Last week I mentioned that I would give more information about cholesterol so this weeks blog is: Should I use statin drugs to lower my total cholesterol?
I get this question a lot.
Most people are told that they should know both of their cholesterol numbers (but they usually only know the total). Most doctors want the total cholesterol to be below 200 points. This is probably a much longer discussion so lets just get right to the conversation about statin drugs and cholesterol.
First let's address what statin drugs are? They are a classification of certain drugs used to block the absorption of dietary cholesterol by the liver. They block the fats from the food you eat. (If your triglycerides, another measurement of total fats in your body, are in the normal range then the reason your cholesterol is high is probably NOT dietary.)
I'm not saying that you shouldn't take statin drugs, that's between you and your doctor. But wouldn't you like to know a little more about why you're taking this type of drug for your health? What you are often not told is that most of your cholesterol is MADE by your liver and statins are made to block absorption of cholesterol in your liver.
Since your body needs cholesterol to make nerves and hormones, and cholesterol is metabolized in your liver, taking statin drugs makes your liver work harder. Why would you want your liver to work harder? I think this is a good question and other scientists think so too. Think of your liver like a fine automobile. The cleaner it is, the better it runs. Taking care of your liver, that is, keeping it clean so that it doesn't have to work so hard should be a top priority. A clean and well working liver works more effectively, which could mean less use of statin drugs.
There are several natural supplements that support and help metabolize the cholesterol that's hanging around, thereby lowering cholesterol levels and making your arteries happy. Everyone wins!!!!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Memory Loss: Menopause or Something Else?
Last week I began a thread on the topic of memory loss in menopause. I mentioned that some physicians believe memory loss is due in part to insomnia, as well as stress and general aging. I believe these are factors and not necessarily the root cause. This week I address the more age advanced issue that many women are afraid may happen to them: Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Last week I had two different clients, one in her early 80’s the other in her early 70’s, questioning me about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. One said that she saw a TV show on PBS about how the incidents of these two diagnoses are on the rise. She was very worried about the possible onset of either of these diseases.
One of the reasons dementia and Alzheimer’s is on the rise is the over use of cholesterol blocking agents, which I’ll address in Part 2 of this topic next week.
Just so you don’t think you are losing your mind some general memory loss does not mean you are headed for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These are very different conditions from the type of memory loss that women experience as a menopausal symptom.
So that begs the question: What does cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? Much of what I’m about to say is theory because quite frankly there is still a lot we do not know about what causes these diseases.
Basic physiology states that your brain cells need oxygen to function optimally. Oxygen is delivered by the blood and blood vessels. As you age your "pipes” or blood vessels start to lose their elasticity and "harden.” You know this happens because your blood pressure rises in response. The way you know this is you go to the doctor’s office and have our blood pressure taken. (Please be aware that there can be other reasons for your blood pressure to rise. This does not necessarily mean you need to be on blood pressure meds and this is not always a black and white situation. Please also remember this discussion is in the context of aging, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease).
Generally speaking, the Western approach to high blood pressure is almost always to take anti-hypertensive medications to bring down your blood pressure. Now, in fairness some of the drugs used will address the issue of blood vessel elasticity and some will not. You may now gather that hypertension or high blood pressure is actually a symptom and not a disease, although in Western medicine it is now characterized as a disease.
There are several herbs and vitamins that will address the issue of vessel repair. For a more detailed discussion about your personal health situation, you can call my office to schedule a consultation.
In the meantime, studies have shown that by doing brain challenges you keep the pathways open. Challenge yourself by finding number or word games that make you think in different ways and stimulate pathways that don't get worked as often. I also recommend reading books, newspapers and anything that is out of your comfort zone.
Finally, you always want to pay attention to how your mind, body and emotions are changing so you can address any issues early on.
Last week I had two different clients, one in her early 80’s the other in her early 70’s, questioning me about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. One said that she saw a TV show on PBS about how the incidents of these two diagnoses are on the rise. She was very worried about the possible onset of either of these diseases.
One of the reasons dementia and Alzheimer’s is on the rise is the over use of cholesterol blocking agents, which I’ll address in Part 2 of this topic next week.
Just so you don’t think you are losing your mind some general memory loss does not mean you are headed for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These are very different conditions from the type of memory loss that women experience as a menopausal symptom.
So that begs the question: What does cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? Much of what I’m about to say is theory because quite frankly there is still a lot we do not know about what causes these diseases.
Basic physiology states that your brain cells need oxygen to function optimally. Oxygen is delivered by the blood and blood vessels. As you age your "pipes” or blood vessels start to lose their elasticity and "harden.” You know this happens because your blood pressure rises in response. The way you know this is you go to the doctor’s office and have our blood pressure taken. (Please be aware that there can be other reasons for your blood pressure to rise. This does not necessarily mean you need to be on blood pressure meds and this is not always a black and white situation. Please also remember this discussion is in the context of aging, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease).
Generally speaking, the Western approach to high blood pressure is almost always to take anti-hypertensive medications to bring down your blood pressure. Now, in fairness some of the drugs used will address the issue of blood vessel elasticity and some will not. You may now gather that hypertension or high blood pressure is actually a symptom and not a disease, although in Western medicine it is now characterized as a disease.
There are several herbs and vitamins that will address the issue of vessel repair. For a more detailed discussion about your personal health situation, you can call my office to schedule a consultation.
In the meantime, studies have shown that by doing brain challenges you keep the pathways open. Challenge yourself by finding number or word games that make you think in different ways and stimulate pathways that don't get worked as often. I also recommend reading books, newspapers and anything that is out of your comfort zone.
Finally, you always want to pay attention to how your mind, body and emotions are changing so you can address any issues early on.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Of all the things I've lost recently, I miss my mind the most.
Or, why did I come into this room? I came in for something, I wish I could remember what it was.
We were visiting with some friends the other day and talking about health issues. We were all female and between the ages of early forties to mid to late 50's. One friend stated that when she visited her doctor he told her that the loss of memory was unrelated to her menopause experience. He thinks that the memory loss comes from insomnia. I believe that the memory dysfunction is aggravated by the insomnia but not necessarily the cause, as any menopausal woman will likely agree.
Memory loss can be very irritating. I remember when my mother started to go through this and we would finish her sentences for her. It was quite fun for us. Now, when it's done to me I'm not near as nice as my mother was. She was always a good sport about it. Better than I am.
There are herbal supplements on the market that are marketed as memory enhancers. I caution women in various stages of menopause about taking these supplements, especially Ginko. The reason is that Ginko can have a "hot" side; that is, it can cause "heat" in women. Any woman already experiencing hot flashes or night sweats will not want to aggravate them even more.
So what can you? Well, one thing you can do to help with memory loss is to challenge yourself by playing games. I do word games and number games to figure things out and to remember sequences. It’s a great start to keeping your mind active.
To quote from Fiddle on the Roof, "I don't remember growing older." Perhaps that's a blessing.
We were visiting with some friends the other day and talking about health issues. We were all female and between the ages of early forties to mid to late 50's. One friend stated that when she visited her doctor he told her that the loss of memory was unrelated to her menopause experience. He thinks that the memory loss comes from insomnia. I believe that the memory dysfunction is aggravated by the insomnia but not necessarily the cause, as any menopausal woman will likely agree.
Memory loss can be very irritating. I remember when my mother started to go through this and we would finish her sentences for her. It was quite fun for us. Now, when it's done to me I'm not near as nice as my mother was. She was always a good sport about it. Better than I am.
There are herbal supplements on the market that are marketed as memory enhancers. I caution women in various stages of menopause about taking these supplements, especially Ginko. The reason is that Ginko can have a "hot" side; that is, it can cause "heat" in women. Any woman already experiencing hot flashes or night sweats will not want to aggravate them even more.
So what can you? Well, one thing you can do to help with memory loss is to challenge yourself by playing games. I do word games and number games to figure things out and to remember sequences. It’s a great start to keeping your mind active.
To quote from Fiddle on the Roof, "I don't remember growing older." Perhaps that's a blessing.
Labels:
Ginko,
memory loss,
menopause,
natural supplements,
perimenopause
Monday, September 7, 2009
Why should I seek advise from a health care professional when...
I have clients that say to me “I see many TV and Internet advertisements for products that will treat all of my menopausal symptoms. They say that my symptoms will disappear like magic if I just take THEIR product.” With all of these ads and their products out on the Internet, why should I seek advice and care from a professional when I can just buy the other stuff?
Well…you can try it. It might help. And it might not. Sometimes you need a combination of things to work together. And sometimes you need to take things in certain combinations for a short time and then change all together. Will the Internet tell you how what supplement to take when, how much and other supplements you should or should NOT combine their product with?
With menopause there is a "dance of the hormones" that occurs and you often need to vary when and how much to take to get to the balance point. This dance is dynamic…moving all the time.
I have this client. She has bought some of these products over the Internet and from ads in magazines. Now, she has a back room full of half full bottles of stuff that didn't work or made her worse than she did before, which can be dangerous. In the long run she wasted a lot of time and money because what she really needed were the custom formulas I helped her with. These are formulas that are designed just for her and her problems.
Sometimes at the beginning of the menopausal transition you can get by with over the counter remedies. As the journey deepens and lengthens how your symptoms are dealt with becomes much more complex and requires closer monitoring, sometimes you need subtle changes in your menopausal program on a weekly basis. You likely cannot get this over the Internet and definitely not from magazine ads.
Buying products that don't work isn't cost or time effective and more importantly you do not want to do harm that takes weeks or even months to undo. This is NOT my idea of a good investment in your health.
Well…you can try it. It might help. And it might not. Sometimes you need a combination of things to work together. And sometimes you need to take things in certain combinations for a short time and then change all together. Will the Internet tell you how what supplement to take when, how much and other supplements you should or should NOT combine their product with?
With menopause there is a "dance of the hormones" that occurs and you often need to vary when and how much to take to get to the balance point. This dance is dynamic…moving all the time.
I have this client. She has bought some of these products over the Internet and from ads in magazines. Now, she has a back room full of half full bottles of stuff that didn't work or made her worse than she did before, which can be dangerous. In the long run she wasted a lot of time and money because what she really needed were the custom formulas I helped her with. These are formulas that are designed just for her and her problems.
Sometimes at the beginning of the menopausal transition you can get by with over the counter remedies. As the journey deepens and lengthens how your symptoms are dealt with becomes much more complex and requires closer monitoring, sometimes you need subtle changes in your menopausal program on a weekly basis. You likely cannot get this over the Internet and definitely not from magazine ads.
Buying products that don't work isn't cost or time effective and more importantly you do not want to do harm that takes weeks or even months to undo. This is NOT my idea of a good investment in your health.
Labels:
hormones,
menopause,
perimenopause,
supplements,
women's health
Monday, August 31, 2009
Why I haven't written lately?
I have been so upset over the misinformation about the health care crisis that I have done nothing but study and arm myself with info. Yes, it is confusing and there is a lot of information and some of it deliberately confusing.
In nurses training we were constantly instructed that the "patient was ALWAYS THE most important aspect of care". We always protected the patient. One of my favorite movies is a movie called "People Will Talk" with Cary Grant.... In it he plays a Doctor and one of my favorite lines is when he says "We make sick people well". That's what I thought we were doing in nurses training.
As I have gotten older and watched the profession that I love change I have not been happy with the changes. We are letting insurance companies dictate what we can and cannot do to help our patients. Good health doesn't seem to be a goal. Ten to fifteen minute visits are designed it seems so we don't get sicker. Insurance companies aren't the only ones. Hospital administrators used to be Doctors also, not just money makers. We MUST put the heart back into health care not just money.
I didn't leave the hospital because I wasn't making enough money but because the money I was making wasn't worth it. I got tired of fighting for what was right and good about our profession. And watching "others" get paid not to take care of patients but to invest money in places where it doesn't belong. You may not remember but Insurance companies never were set up to make a profit. They would pay the claim in a timely way because that money was yours. The hospitals were paid and tests were gotten, surgeries were done and even rides to the hospitals in ambulances were also paid all by insurance companies. NO Questions asked. Just Paid.
Now, the dance is submit a claim, get it sent back to you with questions that are clearly answered by the bill that is submitted. REPEAT until the patient dies or we just get too frustrated to deal with it any more. The money that you pay is their money not yours and you have to justify your NEED of it back. This is why most GOOD Doctors don't want ANYTHING to do with insurance. I'm personally still waiting for two claims that I submitted for two different clients and I have waited two and a half years for the money that I deserve.
My Kumu Huna once said that real fatigue comes from hard work or not getting paid enough for what you're doing. And there is another reason... fighting for something and never getting anywhere.... It begs the question what is insane? Doing the same thing over and over and wanting a different response.
I hope that this has brought questions to you and that you're now not afraid to ask them.
In nurses training we were constantly instructed that the "patient was ALWAYS THE most important aspect of care". We always protected the patient. One of my favorite movies is a movie called "People Will Talk" with Cary Grant.... In it he plays a Doctor and one of my favorite lines is when he says "We make sick people well". That's what I thought we were doing in nurses training.
As I have gotten older and watched the profession that I love change I have not been happy with the changes. We are letting insurance companies dictate what we can and cannot do to help our patients. Good health doesn't seem to be a goal. Ten to fifteen minute visits are designed it seems so we don't get sicker. Insurance companies aren't the only ones. Hospital administrators used to be Doctors also, not just money makers. We MUST put the heart back into health care not just money.
I didn't leave the hospital because I wasn't making enough money but because the money I was making wasn't worth it. I got tired of fighting for what was right and good about our profession. And watching "others" get paid not to take care of patients but to invest money in places where it doesn't belong. You may not remember but Insurance companies never were set up to make a profit. They would pay the claim in a timely way because that money was yours. The hospitals were paid and tests were gotten, surgeries were done and even rides to the hospitals in ambulances were also paid all by insurance companies. NO Questions asked. Just Paid.
Now, the dance is submit a claim, get it sent back to you with questions that are clearly answered by the bill that is submitted. REPEAT until the patient dies or we just get too frustrated to deal with it any more. The money that you pay is their money not yours and you have to justify your NEED of it back. This is why most GOOD Doctors don't want ANYTHING to do with insurance. I'm personally still waiting for two claims that I submitted for two different clients and I have waited two and a half years for the money that I deserve.
My Kumu Huna once said that real fatigue comes from hard work or not getting paid enough for what you're doing. And there is another reason... fighting for something and never getting anywhere.... It begs the question what is insane? Doing the same thing over and over and wanting a different response.
I hope that this has brought questions to you and that you're now not afraid to ask them.
Labels:
health care,
insurance,
women's health
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Why do physicians focus on Estrogen?
Estrogen is an important hormone yet it isn't the only hormone that decreases as we age. Thyroid hormones, growth hormones, DHEA, and testosterone all decline with age.
However, research has determined that estrogen affects other areas of the body not just the reproductive areas. Estrogen plays an important role in the production and maintenance of bone and it has demonstrated a protective role in heart health. It also has a positive influence on behavior and moods.
The metabolism of estrogen within the body is a complex subject. The simplified version is that it starts with cholesterol (see, cholesterol is important). Most of the cholesterol in your body is actually produced in your liver. Having a clean, well functioning liver is a good place to start for proper metabolism of estrogen and general good health because your liver is the clearing house for toxins (this doesn't mean you go out and do a liver cleanse. That's a whole other topic).
Estrogen metabolism is also dependent on other factors such as proper cellular levels of vitamins E and folic acid. There is also another subset of estrogen known as Phytoestrogens which are natural hormones found in plants that have a somewhat similar action to those of human estrogen. These are found in significant levels in soy and flaxseed. They have been known to reduce the symptoms of low estrogen without increasing the risk of certain cancers. Because of the risk factors involved in increasing estrogen or taking hormone replacement therapy, it is important that you spend time discussing your choices with your health care professional. As always, my reminder to you is to NOT self-diagnose and/or self-prescribe.
However, research has determined that estrogen affects other areas of the body not just the reproductive areas. Estrogen plays an important role in the production and maintenance of bone and it has demonstrated a protective role in heart health. It also has a positive influence on behavior and moods.
The metabolism of estrogen within the body is a complex subject. The simplified version is that it starts with cholesterol (see, cholesterol is important). Most of the cholesterol in your body is actually produced in your liver. Having a clean, well functioning liver is a good place to start for proper metabolism of estrogen and general good health because your liver is the clearing house for toxins (this doesn't mean you go out and do a liver cleanse. That's a whole other topic).
Estrogen metabolism is also dependent on other factors such as proper cellular levels of vitamins E and folic acid. There is also another subset of estrogen known as Phytoestrogens which are natural hormones found in plants that have a somewhat similar action to those of human estrogen. These are found in significant levels in soy and flaxseed. They have been known to reduce the symptoms of low estrogen without increasing the risk of certain cancers. Because of the risk factors involved in increasing estrogen or taking hormone replacement therapy, it is important that you spend time discussing your choices with your health care professional. As always, my reminder to you is to NOT self-diagnose and/or self-prescribe.
Labels:
estrogen,
heart health,
hormones,
menopause,
perimenopause,
thyroid
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
What are hormones?
The medical dictionary describes hormones as a chemical substance produced in the body which has a specific effect on the activity of a certain organ or organs. In other words, hormones can effect change in organs.
There are three major hormones that are produced by the ovaries. They are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Each of these hormones feeds back to the brain in a feedback loop and can affect the emotions as well as the organs.
Testosterone is considered a male hormone but is still present in smaller amounts in women. It helps maintain sexual desire. It also helps reduce fat and builds and maintains muscle mass. Symptoms of low or deficient testosterone are: Weight gain, an increase in belly fat, muscle loss, fatigue, depression, loss of sexual desire, loss of shine in the hair, dryness of the skin and hair, lack of mental clarity and urinary incontinence.
Progesterone is mostly associated with PMS symptoms. It's mostly responsible for muscle relaxation and emotional control.
Estrogen deficiency comes with menopause. The symptoms include: weight gain, belly fat, hot flashes or flushes, dry skin, depression, dryness of the vagina and skin, insomnia, fatigue, irritability, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
Please note that I have not yet covered the symtoms for the excess of these hormones. The symptoms for excess and deficiency are so similar that diagnosis can be tricky - please see your health care practitioner for an accurate diagnosis. This is NOT the time to self-diagnose or self-prescribe based on a list of symtoms. We have several ways of determining which supplements are appropriate for you to take. Most often a lab test is needed. Balancing these three hormones is a great place to start on the path to feeling better.
There are three major hormones that are produced by the ovaries. They are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Each of these hormones feeds back to the brain in a feedback loop and can affect the emotions as well as the organs.
Testosterone is considered a male hormone but is still present in smaller amounts in women. It helps maintain sexual desire. It also helps reduce fat and builds and maintains muscle mass. Symptoms of low or deficient testosterone are: Weight gain, an increase in belly fat, muscle loss, fatigue, depression, loss of sexual desire, loss of shine in the hair, dryness of the skin and hair, lack of mental clarity and urinary incontinence.
Progesterone is mostly associated with PMS symptoms. It's mostly responsible for muscle relaxation and emotional control.
Estrogen deficiency comes with menopause. The symptoms include: weight gain, belly fat, hot flashes or flushes, dry skin, depression, dryness of the vagina and skin, insomnia, fatigue, irritability, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
Please note that I have not yet covered the symtoms for the excess of these hormones. The symptoms for excess and deficiency are so similar that diagnosis can be tricky - please see your health care practitioner for an accurate diagnosis. This is NOT the time to self-diagnose or self-prescribe based on a list of symtoms. We have several ways of determining which supplements are appropriate for you to take. Most often a lab test is needed. Balancing these three hormones is a great place to start on the path to feeling better.
Labels:
estrogen,
hormones,
hot flashes,
menopause,
progesterone,
testosterone
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