Hope For Your Hormones | Barbara Hoffman, N.D.

What God's Pharmacy Offers Us / The Need For Supplements / Part 2

Barbara Hoffman, N.D. — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:00:00 PST

"Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food, their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for medicine." Ezekial 47:12

Here are the new categories!

Just choose 1 supplement (or maybe 2) that sound good to you. Allow about 2 weeks and see how you feel.

The materials and recommendations contained in this blog are for general health information only. I have not intended my recommendations to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have specific medical questions I encourage you to ask your own health care provider.

MOOD/DEPRESSION

1) DHEA - (The hormone of youth) A wonderful hormone for elevating mood & energy. For Women: 10-20 mg. daily, For Men: 25-50 mg. daily.

2) Folic acid, B6 or B12 - (Rodex Forte is a great product) - B12 helps decrease with irritability anxiety, and depression (B12 shots are fabulous if you can get them)

3) 5-HTP - studies have shown that 5-HTP can raise serotonin levels, which helps elevate mood, helps depression and aids in sleep. 1-2 capsules (50 mg) late afternoon or evening.

4) SAM-e - works within hours! However, it is on the expensive side. I started using this product about 2 years ago and I'm never without it. Helps elevate mood (good for PMS). Raises serotonin levels for brighter days. Studies for depression have found that SAMe is more effective for relieving depression than many common anti-depressant medications. SAMe is widely used in Europe and has an impressive safety record. Scientists believe virtually any one with depression should use SAMe. 1-2 tablets (200 mg) per day on an empty stomach.

5) Melatonin - Good sleep every night is the key to good mood. Getting into REM every night will help with less depression and better mood during the day. Plus, will help relieve anxiety. I use melatonin and get 7-8 hours of sleep every night; I hit the ground running in the morning! (See my blog on insomnia for more information).

6) Natural progesterone crème.

7) St. Johns Wort - 26 studies done on St. John's Wort found that it is more effective than anti-depressants. However, you have to be cautious, using too much can over-tax the liver. 2 months on, then 2 months off is best.

8) Super EPA Fish Oil - Any one with even a small sign of depression should start on fish oil. This will really change your mood. Find one that contains both DHA and EPA. 1 softgel 2-3 times daily with meals.

9) L-Tyrosine - Increases feelings of joy and well-being by naturally raising dopamine levels. 1 capsule (500 mg) 2-3 times daily.

10) Rhodiola - A powerful adaptogenic herb that enhances energy. Stimulates norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin to help reduce depression. 1 capsule (500 mg) per day with a meal.

11) Pregnenelone - The "grandmother" of all the steroid hormones. Elevates mood, increases feeling well being, and combats depression. Most women notice feel benefits anywhere from 1 day - 2 weeks. Women: 10-25 mg Men: 25-50 mg.

REMEMBER YOU DONT NEED ALL THESE SUPPLEMENTS

If you feel like you are depressed YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

You have a support system. We love to help.

BONE HEALTH / OSTEOPOROSIS

1) Natural progesterone crème - Bone builds, then over time breaks down. Natural progesterone helps build new bone, which is the strongest form of bone.

2) Calcium - It is a myth that calcium is the only thing we need to keep our bones strong. We actually need minerals & trace minerals: Vitamin K, Vitamin D, Stronium, Copper, Manganese, and Boron. Try to find a product with all these minerals in one product. When it comes to calcium you don't actually need 1500 mg. Recent studies have demonstrated that too much calcium will calcify arteries, acting like plaque. Try to get more from foods like leafy greens. Vitamin K will keep calcium out of arteries.

3) Vitamin D - Helps regulate your body's calcium absorption. Vitamin D is the primary vitamin for bone health! 2000-4000 IU per day.

4) DHEA - Can really help build bone and increase bone density to prevent or reduce osteoporosis. For Women: 10 - 20 mg daily, For Men: 25-50 mg daily.

ARTHRITIS/ACHES & PAINS/FIBROMYALGIA

1) Pregnenelone - Contains anti-arthritis properties. Women: 10-25 mg Men: 25-50 mg.

2) Natural Progesterone Crème - Many women have reported quick relief of aches & pains by rubbing natural progesterone right on achy joints. There are progesterone receptor sites in your joints.

3) SAMe - Very good for arthritis! Double-blind studies confirmed that it reduced stiffness, pain, and swelling in arthritic joints. Can really improve joint health. Scientists have found it works just as effectively as Ibprufen and Naproxen. 1-2(200 mg) tablets per day on an empty stomach.

4) Fibronol - (Allergy Research) My new favorite! Especially for fibromyalgia. Contains marine based algae. This patented substance is wonderful for reducing discomfort. Contains Malic Acid & Vitamin B1, which have anti-inflammatory properties. 1-2 capsules 3 times daily. If you are looking for something that compares, look for a product with Vitamin B1 and at least 80 mg of Malic Acid, 2 - 3 times per day.

NOTE: Hormone balance keeps everything else healthy! Get a good hormone crème. Whichever crème it is, give the hormone crème 3 months, you will see improvement. If you have tried it and still have aches pain, then pick one of these supplements.

Dried fruit study!

Dried plums, also known as prunes (3-6) per day. A study group showed positive bone growth from eating dried plums. I eat mine as an after dinner snack.

BREAST HEALTH

1) Natural Progesterone Crème - This is a breast-protective hormone.

2) Vitamin D - has been shown to improve & increase survival rates on all women who have breast cancer. 2000-4000 IU per day.

BREAST TENDERNESS

If you think you have too much estrogen in your system, or you have a history of breast cancer, consider these products.

1) DIM - Detoxes estrogens and promotes healthy estrogen metabolism. DIM will stop the GOOD estrogen from turning into BAD estrogen.

2) Indolegard - (Allergy Research) Reduces production of proteins that are needed for breast cancer & ovarian cancer to spread. Also, has an anti-proliferative effect on prostate cancer & breast cancer. It also helps with weight gain associated with estrogen dominance. Take 2 capsules daily.

HEART HEALTH/STROKE PREVENTION

1) Super EPA Fish Oil - Helps raise levels of good cholesterol, has anti-inflammatory effects, lowers triglycerides, and keeps blood pressure under control which is good to prevent stroke. When looking for a fish oil make sure it contains DHA & EPA. 1 softgel 2-3 times daily.

2) Natural Progesterone Crème - Keeps vessels elastic & healthy.

3) Magnesium - Especially helpful for people with any arrhythmia. 800 mg per day

4) CoQ10 - Recommended for any one with heart problems. In one study, 72% of individuals with heart troubles were low in CoQ10. Another study showed 34% of people with congestive heart failure improved cardiac function by taking CoQ10 in just 6 weeks. Plus, CoQ10 has great ability to strengthen heart muscle. 30 - 200 mg daily.

TIPS:

� Eating an avocado a week lowers risk of stroke.

� 1 teaspoon a day of Olive Oil can lower risk of stroke by 43%

ITCHY SKIN

1) Fish Oil - Fish Oil is a great way to keep the body lubricated and oiled, preventing dry, itching skin or dry hair. When looking for fish oil, make sure it contains EPA & DHA. If it is not affordable for you, try Vitamin E. 1 softgel 2-3 times daily for fish oil. 800 IU for Vitamin E

2) Natural Progesterone Crème - Some people have reported quick relief of dry, itchy patches of skin by rubbing some progesterone crème directly on the dry patches.

3) Tea Tree Oil - Can really help moisturize & hydrate skin. However, be careful not to get oil on clothes or sheets because it can stain.

4) Milk Thistle - Can be very helpful for people with Psoriasis. Psoriasis is exacerbated by decrease in liver function, so keeping your liver in optimal health is important. Also, great for improving energy. 1 daily.

LIVER CARE

1) Milk Thistle - TLC for your liver! Cleanses and stimulates production of new liver cells to replace old liver cell. This herb helps refurbish & rejuvenate liver, and protects it from toxic chemicals & pollutants. You need a milk thistle supplement that contains 30:1 concentrate to contain 80% total Milk Thistle. 1 (150 mg.) capsule daily.

2) SAMe - Studies have shown that SAMe is helpful in preventing cirrhosis of the liver. Scientisits also believe it can prevent against the onset and progression of liver disease. 1-2 (200 mg) tablets per day on an empty stomach.

PROSTATE

If you are interested in finding more information on prostate health, see my August 1, 2011 Blog, "Help! My Prostate is Enlarging, My Hair is Thining"

1)     Saw Palmetto - Has been found to be just as effective for prostate health as the synthetic drug Proscar in blocking DHT which causes prostate enlargement. Saw Palmetto can improve urinary symptoms and help with prostate enlargement. Take 2 softgels (160 mg) in the evening.

2)     Zinc - Zinc deficiency has been shown to cause enlargement of the prostate gland, making it vulnerable to cancer. Zinc is also helpful for raising libido! 15-45 mg. per day.

3)     DIM - Helps detox estrogens in the body. Has an anti-proliferative effect in prostate cancer cells, meaning it stops the cells from multiplying. Take 2 capsules daily.

4)     Natural Progesterone Crème - Improves prostate health by preventing testosterone from converting to DHT.

5)     Flax Seed Oil - The EFAs in flaxseed oil can help prevent swelling and inflammation of the prostate. You can also find flax seed oil in a pill form.

6)     Lycopene - (Found in tomatoes) the tomatoes must be cooked. One tablespoon of tomato paste contains enough lycopene for your daily dose.

HAIR LOSS (MEN & WOMEN)

When using hair products or supplements, allow at least 3 weeks to 4 months for optimal results. Be patient!

TIP: Massaging your scalp daily can help stimulate and open the follicles!

1)     Natural Progesterone Crème - When progesterone and estrogen levels fall, the body responds by increasing production of androgens, causing DHT. DHT appears to make the follicles go into their "resting" phase faster. Eventually follicles become smaller and can close up entirely. The use of progesterone can help stop hair loss and help women regain the hair they lost.

2)     Super EPA Fish Oil - Start using fish oil at the first sign of hair loss.          1 softgel 2-3 times daily.

3)     L-Tyrosine - Helps strengthen hair and can also help regain its natural color. L-Tyrosine can be very effective when hair loss is due to hypo-thyroid. 1(500 mg) capsule 2-3 times daily.

4)     Folic Acid/B12/B6 - Very helpful in making hair grow faster and protects hair pigmentation from turning grey. (Rodex Forte is a great product).

5)     Stimulating shampoo & conditioner - Most contain peppermint or Chinese herbs which can help stimulate and open follicles. If you have an oily scalp with thinning hair, these shampoos can be very helpful, also shampooing frequently and massaging scalp can help.

6)     Chinese Herb Stimulating Scalp Serum (Peter Lamas) - A leave-in growth treatment which contains apple procyanidin to reverse hair loss, combats DHT build-up, and stimulates hair follicles to open them and reverse hair loss!

7)     Vitamin E - Vitamin E has shown effectiveness in suppressing DHT levels in the scalp. 800 IU per day.

IMMUNE SYSTEM

We're starting flu season! Here are some recommended supplements to keep your body at its best and stay healthy this season!

�         Vitamin D is the best antioxidant for the body. I LOVE it!

�         Vitamin C - 1000 mg 1-3 times daily, especially if you feel a cold coming on. Start at the first sniffle.

�         Glutathione detoxes the body, taking out the toxins from the environment!

�         Milk Thistle is a powerful antioxidant that can detox and protect the liver from toxic chemicals and pollutants. Also, improves Glutathione levels which is the body's major antioxidant.

PLEASE! I do not want to find you in a nursing home later in your life. By taking care of your body, there is no reason why you would have to be there!
TAKE YOUR PREVENTATIVE STEPS NOW! I want you to be vital & HEALTHY for all of your days.

Call us if you need more help!
Blessings,

Barbara

"Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers, you are God's field, you are God's building." Corinthians 3:8-9

Maintain the upkeep on your building!

Do I Really Need Supplements? That's A Great Question

Barbara Hoffman, N.D. — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:00:00 PST

Yes, I believe they are most valuable for your health, but you DO NOT need to spend a lot of money!

Way too many of you have spent a lot of money on supplements, pills, powders or expensive food that you either did not need or did not use.

Too many stores and vendors are offering very expensive regimens that may work, but are not affordable for you to sustain using them, so eventually you have to give them up.

I do not think you need to spend a fortune to be healthy. In fact, I would rather see you save your money, give it to the Church, or, for you women buy some jewelry! I do not know what the men's equivalent to buying jewelry is....someone could write and tell me!

Here is what we will accomplish with you:

You will choose your desired result or results and we will focus on those supplements that can help you get there. It will be AFFORDABLE for you. I am not here to sell you ANYTHING. I want this to be educational for you; you can take the information and use it as you wish.

BY THE WAY, DO WE REALLY NEED SUPPLEMENTS?
My best advice is YES!

According to a survey of 1,200 doctors, 79% of physicians recommended natural supplements, 72% of those physicians were taking natural supplements for their own health.

ARE THEY SAFE?

The U.S. National Poison Data Systems 2009 Annual Report announced that there were ZERO deaths from vitamin supplements, herbal products, homeopathic supplements and over the counter hormone products!

Over 100,000 patients (in hospitals) died from drugs that they took "appropriately".

This is the difference between God's Pharmacy and Man's Pharmacy!

My experience

I started using supplements when I was 34 years old. I was seeing people that seemed to have UNLIMITED energy and vitality. I saw people in their 70's and even 80's who had awesome intellectual focus and memory and youthful vigor. They were impressive in their robust health.

Well, I said, I want to be like them! So I began a supplement regimen.

I take specific supplements for specific needs and I usually take a break on Sunday about twice a month.

Recently, I decided to experiment and took 4 days off from ANY supplements including hormones.

By the 5th day, which was a Sunday, I was DRAGGING! I mean it....my husband wanted to go to a movie and I was so blah I didn't even want to get in the car. This month a Time Magazine writer wrote about his experience and he said the same thing. After he quit, he said "I don't wake up now with that feeling of the lion who will eat the world". Now I have to tell you, I am almost a senior citizen so without my supplements, I think I am falling into the category of an "old person". Old persons EXPECT to feel less energetic, sleep less, lose hair, etc. So they often do not question it. I am encouraging you....you DO NOT need to feel old. I have more energy now and feel better than I did back at 34 years of age.

OKAY....Let's talk about you!

I am going to take specific categories and tell you what supplements work the best for that need. The suggested doses are in bold type. I will indicate if a certain supplement is a brand name. That may be my favorite product, but I tried to list the ingredients so you could look for a similar product in a health food store.

Just call me if you need more help!

The materials and recommendations contained in this blog are for general health information only. I have not intended my recommendations to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have specific medical questions, I encourage you to ask your own health care provider.

FATIGUE / ENERGY

1) Natural Hormone Crème

2) DHEA - (The hormone of YOUTH!) DHEA is thermogenic, supports thyroid,    increases testosterone levels and helps balance cortisol, which in turn increases stamina and raises energy. If you are over 40, you are low in DHEA. For Women: ½ to 1 tablet daily, For Men: 1-2 tablets daily.

3) L-Tyrosine - Found in protein. Raises L-Dopamine can which relieve that "blah" feeling. Helps improve mood, focus, feelings of joy, and helps with libido, too. 1 capsule (500 mg) 2-3 times daily.

4) Rhodiola - A powerful adaptogenic herb with energy producing benefits. Reduces fatigue and can increase work capacity! Feeling draggy? This is for you! Rhodiola was given to physicians on night duty. ALL 56 felt better. Great for students also. 1 capsule (500 mg) per day with a meal.

5) B-12/ or Vitamin B6 + Folic Acid - Known to raise energy levels. Nature's "feel-good vitamins"

ANXIETY

1) Natural Hormone Crème

2) Zen Mind (Nutricology) - Contains GABA & L-Theanine. Without GABA, the brain's gas pedal gets stuck in high gear. Zen Mind reduces anxiety and calms the brain without the drowsy, tired feeling. Gives the body a sense of "alert relaxation". Also, lowers blood pressure and promotes sleep & relaxation. 1 to 2 capsules daily. Or just get some GABA

3) Nusera (Metagenics) - Promotes calmness & relaxation during any anxious episode. This chocolate chewable tablet influences the metabolism of cortisol, the stress hormone and positively influences the activity of GABA - a calming neurotransmitter. Use during any anxious episode.

LIBIDO / SEXUAL FITNESS

1)     Avena Sativa - "WILD OATS". Over 85% of users report an increased libido. Boosts energy levels & feelings of well-being. A graduate school in San Francisco, California has been studying the effects of Avena Sativa on sex drive for over 15 years. They reported that Avena Sativa works by freeing up testosterone that gets bound to various compounds in the body in both males & females. There are no indications of side effects. 1 tablet up to 3 times daily.

2)     L-Arginine - MEN LOVE THIS PRODUCT! A vasodilator which helps increase blood flow. L-Arginine is recommended by many physicians for use for E.D. Stimulates production of human growth hormone and can help increase sperm count. Also, helps the body shed fat, builds & tones muscles, guards against heart disease by preventing formulation of plaque and may help lower blood pressure. YAY! 1 Capsule (500 mg) 1-3 times daily between meals.

3)     Testralin - (Metagenics) A bit more expensive. Keeps testosterone in balance and may raise testosterone levels. Inhibits aromatase - an enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen. Supports elimination of excess estrogens and provides phyto-nutrients known to inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). 2 tablets daily with a meal.

4)     DHEA - raises libido in both sexes and naturally raises testosterone levels. For Women: ½ to 1 tablet daily, For Men: 1-2 tablets daily.

5)     Testron SX - (Nutraceutics) The main ingredient is Tribulus Terrestris. Also known as the puncture vine plant, may help the body increase its own ability to produce testosterone naturally. Users report increased libido, lean muscle mass and energy. 1 caplet twice daily. An additional caplet may be taken 1 hour before sexual activity or exercise.

INSOMNIA

You need to sleep! Re-setting your hormones is a weight loss tool!

1)     Natural Hormone Crème - At night, apply on side of face & neck.

2)     Melatonin - Resets circadian rhythm. See my previous blog on insomnia. I believe it CURES insomnia! Dissolve 1-3 tablets under the tongue once daily, at bedtime.

3)     Restful Night - (Better Health Naturally) A crème form of melatonin Apply to face or neck 45 minutes - 1 hour prior to bedtime.

4)     Somno-Pro (Bioclinic Naturals) Have you tired melatonin but feel like you need something more? This is for severe insomnia! Contains melatonin, 5-HTP, and L-Theanine. 1-2 tablets, 1 hour before bedtime.

MEMORY

1)     Pregnenelone - This is the superior product for memory! Enhances memory, mental alertness and improves visual acuity. Enhances neuronal connections & central nervous system integrity. Also, lowers fatigue and improves mood. Benefits are generally noticed within 1 day - 2 weeks. It is a hormone, however. Suggested dose for Women: 10-25 mg Men: 25-50 mg.

2)     Phosphatidylserine - This product is really great for all ages! Increases neuronal membrane fluidity (cell-to-cell communication). Helps lower cortisol, especially nighttime cortisol. Can prevent dementia & possibly Alzheimer's disease, improves memory loss due to aging and improves cognition, helps the brain retrieve information and helps with low energy in the morning. After only 2 weeks of use, users report an improved ability to remember, focus, speak with clarity and feel intelligence return & even expand as cognition improves. I love it! 1 daily.

3)     Rhodiola - Great at improving stress-related memory loss!   (See also, ENERGY) 1 capsule per day with a meal.

WEIGHT CONTROL

1)     DHEA - Help target and decrease belly fat! Reports show that women had 10.2% less visceral fat (belly fat) after a few months, men reported 7.4% decrease in visceral fat. For Women: ½ to 1 tablet daily, For Men: 1-2 tablets daily.

2)     PGX Daily Granules (Bioclinic Naturals) - Unflavored crystals which you mix with moist food. Reduces appetite and food intake. Controls insulin spike for less fat storage, lowers glycemic index of your meals by up to 50%. "WOW! I ate my PGX in yogurt. I was wearing a wide elastic belt and between the belt and the PGX I felt as though I had eaten an entire turkey dinner! I only had a small plate of veggies for dinner." - Barbara Hoffman. Sprinkle onto any moist food, yogurt, fruit salad, oatmeal, soup, low-calorie beverage or meal replacement.

CRAVINGS

1)     5-HTP - Crave chocolate or carbs at night? That is because your body is asking you to raise your serotonin levels. 5-HTP raises serotonin levels, enhances mood and promotes sleep & relaxation. 1(50 mg) - 2 capsules late afternoon or evening.

2)     Zen Mind (Nutracology) - For those of you who are binge eaters, your brain is not telling you to slow down. Zen Mind contains GABA and can help eliminate cravings & help with food addictions. (See also ANXIETY) 1 to 2 capsules daily.

3)     L-Tyrosine - Need coffee or sugar to keep your body going throughout the day? L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that helps suppress appetite and raise dopamine levels for better mood and more energy. 1 capsule 2-3 times daily.

4)     Chromemate (Legere) Stops sugar cravings in their tracks! Chromemate reduces hunger cravings and especially sugar cravings. Helps prevent fat rebound and is great for adolescent weight loss. 1-3 capsules daily.

PMS

1)     Borage GLA - Stronger than Evening Primrose! Borage helps the body produce Proglastin - E which helps balance hormone levels and ease hormonal imbalance symptoms. 1-2 softgels daily.

2)     Rodex Forte (Legere) or Methyl B-12 - Both are Natural diuretics, stress & mood stabilizers. These B vitamins are essential in maintaining hormone balance. B6 aids conversion of tryptophan to serotonin to fight depression and B-12 helps increase energy and fights stress.

3)     Magnesium Citrate - helps relieve symptoms during menstrual cycle such as migraines, bloating, mood swings, breast tenderness, muscle spasm and muscle cramps. 1 (400 mg) -2 daily, at night

4)     5-HTP - can help relieve depression related to PMS. 1-2 capsules late afternoon or evening.

STRESS

1)     Rodex Forte (Legere) - B6 & B-12 have been shown to be very effective for stress. (See also PMS) 1-2 capsules daily.

2)     DHEA - Great for stress because it counter-balances cortisol. During times of stress, cortisol rises. DHEA help lower and balance cortisol levels. For Women: ½ to 1 tablet daily, For Men: 1-2 tablets daily.

3)     Zen Mind (Nutracology) - Contains GABA 550 mg which keeps the mind calm during times of high stress. Gives the body a calm, focused & alert feeling. 1 to 2 capsules daily.

4)     Nusera (Metagenics) - God's Valium! Just chew one at times of severe stress or anxiety attack. Use during any anxious episode.

5)     Rhodiola - Stress adaptogen & improves ability to handle stress. Improves stamina and mood. 1 capsule per day with a meal.

6)    Phosphatidylserine - During times of stress, PS 100 lowers cortisol levels during the night! 1 daily.

ADRENAL SUPPORT

1)     Isocort (Bezwecken) Can really help in severe cases! Isocort is a freeze-dried form of cortisol. 2 pellets 3 times daily.

2)     Adrenal C Formula (Dr James Wilson) - Loaded with Vitamin C! Best "C" on the market: 2:1 ratio of bioflavonoids: ascorbate. For people who are recovering from adrenal fatigue. 1-3 caplets per day.

3)     Adrenal Rebuilder (Dr James Wilson) - Designed to support and help rebuild adrenal glands. Multi-glandular. 1-2 caplets with each meal and one at bedtime.

4)     Super Adrenal Stress Formula (Dr James Wilson) - Contains 5-HTP! Replenishes adrenals quickly. Keeps the body calm, steady and energized. Also great for low thyroid. 1-3 caplets per day.

5)     Adrenal PX DHEA (Restorative Formulations) - Everything you need in one product! Contains Pantothenic Acid (B5), Pregnenolone, DHEA, Magnesium and Ashwaganda Root. 1-3 Capsules daily.

6)     Rhodiola - A powerful adaptogen! Rather than over-stimulating the adrenals, like caffeine does, adaptogens actually support proper function and help the adrenals produce cortisol in natural patterns. 1 capsule per day with a meal.

THYROID

Both of these are  Dr. James Wilson formulations:

1)     Thyro-Balance (Dr James Wilson) LOVE IT! Liquid form. If you are taking thyroid medication, but still have signs and symptoms, Thyro-Balance can help you! If you are stressed, lack sleep, use birth control pills or are in peri-menopause or menopause, you need to nourish your thyroid to feel great! You only need 3-4 drops (in water or not acidic juice) a day to feel the benefits!

2)     Thyrocare (Restorative Formulations) Pill form. Can be used with thyroid medications. Great for people with hypothyroid or sluggish thyroid. Can really help improve fatigue. 1 capsule twice daily, with or without food.

VAGINAL DRYNESS / VAGINAL ATROPHY

1)     Ostaderm-V (Bezwecken) 80% Estriol, 20% Estadiol. ½ TSP= 2 mg Estrogen & 65 mg of progesterone. Apply on the vaginal area twice daily.

2)     E3 Vaginal Suppositories - For immediate results! 2 mg Estriol. Women noticed a difference in just 2 days! Estriol can be useful in reducing vaginal dryness and also thickening skin in vaginal area in a matter of a few days or weeks. Insert one suppository nightly for one week. The second week, use every other night. After that use 1-2 a week if needed.

3)     Natural Source Vitamin - Can be very helpful for vaginal dryness. Just pop a softgel with a pin, and insert.

4)     Super EPA Fish Oil - Keeps your body "oiled" systematically. 1 softgel 2-3 times daily with meals.

HOT FLASHES

1)     Estrovera (Metagenics) Does not contain any forms of estrogen. Extract of rhubarb has been shown to reduce the number of daily menopausal hot flashes. Clinically effective dose in just 1 tablet. Many women noticed a significant decrease in the number of hot flashes in just 4 weeks. Take one tablet daily.

2)     Flash Pause Crème (Better Health Naturally) Specifically formulated to help you with those "straggler" hot flashes! Contains progesterone, Vitamin B-12, Black Cohash, Red Clover, Evening Primrose Oil & Dong Quai. Use Crème as needed during periods of flashing or anticipated flashing (1/4 tsp)

3)     Menosense (Natural Factors) Natural menopause formula for hot flashes & night sweats. Contains Don Quai, Chasteberry, Black Cohosh, Gamma Oryzanol, and Hesperidin. These ingredients work together to halt hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings. Helps lowers cholesterol, vaginal dryness and much more! 2 capsules at breakfast.

4)     Pycnogenol - Pine Bark scientifically improves hot flashes! A double-blind, placebo-controlled study reported that women taking Pycnogenol reported significant improvement in hot flashes, depressed mood, memory & concentration, , anxiety, sexual desire and sleep problems. Contains 25 mg of French Maritime pine bark extract. 1-2 capsules daily.

Recognize yourself in any of these categories?

You can pick one or two supplements and get started.

It is NOT expensive to nourish your hormones & your brain.

You and I can be as vital as those 70 year old researchers, scientists and doctors that I met 20 years ago. Let's do it!

Blessings,

Barbara

To be continued . . . Watch for Part 2

Hello Coffee Drinkers / You Are Doing Your Body Good!

Barbara Hoffman, N.D. — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:00:00 PST

Are you a lover of that "cup o' joe"? Good for you!

Recent studies show that people who drink three to four cups of java a day are 25% less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who drink fewer than two cups. Men who drink at least six cups a day have a 60% lower risk of developing advanced prostate cancer than those who didn't drink any.

Studies also link coffee consumption with a lower risk of getting colon, mouth, throat, esophageal and endometrial cancers. People who drink coffee are also less likely to have cavities, gallstones, cirrhosis of the liver, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, or even to commit suicide. Can you believe it? It's true.

Last year, researchers at Harvard University and the University of Madrid assessed data on more than 100,000 people over 20 years and concluded that the more coffee they drank, the less likely they were to die during that period from any cause at all.

Prostate Cancer

The prostate-cancer study compared the coffee-drinking habits of 50,000 men with their incidence of prostate cancer over 20 years, and also took into account family history of prostate cancer and how frequently they had screenings. The more cups of coffee the men drank, the less likely they were to be in the most lethal group. Men who drink coffee have a 60% reduced risk of developing advanced prostate cancer.

Diabetes

At least 18 studies have found that drinking three or more cups of coffee a day is linked with a lower risk of developing the disease. Coffee contains traces of hundreds of substances, including potassium, magnesium and vitamin E as well as chlorogenic acids, caffeol and diterpenes that have antioxidant properties. These may protect against cell damage and inflammation that can be precursors to cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders and cardiovascular disease.

Parkinson's, Cirrhosis, Dementia, Cancer

Studies have shown that people who drink coffee regularly are 80% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease and liver cirrhosis. Two more studies from 2009 have also suggested that drinking coffee lowers the risk of developing Dementia.

Many studies have also highlighted coffee's key role in reducing risk for multiple types of cancer. People who drink coffee are up to 50% less likely to develop liver cancer. Research has also suggested that they are 25% less likely to develop colon cancer.

Breast Cancer

In the Nurse's Health Study a reduction in breast cancer was noted in post-menopausal coffee drinkers.

Alzheimer's

Researchers believe moderate daily consumption of caffeinated coffee is the best current option for long-term protection against Alzheimer's memory loss. Coffee is inexpensive, readily available, easily gets into the brain, appears to directly attack the disease process and has few side effects for most people.

A new study shows that it may not be just the caffeine, but a combination of caffeine and coffee's compounds that together cause an increase in blood levels of a growth factor called GCSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor). Patients with Alzheimer's disease have low levels of GCSF.

Cognitive Function

Coffee can help you increase short term recall.

Also, in tests of simple reaction time, choice reaction time, incidental verbal memory, and visuospatial reasoning, participants who regularly drank coffee were found to perform better on all tests, with a positive relationship between test scores and the amount of coffee they drank regularly. Elderly participants were found to have the largest effect associated with regular coffee drinking. Another study found that women over the age of 80 performed significantly better on cognitive tests if they had regularly drunk coffee over their lifetimes. Wow! I want that to be me!

Five Reasons to Not Quit Coffee

1) It protects your heart: Moderate coffee drinkers (1 to 3 cups/day) have lower rates of stroke than non-coffee drinkers, an effect linked to coffee's antioxidants. Coffee has more antioxidants per serving than blueberries, making it the biggest source of antioxidants in American diets. Immediately after drinking it, coffee raises your blood pressure and heart rate, but over the long term, it can actually lower blood pressure as coffee's antioxidants activate nitric oxide, widening blood vessels.

2) It prevents diabetes: Coffee's antioxidants boost your cells' sensitivity to insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar.

3) Your liver loves it: It appears that the more coffee people drink, the lower their incidence of cirrhosis and other liver diseases. One analysis of nine studies found that every 2-cup increase in daily coffee intake reduced liver cancer risk by 43%.

4) It boosts your brain power: Drinking between 1 and 5 cups a day may help reduce risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, as well as Parkinson's disease. Those antioxidants may ward off brain cell damage and help the neurotransmitters involved in cognitive function to work better.

5) It helps headaches: Studies show that 200 milligrams of caffeine - about the amount in 16 ounces of brewed coffee - provides relief from headaches, including migraines.

One theory gaining credence is that some of the beneficial components in coffee may counterbalance some of the negative effects of caffeine. For example, while caffeine keeps people awake in part by blocking adenosine, a brain chemical that brings on sleep, the chlorogenic acid keeps adenosine circulating in the brain longer.

So my friends . . .
Recent studies have shown that coffee can be very beneficial to our well-being!

Now, people can sit back with a freshly brewed cup and be comforted by the fact that they are no longer have to feel guilty about it.

YAY! I LOVE coffee!

Blessings,

Barbara

My Favorite Eating Tips for You

Barbara Hoffman, N.D. — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:00:00 PST
Eating So You Won't Get Fat or Stay Fat

BREAKFAST

Eat Breakfast EVERY DAY. This gives your body the fuel it needs to start the day. Never Skip It!

Eat protein as your main breakfast food. Every day!

Breakfast On-The-Run: Protein powder - Almond milk - Blueberries

Use Turkey bacon . . . It contains half the fat calories! And no more regular Eggs & Bacon.

Egg whites instead of whole eggs in your scramble or omelet

Almond milk, no soy or whole milk

Dinner left-overs are great, but no rice. A slice of cheese or meat pizza is fine

LUNCH

Say NO to white breads, choose whole grain or sprouted bread

Hold the side of French fries; add a side of veggies to your sandwich

Instead of cheese use avocado

No more mayonnaise . . . get some gourmet mustards . . . I have about 5 open jars of mustard in my kitchen at any one time      and I love to mix them up

Hummus spread or olive spread can be used just like mayo, or even bruschetta topping . . . YUMM!

Always order corn tortillas instead of flour . . . less carbs and calories!

No more Fried Foods . . . get them OUT of your diet.

Accompany your sandwich with a fresh salad, fruit bowl or veggies

In a restaurant, do NOT order fries or chips

Great Snack Tip: Mix beans together and make a bean salad.

If at a Mexican restaurant - eliminate the rice and add extra beans. Then eat to your heart's content!

ALWAYS get dressing on the side OR bring your own.

Stay away from foods that say Low Fat on the label . . . they substitute sugar for the fat!

Eat a plate of veggies EVERY DAY. Revamp your veggies! Steam them one day, sauté them the next! Buy the babies, they are tenderer and take less time to cook.

Indulge in sweeter veggies: yams, squash and peas.

DINNER

Buy a great dressing and thin it out by adding lemon juice or vinaigrette.   Champagne vinaigrette is delicious!

Make veggies your main dish, NOT side dish

Turkey chili! YUM! I have a great recipe. You can write me and I'll send it to you or you can find great recipes online.

Use 90% ground beef - it has the least fat

Sweet potatoes or yams. Baked sweet potatoes fries save about 300 calories from French Fries

Turkey meatballs - my go-to snack!

Grilled Portobello mushrooms

Salad dressing: balsamic vinegar dressing�.save 100 calories

Don't put a lot of toppings on your salad like bacon, dried fruit, cheese

Always sit while eating and stop cleaning your plate. Tip: eating with chopsticks will slow your intake

Spaghetti Squash is a healthy choice and is delicious topped with your favorite red sauce

Avoid breaded chicken or fish. Grill them with a splash of lemon instead.

Bake your veggies�mix them all together, 1 Tbsp olive oil and spices. Yum!

Split an entrée with your mate or friend and save ½ the calories or take ½ home and have it for breakfast

Eat the same thing often . . . cuts down on overeating

ALWAYS skip the bread. If you must give in, choose whole wheat

No croutons - cut carrots or cucumbers are a great substitute and are just as crunchy!

Lay down your fork after every bite . . . my mother's favorite tip!

NEVER eat in your car. If it comes in thru your car window, consider it to be NOT food

SNACKS

Carrots or bell peppers dipped in Hummus, salsa or guacamole.

By the way 1 avocado per week can help you lower your cholesterol by 100 points (People's Pharmacy, LA Times)

Greek yogurt with 1 Tbsp of fruit-only jam (I like to add my PGX crystals to this and it turns thick and keeps you satisfied for hours)

Almond Butter with roasted Flaxseed on Triscuits

Air popped pop corn - sea salt and olive oil popcorn can be addictive!

Dr. Wilson says: CRUNCH!   Chew, chew, chew! Snap peas are great!

Nuts are good! They do contain fat, But not carbs!

Bring your own popcorn to the movies! Can save over 1000 calories, maybe more. If questioned, say you are on a special diet J

STAY AWAY FROM VENDING MACHINES!

Low-carb protein bars. Atkins bars are great and so many flavors to choose from!

Few pieces of dark chocolate can really give ANY craving the cold-shoulder

Frozen grapes are a great snack and taste like candy! But don't eat too many

Flavored Iced tea is so refreshing . . . Raspberry is my favorite.

Never drink your fruit! Eat the fruit, not fruit juice!

No sports drinks or vitamin waters, they contain SO MUCH SUGAR

Drink green tea . . . boosts metabolism and helps with weight loss. 3 cups per day is best.

My Personal Tips!

Remember....When you eat, your brain is looking for nutrients, not calories and it will prod you to it until it (the brain) is satisfied. That's why it is hard to push back from a bowl of ice cream or plate of fries. Your brain is still looking for those nutrients. Give it the nutrients in the first place via healthy foods!

Add PGX Crystals to any moist food. It will keep you full and satisfied longer throughout the day

Have cravings? Add 5-HTP, GABA or L-Tyrosine

KEEP YOUR HORMONES BALANCED!

What is YOUR favorite tip? Let me know and I will post it so YOU can help others.

A prize for the best tip or tips!
Blessings,
Barbara

Why We Get FAT and Stay FAT

Barbara Hoffman, N.D. — Thu, 1 Sep 2011 12:00:00 PST

NEW recent information about weight loss that will change your eating habits forever.

It is literally going to take years for powers-that-be to truly inform the public that the old ideas about dieting and weight control are erroneous. This is because the wheels of change turn slowly. But YOU can change your ways now and stop inevitable weight gain. I want to help you be trim and fit for the rest of your life. A diet high in carbohydrates is making America FAT.

FACTS:

1 in every 3 Americans is considered obese AND 2 in 3 are overweight. Why can't Americans get fit? We are told consistently that we have to not take in more calories than we can burn and that we cannot lose weight if we do not exercise.

The Bad News:

We live in a Toxic Environment for obesity!

Specifically: fast foods, drive thrus, super sizes, junk snack foods that are marketed to us incessantly. The phrase has been coined: Obesigenic environment This is an environment that takes a lean person (you) and turns them into a fat person. People do not get fat because they eat too much, but because they eat the wrong types of food.

Myth

It was ALWAYS thought that it was "Calories in, calories out" that controlled weight gain and weight loss. Now scientific evidence shows this is NOT true. We were also told that low fat, low calorie diets worked. We were told that high protein diets cause high cholesterol and high triglycerides and heart attacks.

TRUTH:

The growth of our fat tissue is controlled by HORMONES, specifically insulin. Yes, just as growth hormone makes children grow, hormones can make us grow FAT. When insulin levels are elevated, fat accumulates in fat tissue. When insulin levels fall, we burn fat from the fat tissue and use it for fuel and lose that spare tire or other undesirable weight.

Simply put: the more carbs we eat, the more insulin we secrete. When insulin levels rise, so does fat storage

Your problem is a HORMONE IMBALANCE, NOT a CALORIE IMBALANCE
Who are the CULPRITS? Refined carbs, starchy vegetables, sugar, high fructose corn syrup.

How does it work? Glucose wants to store as FAT.

Protein/fats want to burn as ENERGY.

Carbs make us fat AND carbs make us hungrier!

You need to STAY AWAY FROM CARB-RICH FOODS AND SWEET FOODS. AVOID LIQUID CARBS like fruit juice, soda

A famous study called the Womens Health Initiative (WHI) followed 50,000 women for 8 years. Guess what? A low fat, low calorie diet did not result in much weight loss.....just about 2 pounds each in 8 YEARS! That is really pathetic for women who were diligently watching what they ate for many years.

THE LESSON:

Under-eating does NOT cure obesity Just about every overweight person has tried it...IT DOES NOT WORK!

EVEN BY EATING JUST 800-1000 calories per day, only 1 in 20 patients lost any significant weight according to a large research study. 800 obese and overweight people were enrolled and were instructed to eat 750 calories less per day. They were also given intense counseling to help them stay on track and also given a lot of help with meal plans that were low in calories. The average participant was 50 pounds over weight. Despite all this diligence and denial, they only lost only 9 pounds in 6 months! AND they gained it back after a year. Undereating is not a cure and overeating is not the cause of all obesity

EXERCISE:

This is not the answer either

People in the US are getting fatter despite the proliferation of health clubs, aerobics, and leisure-activity sports that have exploded in recent years. We have basically seen a "fitness revolution but we are still getting FATTER!

IN FACT, USDA guidelines do not suggest that weight can be lost by exercising. Even faithful runners tend to get fatter as the years go by, even those that run more than 40 miles per week. In truth, we do not burn a lot of calories by doing moderate exercise AND it often encourages us to eat more because we think we DID burn those calories.

Have you heard the phrase "working up an appetite?" That's exactly what exercise can do! After exercise the body wants to compensate for the energy drain. Exercise is good for staying fit, but is not the answer for losing weight. Most people who try to lose weight by exercise are also cutting out unhealthy foods. Did you ever see a regular jogger or aerobics buff eating a donut after they exercise? No, they are more likely to be drinking some cool water or having something half-way healthy at least. That's why these people can stay lean. If they eat the wrong foods, even the distance runner will gain weight.

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE GET FAT AND OTHERS DO NOT? WHY DOESN'T DIETING WORK TO KEEP POUNDS OFF?

It comes down to INSULIN!

Excess insulin works to promote the flow of fat into the fat cells and will cause you to get fatter Protein helps break down fat so it can escape from the fat cells and will make you thinner.

What is Insulin?

Insulin is the hormone that is the main regulator of fat metabolism

All carbohydrate breaks down into sugar in our bodies. Your pancreas then secretes insulin to digest the carbs. Blood sugar (glucose) rises. More insulin is secreted to lower the blood sugar. Insulin causes carbs to convert into fat and be stored in the fat cells. The fat will stay in the fat cells until insulin levels drop, but we eat too many carbs and insulin levels remain high. The pancreas is over-active in order to secrete enough insulin to cope with your blood sugar levels. It is like being on a merry-go-round with no getting off!

Insulin also works to create new fat cells. It works to increase the fat we store and decrease the fat we burn. Yes! Fat cells can multiply.

We need to lower our insulin levels and secrete less insulin in the first place!
It is the proverbial Vicious cycle:

When we get fatter, we need more energy and our appetite will increase. We will crave carbs because that is what insulin wants to burn for fuel. The insulin is now in control!

INSULIN RESISTANCE & Midsection Fat:

The more insulin you secrete, the likelier it is that your cells will become resistant to it....the cells will not open the door when insulin comes knocking. So, it stays in the blood stream. The body senses that there is still insulin in the blood stream and the pancreas releases MORE insulin. More insulin release promotes a greater degree of insulin resistance. The increase in insulin causes the fat cells to store more calories as fat. We are more likely to become insulin resistant as we age and we store more and more calories as fat Often, as insulin levels go up, blood pressure and cholesterol and triglycerides go up. Metabolism is also slowing down. So....even a lean person will get fatter without increasing calorie intake! The fat accumulates around the waist (where fat cells are most sensitive to insulin)

Get the picture? This is as simple as I can put it. Carbs and sweets have to be avoided!

With sugar, there are studies that show can be as addictive as cocaine and nicotine even animals can be made to eat foods they do not like if we "sugar coat" them!

THE FOODS THAT MAKE US FAT MAKE US CRAVE FOODS THAT MAKE US FAT!

Will that help you give them up? It's the only way to stay lean.

METABOLIC SYNDROME:



This occurs when we get fatter, lose control of our blood sugar, develop insulin resistance, develop high blood pressure, HDL cholesterol goes down, and LDL goes up. Metabolic Syndrome has been associated with Alzheimer's disease and cancer because insulin and high blood sugar can cause brain deterioration. I was at a conference recently where the researchers called Alzheimer's "Diabetes of the Brain" The brain needs fat (cholesterol) for its building blocks....NOT SUGAR. Also, regarding cancer, excess insulin can cause tumors to both grow and to metastasize

WHAT DO I EAT?

Not all carbs are bad! Vegetables and leafy greens are also carbs. Low glycemic index foods are good for us. The higher the glycemic index, the more insulin will be secreted in response to it. Do yourself a BIG favor: Download a copy of a glycemic index chart for foods. Eat foods with a GI of 70 or under. You will be eating GREAT foods and will LOSE weight!

EAT A PROTEIN RICH DIET:

The more carbs you eat, the more you will store fat.

Protein is key! You want your body to burn fat for energy. Protein promotes this because it does not raise insulin levels

A WORD ABOUT FRUIT:

Fruit contains fructose which can be fattening to anyone who is predisposed to put on weight. I know many menopausal women in particular who will gain weight the day after they ate too much fruit. I tested it on myself and a day after I ate nectarines and melon and a pear (all good, right?) I gained 1.5 pounds. WOW! Who knew? So be careful with fruit. Think about it�.fruit used to be seasonal and our ancestors just ate what was in season. Now we have so much available that we eat all fruits all the time. For myself, upon experimenting, I have found I am okay with blueberries and cherries and apples YAY! Do your own experiment to find your good fruits that will not store as fat.

WORST FOODS:

Refined sugar

High Fructose Corn Syrup - this contains fructose, the same fructose that is in fruit. It is about 1/2 fructose and 1/2 glucose and our bodies will process it into fat. As a matter of fact, fructose is the carb that we convert to fat most easily.

SUGAR HAS TO GO! It is NOT your friend!

No fruit juices. Never drink your fruit!

KEY: If you cut out the foods that make you fat, you will NOT be fat! If you lose weight and add those foods back in, you WILL get fat

RESTRICT CARBS, Keep Blood Sugar Levels LOW Carbs give quick energy so we crave them, but they make us crave more carbs if we eat too many.

A SECRET:

do not let yourself get too hungry. Just by thinking about eating, insulin will rise. Yes! The body begins to secrete insulin as soon as we think about eating in order to prepare the body for the upcoming glucose onslaught.

Then, the higher the insulin reaction we have, the more we will think the food tastes better. It's not fair, right? But that's how the body works to start controlling us and make us crave certain foods. Remember, your brain is in control NOT your body! Do not let your body bully you into overeating or eating the wrong foods!

WHAT ABOUT LOW FAT DIETS

This is not a wise choice at all because when manufacturers cut out fat they will replace it with sugar to restore some of the taste.

Protein and fat do NOT cause weight to balloon. The WHI study showed no significant reduction in heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, colon cancer or weight gain when 20,000 women cut their total fat consumption by 25% as compared to the other 29,000 who could eat as much fat as they wanted.

Olive oil is excellent. In fact, consuming olive oil daily has been shown to decrease risk of stroke by about 43%.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you replace saturated fat in your diet with carbohydrates.....in other words instead of eggs for breakfast, you have oatmeal and fruit, your LDL cholesterol may go down, but your triglycerides may go up. Carbohydrate rich diets lower HDL. Low HDL is an excellent predictor for heart attack in women. You do NOT want a low HDL.

WHAT ABOUT LOW CALORIE DIETS?

These starve the body of protein that is required for energy. Fatty tissue is not targeted in a low calorie diet. In fact, your fat cells will work overtime to hang on to their fat. Your body will also reduce its energy production and "slow down" If you are cutting all calories across the board, you will still be eating a disproportionate amount of carbs which will still impede any lasting weight loss. ELIMINATE STARCH, FLOUR, WHITE SUGAR and INCREASE PROTEIN and you WILL lose weight. I PROMISE

CEREAL, DAIRY PRODUCTS, SUGAR, CANDY, SODAS, DRESSINGS do not give us energy!

So why eat them? DON'T!

By the way, scientists now agree that the old food pyramid with carbohydrates as the mainstay was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! But we have followed it for so many years....this is why we have become an obese nation! Take a look at what we were encouraged to eat in the old pyramid. Way too many carbs in relation to protein. In fact, the whole bottle layer of the pyramid was nothing but carbs! It has now been revised, but we were misled for many years.

THE BEST STUDY I HAVE SEEN:

A government-funded study was conducted and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2007. It was called the A TO Z Weight Loss Study and compared 4 diets: These were all low carbohydrate diets�just what I am encouraging you to follow.

People lost weight, their HDL (good) cholesterol went up, triglycerides went down, and blood pressure went down.

LET'S TALK ABOUT CHOLESTEROL:

Did you know that LDL and HDL are really not cholesterol? They are particles that contain the cholesterol and move both it and triglycerides around the blood stream. When insulin is high, LDL particles which are supposed to be large and benign, become small and dense and attach to the arterial walls to form plaque. A Carbohydrate-rich diet makes LDL small and increase the risk of heart disease.. It also lowers HDL (good cholesterol). When we limit carbs, HDL goes up and LDL particles become larger and more innocuous.

This is proof that a low carb, protein rich diet will not increase risk of heart disease and will probably PREVENT IT! This is a complete reversal of previous recommendations.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER HORMONES?

Did you know that LDL and HDL are really not cholesterol? They are particles that contain the cholesterol and move both it and triglycerides around the blood stream. When insulin is high, LDL particles which are supposed to be large and benign, become small and dense and attach to the arterial walls to form plaque. A Carbohydrate-rich diet makes LDL small and increase the risk of heart disease.. It also lowers HDL (good cholesterol). When we limit carbs, HDL goes up and LDL particles become larger and more innocuous.

This is proof that a low carb, protein rich diet will not increase risk of heart disease and will probably PREVENT IT! This is a complete reversal of previous recommendations.

You all know that I am a huge proponent of balancing estrogens with progesterone. Excess estrogen or estrogen dominance can cause weight gain and an increase in fat cells by itself and when compounded by high insulin, your battle with weight is lost. So hormone balance is key.

WHY DO CHILDREN GET FAT?

If the mother has high insulin while she is pregnant, the child will develop more insulin-secreting cells. The child will be born with more fat and have a tendency toward insulin resistance. In other words, the child will be born with a predisposition to be fat! "Bad" (Refined) Carbohydrates are to blame!

WHAT IS YOUR PERFECT ANSWER?

Try eating less pasta, rice, white potatoes and all white foods. Avoid sugar "like the plague". (See the Stay off Sugar 6 part blog)

Try a week of just protein, or even a few days. Go slow but steady. I will caution you women, though, that hormone balance is key. Otherwise your body may simply refuse to give up the weight. So use your progesterone crème.

Patience please....you are improving your health, blood pressure, cholesterol.

It may have taken years for you to get to this point. Every step in the right direction will make you feel better. A body clear of excess sugars and carbs will begin to feel GREAT in terms of energy, mood, sleep, and libido as well as losing weight.

You will also notice that sugary things begin to taste WAY TOO SWEET after you have weaned yourself. I used to LOVE pie, but today I cannot find any slice of pie that is simply too sweet for me to enjoy. It will happen for you, too. Remember that sugar is addictive, so you may need some help with 5-HTP, L-Tyrosine or GABA to help you out.

YOU WILL NOT BE STARVNG YOURSELF! You can eat a lot of food if you give up the empty carbs. Do not consider this a diet. We do not want to use words with "die" in them!

THE GOOD NEWS:

Once you start eliminating the "bad" carbs you will find:

        You do not think about food as much as you used to....only when you are hungry

        You will feel more energetic

        You may not need to snack as much, although I do encourage healthy snacks

        Your mood will be more even as blood sugar remains stable (There is a great product for keeping blood sugar stable called PGX. I LOVE it! Call me if you would like a sample. You put it in yogurt or any other moist food. It helps you to burn fat for fuel and lose weight. It also creates a feeling of satiety while you are changing to your new lifestyle.

        Blood pressure should come down as the kidneys excrete the sodium they have retained due to high insulin levels

        YOU WILL LEAD A LONGER AND HEALTHIER LIFE

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for YOU, declares the Lord"

I want you HEALTHY to fulfill those plans. Call me if you need a Cheerleader of a Diet Buddy! 877 539-6200

Coming next:

TIPS FOR GOOD EATING

Write to me with YOUR tips and I will add them!

Blessings,

Barbara

Are You An Overeater?

Barbara Hoffman, N.D. — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:00:00 PST

Okay, here we go with Part II of Why America is Getting Fat. So many of us are overeaters! Let's take a look. There is help!

Type 1. Compulsive Overeaters

These people tend to get stuck on thoughts of food. They hear the ice cream in the freezer calling their name-over and over and over again. They get so focused on the French fries they are going to order for lunch that they forget something important. They often feel compulsively driven to eat and often say they have no control over food. They tend to be night time eaters because they worry and have sleep disturbance.

The Compulsive Overeater

This type is associated with holding grudges and having problems with argumentative behavior. No matter what you ask them, their first is almost automatically no. Even if they would really like to say yes.

What makes compulsive overeaters worse

The following types of diets, beverages, supplements, and medications can make this type worse and make it almost impossible to stick to a weight-loss plan.

High protein diets. Don't avoid protein completely, just focus more on healthy carbohydrates.

Caffeinated beverages or caffeine pills

Diet pills, such as phentermine

Stimulants, such as Ritalin or Adderall

What works for compulsive overeaters

Increasing serotonin, which is calming to the brain. Also, learning how to get unstuck from thoughts about food and worries will work.

Eat complex carbohydrates and other brain healthy foods that help the body produce more serotonin.

Bananas

Beets

Brown Rice

Cottage Cheese

Herbal teas

Mackerel

Salmon

Sunflower Seeds

Swiss cheese

Turkey (recommend skinless)

Get enough physical exercise, which boosts serotonin levels.

Avoid nighttime eating after dinner. New research suggests that people who eat late at night gain even more weight than people who eat the same number of calories during the day. It seems that eating late at night throws off your internal clock so that your body decides to store more fat. Don't skip breakfast or go too long between meals.

If you get a thought in your head more than three times, do something to distract yourself.

Make a list of ten things you can do instead of eating; distract yourself.

Avoid automatically opposing others or saying no, even to yourself.

If you have trouble sleeping, try a gass of warm milk with a teaspoon of vanilla and a few drops of stevia.

Supplements, such as 5-HTP, the B vitamin inositol, L-tryptophan, and St. John's wort increase serotonin. Good scientific evidence shows that 5-HTP helps with weight loss.

Type 2. Impulsive Overeaters

People with this type struggle with impulsivity and have trouble controlling their behavior, even though they begin each day with good intentions to eat well. They don't think about food constantly, but whenever they see it, they can't resist. If they drive past their favorite burger joint, they are likely to stop even if they aren't really hungry. It's almost impossible to say no when someone offers then a second-or third or fourth slice of pizza, piece of cake, or helping of mashed potatoes.

What makes Impulsive Overeaters Worse

Anything that boosts serotonin in the brain will calm the brain and make the impulsive eater worse because it can lower both your worries and your impulse control, giving new meaning to the term fat and happy. Things that deplete dopamine levels are also a problem.

These include:

High-carbohydrate diets

Alcohol, caffeine, and sugar deplete dopamine

Stress

Serotonin-enhancing supplements, such as 5-HTP

Serotonin-enhancing medications, such as Prozac, Zoloft, or Lexapro

What Works for Impulsive Overeaters

Increase dopamine!

Eat brain healthy foods that are high in phenylalanine and tyrosine, the building blocks for

creating dopamine.

Dopamine boosters include:

Chicken (skinless)

Cottage Cheese

Eggs

Granola

Oat flakes

Ricotta cheese

Turkey (skinless)

Yogurt (low-fat and unsweetened)

Higher-protein diets that are low in simple carbohydrates (this means it's okay to eat zucchini but not the zucchini muffins; okay to eat the carrots but not the carrot cake) will help.

Exercise, (choose something you like to do), helps increase dopamine and blood flow to the brain.

Focus by making a list of weight and health goals. Put it where you can see it every day.

Line up a "supervisor". Have someone you trust check in with you on a regular basis to help you stay focused. Avoid impulsively saying yes to offers for more food or drink and practice saying, "No, thank you, I'm full."

From a supplement standpoint , rhodiola, L-tyrosine and green tea are helpful.

Type 3. Impulsive-Compulsive Overeaters

People with this type have a combination of both impulsive and compulsive features. On the surface it seems almost contradictory. How can you be both impulsive and compulsive at the same time?

You are driven to do something (that is the compulsion). Then, once you start you cannot stop (that is impulsive).

These people often think about food all day long! For some, it can be 8:30 a.m., and they are already daydreaming about the exact meal they are going to have for dinner that night. Then, as they drive home from work on their way to that delectable meal, they pass by a fast-food restaurant and think, "hey, some French fries would go really well with that. I'd better stop." The next thing they know, they have ordered not only a side of fries but also a cheeseburger and a milk shake, which they devour in the car on the way home. Once they get home, they are not longer hungry but they can's resist the lure of that dinner meal that is waiting in the fridge. About 3,000 calories, 80 g saturated fat, and 100 g sugar later, they feel sick and disgusted with themselves and vow to do better tomorrow.

What makes Impulsive-Compulsive Overeaters Worse

Using serotonin or dopamine interventions by themselves usually makes the problem worse. For example:

Using a serotonin medication or supplement helps to calm the compulsions but makes the impulsivity worse.

Using dopamine medication or supplements helps to lessen the impulsivity but increases the compulsive behaviors.

They need to combine their supplements to manage both.

What Works for impulsive-Compulsive Overeaters

Exercise

Set goals

Avoid automatically opposing others or saying no, even to yourself

Avoid impulsively saying yes

Have options

Distract yourself if you get a thought stuck in your head

For supplements, combining L-tyrosine (for dopamine) and 5-HTP (for serotonin) can be helpful

Type 4. Sad or Emotional Overeaters

People with this type tend to use food to medicate underlying feelings of sadness and to calm the emotional storms in their brain. They often struggle with feelings of boredom, loneliness, depression, low self-esteem, and pain issues. Sad or emotional over eaters may also experience decreased libido, periods of crying, low energy levels, suicidal thoughts, and a lack of interest in usually pleasurable activities, as well as feelings of guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, or worthlessness. For some people, these feelings come and go with the seasons and tend to worsen in the winter. Others experience mild feelings of chronic sadness, called dysthmia. Still others suffer from more serious depressions. This type is more commonly seen in women.

What makes sad or emotional overeaters worse

Certain behaviors can keep you mired in the sadness, including:

Letting yourself get stuck in negative thinking patterns

Isolating yourself from friends and family

Skimping on sleep

What Works for Sad or Emotional Overeaters

If you are a sad or emotional overeater, focus on activities and interventions that energize you and lift your mood.

Exercise increases blood flow to multiple neurotransmitters in the brain and has been shown to be a mood booster. Several studies have found it to be as effective as antidepressant medication.

Write down five things you are grateful for every day. This has been shown to increase your level of happiness in just three weeks.

Volunteer to help others, which helps to get you outside of yourself and less focused on your own internal problems.

Surround yourself with great smells, such as lavender . This scent of lavender has been the subject of countless research studies, which show that it reduces cortisol levels and promotes relaxation and stress reduction.

Use melatonin to help you sleep

Work to improve your relationships. Social bonding can help calm hyperactivity in the deep limbic system and enhance your mood.

Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating more fish, walnuts, avocadoes, and green leafy vegetables and/or taking a fish oil supplement. Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with depression and obesity.

Vitamin D supplements can help.

Try DHEA. DHEA is a master hormone that has been found to be low in many people with depression and obesity. Supplementing DHEA has god scientific evidence that it is helpful for weight loss.

Another helpful treatment for emotional overeaters is the natural supplement SAMe, in dosages of 400 to 1,600 mg.

Type 5. Anxious Overeaters

People with this type tend to medicate their feelings of anxiety, tension, nervousness, and fear with food. They may be plagued by feelings of panic, fear, and self-doubt, and suffer physical symptoms of anxiety, such as muscle tension, nail biting, headaches, abdominal pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and sore muscles. They have an overload of tension and emotion. People with this type tend to predict the worst and are often waiting for something bad to happen. They may be excessively shy, easily startled, and freeze in emotionally charged situations.

What Makes Anxious Overeaters Worse

Certain behaviors and substances can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and make you more likely to eat in an attempt to make those feelings go away. For example:

Focusing on the negative

Believing every negative thought you have

For some anxious overeaters, consuming too much caffeine or other stimulating

      substances

Drinking alcohol
What Works for Anxious Overeaters

Interventions to boost GABA combined with relaxation techniques that calm the brain are generally helpful. As with Sad or Emotional Overeaters, many of the people have found that using strategies to calm anxiety led to significant weight loss.

Eat brain healthy foods that are high in the amino acid glutamine, a precursor to GABA .

Bananas

Broccoli

Brown rice

Citrus fruit

Halibut

Herbal teas

Lentils

Nuts

Oatmeal

Spinach

Whole grains

Exercise

Try meditation techniques, such as: meditation, prayer, breathing exercises, hand-warming techniques.

Kill the automatic negative thoughts

Supplements: GABA, Vitamin B6, magnesium, and lemon balm

Do You Have More Than One Type?

Having more than one type is common. When you have more than one type, it just means that you may need a combination of interventions. With some combinations, you may only need to use the dominant treatment rather than trying to treat both types.

Based on the book and with gratitude,

            The Amen Solution: The Brain Healthy Way to Lose Weight and Keep It Off

by Daniel G. Amen Md

Blessing,
Barbara

America’s FAT Alert / We’re Getting FATTER

Barbara Hoffman, N.D. — Tue, 9 Aug 2011 12:00:00 PST

The Fat List

Looking at the list of the world's fattest countries, the United States is not at the very top of the list . . . but we are edging up. Processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, and fast food have kept our nation high on the "fat list" for over the last half century.

Warning:

Changing these current statistics will not be easy. Today, nearly 25% of adults fall into the obese category. However, you can change your personal situation and I urge you to start now!

According to Dr. Daniel Amen, physician, child & adult psychiatrist, and brain imaging specialist:

"Obesity is one of the biggest threats to brain health. Being overweight or obese is terrible for brain function."

Dr. Amen says in his frank way: "At every moment of every day of your life, your brain heavily influences how you think, feel, act, and interact with others. It is your brain that pushes you away from the table telling you that you have had enough, and it is your brain that gives you permission to have the second piece of cake, making you look and feel like a blob."

In his book, The Amen Solution, Dr. Amen presents easy and effective steps to start you on your path to getting healthy.

Step 1: Keep Your Blood Sugar Balanced!

          Eat a healthy breakfast. People who maintain weight loss universally eat a nutritious breakfast. (Barbara: It must contain protein!)

          Have smaller meals throughout the day

          Avoid simple sugars and refined carbohydrates, such as candy, sodas, cookies, crackers, white rice and white bread. Cookies, cake and bread will temporarily boost serotonin and you can easily become addicted.

Step 2: Take Brain Healthy Supplements. This is of paramount importance!

If you need help with focusing on your health, I would personally recommend

Phosphatidylserine - it strengthens memory, increases attention and concentration, boosts learning and mental acuity, as well as lifting moods and relieving depression.

Step 3: Eat From the Rainbow

Add foods in your diet of many different colors (antioxidants)

          Blueberries

          Pomegranates

          Yellow squash

          Red bell peppers

My Personal Additional Step:

Prayer or meditation for 12 minutes per day will increase blood flow to the pre-frontal cortex. This is the area of the brain that regulates making good decisions!

Words of wisdom

"Sugar is not your friend. The less sugar in your life, the better your life will be."

In my opinion, sugar is your enemy!

"An animal study from a team of French scientists found that sugar was actually more addictive than cocaine."

The Bottom Line: Eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates.

You are what you drink!

Your brain is 80 percent water. That's right!

Dr. Amen says: "Proper hydration is one of the keys to weight loss! Since the hunger and thirst centers sit right next to each other in the brain, many times when we think we are hungry, we are really just dehydrated. So we mistake the thirst signal for a food signal!"

So why haven't you started changing your ways?

Do you find yourself hiding behind these common unhealthy excuses?

"I don't have time."

I don't have the energy to exercise."

"I don't like any of the foods that are healthy for me."

I feel bad when I eat right. I just want ice cream, pizza, and cheeseburgers too much."

"I'll start tomorrow, or Monday, or next week, or next month . . . if I ever really get sick."

I have no control over what I eat."

"My family won't support me."

"It's my genetics."

No, no, no! Stop deceiving yourself! It's time to start taking back your waistline AND your brain focus & clarity. There are some powerful tools that will help you gain control and maintain your weight.

I encourage you to be an agent for change in the lives of your family and friends. The BEST legacy you can leave someone is the legacy of showing them how to be healthy! Is your legacy about HEALTH or illness?

The brain is key . . . Did you know that as your weight increases, your brain size decreases? You can decrease or prevent dementia by losing weight!

My next blog will show you the supplements that will work for you. I'm on your side in this fight! I want to help you get control of your brain and your body for the rest of your life. PLEASE start now so you or your f amily do not end up contributing to the obesity statistics.

Blessings,
Barbara

Beat the Yeast Beast, Solving Candida

Barbara Hoffman, N.D. — Fri, 5 Aug 2011 12:00:00 PST

What is Candida Albicans?



Candida Albicans is a yeast-like infection that inhibits the intestine, genital tracts, mouth and throat. In severe cases can get into the lungs.

Candida is a living organism which excretes toxic waste. Yuck! This can lead to a variety of symptoms including:

         Yeast infections

         poor digestion

         fatigue

         bloating, gassy feeling after eating

         poor elimination, constipation

         sugar and carbohydrate cravings

         head pain / brain fog

         skin rashes

         athlete's foot

Contributing Factors:

Diet of excessive sugar and carbohydrates

Oral contraceptives

Chemicals found in today's food and drink

Several rounds of antibiotics

In a normal healthy body, the immune system and the "friendly bacteria" that inhabit the intestinal tract keep Candida over growth under control. However, in today's polluted and stressful environment, and without less than perfect dietary habits, most of us do not live at our maximum health potential. When our immune system is weak, or we have taken a series of antibiotics, the natural balance of our body is disturbed. Antibiotics are prescribed to eliminate unhealthy bacteria in the body. However, they also eliminate healthy or "good" bacteria enabling the Candida organism to multiply unchecked.

DON'TS

Do not use oral contraceptives or cortisone products.

Avoid, aged cheeses, alcohol, chocolate, dried fruits, fermented foods, all grains containing gluten, ham, honey, nut butters, pickles, raw mushrooms, soy sauce, sprouts, sugars of all forms, vinegar, and all yeast products. Eliminate citrus and acid fruits (orange, grapefruit, lemons, tomatoes, pineapple, and limes), until all signs of candid are gone for 3 months.

Limit daily carbohydrate/sugar intake - Sugar feeds Candida, so it is important to minimize the total carbohydrate content of one's diet. During the first 2 to 3 weeks of the program, it is recommended that carbohydrate intake be restricted to 20 to 60 grams per day, depending on age, health, activity level, and extent of grain sensitivities. As symptoms disappear, the carbohydrate total can gradually increase.

Nutritional Supplements & Treatments for Candida

Kyolic garlic capsules: three times per day.

Capricin (cayenne pepper): three times per day.

Tea Tree Oil: Clean genital area morning and evening with tea tree oil (an anti-bacterial oil). Dilute 8 ounces warm distilled water with 8 drops of tea tree oil. Clean with a cloth.

Yogurt: Eat daily, as much as you can, as long as it has live active cultures!

These beneficial bacteria also help to restore the microbial balance within the digestive tract.

Magnesium: Of 41 patients with Candida- Related Complex who underwent a magnesium load test, all had magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency can cause or exacerbate a number of symptoms that are seen in patients with CRC, including anxiety, depression, headaches, and irritability.

Selenium: Selenium deficiency results in an impaired immune response to Candida albicans. Some patients with AIDS observed an improvement in oral candidiasis while supplementing with 400 micrograms per day of selenium for 70 days. Based on these observations, it would seem reasonable to include selenium as part of a nutritional program for patients with CRC who do not live in areas where the soil contains excessive amounts of selenium (such as South Dakota).

Zinc: In strains of mice that are normally susceptible to C. albicans infection, zinc supplementation resulted in increased resistance to the infection.

Fiber: One teaspoon to one tablespoon of soluble fiber containing guar gum, psyllium husks, flaxseeds or pectin can be mixed in an 8 oz glass of water two times per day on an empty stomach.

Probiotics: Lactobacilli and other probiotic bacteria are normal inhabitants of the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina. Probiotics help prevent Candida overgrowth by producing compounds that inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. Administration of various Lactobacillus strains has been shown in studies to enhance recovery from Candida vaginitis and to prevent recurrences.

Oral Hygiene: Change toothbrushes every 30 days as mold and fungus will tend to grow over prolonged use. Rinse your toothbrush daily with a good food grade hydrogen peroxide (H202) to kill bacteria on the brush as well as in the mouth. After rinsing the toothbrush with H202 do not wash off with water, apply tooth paste directly to brush.

Lifestyle: Get lots of rest and try to avoid stress! Melatonin will help with sleep and Rhodiola helps moderate stress response.

Call or email for our Candida Self Analysis Test if you want to test yourself to see if you may have candida 877 539-6200

Help! My Prostate is Enlarging, My Hair is Thinning!

Barbara Hoffman, N.D. — Mon, 1 Aug 2011 12:00:00 PST

This up-to-date information is based on a multitude of studies, seminars I have attended and my discussions with men's health experts

The prostate gland is vital to male sexual health. Keeping it healthy is very important! An enlarged prostate is the most common problem a man will encounter. In the worst case scenario, the prostate can become cancerous but the cancer is usually very slow growing. As Dr. John Lee told me, "A man does not generally die of prostate cancer; he dies with prostate cancer."

WHAT IS THE PROSTATE

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system located just beneath the bladder. It stores and secretes fluid which nourishes and maintains the appropriate acidity for semen.

BPH

The most common problem that can develop with the prostate is called benign prostatic hypertrophy (BHP) which affects many men over the age of 50. BPH refers to an increase in the size of the prostate due to an increase in the number of cells in the gland. When sufficiently enlarged, the prostate presses against the urethra and can cause some troublesome symptoms in the way the body releases urine. A man may need to urinate more often and more urgently or he may need to strain to urinate. If the bladder does not empty completely with urination, bladder infections can occur.

BPH is not cancerous. In fact, from the age of 50 prostate enlargement is relatively normal in men.

DIAGNOSIS

BPH is diagnosed by checking the patient's prostate gland with a rectal examination.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

Severe cases of BPH can be treated with medications such as alpha blockers (Cardura and Hytrin), which temporarily relieve symptoms. However, these medications do not treat the underlying cause of BPH, and do not stop progressive enlargement of the gland.

The main hormones that regulate prostate function are testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estrogen. DHT is the substance that causes prostatic enlargement. Good testosterone converts to DHT via an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. DHT also causes scalp hair loss in men.

In mainstream medicine a class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (Avodart, Proscar), is used to block the conversion of testosterone to DHT. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors also do not address the underlying cause for BPH. Also, these expensive medications can result in a decreased libido.

According to David Brownstein, M.D. "Diet plays a critical role in prostate health. The standard American diet contains too many refined foods, including refined sugar, flour, oils and salt. I have treated many men with prostate problems by simply cleaning up their diet and adding beneficial supplements".

What is Prostatitis? Is it different than BPH?

Yes, it is a different condition. Prostatitis is an inflammatory condition that can cause painful and difficult urination. It can be caused by bacterial infection of the prostate gland. Prostatitis can also be caused by an infection of the bladder, sometimes brought on by trauma or irritation from activities such as biking or horse back riding.

Rehydration can be extremely effective to combat prostatitis. Drink lots of water! To ensure you are getting enough water, take your weight in pounds and divide by two. That number is the daily amount of ounces of water you should drink..

Prostate Cancer

A certain percentage of men will develop prostate cancer at some time in their lives. As you age the percentage increases. Up to 70 percent of men age 80 and older have it. However, just 1 in 35 men die from prostate cancer. This shows that most prostate cancers are slow-growing.

What about testing?

There are certain factors to consider about prostate testing. First, the PSA level can be elevated for reasons other than cancer, including BPH and prostatitis. Second, biopsies may be used too often according to many experts. The biopsy procedure removes samples of prostate tissue. Even if certain areas of the prostate are suspected of being abnormal, accuracy of the biopsy depends on whether or not the urologist actually gets a sample of the diseased tissue. Also, the biopsy itself has the potential to spread cancer. Since the majority of prostate cancers are slow-growing it is possible that a biopsy will cause the abnormal cancerous cells to be released from the gland. Also, some men develop chronic inflammation of the prostate after a biopsy.

According to Dr. Brownstein, Dr. Michael Uzick (Board Certified in Naturopathic Oncology) and many other specialists, a biopsy of the prostate gland should be done only after careful consideration. Dr. Uzick advises that a biopsy in men older that 81 may be more harmful than helpful. Even in younger men, side effects of a biopsy can be infection and hemorrhage.

He stated that "50-60% of newly diagnosed patients have a favorable risk cancer" that will never progress to a more dangerous cancer and that 'Active Surveillance' can be a better treatment than a biopsy. He states that "approximately 75% of men with early prostate cancer are treated unnecessarily with radical therapies". Active Surveillance use is growing, but radical treatment is still the norm in the United States. Studies show that with Active Surveillance there is a 99.2% survival rate after 10 years.

With Active Surveillance, aggressive intervention is utilized only in those people at high-risk for progression based on PSADT (PSA doubling time determined by comparing successive PSA tests) or increased histological stage.

According to a study performed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering by Dr. Bertrand Suilonneau on men under the age of 75 with low risk of cancer, "It seems likely, for many of them, the prostate cancer will not ultimately develop and will not require any kind of active and therefore morbid treatment."

PSA Testing

If the PSA level is elevated, it may signal prostate cancer (but not always). Does every man over 50 need an annual PSA test? No, according to Dr. Brownstein.

In the U.K., PSA testing is not widely used. He says "A comparison of prostate cancer incidence in the U.S. and the U.K. found the intensive PSA screening in the U.S. resulted in dramatic increases in prostate cancer incidence without a significant change in mortality between the two countries."

Dr. Brownstein adds, "What mass PSA screening does is create a population of men who now have to undergo painful diagnosis and treatments without evidence of these therapies changing the final outcome". The annual age-adjusted death rates among males from 1930 to 2005 (the latest year available) shows the death rate for prostate cancer has not gone down; it has actually increased! This means that over the last 75 years U.S. therapies - radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal blockades, and surgery - have been ineffective for most people.

"Doctors are overusing the PSA testing to diagnose a relatively common illness (prostate cancer) that has a fairly low (3 percent) mortality rate".

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

Age is the single largest risk factor for prostate cancer; the older you are, the more likely you will develop it.

There is also a hereditary component; if you have a first-degree relative with prostate cancer, your risk goes up.

High testosterone is not a risk factor. If it was young men would have the most prostate cancer. In fact, the opposite is true; prostate cancer is more common in older men with low testosterone.

Elevated estrogen levels appear to be directly correlated to the development of prostate cancer. If estrogen levels are elevated, cleaning up the diet, and detoxifying estrogens, and taking supplements can help.

Natural Supplements to Fight Prostate Problems

         Beta sitosterol Saw Palmetto: can be as effective as Proscar in blocking DHT. It also slows the growth of prostate cancer cells.

         Lycopene: associated with an 83% reduction in prostate cancer

         Pomegranate: inhibits inflammation leading to prostate cancer, helps stop PSA from increasing.

         Selenium: Robert A. DiSilvestro, from Ohio State University enrolled healthy middle-aged men, each whom took a daily dietary supplement of 200 micrograms of selenium for a six-week period. The researchers found that the plasma prostate -specific antigen (PSA), a marker of prostate cancer risk, declined.

         Progesterone Cream 5-15 mg daily helps stop the conversion of Testosterone to DHT. You can also rub some on the scalp where hair is receding

         Vitamin D: 2,000 IU/daily helps decrease PSA

         Flaxseed: decreases prostate CA cell proliferation

         Boswellia- A recent study published in Cancer Research reported that boswellic acid inhibited human prostate tumor growth by interfering with angiogenesis (development of blood vessels that nourish tumors).

         Pumpkin seed- Contains protective compounds called phytosterols, which may be responsible for shrinking the prostate

         Pygeum africanum- promotes prostate health. As little as 100 mg daily provide support to prostate cells in their struggle to maintain the stability of their life cycles

         Stinging nettle- Helps men urinate more easily and empty their bladder more fully.

These nutrients can make dramatic changes in the functioning of the prostate gland and inhibit growth of prostate cancer cells.

Brisk Walking:

Researchers have determined that men who walked briskly - at least three miles per hour - for at least three hours per week after diagnosis were nearly 60% less likely to develop biochemical markers of cancer recurrence or need a second round of treatment for prostate cancer.

Coffee Cuts Prostate Cancer Risk

According to a study at the Harvard School of Public Health, men who drank six or more cups per day had a 60 percent lower risk of developing lethal prostate cancer and an 18 percent lower risk of any type of prostate cancer compared to men who did not drink coffee. Drinking 1 to 3 cups per day was linked to a 30 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer. So don't be afraid of coffee!

Eliminate Soy

Soy has estrogen-like properties and its use can exacerbate/cause prostate problems

Diet

The Mediterranean diet is considered to be protective against prostate cancer. It

features a low animal-fat and meat content, with a high intake of fresh fruit, vegetables, pasta, tea and wine.

How?

Polyphenol compounds in these foods & beverages were shown to stop prostate cancer cells from proliferating and encouraged them to commit suicide, known as cell apoptosis

What about receding hairline?

DHT causes the immune system to re-act to the hair follicles as foreign bodies. Progesterone can help stop DHT production.

Hair loss in men can also be due to circulation problems. Stimulate your scalp daily by rubbing your scalp briskly to bring blood to the head and to open follicles.

Rinse your hair with cider vinegar or purchase a "stimulating" shampoo.

Supplements to Promote Hair Growth & Prevent Balding:

Essential Fatty Acids - encourage re-growth

B-12 sublingual - a deficiency causes hair loss

L-tyrosine - for strengthening

Saw Palmetto - studies show it can work like Propecia, the hair-loss drug

Glutatione (if you have mercury fillings) to detox chemical build-up

Iodine - deficiency causes hair loss

Gingko Biloba - encourages circulation

Folic Acid - my favorite - can decrease the thinning process AND promote hair growth. Can also help stop graying.

Allow 4 months for visible results. Don't give up! It takes a while for the follicle to produce a new hair.

I hope this information puts you on the path to a healthy prostate AND healthy hair!

Blessings,
Barbara

How to Have A Healthy Thyroid!

Barbara Hoffman, N.D. — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:00:00 PST

If your body was a car, the thyroid would be the "gas pedal". It regulates your metabolism! That is why low thyroid makes you feel sluggish�.you don't have enough "gas" in the gas tank.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE BODY TO FUNCTION AT AN OPTIMUL LEVEL OF HEALTH IF YOU HAVE INADEQUATE THRYOID HORMONE!
Thyroid hormones affect a person from head to toes!

Low thyroid function is called HYPOTHYROIDISM
It is estimated that over 40% of the population in the U.S, has hypothyroidism. That is a lot of people! Could it be you?

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:

cold hands & feet / intolerance to cold

inability to concentrate/poor memory
brittle nails
depression( sometimes a lifelong history)
dry skin
fatigue
hair loss
hoarseness
irritability
infertility
menstrual irregularities
muscle cramps & weakness
nervousness
puffy eyes / swelling under the eye
weight gain
low blood pressure
elevated cholesterol
outer 1/3 of eyebrows is missing

Less recognized symptoms of hypothyroid:

PMS

Asthma

Fibrocystic Breasts

Psoriasis

PCOS

How does the thyroid work?

The thyroid gland creates T4 which is the major thyroid hormone. T4 is fairly inactive until the body converts it into T3 which is activated thyroid hormone.
If your problem is only with the thyroid gland, prescribing Synthroid (T4)
would work for you. HOWEVER, if your body has trouble turning inactive T4
into active T3, Synthroid will not work and can make the problem worse. You need T3.
Armor Thyroid is bio-identical and a mix of T4 and T3. Most bio-identical thyroid doctors start with 1/4 grain of Armour a day (15 mg) and increase it to 1/2 grain
(30 mg) after 1 week. Then they will increase it by 1/4 to 1/2 grain a
month until they find the dose that feels best for the patient. Blood tests
will tell how you are doing.

Synthroid is a synthetic drug. If you want to ask your doctor about Armour thyroid and are currently on Synthroid: Synthroid 100 mcg equals 1 grain of Armour.
Holistic physicians, integrative medicine physicians, and bio-identical
hormone doctors are more likely to be familiar with using the T3 treatment.

Many people have symptoms even when taking Synthroid, that will resolve when they use Armour.

According to David Brownstein, M.D., one of the premier thyroid doctors in
the U.S., changing patients from Synthroid to the desiccated versions with T3 made
a dramatic improvement in their symptoms. Many people are placed on Synthroid
and keep telling their doctors that they do not feel better, but the doctors
do not attribute it to a lack of T3. However, when the patients are put
on T3 they will actually feel and look better in a very short period of
time.

Definitions to know:

HYPOTHYROID: an under active thyroid state
HYPERTHYROID: the thyroid gland is releasing excess amounts of thyroid
hormone that results in an elevated metabolic rate We will address this in a future article
T4: The main hormone - is supposed to convert to T3 inside the cells of the
body
T3: much more active than T4. T3 increases metabolism
TSH: A pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to release
thyroid hormone.
SYNTHETIC T4: Synthroid (levothyroxine), Levothroid, Unithroid
T3 PRODUCTS: Armour, Nature-Throid, Westhroid These are desiccated (heat
dried) glandular thyroid products (from a porcine [pig] source They also
contain T4 and other factors that allow T4 to more readily convert to T3.

CONVENTIONAL WAY TO DIAGNOSE HYPOTHYROID: Blood tests, especially TSH

However, according to Dr. Alan Gaby, who has been treating thyroid disorders for 30 years, "standard lab tests fail to identify most hypothyroid patients" Many times women will be told "nothing is wrong"
If TSH is normal, many physicians believe that automatically rules out
hypothyroid. Relying solely on TSH will under-diagnose many individuals. It
is only one measure of thyroid function. If you monitor only TSH, it does not tell you how much T4 is converting to T3.

TESTING: TSH tests can be deceptive as a tool: The TSH test is very sensitive to T4. When you are given T4, your TSH will go down and it can appear that your thyroid values are "normal". However, if you are a non-converter and still have low T3, your symptoms of hypothyroidism will still be present. However, your doctor may feel that you have been given what you need with just the T4 (Synthroid). You may actually need some T3 to make your symptoms disappear.

HOLISTIC APPROACH: Treat the patient, not the blood test! What are the symptoms? What are the T3 and T4 levels? Many people will have a normal T4 and TSH, but low T3 because they are not converting. These people are known as "poor converters". Many menopausal women are poor converters and feel bad even if TSH is normal.

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO POOR CONVERSTION OF T4 TO T3

Deficiencies in chromium, copper, iodine, iron, selenium, zinc, Vits A, B2, B6, B12
Medications: Birth control pills, estrogen, steroids, beta blockers
Diet: Soy
Other: Stress, Environmental toxins, diabetes, obesity, mercury, radiation, aging.

BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE CAN HELP YOU DIAGNOSE YOURSELF:
"More information can be obtained with the aid of an ordinary
thermometer than can be a obtained with all other thyroid function test
combined" Broda Barnes, M.D.

How to Measure:

1. Shake down a basal thermometer the night before and place at your
bedside or use a digital basal thermometer.
2.   Upon wakening, place the thermometer snugly in your armpit for 10
minutes and record your temperature for 5 days in a row. Do not get out of
bed before taking your temp
3. If you are menstruating, the temp should be taken starting on the 2nd
day of menstruation. Otherwise, it makes no difference what day you begin.
4. If thyroid function is normal, temp should be 97.8-98.2 degrees.
5. A temp below this indicates a hypothyroid state.

THYROID HORMONE RESISTANCE:

This is similar to insulin resistance. Your cells have a reduced response to the thyroid hormone. This can occur even if your body is producing adequate levels of thyroid hormone. Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia have THR. Sometimes they have to be given a higher dose of thyroid to make them feel great. Proper balancing of the other hormones is also key.

FIBROMYALGIA:

There is a high percentage of hypothyroidism among fibromyalgia patients. Have you had your thyroid checked? This could be your answer.

THYROID MEDICATIONS:

SYNTHROID/Levothyroixine (T4) The most widely used. It is synthetic. Others are Levothroid, Levoxyl and Unithroid. These contain lactose except for Levothroid, so if you are lactose intolerant, you may feel worse.

DESSICATED THRYOID (natural)

Armour, Nature-Throid, Westhroid, Thyrolar

These are all derived from porcine (pig) thyroid glands. If you do not feel better on one of these, try switching to another to find the one that works for you! We are all different!

CYTOMEL:

This is T3 but only comes in 2 doses and it is rapidly absorbed in 4 hours. This causes a roller coaster feeling in some people which may feel unpleasant. Compounded, slow release T3 seem better tolerated.

Thyroid is not "one size fits all".

Each person will need their individualized dose and it may take a period of "trial and error" to find the optimum dose. Once you find it you should feel great. A skilled compounding pharmacist can work with you and your doctor to help you find the dose that will correct your deficiencies without over-correction

Can I ever discontinue Treatment?

Dr. Gaby says you can try weaning every 12-18 months. If symptoms recur, resume your effective dose. Symptom recurrences are usually seen within 2 weeks or less.

Thyroid requirements may decrease with age

WHO ELSE NEEDS THYROID SUPPORT?

       People with moderate to severe adrenal fatigue

        People who are taking thyroid medication, but still have symptoms

        People who have nutritional deficiencies (Extremely common due to poor farming techniques, overuse of fertilizers, and fluoride in our water)

       People who drink a lot of coffee

SOY INHIBITS THYROID

Be careful with soy products. Processed soy products have been shown to reduce the conversion of T4 to T3. In a recent study, daily soy consumption resulted in symptoms of hypothyroidism in 50% of human subjects tested. These symptoms resolved one month after stopping the soy

Processed soy is found in soy nuts, nutrition bars, soy milk and soy baby formula.

Note: Fermented soy products (miso, tempeh, tofu) do not have the negative effect.

ESTROGENS INHIBIT THYROID

Oral synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and Birth Control Pills often lead to hypothyroidism. They contain estrogens and increase thyroxine-binding globule which decreases the amount of thyroid hormone available for your body to use. Estrogen Dominance can lower circulating thyroid hormones and inhibit conversion of T4 to T3.

Estrogen dominance is probably the reason there is so much hypothyroidism in Western countries.

John R. Lee, M.D. noted that patients taking progesterone and also taking thyroid medication often needed a reduced dose of thyroid medication after a few months on the cream.

Progesterone counter-balances excess estrogen.
Remember, "Progesterone & Thyroid are Best Friends"

What can I do to support my thyroid (whether or not I am taking thyroid medication) Experts agree that everyone can use thyroid support. Here are the recommendations:

VITAMINS & MINERALS & HORMONES THAT NOURISH THE THYROID

Iodine - imperative for the body to make thyroid hormone

Selenium - conversion of T4 to T3 is dependent on selenium (a common deficiency)

Zinc - helps levels of T3

Vitamin C - helps conversion of T4 to T3

Vitamin B12 - adequate levels are imperative for a properly functioning thyroid This is an extremely common deficiency

Natural Progesterone

DHEA

Pregnenolone: 10-20 mg / day

HOW TO KEEP YOUR THYROID HEALTHY

     Avoid unfermented soy products

    Avoid artificial sweeteners. Avoid substances containing Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal). Also avoid Sucralose (Splenda). Xylitol is a better choice.

         Eat enough protein. Hormones are synthesized from protein.

         Drink adequate amounts of water. The thyroid needs hydration.

         Take a good thyroid supplement containing iodine.

IODINE

Studies have shown that 95% of hypothyroid patients are iodine deficient.

Why the deficiency?

    stigma of using salt; less than 50% of US households use iodized salt

    Diets without ocean fish or sea vegetables

       Vegan and vegetarian diets

         Bromine in food and drinks such as Gatorade & Mountain Dew (inhibits iodine)

         Bakery products, bread, pasta and cereal that contain bromine

         Exposure to fluoride

         Declining mineral levels in soil used to grow our food.

Iodine deficiency is also linked to: Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer & Ovarian Cancer

Benign thyroid nodules contain 56% less iodine as compared to normal thyroid tissue

Malignant thyroid nodules contain 3% less iodine as compared to normal thyroid tissue.

When you are looking for thyroid support, a supplement containing iodine is imperative

Dr. Gaby says 150 mcg/day is a good thyroid support dose

    PROGESTERONE

Many people have had thyroid function return to normal after a few months of using progesterone cream.



THYRO-BALANCE

An excellent product for thyroid support formulated by James Wilson, M.D. Users report benefits in just 3-5 days. Thyro-Balance™ is a natural, liquid nutrient complex. It only takes a few drops a day to fully support healthy thyroid function. It can also be used as targeted nutritional support for people who already take thyroid hormone.

How should I take Thyro-Balance™?
Take 2-4 drops of Thyro-Balance™ once or twice daily in non-citrus juice or water, preferably on an empty stomach. Taste great in grape juice! After 2 months, decrease to 2 drops once a day. For ongoing support, continue with 2-3 drops daily as long as needed. For best results take consistently every day for at least 2-6 months.

How long should I take Thyro-Balance™?
There is no time limit on the usefulness of Thyro-Balance™ as a
targeted nutritional supplement. However, 2 to 6 months of taking
Thyro-Balance™ daily should compensate for any deficiencies of
these nutrients.

Can I take Thyro-Balance™ with my other medications?
Thyro-Balance can be taken with any other Thyroid medications
and there is no evidence of any interference with prescription or
non-prescription drugs.

ADRENAL HEALTH IS IMPERATIVE FOR PROPER THYROID FUNCTION

Are you already taking thyroid medication? If so, be sure your adrenals are balanced. Low adrenals prevent proper T4 to T3 conversion. If you do not have balanced adrenals, and take thyroid hormone, you can overload the poorly functioning adrenal glands and precipitate a failure of the adrenals. If you feel worse on thyroid medication, you probably have adrenal fatigue.

If you are taking Thyroid Hormone and believe you have any form of adrenal fatigue, please contact us for the Adrenal Fatigue Handout at (877) 539-6200. Your adrenals should be treated first, THEN your thyroid OR they should be treated at the same time.

So�..onward toward YOUR thyroid health. I want you to feel GREAT�..ALL the time!

Hope For Your Hormones | Barbara Hoffman, N.D.

What God's Pharmacy Offers Us / The Need For Supplements / Part 2

Here are the new categories!

MOOD/DEPRESSION

REMEMBER YOU DONT NEED ALL THESE SUPPLEMENTS

BONE HEALTH / OSTEOPOROSIS

ARTHRITIS/ACHES & PAINS/FIBROMYALGIA

BREAST HEALTH

BREAST TENDERNESS

HEART HEALTH/STROKE PREVENTION

TIPS:

ITCHY SKIN

LIVER CARE

PROSTATE

HAIR LOSS (MEN & WOMEN)

IMMUNE SYSTEM

PLEASE! I do not want to find you in a nursing home later in your life. By taking care of your body, there is no reason why you would have to be there!

TAKE YOUR PREVENTATIVE STEPS NOW! I want you to be vital & HEALTHY for all of your days.

Blessings,

Barbara

Maintain the upkeep on your building!

Do I Really Need Supplements? That's A Great Question

Yes, I believe they are most valuable for your health, but you DO NOT need to spend a lot of money! Way too many of you have spent a lot of money on supplements, pills, powders or expensive food that you either did not need or did not use.

BY THE WAY, DO WE REALLY NEED SUPPLEMENTS?

My best advice is YES!

ARE THEY SAFE?

My experience

FATIGUE / ENERGY

ANXIETY

LIBIDO / SEXUAL FITNESS

INSOMNIA

MEMORY

WEIGHT CONTROL

CRAVINGS

PMS

STRESS

ADRENAL SUPPORT

THYROID

VAGINAL DRYNESS / VAGINAL ATROPHY

HOT FLASHES

Recognize yourself in any of these categories?

Blessings,

Barbara

To be continued . . . Watch for Part 2

Hello Coffee Drinkers / You Are Doing Your Body Good!

Are you a lover of that "cup o' joe"? Good for you!

Prostate Cancer

Diabetes

Parkinson's, Cirrhosis, Dementia, Cancer

Breast Cancer

Alzheimer's

Cognitive Function

Coffee can help you increase short term recall.

Five Reasons to Not Quit Coffee

So my friends . . .

Recent studies have shown that coffee can be very beneficial to our well-being!

YAY! I LOVE coffee!

Blessings,

Barbara

My Favorite Eating Tips for You

Eating So You Won't Get Fat or Stay Fat

BREAKFAST

DINNER

SNACKS

My Personal Tips!

KEEP YOUR HORMONES BALANCED!

What is YOUR favorite tip? Let me know and I will post it so YOU can help others.

A prize for the best tip or tips!

Blessings,

Barbara

Why We Get FAT and Stay FAT

NEW recent information about weight loss that will change your eating habits forever.

FACTS:

The Bad News:

Myth

TRUTH:

Your problem is a HORMONE IMBALANCE, NOT a CALORIE IMBALANCE

Who are the CULPRITS? Refined carbs, starchy vegetables, sugar, high fructose corn syrup.

THE LESSON:

EXERCISE:

Yes, I believe they are most valuable for your health, but you DO NOT need to spend a lot of money!

Way too many of you have spent a lot of money on supplements, pills, powders or expensive food that you either did not need or did not use.