THE SAFEST ALTERNATIVES TO MENOPAUSE DRUGS
Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) seems to have become the standard treatment protocol for postmenopausal women. Proponents of estrogen cite its ability to stop the number-one postmenopausal complaint-hot flashes. Additionally, they like to point out that estrogen can protect against osteoporosis and lower the harmful form of cholesterol (LDL) while raising the good form (HDL). But, there is more to the cholesterol story than most people are being told. Only a few years ago the edible oil industry and organized medicine were pushing "cholesterol free polyunsaturated oil products." Although polyunsaturated fatty acids lower "bad" cholesterol, they also increase the risk of cancer. Once again, the whole truth isn't being told. ESTROGEN
USE INCREASES RISK FOR MORE THAN BREAST CANCER
Unfortunately, the popularity of estrogen may stem more from marketing techniques than from positive research. By associating its benefits with two of the most popular concerns of today, cholesterol and osteoporosis, its use is skyrocketing. Currently, one out of every nine women in this country will develop breast cancer, and estrogen use only increases the risk. It has also been linked to increased uterine cancer, gallbladder disease, excess blood clotting leading to stroke, heart attack or pulmonary emboli, depression, thyroid suppression, and elevated blood pressure. In addition, while estrogen does lower LDL cholesterol levels, there is no evidence that it lowers deaths caused by heart disease. In fact, numerous studies have shown that it increases the coagulability of the blood, which in turn increases risk of heart attack. (Postgrad Med J 76;52:30) (N Engl J Med 74;290:15) Another study showed that estrogen (in the form of birth control pills) greatly increased venous blood clotting. (Researchers now recommend stopping "the pill" at least four weeks prior to surgery to avoid these potential life-threatening complications.) Estrogen also increases cortisol production by the adrenal glands. Both cortisol and estrogen seem to age cells in the brain and central nervous system prematurely. (Bull Exp Bio Med 89;108(7):1026-30)
Before subjecting yourself to estrogen's potential dangers, take a hard look at natural alternatives. ERT has been in use for only a few years. Natural remedies have been utilized safely and effectively by thousands of people for centuries. What helps one woman, however, may not benefit another. The reasons for this will be clearer once you look at menopause as a natural progression of aging instead of a disease or hormonal malfunction.
MENOPAUSE Is NOT A DISEASE
At puberty, the female body begins a cycle of preparing for pregnancy, a process that continues for 35 to 40 years. It is regulated by an intricate interplay of hormones. As menopause (meno meaning month and pause meaning cessation)approaches, the sex hormones that control the process, estrogen and progesterone, start to diminish and a woman's body begins to change. The breasts and genital organs begin to atrophy, bones and hair begin to thin, and lower levels of estrogen cause malfunctions in the body's temperature-regulating center (the hypothalamus) resulting in heart-pounding, sweat-drenching hot flashes. Some women breeze through menopause without difficulty. Others suffer enormous physical and psychological burdens.
Every woman has, a unique hormone balance that can determine her reaction to menopausal changes. By taking advantage of some little-utilized physiological traits and by strengthening various components of the hormonal system, ill effects can be lessened. This is where the story gets a little more complicated.
WHAT TO DO WHEN ESTROGEN PRODUCTION SLOWS DOWN
Estrogen is a complex and powerful hormone produced mainly by the ovaries in response to hormonal "signals" it receives from the pituitary gland. Minute amounts can elicit profound changes throughout the body. Small amounts of estrogen are also produced by the adrenal glands. As ovaries quit producing estrogen, three areas need to be evaluated.
THYROID FUNCTION
Like the ovaries, the thyroid is controlled by the pituitary gland. During menopause the ovaries need adequate hormonal stimulus from the pituitary. An under active thyroid or iodine deficiency can increase the workload of the pituitary to the point that ovary stimulation is compromised. Iodine is essential for the thyroid gland's production of the hormone thyroxin, which regulates many functions, most importantly metabolism. An inadequate intake of iodine can result in inadequate levels of thyroxin, which in turn can result in fatigue, poor circulation to the extremities (resulting in cold hands and feet); obesity and inability to lose weight; irritability; low sex drive; headaches; low blood pressure; dry, thickening skin; cracking of the heels; nervousness; high cholesterol; irregular menstrual cycles; or mental confusion and difficulty in concentrating. All are classic symptoms of an under active thyroid, or hypothyroidism.
CHECK YOUR BASAL METABOLIC RATE
If you have several of these symptoms, one of the first things you should do is check your basal metabolic rate to see if your thyroid is functioning properly. You can do this at home. Here's how:
- Place a thermometer by your bed. Make sure it's been shaken down to at least 96 degrees.
- When you wake up the next morning, before getting out Of bed immediately place the thermometer in your armpit and leave it there for ten minutes. Just relax and remain still during the test.
- Record the temperature.
"Normal" is considered to be between 97.2 and 98.2 degrees. If your temperature falls outside this range, it indicates a thyroid imbalance. For our purposes here, anything below 97.2 usually indicates a sluggish or hypothyroid condition. Note: Premenstrual and perimenopausal women can take their temperature any time. Women in their menstrual years get the most accurate reading on the second or third day after menstrual flow starts.
The most effective way I've seen to rebalance the thyroid gland is to take a liquid iodine product called Iosol (by TPCS Distributors). Take four drops of Iosol in water each day for the first two weeks, then reduce the dosage to two drops per day. (Note: Never ingest antiseptic or topical iodine. Iosol is the only form of iodine I recommend for internal use.) If Iosol does not seem to alleviate the symptoms of hypothyroidism, take three tablets of a glandular product called Thytrophin, along with just one drop of Iosol per day. You can often take Thytrophin in place of prescription thyroid medications. Three tablets of Thytrophin are roughly equivalent to one grain of hormone. (See Resources at the end of this report.)
ADRENAL FUNCTION
Almost universally, women with menopause problems have both under active thyroids and under active adrenal glands. Sometimes nutritionally supporting the adrenal glands will be enough to eliminate menopausal symptoms. When the adrenals are functioning properly, they can produce estrogen. Unresolved stress and high intakes of caffeine and sugar are the most common causes of weakened adrenal glands. Every time you encounter a stressful situation, your adrenal glands react by producing a variety of hormones that place the body in a position to either fight or flee.
Diets high in sugar, alcohol, or caffeine or habitually skipping meals will eventually deplete the adrenal glands. Physical or mental stress will also take their toll. By supporting the adrenal glands nutritionally, cutting back on sweets, and eating smaller and more frequent meals, you can promote proper adrenal function. One of the quickest ways to strengthen the adrenals glands is to supplement the diet with a good adrenal glandular. The best I've ever used is called Drenamin. The normal recommended dosage for Drenamin is to chew one tablet, three times daily. However, I've found better results if you chew half a tablet six times a day on an empty stomach. Improvement often will be seen in the first day or two; and as long as a proper diet is followed, the problem will be resolved within a month.
OVARIES
The ovaries need the proper raw materials to produce hormones like estrogen:
We are often deficient in unsaturated fatty acids because of today's highly processed foods. Natural sources include whole grains such as wheat, rye, and oats, Unfortunately, unsaturated fatty acids degrade very quickly after being exposed to heat or air, so unless you personally grind the above grains immediately before eating, much of their benefit will be lost. Walnuts, pecans, hickory nuts, almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds are good sources. So is the avocado. I can already hear people complaining that these items are all fattening. They are somewhat high in calories due to their higher fat content. However, small amounts can supply the necessary unsaturated fatty acids. A small handful of nuts or half an avocado daily can do the trick. An even easier method of obtaining essential fatty acids would be to use one of my favorites--a daily tablespoon of flaxseed oil or 3-6 tablespoons of ground flaxseed. (See Resources.) If none of these sound appealing and you don't mind the added expense, encapsulated supplements are available in health food stores.
Vitamin E.
Every time I write about vitamin E and mention that one form or another seems to perform better in a clinical setting, I get letters from chemists and vitamin companies letting me know that all forms of vitamin E work about the same. However, for every one of these letters, I get no less than 20 letters from doctors and other readers describing their improved responses after following my suggestions. The debate over natural vs. synthetic nutrients will continue forever. With Alternatives, my purpose is to tell you what works. If the reports we receive from doctors, clinics, and research reports indicate that the synthetic version works best for a certain condition, I'll tell you. If research indicates a natural form, I'll tell you that too. If physicians are getting better results with a particular brand name I'll pass that along. Thousands of women have gotten excellent results by adding 400-1,200 IU of d-alpha tocopherol to their diets. In stubborn cases I have found that vitamin E products derived from wheat germ, such as Wheat Germ Oil Perles, may work better They are rich in natural hormone precursors. Although they may be of very low potency, excellent results often occur from just 2-3 tablets daily. (See Resources section.)
HERBAL PREPARATIONS
Various herbal preparations can increase female hormone production.
Dang Gui Su is a Chinese extract made from the plant Angelica sinensis. Dong quai Root is marketed in this country by Nature's Way. Note: Dang Gui and some of the other items I'll mention promote the production of estrogen. Their use may be contraindicated in instances where extra estrogen might add to a problem (e.g., breast cancer and uterine fibroid bleeding). Several doctors have reported successful treatment of menopausal symptoms using a combination of Angelica sinensis with the herbs damiana (Turnera diffusa) and chaparral (Larrea divaricata). Approximately two capsules of each herb daily have reportedly helped stop hot flashes and other symptoms. As problems subside the amounts taken can gradually be reduced and eventually stopped. (See Resources.)
Other herbs that have been found useful in supporting the ovaries during menopause include licorice root, fennel, black cohosh, and unicorn root. One company has combined each of these along with Dong quai in capsule form in a product called Femtrol. (See Resources section.)
FOODS THAT REGULATE MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS
One new study has focused on the use of foods containing phytoestrogens to help regulate menopause. Phytoestrogens are chemical substances found in plants that can balance the body's natural estrogen levels. Even though phytoestrogens provide only weak estrogenic activity (about 1/400th the strength of estrogen) their effects can be amazing.
Incorporating soy flour and linseed or linseed oil (it's called flax oil in this country) into the diet could possibly replace the need for estrogen therapy. In Australia, researchers fed 23 menopausal women 10 percent of their calories in the form of phytoestrogen-containing foods like soy flour and linseed. Afterwards researchers evaluated the maturation of the women's vaginal cells (one reliable indication of estrogen activity). In only tow weeks maturation had increased 40 percent. (Brit Meg J 90;301:905-6) (See Resources.)
Another very rich source of phytoestrogens is pomegranate seeds (Punicagranatum).They contain an estrogen-like compound practically identical to natural estrogen. (Dtsch Apoth Ztg 77;117(41):1672-9) I don't know of any commercial source for the seeds or what a trial dosage would be. However, if you've ever eaten a pomegranate you know that finding enough seeds shouldn't be a problem.
Green leaves from the wild carrot plant (Daucus carota, also commonly referred to as Queen Anne's lace), are rich in porphyrins. These chemicals stimulate the release of gonadotropic hormones by the pituitary gland, which in turn trigger the release of extra estrogen by the ovaries. (See Resources.) One last product comes to mind for menopause problems. Simplex F contains non-hormonal extracts from the bovine pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and ovary glands. It exerts a balancing effect on the named organs. (See Resources.)
None of these products are an exact replacement for hormones (pomegranate seeds may be close). Their main function is to increase and balance hormone production, not replace it, so they function best when the ovaries are still present. In cases where the ovaries have been removed, actual hormone replacement therapy may be the only alternative.