patient. By Lara Pizzorno, MDiv, MA, LMT. Managing Editor, Longevity Medicine Review Treating the sequelae of the age-and stress related decline in adult hormones with bio-identical hormone replacement (BHRT) can restore more youthful hormone levels and significantly alleviate symptoms associated with “normal” aging, optimizing health, happiness and quality of life. Successful and safe BHRT, however, necessitates laboratory testing to assess the patient’s curent hormonal status, monitor treatment, and ensure that hormones are being metabolized in ways that reduce risks for cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, other age-related diseases and declines in cognitive and sexual function. Hormones can be assayed using saliva, blood (serum), and urine. Each testing method has advantages and disadvantages. Which of the three hormone test methods, or which combination of tests, you will wish to utilize will depend upon what information you need in a given clinical situation. www.lmreview.com Genetic testing for 70+ specific markers * Phase I and Phase II Detox (Anti-aging) * Oxidative Stress * Bone Health * Lipid Profiling * Diabetes * Inflammation * Nutria-gen * Lactose Intolerance * Weight & Exercise Management THANK YOU Garry F. Gordon MD, DO, MD(H) GORDON RESEARCH INSTITUTE 600 N. Beeline Hwy, Payson, AZ 85541 PH 928-472-4263 Fax 1-928-474-3819 [email protected] www.gordonresearch.com