My Grandma was a very wise woman! I can remember her sitting at the kitchen table with grapefruit, juice and either oatmeal or cereal. But then she would gather around her all these bottles of vitamins. She would explain to me how I needed to take vitamins like her. Of course I didn't then, nor did I when my mom would tell me as a young woman to. However....I do now!
What might have been if I had only listened to such wisdom? What would my body be like now? Oh and guess what? My own kids hear me telling them the same things "take your vitamins".
I did the whole buy 'em at GNC, Walgreens, Walmart or Target. That was until I realized they are not all created the same! I would take vitamins and "feel" nothing. No tangible changes. That is until I found Life Extension (LEF).
(LEF) makes a difference, I see and feel changes - my whole family does. There really is a HUGE quality, quantity, ingredients, difference!
What I have come to realize is this - Either I better eat what my body is "telling" me it needs (or doesn't need). Or I had better suck it up and swallow all the vitamins, minerals, & herbs that my body is craving. Because if I don't my body will lack necessary nutrients and will "show" me it is, thru terrible symptoms and diseases.
For instance I hate peas, hate 'em won't go near 'em, the smell makes me want to vomit! I don't care if they are Garden, Snow, Green, or Snap - will NOT TOUCH 'EM!! But peas are Legumes and sources of 8 vitamins & 7 minerals. Vitamins B1, B6, B2, C, K1 and Iron just to name a few. So if I won't eat them - and I won't, I am "starving" my body of those particular nutrients & vitamins. Now I know that I actually eat other foods that will give me those vitamins & minerals. But what if I didn't? Well then I would be asking for symptoms and even diseases from that lack.
My mom for instance (love you mom) - will not eat broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts. These are all "Cruciferous Vegetables". They are VITAL for breaking down carcinogens, and neutralizing "dangerous breakdown products of estrogen that promote cancer growth" Read more- Life Extension Oct 2009 Magazine, Pg 79-80. So what mom needs to be taking to replace the lack of eating "Cruciferous Vegetables is indole-3-carbinol (I3C) (You do mom).
That way when estrogen follows 1 of 2 metabolic pathways converting to either the bad "16-alpha-hydroxyestrone" (breast & other cancer risk increased) or the good "2-hydroxyestrone" (breast & other cancer risk decreased) the "Cruciferous Vegetables" or supplement (I3C) are "effective in shifting estrogen metabolism to the more beneficial pathway thus reducing levels of toxic "16-alpha-hydroxyestrone" and increasing levels of "2-hydroxyestrone". Read more- Life Extension Oct 2009 Magazine, Pg 79-80 Thereby reducing the risk of getting breast cancer.
If you are as stubborn as I am on some foods (aren't we all?) then for goodness sake at the very least - take supplements in place of them.
So....Eat Your Veggies or Swallow Supplements!! -Just Do It!
9/16/09
9/9/09
If Estrogen Dominant-Do We Stay That Way?
I have been battling with this question ever since I read Dr Uzzi Reiss's books "Natural Hormone Balance", and "The Natural Superwoman". I did not even know this terminology until then. But his books have a way of explaining case scenarios that you can then ask yourself which category you fall into?
For me I have determined that all my life, and even at a very young age I was and really still am, "Estrogen Dominant". Not that I only have Estrogen but more that I either do not have enough Progesterone, or I don't have enough Estrogen and Progesterone. Yes, even after a total hysterectomy with both ovaries removed. Meaning I do not produce my own Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone because my ovaries (organs) are no longer there. This is due to pure ignorance on my part!! I stand in line with many, many, many women who have had them removed for NO medical reason - other than trusting your doctor's advice and "hey while we are in there, I'm not going to have anymore kids so take 'em out". DUH!!
Anyways, I have been searching for an answer to do "Estrogen Dominant" woman stay that way even after a hysterectomy with no ovaries? Here is what I have found on my good ole LEF:
"Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, which is sometimes performed in conjunction with an ophorectomy or ovariectomy, which is the surgical removal of the ovaries. Doctors often perform a hysterectomy to alleviate patient discomforts associated with conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and heavy menses. These conditions, however, are often related to a relative dominance of estrogen. Removal of the uterus does not correct the underlying imbalance that may have contributed to these conditions in the first place. Many medical professionals believe that once the uterus has been removed, there is no need to supplement with progesterone. Clinical experience and a review of the scientific literature, however, make it clear that unopposed estrogen therapy can lead to many undesirable health conditions. When women are young, they have optimal levels of all the steroid hormones, not just estrogen. Replacing only estrogen after a complete hysterectomy is a sure-fire way to increase existing estrogen dominance. Whether a woman has a uterus or not, research suggests that estrogen replacement therapy should not be given without natural progesterone."
So from this I say - yes, yes you can because it is an "existing" way our body is naturally "bent" on producing hormones and our receptors for those of us who were "Estrogen Dominant" before our hysterectomies. This tells me I have to be careful of "tweaking" my estrogen to progesterone ratios bc of estrogen dominance. And it definitely tells me I need progesterone. You may be different - you may be the same. Only YOU can figure that out for yourself.
As I have mentioned before start a journal. Journal how you "feel" daily and take time to remember how were you as a young woman? How were your periods? How were your emotions? Acne? Were you sweaty and clammy? Did you suffer with depression, migraines, etc? This is where you will discover so much. And for you ladies who have daughters wow you will be helping her understand herself more by you discovering you, and she gets to learn from your understanding. Chances are she is going through the exact same issues you did. My daughter is and I learn from her as she learns from me!
So as a young woman I was told I would never have kids, I would have to have a hysterectomy then, etc. I suffered horrendous periods, tons of exploratory laparoscopies (surgeries). Many cysts, endometriosis (this was before that word was really even discussed) now its every woman everywhere!! For me, I was given Synarel (now its Lupron shots) to induce menopause and shrink my uterus to the size of a walnut. BIG MISTAKE! I had no real comprehension of what I was doing to my body. I was putting it in menopause! The hot flashes, chin hair, body aches, hives, breakouts, migraines, depression, hair falling out, weight gain, etc was hitting me like a Mack truck! I never was the same again!
Ladies NEVER DO THIS!! I KNOW you’re in pain; you want answers, quick relief! Instead before going under the knife, castrating yourself, setting yourself up for suffering both emotional and physical - investigate as to what you are out of imbalance in. Read that again - it says "Doctors often perform a hysterectomy to alleviate patient discomforts associated with conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and heavy menses. These conditions, however, are often related to a relative dominance of estrogen."
So if you are dominant in Estrogen your answer just may lie in adding in progesterone, or increasing both. It may lay in just a teeny dose of a bioidentical cream, gel, pellet or pill. I take Progesterone 100mg oil (olive) capsule from Anazoa. Just $25 a month. LEF also offers estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and so much more.
ARE YOU EXPERIENCING THESE SYMPTOMS?
• Endometriosis
• Menstrual Cramps
• Migraines
• Depression
• Hair Loss
• Fibroid Breasts or Tumors
• PMS Symptoms
• Fatigue
Then you just might be "Estrogen Dominant" - The only way to find out for sure is to have blood tests and have a qualified doctor read the results. LEF does just that.
For me paying a fee to have a blood test done, of under $300, and then buy hormone replacement sounds a whole lot better than spending thousands (mine was $10,000); in co-pays, dr appt, hospital stays, etc and still not have a answers. To me it makes more sense. Your body has too much or not enough of what it was suppose to have so it "acts out". Trying to "speak" to you through symptoms. It doesn't want you to yank out what is troubling you - just adjust "it".
Your relief could be just a blood test - bioidentical hormone adjustment away...
For me I have determined that all my life, and even at a very young age I was and really still am, "Estrogen Dominant". Not that I only have Estrogen but more that I either do not have enough Progesterone, or I don't have enough Estrogen and Progesterone. Yes, even after a total hysterectomy with both ovaries removed. Meaning I do not produce my own Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone because my ovaries (organs) are no longer there. This is due to pure ignorance on my part!! I stand in line with many, many, many women who have had them removed for NO medical reason - other than trusting your doctor's advice and "hey while we are in there, I'm not going to have anymore kids so take 'em out". DUH!!
Anyways, I have been searching for an answer to do "Estrogen Dominant" woman stay that way even after a hysterectomy with no ovaries? Here is what I have found on my good ole LEF:
"Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, which is sometimes performed in conjunction with an ophorectomy or ovariectomy, which is the surgical removal of the ovaries. Doctors often perform a hysterectomy to alleviate patient discomforts associated with conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and heavy menses. These conditions, however, are often related to a relative dominance of estrogen. Removal of the uterus does not correct the underlying imbalance that may have contributed to these conditions in the first place. Many medical professionals believe that once the uterus has been removed, there is no need to supplement with progesterone. Clinical experience and a review of the scientific literature, however, make it clear that unopposed estrogen therapy can lead to many undesirable health conditions. When women are young, they have optimal levels of all the steroid hormones, not just estrogen. Replacing only estrogen after a complete hysterectomy is a sure-fire way to increase existing estrogen dominance. Whether a woman has a uterus or not, research suggests that estrogen replacement therapy should not be given without natural progesterone."
So from this I say - yes, yes you can because it is an "existing" way our body is naturally "bent" on producing hormones and our receptors for those of us who were "Estrogen Dominant" before our hysterectomies. This tells me I have to be careful of "tweaking" my estrogen to progesterone ratios bc of estrogen dominance. And it definitely tells me I need progesterone. You may be different - you may be the same. Only YOU can figure that out for yourself.
As I have mentioned before start a journal. Journal how you "feel" daily and take time to remember how were you as a young woman? How were your periods? How were your emotions? Acne? Were you sweaty and clammy? Did you suffer with depression, migraines, etc? This is where you will discover so much. And for you ladies who have daughters wow you will be helping her understand herself more by you discovering you, and she gets to learn from your understanding. Chances are she is going through the exact same issues you did. My daughter is and I learn from her as she learns from me!
So as a young woman I was told I would never have kids, I would have to have a hysterectomy then, etc. I suffered horrendous periods, tons of exploratory laparoscopies (surgeries). Many cysts, endometriosis (this was before that word was really even discussed) now its every woman everywhere!! For me, I was given Synarel (now its Lupron shots) to induce menopause and shrink my uterus to the size of a walnut. BIG MISTAKE! I had no real comprehension of what I was doing to my body. I was putting it in menopause! The hot flashes, chin hair, body aches, hives, breakouts, migraines, depression, hair falling out, weight gain, etc was hitting me like a Mack truck! I never was the same again!
Ladies NEVER DO THIS!! I KNOW you’re in pain; you want answers, quick relief! Instead before going under the knife, castrating yourself, setting yourself up for suffering both emotional and physical - investigate as to what you are out of imbalance in. Read that again - it says "Doctors often perform a hysterectomy to alleviate patient discomforts associated with conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and heavy menses. These conditions, however, are often related to a relative dominance of estrogen."
So if you are dominant in Estrogen your answer just may lie in adding in progesterone, or increasing both. It may lay in just a teeny dose of a bioidentical cream, gel, pellet or pill. I take Progesterone 100mg oil (olive) capsule from Anazoa. Just $25 a month. LEF also offers estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and so much more.
ARE YOU EXPERIENCING THESE SYMPTOMS?
• Endometriosis
• Menstrual Cramps
• Migraines
• Depression
• Hair Loss
• Fibroid Breasts or Tumors
• PMS Symptoms
• Fatigue
Then you just might be "Estrogen Dominant" - The only way to find out for sure is to have blood tests and have a qualified doctor read the results. LEF does just that.
For me paying a fee to have a blood test done, of under $300, and then buy hormone replacement sounds a whole lot better than spending thousands (mine was $10,000); in co-pays, dr appt, hospital stays, etc and still not have a answers. To me it makes more sense. Your body has too much or not enough of what it was suppose to have so it "acts out". Trying to "speak" to you through symptoms. It doesn't want you to yank out what is troubling you - just adjust "it".
Your relief could be just a blood test - bioidentical hormone adjustment away...
9/3/09
Breasts/Rings/Sleep/Moods...
In the book Natural Hormone Balance for Women written by M.D./O.B. GYN Uzzi Reiss with Martin Zucker is this "Estrogen Quick Check". It is on page 73 and it is really helpful to make a quick check of yourself to "diagnose" your Estrogen level for that moment based on your breasts, rings, sleep and mood:
THE BREAST CHECK
The status of the breasts can be used as a yardstick for
individualizing your dosage of estrogen replacement.
Touch and feel your breasts. lf they are full, painful, or growing, that generally indicates too much estrogen.
lf they have lost some of their fullness, or seem to be dropping, (drooping) that means more estrogen is needed.
- Increase when your breasts are not full.
- Decrease if they are enlarged or painful.
THE RING CHECK
Do you wear rings? How easy are they to slip on and off?
- Difficulty removing rings generally indicates too much estrogen.
- lf the rings move easily then your level is correct.
THE SLEEP CHECK
How are you sleeping? lf you have difficulty falling asleep, or experience restless nights. You might not have enough estrogen.
lf you awoke drenched in perspiration, your estrogen level is very low. You need more.lf you experience minimum hot flashes, your level is still not optimum. Take slightly more than you took the night before.
MIND AND MOOD CHECK
For many women, mental clarity and mood are extremely accurate measurements of estrogen replacement. Others, however, may find the mental and mood signs too subtle or overlapping to use as effective indicators.
Not enough estrogen. ls your mind a little foggy in the morning? Are you feeling a little down? Confused? Not in good control of your mood? Don’t care how you look? Your level may be lower than optimum" Take more than you took the night before.
Too much estrogen. Are you feeling uptight? Irritated? But your mind is clear? Your level may be too high. Decrease the amount.
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