Rachel Rachael Ray talks about what women can do to prevent menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, menopause weight gain, adrenal fatigue and mood swings.
Each year millions of women suffer from symptoms attributed to perimenopause and menopause, the majority of which are unaware that there’s anything they can do about it. Today, Rachael Ray and her team of leading experts discuss what women can do to overcome many of these symptoms.
Here are some great ways for women to find relief from hot flashes:
Balance your hormones – Hot flashes are most often a result of an underlying hormonal imbalance such as perimenopause or menopause. By balancing hormones, namely estrogen, with bioidentical hormones, women can effectively relieve hot flashes and other symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
Limit your intake of refined sugars and carbohydrates – High blood sugar increases the production of the “stress hormone” known as cortisol. Cortisol can affect other hormones and oftentimes cause hot flashes in women.
Stress-reduction – According to Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of “The Wisdom of Menopause,” meditation can reduce hot flashes by up to 90%. Breathing exercises can reduce anxiety and curtail the over-production of cortisol.
Exercise – Regularexercise raises serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps the body cope with stress and anxiety.
Our sexual health is contingent upon several key factors. As we age, our bodies change, our lifestyles change and daily stressors take their toll on our body and mind. It’s estimated that nearly 50% of women and men over the age of 40 currently suffer from low libido as a result of a hormonal imbalance. Although hormonal imbalance is oftentimes the root cause for a waning libido, age isn’t always the culprit.
The following factors play a large role in our sexual health:
Hormones – A low sex drive is often the result of an underlying hormonal imbalance such as perimenopause, menopause, andropause (the male menopause), thyroid disease or adrenal fatigue. Hormonal imbalance affects millions of women and men each year. Low libido usually occurs when hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone begin to decline. It’s common for estrogen and progesterone deficiencies in women to cause a variety of symptoms that can oftentimes make sex difficult. Some of these symptoms include vaginal dryness, breast tenderness, mood swings, hot flashes and night sweats. In men, symptoms of low testosterone include erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia (“man boobs”), irritability and depression. BodyLogicMD’s bioidentical hormone doctors help women and men overcome symptoms of hormonal imbalance that often contribute to a decreased libido, using a three-pronged approach, combining bioidentical hormones with customized nutrition and fitness programs.
Stress – Stress is well-known libido killer. Chronic stress increases the production the ‘stress hormone” known as cortisol. When released in large quantities, cortisol interferes with the binding of testosterone with its receptors, reducing the affects of testosterone and in turn diminishing the libido. Elevated cortisol levels can also cause adrenal fatigue – a condition where the adrenal glands become overworked as a result of chronic stress. When this happens, other hormones are affected as well such the “mother of all hormones,” DHEA. DHEA aids in the production of various other hormones throughout the body – when this hormone falls out of balance, a hormonal chain reaction takes place and the rest of the body’s hormones begin to run amuck as well.
Lifestyle – Your lifestyle plays a huge role in your sexual health too. We need to disinter ourselves from our sedentary lives and get active! Optimal health and wellness can only be achieved through a proactive lifestyle, consisting of balanced nutrition, regular exercise and the incorporation of stress reduction techniques into your daily routine. We also need unburden ourselves of poor habits that weigh us down, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Work antioxidants into your meals, to rid your body of harmful free radicals that oftentimes lead to oxidative stress. Studies have confirmed that physical fitness and proper nutrition can work wonders for your sex life. An active lifestyle makes for an active (and rewarding) sex life.
Here’s a great video featuring BodyLogicMD’s Medical Director Jennifer Landa, M.D., discussing how hormonal imbalance can cause low libido:
According the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer in the United States. In fact, it’s estimated that 2,500 America men and women die each year as result of heart disease. Prevent heart disease with a heart-healthy diet.
Here some heart-healthy suggestions:
Fish – Salmon, tuna, sardines and herring are all excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help protect the heart by reducing inflammation and balancing cholesterol levels.
Olive oil – Olive oil lowers LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). LDL cholesterol binds to arterial walls and causes plaque build-up, eventually blocking arterial blood flow, leading to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Red wine – Red wine contains a very unique antioxidant called resveratrol. Antioxidants such as resveratrol can eliminate free radicals within the body, which often lead to oxidative stress and inflammation – common causes of heart disease.
Soy – Soy is great way to supplement protein, without all the saturated fat commonly found in red meats. Saturated fat is a prime catalyst for heart disease because it causes vasoconstriction.
Fruits – Apples contain a phytochemical called quercetin, which reduces inflammation and prevents blood clots. Apples are also rich in essential vitamins and fiber.
Whole grain – Many bleached white breads are high in processed sugars and refined carbohydrates and are difficult for the body to break down properly. Chances are, if it isn’t whole grain, it isn’t good for you.
Here’s a video featuring BodyLogicMD’s bioidentical hormones specialists, discussing the benefits of nutrition and fitness:
In light of American Heart Month, I wanted to take some time to discuss some of the connnections between menopause and high cholesterol and how this increases the risk of heart disease in menopausal and post-menopausal women.
The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SAWN) has followed more than 3,000 American women since 1996. The study indicated that the onset of menopause significantly increases LDL (“bad” cholesterol) cholesterol levels in women. LDL cholesterol attaches to the inner walls of arteries, forming plaque buildup and eventually constricting blood flow from heart. It’s important that women nearing menopause are proactive about their health, to avoid the potential risk of heart disease and other health complications.
Here are some steps that I recommend women take to improve their overall health and wellness and eliminate the risk of health challenges associated with aging.
Bioidentical hormones – High LDL cholesterol during menopause is often the result of an estrogen deficiency. As women enter perimenopause, estrogen levels begin to gradually decline and continue throughout menopause. Bioidentical hormones replace the estrogen hormones that the body no longer produces. In addition to alleviating menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, weight gain, hair loss and mood swings, bioidentical estrogen, when combined with customized fitness and nutrition, can significantly reduce a woman’s risk of developing heart disease.
Exercise – Physical fitness increases blood flow and eliminates plaque buildup along the arterial walls. Cardiovascular fitness is classified as any activity that gets the heart rate up and increases breathing. Experts say that daily exercise can reduce a woman’s risk of heart disease by 50%.
Stress reduction – Stress reduction techniques control the release of the stress hormone, known as cortisol. Cortisol is released by the adrenal glands as a “fight or flight” response to stress. Unfortunately, the overproduction of cortisol often leads to a variety of conditions often typified by metabolic syndrome, such as adrenal fatigue, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Stress reduction techniques, such as breathing exercises and mediation help to slow the heart rate and in turn prevent cortisol imbalance.
Nutrition – Nutrition is paramount in disease prevention. A variety of foods have been proven to lower the risk of heart disease such as salmon, lettuce, apples, almonds, olive oil, red wine and soy products. Many of these foods fight inflammation and rid the body of free radicals, which often result in oxidative stress.
I have helped women and men in their 30’s and older overcome health challenges brought on by hormonal imbalances such as menopause and andropause (the male menopause) using a three-pronged approach to wellness, combining bioidentical hormones with customized nutrition and fitness regimens.
According to a recent report on NBC’s TODAY Show, 1 in 8 women can expect to have issues with their thyroid within their lifetime, the majority of which are unaware that the thyroid is to blame.
What is the thyroid and what does it do?
The thyroid is among the largest endocrine glands in the human body. The thyroid gland is responsible for the production of thyroid hormones, which are play a large role in our metabolism. Thyroid hormones include thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and reverse triiodothyronine (Reverse T3). The thyroid gland is affected by a variety of factors including, nutritional deficiencies, elevated stress levels and of course hormonal imbalance.
What are the symptoms of a thyroid imbalance?
Typical symptoms of an underactive thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism) include:
Although the TSH assay has been hailed as the “gold standard” in testing by leading endocrinologists, there are many factors that come into play, that often negate the efficacy of the test. This is why many people aren’t even aware that a thyroid imbalance is to blame. In addition to the TSH, BodyLogicMD’s hormone therapy doctors also test the levels of T3 and T4. The additional testing can identify underlying hormonal imbalances that the TSH often fails to detect, yielding a more accurate diagnosis. If testing indicates a thyroid imbalance, BodyLogicMD physicians use bioidentical hormones integrated with customized fitness and nutrition to restore optimal balance.
Here’s a clip from this morning’s segment of the TODAY Show, discussing how hormone therapy can help women and men afflicted by thyroid disease:
According to a recent article published on HealthKey.com, “adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about two to four times higher than adults without diabetes.”
Diabetes causes inflammation and slows blood-flow, causing arteries to clog up with plaque. This condition is referred to as hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosisand according the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetes accelerates the process.
According to the Texas Heart Institute, 80% of all deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD) occur in women and men ages 65 and older. The prevalence in diabetes and CVD-related deaths are dependent upon a variety of risk factors such as high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle and poor diet. In fact, 80% of all Americans over 65 have high blood pressure.
Diabetes and heart disease go hand in hand. The blood-flow restriction caused by diabetes can often lead to stroke and heart attack. Diabetes can also lead to eye and kidney problems and can slow blood circulation to the limbs.
Here are some step you can take to reduce your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease:
As we age, our skin naturally begins to thin and dry out, making wrinkles become more and more distinguished. Although many consider wrinkles to be a common sign of aging, there are steps that women and men can take to significantly reduce wrinkles.
Here are some ways to improve the quality of your skin, without the use of plastic surgery:
Cortisol – Cortisol is a hormone released as the body’s “fight or flight” response stress, hence its sobriquet, the “stress hormones.” Cortisol has been linked to the degradation of collagen, a group of proteins that give skin its elasticity. It’s important to monitor cortisol levels to avoid age-related symptoms such as wrinkles, adrenal fatigue, weight gain and joint pain.
Sun Damage – Leading experts have determined that the sun is the #1 cause of wrinkles. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight and encourages the use of sunscreen to avoid some of the resulting aftermath, such as wrinkles and skin cancers.
Smoking – I think we can all agree that smoking should be avoided at all costs. In addition to the myriad of health risk factors associated with smoking, such as lung cancer, emphysema, COPD and heart disease, cigarettes contain enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, significantly reducing the skin’s elasticity.
Sleep – When it comes to wrinkles, sleep plays a key role. Sleep normalizes the production of cortisol; a hormone known to deteriorate skin cells. Another hormone affected by sleep is HGH (human growth hormone). HGH helps the skin maintain a think “elasticity.” Scientists also recommend sleeping on your back to reduce sleep lines.
Moisturize –Women often waste hundreds of dollars on anti-aging creams and facial masks to restore skin to a youthful glow. However, a simple moisturizer can do a lot more than you might think – and cost a whole lot less too. Also, don’t “over-wash” your face. Dermatologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center warn that tap water deprives skin of its “barrier” oils and natural moisturizing agents that protect the skin against wrinkles.
Visceral fat or “belly fat” is often thought to be a product of aging, however recent studies from the Rush University Medical Center have suggested that testosterone may to blame for menoapause weight gain.
The study examined nearly 359 menopausal women, all between the ages of 42 and 60 and the results have been published in the medical journal, Obesity.
According to the article, patients’ abdominal cavities were measured with CT scans, and hormone levels were determined based of diagnostic blood tests. The study revealed that the level of “bioavailable” testosterone or the amount of active testosterone within the body is a “key predictor of visceral fat.” Visceral fat has also been linked to inflammation – the number one cause of cardiovascular disease as well as many forms of cancer.
Excess bioavailable testosterone in women is often brought on by an underlying hormonal imbalance, often perimenopause or menopause. Some common symptoms of hormonal imbalance include fatigue, irritability, mood swings and weight gain (especially in the abdominal region). Testosterone testing is available for women to determine whether or not a hormonal imbalance is to blame for stubborn weight gain.
Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Landa was recently featured in the cover story titled Forever Young, published in a December issue of Florida Trend Magazine. The article discusses the growing trends in anti-aging medicine and how many mainstream physicians are now beginning to incorporate preventive and integrative therapies into their traditional practices.
Dr. Landa will host a bioidentical hormone therapy seminar to teach women and men how hormones affect our overall health. Dr. Landa will also discuss some of the symptoms of hormonal imbalances such as perimenopause, menopause and andropause (the male menopause) and will offer insight as to what steps can be taken to overcome hormonal imbalance.
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Seminar
What is it?
Dr. Jennifer Landa, a highly trained hormone expert will discuss the many of the symptoms of menopause and andropause including low testosterone, estrogen dominance, adrenal fatigue and diminished sex drive and how bioidentical hormone therapy integrated with fitness and nutrition can help. Guests enjoy the opportunity to speak directly with the physician in a question and answer format following each seminar.
Location
Greenberg Traurig
450 South Orange Avenue Suite 650
Orlando, FL 32801 Location Details
Date
January 27th, 2010
6:30pm-7:30pm Seating is limited to the first 30 registrations
If you or someone you know may be interested in attending, please click on the link below and fill out your name and email address and you will recieve a confirmation.
According to an article published on WorldHealth.net, yoga can help women and men decrease inflammation and in turn significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, type-II diabetes, arthritis and other inflammatory-related health challenges brought on by aging.
Janice Kiecolt-Glaser and her colleagues at Ohio State University put together a group of 50 women and divided them into two groups: novices and experts. The two groups were distinguished by how often they practiced yoga. Those who have only practiced yoga for 6 to 12 sessions were considered to be “novices,” while everyone else was classified as an “expert.” The women were then asked to complete a detailed questionnaire and undergo psychological testing to appropriately gauge anxiety levels and overall mood. During the study, the participants submitted blood samples and were deliberately stressed by “physical discomfort or mental challenge,” and then tested for the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 following de-stressing exercises such as yoga, walking on a treadmill at a slow pace and watching boring videos (control group).
The research team concluded that yoga was the most effective method of lowering the inflammatory response to stress, saying: “The ability to minimize inflammatory responses to stressful encounters influences the burden that stressors place on an individual. If yoga dampens or limits stress-related changes, then regular practice could have substantial health benefits.”
The Bottom Line:
Stress-reduction techiniques such as yoga, are great ways to reduce inflammation and prevent inflammatory-related diseases.
Rachel Rachael Ray talks about what women can do to prevent menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, menopause weight gain, adrenal fatigue and mood swings.
