AMC Newsletter
- Menopause and Sexual Dysfunction
- Low Testosterone is a Killer
- Oxidative Stress, Free Radicals, Nutraceuticals and HRT [Skin]
- Optimal Anti Aging Requires Optimal Nutritional Supplements
Menopause, Low DHEA and Sexual Dysfunction
It's increasingly clear that diminished hormone levels impact our lives as we age. The recent study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania is a case in point.
The study —led by Dr. Clarisa R. Gracia and reported by Reuters Health via an April 2007 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology—involved 311 women, who were followed over a three-year period. The women had blood samples taken annually to measure hormone levels. During the course of the study, researchers questioned the participants "about their health, menstrual cycles and sex lives."
As this group (ages 35 to 47) "progressed through menopause," the likelihood of having to deal with issues such as low libido, pain and problems with orgasms actually doubled.
According to Gracia's report, a contributing factor was low DHEA levels. Women with lower levels of the hormone were 59% more apt to "report sexual problems."
Approximately a third of the group demonstrated "some degree of sexual dysfunction" by the end of the three-year study. The article states that women with greater risk were women with the low DHEA levels as well as those "with anxiety symptoms and those who lacked a regular sex partner . . .[and] women who had children younger than 18 living with them."
Gracia's research team stated their findings "confirm that sexual dysfunction becomes more common as women move through menopause, and that hormones may be one of several factors that play a role."
Synthesized mostly by the adrenal glands, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a precursor of other hormones. It circulates in the bloodstream, cascading into either estrogen or testosterone. DHEA is the most abundant steroid hormone in the body.
Some previous studies have shown it may help on numerous counts:
- Increase energy as well as libido
- Eliminate abdominal fat
- Build muscle and promote muscle tone
- Improve immune function
- Regenerate tissues (bones, muscles, skin)
- Keep cholesterol in check
- Maintain emotional well-being and improve your ability to cope with stress The problem is that by age 45—that time frame when women near menopause—DHEA production drops by 50%, putting them at risk for sexual dysfunction and increased heart disease risks.
Low Testosterone is a Killer
Studies continue to show that low serum testosterone signals serious problems for men. Both physicians and patients should consider the real evidence. Low testosterone is not acceptable as we age—it contributes to more heart disease and early mortality.
That's an alarming fact for every man since hormones start to drop by 1% to 3% each year, beginning around age 30. Factored out, that calculates to a 20% drop by age 50 and a 50% drop by age 80.
These diminished testosterone levels manifest in symptoms such as lowered libido, reduced muscle mass, decreased bone density, higher fat mass, central obesity, low energy, irritability and insulin resistance.
Just look at the studies. The August 2006 issue of Circulation magazine—a journal of the American Heart Association—published findings of a study titled, “Anabolic Deficiency in Men with Chronic Heart Failure/Prevalence and Detrimental Impact on Survival.”
The research examined the “age-related decline of circulating anabolic hormones” and studied the frequency and consequences of deficiencies in four hormone groups in men with chronic heart failure (CHF): (1) circulating total testosterone (TT); (2) free testosterone; (3) DHEA; and (4) insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). The study measured serum levels of 366 healthy men and 208 men (average 63 years old) with a 33% left ventricular ejection fraction—the norm runs approximately 58%.
- They concluded men with CHF had diminished levels of all four hormone categories across age groups—at or below the 10th percentile of their healthy peers.
- Survival rates of men with CHF and a hormone deficiency in one of these categories showed a 74% three-year survival rate. Those having deficiencies in two had a 55% three-year survival rate; those with deficiencies in all three had a 27% three-year survival rate.
- Men with CHF and no hormonal deficiencies in these groups had the best three-year survival rate at 83%.
Another study appeared in the August 14 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. It published results of the “Low Serum Testosterone and Mortality in Male Veterans” study. Researchers measured testosterone levels in men over 40 repeatedly from October 1994 to December 1999.
- Low testosterone levels “continued to be associated with increased mortality” even after researchers adjusted for age, medical morbidity and other clinical predictive variables.
- In a smaller study at a geriatric rehabilitation center, men with “low testosterone level had an increased 6-month mortality compared with men with a normal testosterone level who were of a comparable age and had comparable medical morbidity.
The answer may not simply be more testosterone. Younger men—30s, 40s and 50s—face different problems than older ones. Their pituitary gland may slow down or stop producing stimulating Luteinizing Hormone (LH). In other words, their testicles aren’t receiving a signal, so they’re not producing testosterone. Giving these men testosterone supplementation typically compounds the problem. What they need is the right therapy to stimulate testosterone production or a hormone that mimics LH. Conversely, an older man may need age-appropriate hormonal therapy. Meanwhile, some men may need a combination. One needs to find out if the low testosterone problem is related to a pituitary or testicular problem.
A personalized action plan helps you regain and maintain metabolic and endocrine functions at the upper end of the normal range for your age—giving you the best opportunity for a more vigorous and healthy life.
Reprinted by permission of Cenegenics
Oxidative Stress, Free Radicals, Nutraceuticals and HRT
We are exposed to the rages of oxidative stress daily. Oxidative stress is the production of free radicals and the resulting cellular damage caused by environmental pollution, stressful lifestyles, various self administered poisons [tobacco, excess alcohol, etc] and inadequate diet. We can avoid much of the oxidative stressors by the cessation of certain known free radical generators such as smoking. Free radicals are essentially unbalanced chemical breakdown products in our systems that cause cellular injury e.g. vessel walls, brain neurons, heart cells, skin cells and much more. Our bodies are unable to counteract all the daily free radical damage to our cellular function. In order to help counteract this damage, we require sufficient amounts of various antioxidants which neutralize free radicals and keep cellular function and repair at an optimal level.
Scores of chronic degenerative diseases have been linked to free radical build up and the ensuing oxidative stress. These illnesses include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, lupus, MS, and the process of “normal” aging. Skin conditions, acne, and the loss of precious collagen that causes wrinkles and sagging are also worsened by oxidative stress. The way we counteract oxidative stress is by enhancing our natural defenses through proper cellular nutrition from diet and medical grade high absorption Nutraceuticals.
Proper well-balanced cellular nutrition comes from taking in the necessary nutrients to our cells at optimal levels. By avoiding known producers of oxidative stress and getting optimal cellular levels of vital nutritional components, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, we can greatly impact and perhaps even prevent many of the chronic diseases mentioned.
The essential antioxidants and nutraceutical components that prevent oxidative stress and are vital to lessen degenerative disease, come from either diet or premium nutritional supplements. Almost none of us eat 8 fruits and 8 vegetables daily which is what it would take to get these from diet alone. Many people wisely choose to rely on quality supplements from reputable manufacturers to provide the necessary cellular fuel and attack the root cause of disease.
For people who are on Hormone Replacement Therapy programs, adequate supplementation is not optional...it is essential. Hormones optimize cellular function and provide all the many wonderful results we have come to expect from HRT. Unless one takes in the optimal components to properly fuel cells and allow new healthy cells to grow, the body will cannibalize its stored nutritional components until the cellular fuel tank reaches empty and the HRT loses effectiveness. This is easily avoided by adequate daily cell fuel supplementation.
For people who are receiving cosmetic enhancement procedures and skin care programs, adequate supplementation is not optional...it is essential. Many of our treatments are geared to optimize collagen and skin function at the cellular level and provide all the many wonderful results we have come to expect from modern Cosmetic Enhancement treatments. Unless one takes in the optimal components to properly fuel skin cells and allow new healthy skin and collagen cells to grow, the body will cannibalize its stored nutritional components until the cellular fuel tank reaches empty and the procedures and treatments can loose some of their effectiveness. This is easily avoided by adequate daily cellular supplementation.
Start today by making a pledge to feed your cells better. Ask about our Nutraceutical recommendations from the oldest and most trusted supplier of medical grade Nutraceutical products in America, Douglas Labs.
Optimal Anti Aging Requires Optimal Nutritional Supplements
The better your cells are fed, the better they work, and the better you look, feel and function.
Optimal cellular nutrition is essential for
people receiving HRT or cosmetic procedures. To
obtain maximum results, we must take in the
nutritional components that allow new healthy
muscle, internal organs, skin and collagen cells to
grow. Otherwise the body will cannibalize its
nutritional stores trying to meet cellular repair
needs, and treatments can lose some of their
effectiveness. This is easily improved by adequate
daily cellular nutritional supplementation and
drinking plenty of water. Think of it as watering
your “cellular plants” with nutritional
“miracle grow”.
Start today by making a pledge to feed your cells
better. Ask about our daily nutraceutical
recommendations from the oldest and most trusted
supplier of medical grade, highly bio-available,
nutraceutical products in America, Douglas
Labs.
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