Health

Understanding the Science Behind Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2023

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.

Table of Contents

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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Health

15 good reasons to drink lemon juice in the morning on an empty stomach

Published

1 year ago

April 29, 2024

admin

lemon juice in the morning on empty stomach

Discover the 15 good reasons to drink lemon juice in the morning on an empty stomach.

Lemon is one of the most frequently and widely used citrus fruits.

Its popularity is due to its scent and refreshing taste.

Its aroma makes it an ingredient of choice in many recipes and the composition of perfumes.

It also accompanies a large number of drinks, including tea and cocktails, it can also be served as fruit juice.

Not only is lemon used for its aromatic qualities, but also its therapeutic dimension.

Rich in vitamin C, lemon indeed has formidable therapeutic virtues: its Antiviral and antibacterial properties as well as its ability to stimulate the immune system are widely recognized.

One of the most common ways to reap the benefits of lemon is by squeezing the juice.

Lemon juice stimulates digestion and has a detoxifying action.

It also promotes drainage of the liver and thus improves digestion.

By its ability to boost metabolism, lemon juice is an effective way to lose weight.

If you want to lose weight, drinking lemon juice in lukewarm water every morning on an empty stomach gives fabulous results.

But that’s not all, nutrition specialists at the Edison Institute of Nutrition have compiled a list of the main benefits of consuming lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water on an empty stomach:

1. An excellent source of vitamin C, lemon juice protects the body by strengthening the immune system.

2. Drinking lemon juice in lukewarm water every morning on an empty stomach helps maintain pH balance in the body.

3. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, lemon juice helps fight infections.

4. Has a detoxifying action.

5. Promotes digestion.

6. Besides vitamin C, lemon is also an excellent source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, etc.

7. Helps fight colds.

8. Lemon water is a well-known remedy for dealing with different skin problems like acne, rashes, wrinkles, or dark spots.

9. Mixed with lukewarm water, lemon juice stimulates digestion, boosts metabolism, and thus allows you to lose weight quickly.

10 Lemon juice is also very effective in removing toxins that have accumulated in the liver.

11. The anti-inflammatory properties of lemon help fight infections of the respiratory tract, sore throat, and inflammation of the tonsils.

12. Rich in electrolytes, lemon juice effectively hydrates the body.

13. Drinking lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water decreases muscle and joint pain.

14. Lemon juice in lukewarm water promotes good dental hygiene because it helps decrease dental pain and prevent gingivitis.

15. Drinking lemon juice in lukewarm water stimulates digestion and regulates intestinal transit.

SOME QUESTIONS / ANSWERS AND COMMENTS :

Q. Out of curiosity… my cousin is allergic to lemon. Does lime have the same virtues?

A. Yes, you can substitute lemon for lime.

I had to stop drinking lemon water for a month because I was sick. The joint pain I got rid of before all came back.

So I started drinking lemon juice in lukewarm water again every morning on an empty stomach.

Now after a week, and it’s true, my pain in my knees is gone !!!!

It’s amazing! Lemon is indeed very alkalizing and promotes the elimination of acids.

Also, it contains a lot of vitamin C, which is good for the joints.

Some people suffer from vitamin C deficiency and need to be sure to find it in their diet or supplements.

Q. After drinking lemon juice in lukewarm water in the morning on an empty stomach, how long should I wait to eat?

A. I recommend that you wait 20 to 30 minutes before eating.

Q. Why does lemon juice need to be mixed with lukewarm water? Is lemon juice also beneficial in cold water?

A. Lukewarm water stimulates digestion and the liver.

Coldwater does the opposite, it blocks digestion.

So it is best to consume lemon juice in lukewarm water.

Q. How many lemons should you squeeze in the morning to benefit from the benefits of this fruit?

A. I suggest squeezing half a lemon in a large glass of lukewarm water (25cl).

Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.

Citric acid and vitamin C promote the dissolution of gallstones, their elimination, as well as the clearing of the bile ducts.

Lemon juice has been used for centuries in the treatment of kidney stones and gallstones.

Lemon also has antimicrobial properties that help reduce gallbladder infections and relieve pain.

The pectin in lemon juice relieves bloating, nausea and pain.

Besides, lemon juice helps reduce the production of cholesterol by the liver.

Q. Hello. I have a question: I have thyroid problems, can I drink lemon juice in lukewarm water?

A. Yes. You can drink lemon juice in lukewarm water if you are suffering from thyroid problems.

Q. I take medicine on an empty stomach every morning for a thyroid problem. Should I take this medicine before drinking lemon water or after?

A. Since lemon water is absorbed relatively quickly by the body, I recommend that you take your medicine soon after drinking the lemon water.

Joint pain is associated with poor digestion and allergic reactions to certain foods.

Lemon water promotes digestion and the elimination of toxins.

If your teeth are prone to demineralization and are very sensitive, I advise you to drink lemon water through a straw.

Health

Mosquito bite: The Miracle Cure Against It

Published

1 year ago

April 29, 2024

admin

Discover The Miracle Cure Against Mosquito Bite.

Have you been bitten by a mosquito again?

They have the gift of stinging us when we spend a quiet evening on the terrace!

And then, hello the itching!

We only want one thing, and that is to scratch ourselves to the point of blood. It’s super annoying!

Fortunately, my grandmother gave me her natural remedy to quickly relieve a mosquito bite.

The miracle trick is to apply a paste of baking soda and witch hazel water. Look :

What you need

baking soda
witch hazel water
cup

How to do

Put three teaspoons of baking soda in a cup.
Pour a teaspoon of witch hazel water
Mix to obtain a paste.
Apply the paste to the bite.
Leave on.

Results

And there you have it, thanks to this remedy, you have stopped the itching of mosquito bites in their tracks 🙂

Easy, fast, and efficient, isn’t it?

It is a simple treatment that makes the sting deflate and disappear quickly!

This remedy is completely natural and very gentle. It is ideal for the fragile skin of children and babies.

And you don’t even need Apaisyl cream … it’s much more economical that way.

In addition, it works for all insect bites: mosquitoes, spiders, horseflies…

Why does it work?

Baking soda soothes the itchiness. It acts as an antiseptic and disinfectant. It thus calms the inflammation caused by the sting.

Witch hazel water also disinfects the sting and soothes the itchy sensation.

It also refreshes the skin and heals the irritated part thus bringing an immediate feeling of well-being.

We also find witch hazel in the composition of calming gels after insect bites from Hansaplast.

What is witch hazel?

Witch hazel is a plant native to North America.

Witch hazel water comes from the indirect distillation of dried witch hazel leaves. It takes about 60 kilos of leaves to get a thousand liters of water.

The many benefits of witch hazel have been recognized for a very long time.

It helps disinfect wounds. Applied in massage, it is an effective venous tonic and stimulates blood circulation.

It also has anti-inflammatory properties and as such, it relieves rheumatic and arthritis pain.

It is also an asset in your beauty kit. Used in rinsing water, it eliminates dandruff.

Finally, it is also found in perfumery, because its smell is very pleasant. It is similar to that of cut grass with a hint of mint in addition.

Health

17 Benefits of Garden Cress You Never Dreamed of

Published

1 year ago

April 29, 2024

admin

Table of Contents

Nutritional values of garden cress
17 Health Benefits of Garden Cress You Never Dreamed of
Precautions of consuming garden cress seeds
- Related
- Discover the 17 Benefits of Garden Cress You Never Dreamed of.
  The cress seeds must first be roasted before being consumed. People need to know that not only the leaves and stems, the health benefits of watercress seeds are also amazing.
  
  You will surely be surprised at the number of benefits you could get from consuming these little leafy vegetables with a botanical name.
  
  Garden cress is generally known as simply watercress. It is a fast-growing edible herb that is closely related to mustard and watercress.
  
  Due to its tangy taste, garden cress is very popular as a garnish for pasta or sandwiches.
  
  However, raw garden cress can be eaten as sprouts and added to salad and soup because they are basically like small leafy vegetables.
  
  The most surprising thing about garden cress is not only its small size but also all the edible parts, such as the leaves, stems, and seeds. While the leaves and stems can be eaten raw, Lepidium sativum.
  
  When it comes to size, garden cress is easy to underestimate, but when it comes to health benefits, water cress comes with a pretty long list that could beat even the largest plants.
  
  In other words, don’t underestimate the tiny size of watercress because even its seeds have surprising benefits for human health.
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  Nutritional values of garden cress
  
  • Those currently on the road to reaching a healthy living goal must have been familiar with watercress because this type of vegetable is packed with some nutritional values such as Folate, Iron, Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Protein.
  
  • To learn more about its amazing benefits, the list of garden cress seeds’ health benefits below will tell you more.
  
  17 Health Benefits of Garden Cress You Never Dreamed of
  
  1.- Reduce asthma symptoms
  
  • Although asthma is a class of diseases that cannot be completely cured, asthma symptoms could be reduced by eating garden cress seeds that contain an active compound to help improve lung function for asthma patients.
  
  2.- Helps to lose weight
  
  • Do you want to know the natural solution for weight loss? Just mix the garden cress seed with water and drink it in the morning when your stomach is still empty.
  
  • It is such an effective and natural way to lose some weight.
  
  3.- Natural solution for constipation
  
  • One of the amazing things you can get from consuming garden cress seeds is their ability to help you deal with constipation.
  
  • Just be sure to eat it regularly to help improve digestion and say goodbye to constipation for good.
  
  4.- They protect the immune system
  
  • Garden cress seeds naturally promote the immune system
  
  • They will improve your immunity booster by reducing the level of stress that can negatively affect your immunity.
  
  5.- Promotes RBC production
  
  • The iron content found in watercress seeds is quite high and one of the health benefits of iron is optimizing red blood cell production.
  
  6.- Treat anemia
  
  • As mentioned in the previous point, the iron content will help improve RBC production.
  
  • In other words, it is a shortcut to treating all the health conditions caused by iron deficiencies and one of them is anemia.
  
  7.- Helps to normalize the menstrual cycle
  
  • Women who have problems with their menstrual cycle can consume garden cress seeds because they contain certain estrogen-like phytochemicals to help regulate the irregular menstrual cycle.
  
  8.- Recommended for breastfeeding
  
  • Some research studies have shown that consuming watercress seeds can help improve milk production due to the protein and iron content found in both the leafy greens and the seeds.
  
  9.- Excellent memory reinforcement
  
  • Garden cress seeds contain a specific organic compound known as linoleic acid and arachidic fatty acid.
  
  • The combination of these organic compounds is an excellent memory booster.
  
  10.- Natural expectorant
  
  • When you suffer from mild cold, sore throat, or cough.
  
  • Just chewing on a pinch of garden cress seeds can help reduce the symptom as it could act as a natural expectorant due to its acidic taste.
  
  11.- Treat some skin conditions
  
  • Some conditions, like sunburn, will not be fatal, but they are not easy to deal with either.
  
  • Simply turning the watercress seed into a paste and using it on the sunburn area can help soothe sunburns.
  
  • It is applicable for dry lips.
  
  12.- It can prevent hair loss
  
  • You could consume garden cress seeds or use them as a styling paste to help prevent hair loss.
  
  • It is due to the content of minerals found in garden cress seeds, such as potassium, manganese, and iron.
  
  13.- Natural way to treat diarrhea
  
  • There is no such easy way to prevent diarrhea. Sometimes it happens and the best thing you can think of is how to treat diarrhea naturally and effectively.
  
  • The paste made from garden cress seeds is not only capable of treating common diarrhea but also dysentery due to its antibacterial agents found.
  
  14.- Treat colic in children
  
  • Although the cause of colic in babies is still something to be discussed, ground watercress seeds mixed with water could help calm the colicky baby.
  
  15.- Contains anti-cancer properties
  
  • Watercress seeds contain some powerful antioxidants to help fight the worst effects of free radicals.
  
  16.- Excellent source of powerful antioxidants
  
  • Some powerful antioxidants found in garden cress seeds include vitamin A and vitamin E.
  
  • Not only are they capable of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells but they also reduce the side effect of chemotherapy.
  
  17.-Healthy vision
  
  • Garden cress seeds are an excellent source of vitamin A and beta-carotene.
  
  • Among the health benefits of beta-carotene and vitamin A are excellent for vision.
  
  Precautions of consuming garden cress seeds
  
  • As mentioned above, the small size of the garden cress is not something to be taken lightly.
  
  • However, fortunately, due to its small size, it is almost impossible for people to consume it in large quantity because too much is never good.
  
  • It also applies to garden cress seeds and some precautions below can occur when you consume it in large quantities.
  
  • Garden cress seeds are not recommended for those who have problems with their urinary tract because garden cress seeds can worsen the condition due to their diuretic properties.
  
  • Although the garden cress seeds are highly recommended for the mother during lactation, it is better to avoid the mother during pregnancy, avoiding these delicious green leafy leaves altogether. It is because garden cress seeds contain abortifacient properties that could increase uterine contraction that could lead to abortion.
  
  • Garden cress seeds also contain goitrogenic properties that could impair iodine absorption when consumed in excessive amounts.
  
  • Unlike garden cress leaves and stems which are best eaten fresh and raw, garden cress seeds could easily be stored after they are sun-dried or roasted.
  
  • From the list of health benefits of garden cress seeds mentioned above, surely you can’t just throw away garden cress seeds.