tact, HRT (whether Bio-identical or Synthetic) can be detrimen- tal to the body’s natural functioning because: 1) It shuts down the “feedback loop”, the pituitary hypo-


thalamus glands in the brain that control the amount of secreted hormone. When “outside hormones” are given, whether bio- identical or synthetic, this feedback loop is shut down. 2) With the Feedback Loop (Pituitary Gland) shut down,


the endocrine glands (Ovaries, Adrenals, Thyroid, etc.) stop producing their own natural hormones. One’s body becomes dependent on the “outside” hormone. 3) HRT over time can desensitize receptor sites. Receptor


sites bind the hormone at the cell surface, so the hormone can get into the cells to function properly. When one takes “outside” (exogenous) hormones, these receptor sites become overbur- dened, henceforth desensitized to the hormone. It takes more and more hormone to do the job, and what happens is that even though you may have plenty of the hormone, it is not binding to the receptors and getting into the cell, hence no effect. This is very commonly seen with women taking HRT. Before going on HRT women should consider this: Recent


(5 year) independent studies in America and Europe showed women on Premarin and Provera (synthetic estrogen and progesterone) were getting cancer and heart disease that was directly related to this synthetic hormonal usage! The rates of gynecological cancers and heart disease were so high that the researchers had to stop the study! Independent studies in Europe and America have shown that HRT increases the rate of prolif- erative (overgrowth of cells) estrogens, the ones that cause breast and endometrial cancers, whereas the use of soy isoflavones, indole 3-C (cruciferous vegetables), exercise, and flax lignans,


support and promote healthy, non-proliferative estrogens. This is proof of why gynecological cancer and heart disease among women are low to non-existent in Asian countries with a tradi- tional diet high in soy isoflavones, fish oils (Omega 3FA), and complex carbs (vegetables and fruits). The use of “natural” progesterone creams can be danger-


ous, because they bypass the liver “breakdown” pathways, and build up quickly to very high levels in the body’s fatty tissues. The research has shown that these high levels in the tissues de- sensitize receptor sites for progesterone, creating poor cellular uptake of progesterone and dysfunction. To properly remove excessive progesterone or estrogen from fatty tissues in the body, it is essential to optimize liver detoxification pathways (Methylation, Sulfation, Gluconidation). There are effective ways to wean women off HRT. For


menstruating women not on HRT, saliva testing over the entire cycle is essential because saliva testing measures free (non-pro- tein bound) hormone levels, as well as FSH and LH levels in a cost effective manner. This gives the practitioner of functional endocrinology an understanding of what is really going on throughout the woman’s entire menstrual cycle. For example, birth control pills will decrease FSH and LH because of outside exogenous hormones, estrogen and progesterone. This blocks the natural cycle of the pituitary’s feedback loop. To wean menstruating women off of HRT, one must first re-


establish the pituitary’s feedback loop by bringing back FSH and LH levels. This can be done with plant extract products such as Tribulus Terrestris, which increases FSH and therefore estradiol production. Chasteberry increases LH and progesterone levels. Phytoestrogen receptor modulators like soy isoflavones help to


MARCH 2007


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