 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
Weight gain is a common symptom of menopause… ok so it is more than just common. There are very few women that do not gain weight during menopause, and the lucky few still complain of weight redistribution (extra weight around the belly and waistline). Unfortunately, this is not good news, because abdominal fat is a risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, cancers, and heart disease.
More information to follow in my newsletter on the Big Belly Theory!
When we hear the word “bacteria” our response is typically: it’s bad. However, there are certain forms of bacteria that are “good” and, in fact, that we need in our bodies in order to stay healthy.
These bacteria are typically housed in our digestive system, specifically, the colon. There they function to:
If we don’t have these beneficial bacteria or we don’t have sufficient quantities of them, we are likely to be unhealthy and become ill.
It may be surprising, but there are between 300 and 1000 different species of bacteria – 500 is the number most commonly cited. However, the majority of the bacteria probably stem from only 30 or 40 different species with the most common bacteria genera being: Bacteroides, Clostridium, Fusobacterium, Eubacterium, Ruminococcus, Peptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, and Bifidobacterium. Read more…
Recent media reports reviewed a study from New Zealand that concluded calcium supplements increase the risk of heart attacks among subjects. To verify the link between calcium supplements and heart attacks, researchers at the University of Auckland studied the records of 12,000 people, both male and female, who had previously joined 11 separate clinical trials. Participants (all over age 40) in this study from the British Medical Journal were given at least 500 mg of elemental calcium per day. The researchers concluded that calcium supplements increase the risk of myocardial infarction by about 30% over five years.
This new study contradicts many previous studies that showed increased calcium intake did not affect cardiac health. In fact, a study released in the July/August, 2010 Journal of the North American Menopause Society concluded that moderate doses of calcium plus vitamin D did not seem to alter the risk of future cardiovascular disease. This study was part of the Women’s Health Initiative, and was a prospective study in which data was collected over seven years. In contrast, the New Zealand study was meta-analysis type of study, which is considered an inferior type of study compared to a prospective study. Read more…
Consumer Reports’ ‘Dirty Dozen’: 12 Risky Supplements
These Products May Do More Harm Than Good, Reviewers Warn
Aug. 3, 2010—
In 2009, Americans spent close to $27 billion on supplements — but some of them could be more harmful than good.
This topic was introduced on Good Morning America this week when Dr. Richard Besser discussed the “dirty dozen” supplement ingredients list released by Consumer Reports…
We suggest that you research whether you may be taking one or more of these “dirty dozen” products. As a consumer, you need to thoroughly investigate each and every supplement that you take. While it is important to review your supplement regimen with your doctor, remember, many physicians are not taught about natural products or supplements. If your physician is not knowledgable about your supplements, don’t hesitate to discuss with your pharmacist. Below is a list of the 12 products mentioned in the report.
1. Aconite
2. Bitter Orange
3. Chaparral
4. Colloidal Silver
5. Coltsfoot
6. Comfrey
7. Country Mallow
8. Germanium
9. Greater Celandine
10. Kava
11. Lobelia
12. Yohimbe
Source: Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Professional Version, June 2010
We have checked out the MenopauseRx Store for your safety!
We are asking that you do the same for your medicine cabinet.
Menopause symptoms may begin several years before your periods actually end and last for several months or several years after that. Women usually notice the beginning of perimenopause symptoms in their 40’s and irregularities usually persist for approximately five years. The average age of actual menopause in the U.S. is around 51. As women go through these steps, it is important to remember that the “change” called menopause is a natural, normal phase of female development. It is not a disease process. While we speak of symptoms and treatments, those are only comfortable terms to describe what you may be feeling and what you can do about it. While women may be scared and frustrated by what’s happening, they should not consider themselves sick as they go through this transition. At the same time, women may have important questions about the effects of changing hormones on their body and about illnesses that may become more likely with increasing age. Natural and complimentary products are widely used during the perimenopause and menopause transition, with varying degrees of clinical and/or safety data. Below is a review of some of the most popular natural products used today.
Read on for information about the most commonly used natural products during the menopause transition.
The average life expectancy in Colonial America was under 25 years in the Virginia colony. The average life expectancy of a woman in the United States is now over 80 years of age.
Menopause is the New Puberty
Women usually notice the beginning of perimenopause symptoms in there 40’s and irregularities usually persist for approximately five years. The average age of actual menopause in the U.S. is around 51. Therefore, women may have 30+ years left in postmenopause.
Learning to Control Your Menopause and Perimenopause Symptoms.
You need to realize that you know your body better than any lab test. If you are not feeling like yourself and experiencing symptoms associated with menopause there are options available. You do not have to suffer in silence. Quite the opposite…
You’re familiar with menopause symptoms… the hot flashes, night sweats and sleeplessness, diminished sex drive, mood swings, skin and hair problems. Finding a treatment that’s right for your unique set of menopause symptoms has always been tricky. More than ever, getting straight answers to your menopause questions is vitally important to your health, comfort, and peace of mind.
What are your thoughts on this topic?
At MenopauseRx we do a lot of groundwork to review thousands of research studies. We bring you the newest and most pertinent information for your menopausal health. We know you will find this information enlightening, so much so that it may change the way you think about Vitamin D supplementation.
Numerous studies have linked low vitamin D levels with: Cancer, Depression, Osteoporosis, Heart Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes, Rhuematoid Arthritis, Seasonal Affective Disease
With all this research… why are the government recommendations outrageously low at 200 – 400 IU. Studies suggest that blood levels associated with disease prevention may be 5X to 10X the current recommendations.
To learn more read…
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/11180df8-beaa-11de-b4ab-00144feab49a.html
Hormone therapy is prescribed for troublesome symptoms during menopause. While very effective in treating symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and mood changes, its use has declined due to safety concerns. These safety concerns became very well publicized after the 2002 report from the Women’s Health Initiative study. Click here for more information.
Currently, the use of hormone therapy is still considered the gold standard for treating moderate to severe menopause symptoms. Due to safety concerns, use is generally limited to the lowest effective dose for the shortest time frame. However, women still have concerns about the potential risks associated with hormone therapy use. Fortunately, there is new research showing a potential benefit to alternative ways that hormone therapy is administered.
Hormone therapy is commonly administered in an oral tablet form. However, hormones can also be delivered effectively via the skin in a transdermal patch form. Due to the manner in which the hormone is metabolized once absorbed, practitioners have wondered if the patch is a safer way to deliver hormones. Click here for more information.
Good News for Women
Fortunately, two recent studies have found the transdermal patch to be a potentially safer way to administer menopause hormones. Most recently, Dr. Suissa and colleagues from McGill University in Montreal reported that the use of a low dose estrogen patch does not seem to increase the risk of stroke(1). In March, the same group reported that the patch was not associated with an increased risk of blood clots in postmenopausal women. Read more…
Last week, Prolia™ (denosumab) was approved for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture, defined as a history of osteoporotic fracture, or multiple risk factors for fracture; or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy. In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, Prolia reduces the incidence of vertebral, non-vertebral and hip fractures.
Prolia is the first and only RANK ligand inhibitor approved by the FDA. Prolia has a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) that consists of a Medication Guide and a Dear Healthcare Professional Letter. The manufacturer, Amgen, is also launching a voluntary program to monitor the long-term safety of Prolia and enhance the quality of data collected in the postmarketing setting. This program is called the Prolia Post Marketing Active Safety Surveillance Program and is intended to collect information about pre-specified adverse events of special interest that may be reported by patients. More information about this program may be found at www.proliasafety.com or by calling Amgen Medical Information at 1-800-772-6436.
Prolia Important Safety Information
Getting Help with Night Sweats…
Night sweats are one of the most common complaints of menopause which typically begins in a woman’s late 30s to early 50s. In fact, in a survey conducted by MenopauseRx, approximately 60% of women experience night sweats. Night sweats are part of a variety of symptoms referred to as vasomotor symptoms. Vasomotor symptoms result from the body’s thermoregulatory center responding to lower circulating hormones.
How to Cope…
A new study reports that 20 – 40% of adults have experienced night sweats in the past month, of which 50% of these adults complained of severe nights sweats (they required a change in bed clothes) and yet they have not reported these symptoms to their physicians.(1)
Oftentimes, night sweats can be so intense that they interrupt a woman’s sleep, which is associated with reduced quality of life.
The symptoms of night sweats can drastically disturb sleep patterns, making it difficult to wake up feeling rested. Because of this, women who suffer from night sweats often experience:
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to keep night sweats at bay. Here are a few strategies to consider:
“A recent study done at Penn State indicates that increasing cardio-respiratory fitness, including walking and yoga, could be a way to reduce menopausal symptoms. Other research from the University of Pittsburgh suggests that during menopause, overweight women have significantly more hot flashes and night sweats. Getting active and losing weight, of course, may not only reduce night sweats but can also positively affect your overall health and well-being.”(2)
Reference:
1. James W. Mold, MD, MPH, Suanne Goodrich, PhD and William Orr, PhD, Associations Between Subjective Night Sweats and Sleep Study Findings, The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine 21 (2): 96-100 (2008)
2. Jessie Sholl, Menopausal Night Sweats: Why They Happen and How to Cope, Everyday Health, 10/13/2008.
 |
 |
