Obesity is a buzzword in the United States everyday. Michelle Obama has championed the anti-pediatric obesity epidemic and white sugar has become synonymous to illicit drugs.
But....NOT ENOUGH fat can lead to infertility in females. Every woman needs a certain amount of body fat to produce hormones necessary for nerve cell regeneration and fertility (such as estrogen & FSH ). A certain percentage of body fat tells the brain that 'the body in question' will be able to carry a fetus to maturation. It's quite simple: reproduction is Darwian and historically, nothing but a means to the survival of a species. Only the strongest, healthiest women could carry a fetus to term in the past. Now, with modern medical miracles, women who categorically would not fit into 'strong and healthy' are able to bear children.
Women who overtrain or diet to the extent that their overall BMI is below a healthy level tend to have either no menstrual cycles or poor cycles. This is because they do not have enough fat to keep their hormonal levels optimal. The brain sees this as an unfit body for reproduction.
Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: Both obesity and abnormally underweight women have problems with conception. If you are an exercise psycho who measures out every morsel before it goes into your mouth and you can't figure out why you're not getting pregnant - do yourself a favor: don't look in the mirror; try going to a nutritionist and reliable personal trainer: together you'll formulate a plan that will work for your lifestyle and get your hormones and menses back on track.
Showing posts with label estrogen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label estrogen. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Understanding Hormones Part 3
Today, we will review the first few phases of the hormonal pathway. I'll keep this as simple as possible:
The journey begins in your brain. You might have heard of the words 'serotonin, acetylcholine or dopamine' (no...that's not the dope sitting next to you!). These are better known as neurotransmitters.
(think radio or television wave transmission, but in your body!).
These neurotransmitters send out signals to a gland known as the hypothalamus to 'wake up and get movin'. Just like the old game of 'telephone', the hypothalamus then sends a signal down to the pituatary gland to get movin' and groovin'.
The pituitary gets its act together and then sends signals to glands such as the thyroid or testes. These glands will will interpret the signals and tell its hormone (or hormones) to 'do their thing'. This typically means they will direct a binding transport protein that will help the hormone travel to its final destination.
Whatever isn't used from the particular hormone goes to the liver and/or gallbladder, for waste management. It is eventually disposed of via the feces.
Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: did you know that the body can convert hormones into new types of molecules? For example, testosterone can be converted into estrogen! Pretty cool stuff, huh? Tomorrow, we will continue our journey along the hormonal pathway, so stay tuned for more!
The journey begins in your brain. You might have heard of the words 'serotonin, acetylcholine or dopamine' (no...that's not the dope sitting next to you!). These are better known as neurotransmitters.
(think radio or television wave transmission, but in your body!).
These neurotransmitters send out signals to a gland known as the hypothalamus to 'wake up and get movin'. Just like the old game of 'telephone', the hypothalamus then sends a signal down to the pituatary gland to get movin' and groovin'.
The pituitary gets its act together and then sends signals to glands such as the thyroid or testes. These glands will will interpret the signals and tell its hormone (or hormones) to 'do their thing'. This typically means they will direct a binding transport protein that will help the hormone travel to its final destination.
Whatever isn't used from the particular hormone goes to the liver and/or gallbladder, for waste management. It is eventually disposed of via the feces.
Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: did you know that the body can convert hormones into new types of molecules? For example, testosterone can be converted into estrogen! Pretty cool stuff, huh? Tomorrow, we will continue our journey along the hormonal pathway, so stay tuned for more!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Understanding Hormones
This week, I will devote my blog to giving you a basic understanding of how hormones work in your body.
Millions of Americans suffer from hormonal imbalances that can be detected and treated with proper testing. Every year, when you have your annual physical, be sure to have your hormonal panels tested when you give blood for a basic CBC panel. By tracking your levels over a period of time, it is quite apparent to your acupunturist or m.d. when hormones become imbalanced. Knowledge is king here...the more educated you become about how your hormones operate will enable you to manage how your body functions. This will lead to better health in the longrun.
Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog on the hormonal pathway...how the system actually functions. Definitely a 'must read'!
Millions of Americans suffer from hormonal imbalances that can be detected and treated with proper testing. Every year, when you have your annual physical, be sure to have your hormonal panels tested when you give blood for a basic CBC panel. By tracking your levels over a period of time, it is quite apparent to your acupunturist or m.d. when hormones become imbalanced. Knowledge is king here...the more educated you become about how your hormones operate will enable you to manage how your body functions. This will lead to better health in the longrun.
Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog on the hormonal pathway...how the system actually functions. Definitely a 'must read'!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Bone Density Demystified
Today, I had my bone density tested. Voila! I've been told by my most wonderful doctor that I'm built like 'a brick outhouse'. This translates to... I've got great bones!
The good doctor and I attribute this to all the exercise, diet, some genetic disposition, and lifestyle I've lived up until this point. Who knew?? Basically, according to the chart, I might dip into an 'iffy' bone zone when I reach the ripe old age of 110. Folks, if I get anywhere near the age of 110, please put the pillow over my head and let's be done with it!
Seriously, good bone health can't be stressed enough. This goes for MEN AND WOMEN alike! If you don't have good, strong bones, you risk the possibility for fractures, osteoporosis, brittle bones and huge healthcare bills. I've written an article that's posted on the Sports Page of my website that demystifies bone density. Read it...it's good stuff!
Gentlemen....just because you are a male doesn't mean that you don't have to worry about your bones. Men lose testosterone as they age and your bones are just as important as a woman's.
If you feel you are ready for better bones, better sleep, better digestion, less stress and great health, call or email today and ENROLL YOURSELF in my Wellness Coaching Program. I'll give you all the tools and counseling you need for strong bones and good health!
917-701-7582
k@kmondesire.com
The good doctor and I attribute this to all the exercise, diet, some genetic disposition, and lifestyle I've lived up until this point. Who knew?? Basically, according to the chart, I might dip into an 'iffy' bone zone when I reach the ripe old age of 110. Folks, if I get anywhere near the age of 110, please put the pillow over my head and let's be done with it!
Seriously, good bone health can't be stressed enough. This goes for MEN AND WOMEN alike! If you don't have good, strong bones, you risk the possibility for fractures, osteoporosis, brittle bones and huge healthcare bills. I've written an article that's posted on the Sports Page of my website that demystifies bone density. Read it...it's good stuff!
Gentlemen....just because you are a male doesn't mean that you don't have to worry about your bones. Men lose testosterone as they age and your bones are just as important as a woman's.
If you feel you are ready for better bones, better sleep, better digestion, less stress and great health, call or email today and ENROLL YOURSELF in my Wellness Coaching Program. I'll give you all the tools and counseling you need for strong bones and good health!
917-701-7582
k@kmondesire.com
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Acupuncture Beats Drug to Treat Hot Flashes: Study
By Will Dunham, Reuters Published in the Vancouver Sun
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Acupuncture works as well as a drug commonly used to combat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that can accompany breast cancer treatment, and its benefits last longer, without bad side effects, researchers said on Monday.
They tested acupuncture, which began in China more than 2,000 years ago and involves inserting needles into the body, against the Wyeth antidepressant Effexor, for hot flashes in breast cancer patients. Acupuncture was just as effective as Effexor, also called venlafaxine, in managing symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats, according to researchers led by Dr. Eleanor Walker of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. After 12 weeks of treatment, symptoms were reduced for 15 additional weeks for women who had undergone acupuncture, compared with two weeks for those who had taken Effexor, Walker said. "It was a more durable effect," Walker, whose findings were presented at an American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology meeting in Boston, said in a telephone interview. There were no bad side effects with acupuncture, and women reported increased energy, overall sense of well-being and sexual desire, the researchers said. Those taking Effexor reported side effects including nausea, headache, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, increased blood pressure, fatigue and anxiety.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence of the value of acupuncture. Earlier research had shown it can reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and post-operative pain. "It's been tested directly against a drug that we use regularly. And it's more effective. It has benefits, as opposed to any side-effects," Walker said Breast cancer patients can develop menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes after treatment with chemotherapy and anti-estrogen hormones. Hormone replacement therapy is often used to treat such symptoms in women without breast cancer, but breast cancer patients cannot use that therapy because it may raise the risk of the cancer's return. Effexor, one of a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, is one of the most commonly used drugs to treat hot flashes in these women. But the researchers said some women opt not to take such drugs out of concern over side effects. Forty-seven breast cancer patients took part in the study, about half getting acupuncture and half getting Effexor. The women kept track of the number and severity of hot flashes before, during and after treatments. (Editing by Patricia Zengerle)© Copyright (c) Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Acupuncture works as well as a drug commonly used to combat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that can accompany breast cancer treatment, and its benefits last longer, without bad side effects, researchers said on Monday.
They tested acupuncture, which began in China more than 2,000 years ago and involves inserting needles into the body, against the Wyeth antidepressant Effexor, for hot flashes in breast cancer patients. Acupuncture was just as effective as Effexor, also called venlafaxine, in managing symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats, according to researchers led by Dr. Eleanor Walker of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. After 12 weeks of treatment, symptoms were reduced for 15 additional weeks for women who had undergone acupuncture, compared with two weeks for those who had taken Effexor, Walker said. "It was a more durable effect," Walker, whose findings were presented at an American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology meeting in Boston, said in a telephone interview. There were no bad side effects with acupuncture, and women reported increased energy, overall sense of well-being and sexual desire, the researchers said. Those taking Effexor reported side effects including nausea, headache, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, increased blood pressure, fatigue and anxiety.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence of the value of acupuncture. Earlier research had shown it can reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and post-operative pain. "It's been tested directly against a drug that we use regularly. And it's more effective. It has benefits, as opposed to any side-effects," Walker said Breast cancer patients can develop menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes after treatment with chemotherapy and anti-estrogen hormones. Hormone replacement therapy is often used to treat such symptoms in women without breast cancer, but breast cancer patients cannot use that therapy because it may raise the risk of the cancer's return. Effexor, one of a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, is one of the most commonly used drugs to treat hot flashes in these women. But the researchers said some women opt not to take such drugs out of concern over side effects. Forty-seven breast cancer patients took part in the study, about half getting acupuncture and half getting Effexor. The women kept track of the number and severity of hot flashes before, during and after treatments. (Editing by Patricia Zengerle)© Copyright (c) Reuters
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