Estrogen Dominance in Women and Men Part 1

Super immune system and anti-radiation support

A quiet phenomenon has silently gripped the health of our nation specifically and the world generally. We have been enduring soaring obesity rates, epidemic breast and prostate cancer rates and the increased feminization of men. While no single source for these increases exist several suspects can be easily fingered. Decreased nutrient values of our food, environmental toxins, and seemingly unending stress are all culprits but one cause, in particular, has been a silent plague: estrogen dominance. Seldom mentioned, estrogen dominance has flown under the mainstream radar has a health problem for too long.

What is Estrogen Dominance?

Simply put estrogen dominance is either too much estrogen in the body or the ratio of estrogen to other hormones is out of balance in favor of estrogen. Once this happens all sorts of problems can occur. Excess estrogen (and its mimickers) combines with insulin which can lead to hypoglycemia and increased fat production. In addition to increasing fat production estrogen dominance also negatively impacts thyroid function preventing or decreasing the production of thyroxin and decreases the metabolic rate. It also increases the occurrence of blood clotting, histamine release, aging collagen (makes you look older), development of fibroids, tumors and endometriosis.

How Estrogen Dominance Affects the Body of Girls and Women

It is no longer uncommon for young girls between the ages of 7 and 9 to begin their menstrual cycles. It is no longer uncommon to see young ladies around 14 or 15 years old to have a “developed” look as if they were in their twenties. Women today are suffering from estrogen based breast cancers at younger and younger ages. As if all of this is not enough women tend to retain excess fat and have a more difficult time ridding themselves of it due to the estrogenic interaction with insulin and its impairment of the thyroid gland.

How Estrogen Dominance Affects the Body of Boys and Men

Excess estrogen in boys and men can be equally devastating with long term effects. In boys, the growth, development and function of the testes are stunted (need I say more?). This lowers testosterone production and leads to other chronic conditions later in life. Excess estrogen in men interferes with the production of testosterone and sexual dysfunction rises dramatically. Bone density decreases leading to osteoporosis. Mood among men worsens as testosterone falls and estrogen rises.

Please understand that estrogen is a very important hormone for both men and women. Without it or too little of it can also lead to chronic medical issues but in our current xenoestrogenic environment estrogen dominance is far more likely and must be dealt with.

Part II of this article will address the sources of excess estrogen and some of them may surprise you.

Super immune system and anti-radiation support

Sources:

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-04-12/entertainment/29426555_1_early-puberty-monthly-hormone-shots-laila

Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. Deepak Chopra, M.D.

Gout: A Painless Solution to a Painful Condition

Powerful anti-inflammatory support for your body

Below is a reprint of an article I wrote several months. Review this article with open eyes and an open mind. Below you will find some of the things we desperately need to be aware of. I will continue to bring new, reviews and suggestions that not only challenges the status quo but will hopefully bring fresh, meaningful insights in this sound bite world...

If you have watched any television of late you probably saw a commercial for Uloric. Uloric is a new drug designed to relieve gout sufferers of their symptoms. With gout's new found prevalence Uloric is right on time to rake in profits for Big Pharma. Perhaps now is a great time to take a fresh look at gout for what it is and how to eliminate the condition as opposed to masking the symptoms.

Gouts Place in History

Gout is a condition that leads to acute inflammatory arthritis. It is often painful resulting in tender swollen joints that are red and hot. Long regarded as "the disease of kings" gout has a lengthy history dating back to ancient Egypt. Imhotep, a noted Egyptian physician, was treating gout 4600 years ago. The 6th century physician Alexander Tralles used Autumn Crocus (Colchium Autumnal) specifically for gout which was a first at the time. Fast forward to medieval times and one would find that bloodletting was the norm. Gout's position in history was usually reserved for the elite of society. During those times only the affluent could afford rich foods and sedentary lifestyles. Contemporary food production has brought us more meat consumption and processed foods that we tend to overindulge in. Add nutritionally unbalanced diets to the equation and one can understand gout's steady increase in society over time.

Relief

Gout is thought to have multiple origins but a general consensus has formed around increased plasma (blood) acidity mainly due to uric acid. The issue of acidosis is more prevalent in our society so a good start would be to address this issue. The average diet today has 30% of our calories coming from protein. Combined with a diet lacking essential nutrients because of consumption of over-processed foods, the chance of developing gout greatly increases. Here are a few tips to reflect upon:

1. Combat gout by insuring protein consumption does not exceed 10 -15% of calories consumed per day. The proteins should be of high quality derived primarily from vegetables, beans, nuts, and legumes. Proteins from these sources are more readily absorbed.

2. In addition to quality proteins the body needs adequate nutrients, primarily Vitamins B3 and B6 along with Zinc, to properly breakdown and utilize the protein that has been ingested.

3. Decrease or eliminate consumption of acid forming foods, some of which are coffee, sugar, alcohol, vinegar, meat and dairy products. Alcohol is known not only to increase uric acid production, but also to decrease the body's ability to excrete uric acid through the kidneys. Some may find that the elimination of alcohol is all they needed to do to rid themselves of gout.

4. Micheal Murray, N.D. recommends gout sufferers consume 1/2 pound of cherries for relief. Dark red and blue berries are excellent sources of phytonutrients that reduce joint inflammation.

5. If a person with gout is obese emphasis on proper weight reduction is advisable. Weight reduction should be accomplished through a low fat, high fiber diet with an eye towards alkaline forming foods, some of which are aloe vera, wheat grass, alfalfa, parsley, dates, string beans, raisins, prunes, and banana.

6. Avoid refined carbohydrates and saturated fats. These increase blood acidity.

There is no cookie cutter approach to treating the condition of gout but some of the common measures mentioned above are a great place to start. Seek balance and prudence in your diet. Be diligent and discover for yourself or with the help of practitioners how to give gout the boot.

Sources

Alternative Medicine: A Definitive Guide, Deepak Chopra, M.D.

http://sharonporter.hubpages.com/hub/History-of-Gout-Remedies

http://www.fertilefoods.com/healthy-pregnancy/fertility/alkaline-foods-for-conception/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16820040


Post Script:

In the coming weeks ahead I will be preparing a series of presentations on weight gain, weight loss and weight maintenance. The information provided will not be your "run of the mill" infomercial styled misguidance but actual information that could change your life, your mind and your body. I will post snippets of these presentations on the blog for your perusal. I will also look into conducting webinars to present this information to a wider audience. Stay tuned!

Powerful anti-inflammatory support for your body

Two Weeks Down, One to Go!

Two weeks into this 21 day "empty calorie" fast and I am amazed at what has taken place. The power of empty calories over our lives is even more evident now that I have (along with a few super troopers) undergone this unique challenge. It is extraordinary the grip that foods devoid of nutrients and filled with simple carbohydrates has on our lives. So much so that some people wouldn't even consider taking the challenge because they feel as if they cannot do without their sugary coffee, morning danish or nightly Oreo run. Now that we are down to one week left on this very important fast I have to ask at what cost do we do these things to ourselves? Do you enjoy sinus issues? Is the extra inch around your waistline worth it? Does high blood pressure and diabetes sound delicious? I don't want to preach but I see so much hurt and pain around from chronic illness and it makes me sad and sometimes angry. We must do better.

Personally my sweet tooth has to be tamed. And like many others I allow it to run free from time to time. However, for the past two weeks it has been in check and I can tell you how good it feels to wake up in the morning without sniffing and snorting because my nose and throat itches or the post nasal mucous is trying to gag me. Also, I have to take my belt in another notch to compensate for the extra room I now have because of a receding waistline. My goal for this fast was not to lose weight or clear up sinus issues (but I'll take it). The goal was simply to give my body a chance to do what it does best and it is the same chance I want you to give your bodies.

When we lay down at night it is usually because we are sleepy. That sleepiness is the body asking us for a chance. A chance to rejuvenate and repair itself. A chance to desperately restore balance. Chronic inflammation from our food and environment does nothing in helping our bodies repair themselves. The absence of great nutrition combined with empty calories only expands our waistlines and lead to chronic illness.

Take a moment and inventory your ills. If they have anything to do with pain and/or inflammation I would suggest a great place to start in turning it around would be the empty calories that has invaded your life and taken your health. It may not be the only thing you need to do but it would be a great place to start!