IS HORMONE REPLACEMENT FOR YOU?
– By Dr. Wysynski MD
Y ou squint at the bathroom mirror asking, “Who is that impostor”? Like worn out underwear, it’s crept up: Disrupted
sleep, fatigue, poor stamina, moodiness, digestive symptoms, thinning hair and foggy memory. And, where did those
wrinkles and jowls come from anyway?
Sound familiar? Whether you are in your 30’s, 40’s, 50’s or beyond, this could be YOU. Aging is a thief and it has
stolen your vitality. Hormone replacement may help you be yourself again!
Some believe that you lose our hormones because you age. Longevity doctors say you age because you lose your
hormones. Hormones are messengers that control all body functions; they’re not just for getting your sexy on. Hormones
are maximally produced at age 25 but decline with age. For women, there is an abrupt downturn ending in menopause.
For men, hormones decline more gradually but the effects for both genders are noticeable.
Hormone replacement therapy has been a hot topic in the past few decades. There are synthetic pharmaceutical (HRT)
and bioidentical (BHRT) replacements available for both men and women.
Opinions differ about hormone replacement: Conventional practitioners believe that they should only be used for a
short time to manage symptoms. Longevity experts use bioidentical hormones to, in effect, reduce one’s functional age
by about ten years. The data now show that people who use BHRT have reduced chances of dying from many of the
diseases that are believed to be inevitable with age.
Just like using insulin, there are tests for measuring and monitoring BHRT. Medications are usually custom prescribed
and compounded. Using BHRT can help you look good and feel great, reclaiming some of the goods that the hormone
thief had stolen. Perhaps with BHRT, you will be able to look and feel like yourself again! •
Dr. Wysynski MD, functional medicine and hormone expert, has helped patients achieve longevity goals for over 13 years.
She is located in Burlington ON. www.drwizz.com 289 812 2190
‘Natural’ not Always ‘Safe’ for Arthritis
A ccording to studies by the National Center for Complementary
and Integrative Health (NCCIH), some mind and body practices, and
dietary supplements such as fish oils, may help people with Rheumatoid
Arthritis (RA) manage their symptoms. However, NCCIH cautions
that some complementary health approaches – particularly dietary
supplements – may have side effects or may interact with conventional
medical treatments, or vice versa. Although many dietary supplements
(and some prescription drugs) come from natural sources, “natural”
does not always mean “safe”.
Conventional treatments are highly effective in slowing or stopping
permanent joint damage in RA, however NIH cautions to always
tell ALL your health care providers about any complementary health
approach to be used, which will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
20
A 2010 systematic review looked at mindfulness meditation and
relaxation training on the physical and psychological symptoms
associated with RA, and found some evidence that these techniques
may be helpful in coping with pain and depression often associated
with RA. In addition, clinical trials on RA have found that fish oil
supplements may help to relieve tender joints and morning stiffness,
but again, should be always consulted with all health care practitioners
prior to adding to the diet. •
Click to check out our website! www.silvergoldmagazine.ca