Monthly Archives: July 2016

BHRT Restores Key Hormones

Once you have chosen bioidentical hormone replacement using pellet therapy, you’ve already gone a long way towards supporting a healthy brain. That’s because your sex hormones—estradiol, progesterone and testosterone—remain essential throughout your life and are especially good for your brain. When they diminish and disappear at menopause and andropause, it changes the way your brain works. You may experience moodiness, negativity, depression, foggy thinking, memory loss, trouble concentrating, forgetfulness and other cognitive issues.

Healthy, youthful levels of hormones, on the other hand, work synergistically to protect brain function and keep your mind sharp as you age. Research studies are ongoing, but considerable data exists to support the important role in cognitive health played by key hormones. ^1,2,3

Maximizing Brain Power as You Age

BHRT is only one piece of the puzzle. The other piece is you. There are known risk factors for what is called age-related cognitive decline. Lack of physical activity, excess body weight, chronic low-level inflammation and uncontrolled high blood pressure are examples. So what can you do that is proactive and possibly preventive?

Diet. Focus on nutrient dense whole foods that are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids and other beneficial substances. Some great brain foods include beets, spinach, walnuts, celery, dark chocolate, apples, cinnamon, chia seeds and turmeric.

Physical Exercise. This is perhaps the best elixir you could take to improve your memory and alertness, and for building new brain cells. Exercise increases circulation and metabolism, lowers stress and elevates mood. Research has shown that physical exercise can both prevent later-life dementia⁴ and improve memory and learning in older adults.⁵

Mental exercise. Like your muscles, your brain needs to be stretched to keep it supple and strong. The best brain boosting activities take you out of your comfort zone to learn something new and unfamiliar. If it isn’t challenging, you aren’t stretching enough. Pick an activity that is mentally demanding, engaging and requires effort.

There are plenty of helpful online resources with many more suggestions on how to keep your brain healthy. For a starting point, check out some ideas at the Open Education Database, http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/100-ways-to-keep-your-mind-healthy/.

¹ Antonella Gasbarri; Assunta Pompili; Maria Clotilde Tavares; Carlos Tomaz. Estrogen and Cognitive Function. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab. 2009;5(5):507-520.
² Brinton RD, Thompson RF, Foy MR, Baudry M, Wang J, Finch CE, Morgan TE, Pike CJ, Mack WJ, Stanczyk FZ, Nilsen J. Progesterone receptors: form and function in brain. Front Neuroendocrinol. 2008 May;29(2):313-39. doi: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2008.02.001. Epub 2008 Feb 23.
³ Zitzmann M. Testosterone and the brain. Aging Male. 2006 Dec;9(4):195-9.
⁴ Laura F. DeFina, Benjamin L. Willis, Nina B. Radford, Ang Gao, David Leonard, William L. Haskell, Myron F. Weiner, Jarett D. Berry. The Association Between Midlife Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels and Later-Life Dementia: A Cohort Study. Annals of Internal Medicine, 5 February 2013, Vol 158, No. 3.
⁵ Gregory MA, Gill DP, Petrella RJ. Brain health and exercise in older adults. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2013 Jul-Aug;12(4):256-71. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e31829a74fd.

Yes. Perhaps one of the most discouraging parts of approaching menopause is the weight gain. In fact, almost 90% of women between the ages of 35 and 55 gain weight. Total body fat increases, especially around the waistline, while at the same time lean muscle mass decreases. The same is true for men experiencing andropause.

Hormone imbalance makes it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. For women, waning estrogen levels often trigger the body to store fat. According to medical research, hormone loss does even more damage. Diminished estrogen levels or a lessening of estrogen receptor function in women also raises the risk for developing insulin resistance¹, increased belly fat, ^2,3 liver dysfunction, ^4,5 and skeletal muscle dysfunction.^6,7 Low levels of total, bioavailable and free testosterone in both men and women are likewise scientifically linked to increased risk of various diseases including cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and even mortality⁸. Bone mass, muscle mass, strength, libido and sex drive are also negatively impacted by testosterone deficiency.

Combatting weight gain begins with restoring your hormones to youthful levels.

Correctly administered bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be your path to regaining and maintaining a healthy weight and increased well-being as you age. Make sure you see a physician who is expert in balancing hormones. We recommend using the pellet implant method as it is scientifically proven to be the safest and most effective BHRT method available.^9,10,11,12 This technique is the closest thing we have to the way the body works, especially when given in individualized doses. And it is the only delivery system that allows the body to control the release of the hormone so that during vigorous exercise or increased stress when you need more hormone, you’re capable of getting it.

Eating healthy and getting regular exercise must be a priority.

When you combine the pellet method of hormone restoration with a new exercise regime and a healthy diet, remarkable things can happen. Once your estrogen (i.e. estradiol) and testosterone levels are returned to consistent, healthy, youthful levels, you’ll find your motivation to exercise return. Additionally, you’ll begin to notice results from your workouts, lose your foggy thinking and grumpy, apathetic, stay-at-home attitude. Like so many others, you’ll feel like you’ve regained your life!

¹ Gorres BK, Bomhoff GL, Morris JK, Geiger PC. In vivo stimulation of estrogen receptor-alpha increases insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake. J. Physiol. 2011; 589(Pt 8):2041–54.
² Wohlers LM, Jackson KC, Spangenburg EE. Lipolytic signaling in response to acute exercise is altered in female mice following ovariectomy. J. Cell. Biochem. 2011; 112(12):3675–84.
³ Wohlers LM, Spangenburg EE. 17Beta-estradiol supplementation attenuates ovariectomy-induced increases in ATGL signaling and reduced perilipin expression in visceral adipose tissue. J. Cell. Biochem. 2010; 110(2):420–7.
⁴ Jackson KC, Wohlers LM, Valencia AP, et al. Wheel running prevents the accumulation of monounsaturated fatty acids in the liver of ovariectomized mice by attenuating changes in SCD-1 content. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 2011; 36(6):798–810.
⁵ Lavoie JM, Pighon A. NAFLD, estrogens, and physical exercise: the animal model. J. Nutr. Metab. 2012; 2012:914938.
⁶ Moran AL, Nelson SA, Landisch RM, Warren GL, Lowe DA. Estradiol replacement reverses ovariectomy-induced muscle contractile and myosin dysfunction in mature female mice. J. Appl. Physiol. 2007; 102(4): 1387–93.
⁷ Sitnick M, Foley AM, Brown M, Spangenburg EE. Ovariectomy prevents the recovery of atrophied gastrocnemius skeletal muscle mass. J. Appl. Physiol. 2006; 100(1):286–93.
⁸ Morgentaler A, Miner MM, Caliber M, Guay AT, Khera M, Traish AM. Testosterone therapy and cardiovascular risk: advances and controversies.Mayo Clin. Proc. 2015;90(2):224-251.
⁹ Salmon U, et. al.: Use of estradiol subcutaneous pellets in humans. Science 1939,90:162.
¹⁰ Mishel, D: Clinical study of estrogenic therapy with pellet implantation. Am J Obstet-Gynecol 1941:41:1009.
¹¹ Studd, J: Estradiol and testosterone implants in the treatment of psychosexual problems in postmenopausal women. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1977:84:314.
¹² Greenblatt, R: Indications for hormone pellets in the therapy of endocrine and gynaecological disorders. American J Obstet Gyn, 1949:57:294.

Why Are More People Choosing Bioidentical Hormones?

The influence of pharmaceutical companies on hormone replacement therapy is gradually declining. More physicians and patients are now choosing bioidentical hormones instead of synthetic or animal derived alternatives.

This shift is largely driven by increased awareness of the risks and side effects associated with synthetic hormone substitutes. At the same time, there is a growing preference for natural and body compatible solutions across all areas of health.

As a result, bioidentical hormone therapy is becoming a more widely accepted and trusted option for restoring hormonal balance.

Research Evidence on the Safety of Bioidentical Hormones

Synthetic hormones differ significantly from the hormones naturally produced in the human body. They do not share the same molecular structure, receptor compatibility, or absorption patterns.

Over the years, research has linked these differences to a higher risk of serious health conditions. These include breast cancer, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, and blood clots.

Bioidentical hormones, in contrast, are structurally identical to the hormones produced by the body. This allows them to work in harmony with the body’s natural systems.

Because hormones function together as a network, effective therapy must focus on balancing multiple hormones rather than addressing only one. When balance is restored using bioidentical hormones, the body receives what it is naturally designed to recognize and utilize.

These hormones communicate effectively with receptor cells, metabolize properly, and support essential biological functions.

A major review published in 2008 by Schwartz and Holtorf analyzed 267 scientific studies comparing bioidentical hormones with synthetic and animal derived alternatives. The authors concluded that properly informed hormone use can improve symptoms and should be considered an important part of both wellness and disease prevention.

What Does Research Say About Effectiveness?

Despite attempts to discredit bioidentical hormones, scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness continues to grow.

Bioidentical hormones have been used successfully since the 1930s and remain widely accepted in regions such as Europe and Australia. Their use has also increased significantly in the United States in recent years.

A comprehensive review published in 2006 evaluated 138 studies comparing the safety and effectiveness of synthetic and bioidentical hormones. The research focused on outcomes related to the breast, endometrium, bone health, cardiovascular system, and brain function.

The findings suggested that bioidentical progesterone does not negatively impact blood lipids or blood vessels, unlike many synthetic alternatives. It may also carry a lower risk of breast cancer.

Additionally, studies indicated that bioidentical estrogen and progesterone are associated with a reduced risk of blood clots compared to non bioidentical options. These therapies have also shown effectiveness in managing menopausal symptoms.

The author of the review supported the continued study of bioidentical hormones while noting that there is already sufficient evidence to favor their use over synthetic counterparts.

Additional Evidence Supporting Bioidentical Hormones

Another important review published in 2008 by Schwartz and Holtorf reinforced these findings. Their analysis of 267 studies highlighted clear physiological differences between bioidentical and synthetic hormones.

The research demonstrated that bioidentical hormones often produce opposite and more favorable effects compared to synthetic alternatives.

In terms of major health risks such as breast cancer, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, the evidence suggested that bioidentical hormones are both safer and more effective forms of hormone replacement therapy.

The Takeaway

Choosing the right form of hormone therapy is an important decision that can significantly impact long term health.

Synthetic hormone therapies have been associated with increased risks of serious conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and blood clots.

Bioidentical hormones, on the other hand, are linked to lower risks and have demonstrated positive effects on overall health and well being. They may also help reduce the risk of osteoporosis while supporting hormonal balance.

When considering hormone replacement therapy, it is essential to work with a physician who understands the science behind bioidentical hormones and focuses on individualized care.

A personalized approach ensures that treatment is based on your unique hormonal needs rather than a generalized method.

This is the approach followed at Advanced Hormone Solutions, where treatments are designed to restore balance using scientifically grounded methods tailored to each patient.

1 Rossouw JE, Anderson GL, Prentice RL, et al. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results From the Women’s Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2002;288:321-333.

2 Schwartz ET1, Holtorf K. Hormones in wellness and disease prevention: common practices, current state of the evidence, and questions for the future. Prim Care. 2008 Dec;35(4):669-705. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2008.07.015.

3 Moskowitz D. A comprehensive review of the safety and efficacy of bioidentical hormones for the management of menopause and related health risks. Altern Med Rev. 2006 Sep;11(3):208-23.

A respected physician tells his diabetic patients that out of the 8,760 hours there are in a year, they see their health care providers on average only 10 of those hours. That leaves more than 99% of the time that they, the patients, are in charge of their own health. After all, it is their health. It’s the doctor’s responsibility to help patients understand how to do the best job possible to manage it.

Great perspective and great advice that is relevant to all of us. We are the deciders when it comes to our well-being.

Here are a few ways to help you take charge of your own health as you age:

1) Educate yourself. The Internet is both a blessing and a curse. You have an unlimited resource at your fingertips, but there’s also a lot of misinformation. Read widely but with a healthy skepticism. Remember, there’s never just one answer to good health and one study does not establish a scientific truth. You are unique and what works for someone else, may not be right for you. Nonetheless, be informed and do your homework.

2) Do some serious soul searching. What are your biggest health hurdles? Do you have any serious conditions or minor ones that could become serious? Are you overweight? Do you exercise enough? Do you see your doctor for regular checkups? Are you worried about your health as you age? What are you willing to do to be healthy? Do you have the discipline to make changes and stick to them? Once you’ve surveyed your status quo, make a checklist and then make a sincere commitment to take steps.

3) Food is your ally. An abundance of long term studies and surveys continue to show a strong connection between diet and disease. In other words, what you eat can influence whether you fall victim to many aging-related illnesses like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and others. Some good reads on the topic include Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes. In this evidence-based book, author and clinical researcher, Dr. Neal Barnard, explains the nutrition-diabetes relationship. Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. presents a strong argument for implementing a plant-based diet in Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. Perhaps the most compelling case for adopting a healthy diet is The China Study, authored by Drs. T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II. This comprehensive study of nutrition has been called “one of the most important books about nutrition every written.”

4) Exercise. Science shows that exercise at any age or stage of life will benefit you. And it’s never too late to start an exercise program. Join a gym, sign up for yoga or get together with friends for morning walks. You’ll find that the benefits of exercise are instantaneous and invigorating. Remember, it doesn’t have to be strenuous to be beneficial. When you do something as simple as walking, it raises your heart rate, increases your respiration, burns calories and gives your muscles a workout.

5) Hormonal balance is vital. Your long term health depends on more than just diet and exercise. Hormonal balance is key to maintaining many important internal body functions. As you age, the production of certain vital hormones—i.e. estradiol and testosterone—stops or slows down. You need physiologic levels of these hormones to stay healthy. They impact every system, cell, gland and organ in your body. Your brain, muscles, bones, heart, lungs, and so on, all depend on hormones to keep them healthy. As an essential part of managing your health as you age, see a hormone replacement expert like SottoPelle® to have your hormone health checkup.

If you’ve tried other methods of hormone replacement therapy—for instance pills, patches, creams, gels, suppositories or others—you know they can be inconvenient, messy and pose other issues. Dosing can be tricky too. Oral methods mean you have to take high doses of hormones in order to attain proper blood levels; dosing schedules can get complicated; using gels and creams can result in too much or too little hormone and so on.

Pellet implants, on the other hand, provide biologically identical hormones in a way the body recognizes and can utilize. What makes them so effective are the consistent blood levels of bioavailable hormones. Also, the dosing can be individualized to your own body’s needs. And they last longer than any other hormone replacement method.

1) Pellet BHRT has been prescribed since the 1930s
Hormone replacement using the pellet delivery method (subcutaneous implants) has been widely available for more than three-quarters of a century. In fact, beginning in the early 1940s, it became a very popular HRT treatment in the U.S. for about 30 years. Then, in the 1970s, pharmaceutical manufacturers introduced their newly developed and patented synthetic hormones. Shrewd marketing convinced the public, the medical establishment and the FDA to accept these new drugs as healthy and efficacious despite the long list of side effects, warnings and health risks. That being said, subcutaneous implants have remained accepted and commonly prescribed in Europe, Australia and other parts of the world.

2) Research supports the pellet implant hormone delivery system
Since the early 1940s, reports have appeared in a wide range of respected international journals validating the many benefits of pellet HRT. In fact, there is more supportive data on this method than any other form of hormone replacement therapy. The longevity of this science-based modality attests to the fact that, when properly managed, it is scientifically recognized as the safest and most effective method available for administering hormone replacement therapy. ^1,2,3,4

3) Pellets are made from natural plant sources and are biologically identical to human hormones
The bioidentical hormones in pellets are made from either wild yam or soybeans. They are manufactured to the highest quality standards by facilities that are registered and inspected by the FDA. The hormones are formulated to precisely match human hormones. In other words, bioidenticals are able to fully communicate with receptor cells throughout the body and perform the many important tasks it requires. This isn’t the case with synthetic hormones, which can accomplish some tasks but not all. The intended imperfection of these formulations is the reason that synthetics can be patented, but also why they can cause havoc within the body and why they are required by the FDA to come with warnings about side effects and serious health risks.

4) Pellet implants use very small doses of hormone
Pellets are designed to release small amounts of hormone directly into the blood stream around the clock over a period of months (typically they last 3 to 6 months). This very closely matches the body’s own feedback system for releasing hormones and provides the steady, physiologic blood levels the body is used to.

Because pellets don’t have to pass through the gastrointestinal system or liver, smaller doses can be used to accomplish successful results. This makes pellet implants a much healthier alternative than oral methods like pills, tablets or capsules, which must be given in high doses to achieve any results at all.  Click here to learn more about SottoPelle BHRT Pellets.

1. Salmon, U., et al. Use of estradiol subcutaneous pellets in humans. Science 1939, 90: 162.
2. Greenblatt R. Indications for hormone pellets in the therapy of endocrine and gynaecological disorders. AM J Obstet-Synecol 1949; 57:294.
3. Morris Notelovitz et al. Metabolic & Hormonal Effects of 25mg & 50mg, 17-¬‐B-¬‐Estadiol Implants. Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 70, No. 5, Nov 1987
4. Suhonen S1, Sipinen S, Lähteenmäki P, Laine H, Rainio J, Arko H. Postmenopausal oestrogen replacement therapy with subcutaneous oestradiol implants. Maturitas. 1993 Mar;16(2):123-31.