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Understanding the Science Behind Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement

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Understanding the Science Behind Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement

You may be hesitant to try hormone replacement therapy after hearing the scary stories about how it can cause more problems than it fixes. However, research shows that hormones are safe and effective for many patients.

BHRT treats both men and women with hormonal imbalance symptoms like hot flashes/night sweats or low libido. This is typically done with bioidentical hormones.

How Bioidentical Hormones Are Made

Bioidentical hormones are custom-made by pharmacies based on a healthcare provider’s prescription. The hormones are made to match your physical body’s needs and are available in many forms, including pills, creams, gels, and vaginal suppositories.

They are derived from plant-based sources like wild yams and soybeans but must undergo significant processing before being approved by the FDA to be sold as hormones. Bioidentical hormones have the same chemical structure as the natural hormones produced in your body and are less likely to cause side effects than conventional hormones.

However, when people talk about BHRT, they refer to compounded bioidentical hormones, not FDA-approved bioidentical hormone products. Unlike the FDA-approved bio-identical hormone replacement Silver Springs, compounded bioidentical hormones have not been evaluated for safety and quality and vary in strength from pharmacy to pharmacy. Because of this, experts don’t recommend them.

Natural Hormones

While bioidentical may sound more natural, the FDA and medical specialty groups have confirmed that hormones marketed as “bioidentical” or “natural” aren’t safer or more effective than those used in traditional hormone therapy products. Bioidentical hormones can be made from extracts of plants or animals, such as conjugated equine estrogens (CEE)(Premarin), oral contraceptive pills, and medroxyprogesterone (Provera). They also can be synthetically manufactured in a lab.

Bioidentical hormones are available in various forms, including tablets, creams and gels, injections, and pellets. At Dermatology Realm, we prescribe a combination of bioidentical hormones compounded by a local pharmacist and delivered via a pellet placed under the skin. The pellets provide a more even release of the hormones. Your doctor will conduct a saliva test or blood work to monitor hormone levels and to determine whether you need to increase or decrease the dosage. You must pay out of pocket, as insurance does not cover these hormones.

Prescription Bioidentical Hormones

The bioidentical hormones are made from plant steroid extracts such as soy and wild yams, but the final products look and act much like the hormones your body produces. They can come in several forms, such as pills, creams, and gels.

Doctors talking about bioidentical hormones usually mean FDA-approved products — such as estradiol (Estrace, Vivelle, Climara) and progesterone (Prometrium). Bioidentical hormones also can be prepared in a compounding pharmacy based on a provider’s prescription. These compounded hormones aren’t FDA-approved, so their effectiveness and safety haven’t been tested.

Most experts believe that, if used properly, these hormones are safe and effective for treating menopause symptoms. These include hot flashes, vaginal dryness and loss of libido, insomnia, and depression. The key to successful treatment is a balanced regimen that includes lifestyle changes, such as exercise and dietary supplements, which can help reduce side effects. It is essential to discuss your options with an experienced practitioner.

Compounding Bioidentical Hormones

Some people use a compounded bioidentical hormone product, a mixture of hormones made in a pharmacy according to a health care practitioner’s prescription. They may be prepared as pills, creams, gels, or injections. Each person’s physical body has unique needs, so a healthcare practitioner will evaluate a patient and prescribe appropriate dosages and strengths of bioidentical hormone preparations to achieve hormonal balance.

Many people use bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to ease the symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and andropause. These include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and loss of libido. Hormones can also protect against osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.

Unlike traditional hormone replacement therapies that contain synthetic estrogens, such as Premarin, which is made from the urine of pregnant horses, bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones your body produces. However, the Women’s Health Initiative study 2002 results raised concerns about long-term hormone therapy for women because it can increase the risk of breast cancer, blood clots, heart disease, and brittle bones.

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Serious side effects of topamax

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Discover the serious side effects of Topamax

One of the medicines used to treat seizures in adults is Topamax, the active substance of which is topiramate.

The taking of this drug should always be done under medical prescription and with the corresponding prescription, as well as it is essential to follow the instructions regarding the dosage indicated by the specialist.

To learn more about Topamax along with its indications, use, and side effects, keep reading this article.

What is Topamax for

Topamax is a topiramate-based drug used to treat seizures in adults and children older than 2 years.

This anticonvulsant is administered in the event of partial seizures with or without secondary generalization or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures and for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.

It should be noted that this drug is also used to prevent migraine, although not as a treatment to alleviate them.

Warnings about Topamax

Taking Topamax should always be prescribed by a doctor and it will be necessary to notify your doctor beforehand in case of:

•glaucoma or other eye problems

•kidney disease, kidney stones, or dialysis

•breathing problems

•mood problems, depression, or suicidal thoughts or attempts

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•liver disease

•osteoporosis, osteomalacia

•growth disorders

•be taking lithium

•suffer from diarrhea

•being lactose or sucrose intolerant

•It is also not recommended to take Topamax by pregnant or lactating women, as this drug can cause fetal harm or be excreted through breast milk.

Likewise, you should never drink alcohol while you are being treated with Topamax, as the side effects can be very serious.

Side effects of Topamax

Different side effects derived from taking Topamax have been described, so you should go or notify your doctor quickly if you feel any of the symptoms described below:

•Allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat.

•Sudden changes in mood or behavior

•Anxiety and/or panic attacks

•Difficulty to sleep

•Irritation, agitation, and hyperactivity (mentally or physically)

•Depression or thoughts of killing yourself or hurting yourself

•Numbness or tingling in the extremities

•Headache, tiredness, dizziness, or drowsiness

•Changes in taste

•Nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, stomach pain, loss of appetite or weight

•Quick back and forth movements in your eyes.

Likewise, it should be noted that these are not only the adverse effects that Topamax can cause, so you should consult your doctor in case of any other type of alteration or symptom.

This article is merely informative, we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis.

We invite you to go to a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

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18 benefits of peanuts during pregnancy

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Discover the 18 benefits of peanuts during pregnancy.

Peanuts during pregnancy can be very beneficial for future mothers and their fetuses. Peanuts are not only delicious, but they are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and other natural compounds that are great for pregnancy, which you can’t miss.

You must remember that pregnancy is a wonderful gift that only women can experience.

Being pregnant is like a noble job ordained directly by God for women, something that men could not do on their own. During pregnancy, the fetus magically grows inside the woman’s womb until the baby is born into the world.

To ensure the optimal development of the fetus before it is born, mothers must consume highly nutritious food because it is the only way the fetus can obtain food.

When it comes to the list of foods that mothers should consume during pregnancy, the list will be endless, but you could consider the benefits of peanuts during pregnancy, as peanuts

Peanut Nutritional Values

Peanuts are considered a healthy snack. However, this does not mean that you can consume without knowing the nutrients that peanuts contain.

By knowing the nutrients contained in peanuts, you can measure the number of peanuts needed during pregnancy, since surely the needs of each one are different from those of others.

Serving Size: 100 grams

Energy 567 kcal – 29%.

Carbohydrates 16.13 g – 12%.

Protein 25.8g – 46%.

Total fat 49.24 g – 165%.

Dietary fiber 8.5g – 22%.

Folate 240 µg – 60%.

Niacin 12mg – 75%.

Pantothenic acid 1,767 mg – 35%.

Pyridoxine 0.348 mg – 27%.

Riboflavin 0.135 mg – 10%.

Thiamine 0.64 mg – 53%.

Vitamin E 8.33mg – 55%.

Calcium 92mg – 9%.

Copper 1,144 mg – 127%.

Iron 4.58mg – 57%.

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Magnesium 168mg – 42%.

Manganese 1,934 mg – 84%.

Phosphorus 76 mg – 54%.

Selenium 7.2 µg – 13%.

Zinc 3.27mg – 30%.

Sodium 18mg

Potassium 705mg – 15%.

From the table above, surely you have a general idea of the number of peanuts you could consume daily.

The key is to consume it in moderation, but sometimes it is necessary to ensure that the daily intake of a certain nutrient can be met to ensure optimal development of the fetus.

18 Benefits of Peanut During Pregnancy

Below are the benefits of peanuts during pregnancy that will give you reasons why you should add this healthy and delicious snack to your daily diet.

1.- Excellent source of folate

During pregnancy it is highly recommended to consume foods rich in folate and peanuts are one of them.

For every 100 grams of peanuts, approximately 60% of the daily intake of folate could be covered. It is common knowledge that folate is essential for fetal development, especially early in the trimester.

2.- Natural source of vegetable protein

Protein is essential for a mother during pregnancy and 100 grams of peanuts contains enough protein to meet the daily intake.

3.- Prevents birth defects

The birth defect can occur when the development of the fetus is disturbed or when there are insufficient nutrients to support development.

Peanuts are packed with vitamins and minerals that are great for pregnancy like folate to support optimal growth and minerals like iron and calcium to make sure there is enough red blood cell stock.

4.- Promotes optimal brain development

It is great food for the brain. During pregnancy, the fetus receives nourishment from the mother, and the folate consumed by the mother is not only beneficial to the mother, but also the developing brain of the fetus.

If you want to have a healthy and smart baby, eat peanuts during pregnancy.

5.- Source of calories for the mother

Each mother’s calorie needs may be different, but calories are essential for increased energy.

During pregnancy, a mother may suffer from fatigue and get tired easily. To help boost energy, peanuts can help restore it.

6.- Contains healthy fats

Not all fats are bad and peanuts do contain some healthy fats that are great for the mother during pregnancy.

Healthy fats are great for promoting a healthy heart, as mothers are at high risk for high blood pressure during pregnancy.

7.- Reduces the risk of allergic diseases

Recent studies have indicated that mothers who consume peanuts during pregnancy may reduce the risk of allergic diseases.

Not only allergic foods such as peanuts but also other types of allergies such as asthma.

8.- Helps control blood pressure

High blood pressure during pregnancy could be fatal for both the mother and the fetus. That is why it is very important to always keep your blood pressure under control.

To help control blood pressure, adding peanuts to your daily diet is highly recommended because basically, peanuts are great for your heart.

9.- Prevents gestational diabetes

On the table, it was seen that peanuts are quite rich in manganese. This mineral has an important role in regulating blood sugar levels during pregnancy to prevent gestational diabetes. Additionally, manganese also promotes optimal calcium absorption.

10.- Fight depression

During pregnancy, the mother is at risk of stress and depression. Well, some studies have shown that mothers who eat peanuts are much happier than those who don’t. So whenever she feels stressed, she snacks on peanuts.

11.- Decreases the risk of weight gain

Obesity during pregnancy is never good for both mother and baby. That’s why managing your weight is so important peanuts, while they do contain fat and calories, fats are healthy fats and packed with other nutrients that may help you control calories.

12.- Promotes skin health during pregnancy

One of the problems that every mother has to deal with during pregnancy is the skin problem.

Although they are prohibited from using cosmetics due to their chemical content, they could manage their skin problem just by consuming peanuts. Vitamin E and antioxidants will help prevent all skin conditions.

13.- Source of vitamin E

Vitamin E is the reason why a pregnant mother should look good. Vitamin E promotes skin health and makes sure that there is no such skin condition that the mother has to face.

Therefore, they could focus on her pregnancy instead of giving birth to a healthy baby.

14.- Great source of omega 3 fatty acids

If you think that fish is not your friend during pregnancy but you know that you need a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, you could replace fish with peanuts because they contain quite high healthy fats.

15.- Excellent source of vitamin B complex

In the table above you can see the high content of vitamin B found in peanuts per 100 grams. Most of them could satisfy almost half of the daily intake of vitamin B.

16.- Contains powerful antioxidants

Antioxidants are not only a solution against cancer, but during pregnancy, antioxidants could help the mother to maintain her immune system so that she doesn’t get sick easily.

17.- Rich in minerals

Looking for a quick fix to meet your daily mineral intake during pregnancy, peanuts are the answer.

You could see the nutritional table above about the value of minerals found in peanuts. 100 grams of peanuts are capable of satisfying half of the daily intake of minerals that your body needs.

18.- Super healthy sandwich

Well, during pregnancy you need to make sure that you consume enough food to ensure the optimal development of the fetus. Add peanuts to your daily diet because they are the super healthy snack that everyone loves.

Peanut Precautions

Peanuts may be packed with vitamins, minerals, and other natural compounds that are beneficial during pregnancy.

The list of benefits of peanuts during pregnancy mentioned above are scientifically proven facts. However, there are still some precautions about peanuts that you should be aware of as well.

Allergic reaction is one of the common things that can happen when peanuts are consumed. If a mother has ever been diagnosed as allergic to peanuts, she should not eat them.

Some studies also claim, that too many peanuts consumed during pregnancy could increase the risk of allergic reaction to the baby when they were born. Therefore, it is better to consume it in moderate amounts.

Peanut butter can be delicious, but it is recommended to consume it in its real form, as peanut butter has been through some processing and care must be taken with the amount of refined sugar in peanut butter.

Be careful with salty peanut snacks too because they can be delicious to eat during pregnancy, but salt contains sodium that could increase your blood pressure level. High blood pressure during pregnancy can be fatal.

Peanuts are healthy snacks that mothers can add to their daily diet, especially in the early stages of pregnancy when morning sickness is at its worst.

Just by eating peanuts as a snack, you could at least ensure that the baby inside your womb is still getting the nutrients that she needs to develop.

However, you need to keep in mind the precautions mentioned above if you want to reap the full benefits of peanuts during pregnancy and not the other way around.

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10 shocking health benefits of Arugula

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