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Hormones

A hormone, such as insulin or estrogen, is a substance released by an organ or tissue that controls the activity of organs or cells in another part of the body. The organs or glands that release hormones are part of the endocrine system.
Hormones may also be taken as medications, such as birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy.

The body uses cholesterol to help build cells and produce certain hormones. When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it and other substances may begin to build up along the inside of the artery walls, forming what is known as plaque. A large deposit of plaque may obstruct the flow of blood through the artery, affecting blood flow to the heart, brain, or other vital organs. If unstable plaque tears open, it may trigger the formation of a blood clot in the artery, which can result in a heart attack or stroke.

Hormone Imbalance and Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone Imbalance in most women today are the result of Estrogen levels becoming excessive and / or Progesterone levels becoming deficient. Problems can begin when the stored fat, fiber, water, and nutrient buildup (produced by Estrogen) are not regularly and sufficiently eliminated. Eventually, this can lead to problems such as bloating, water retention, weight gain, depression, fibroids, etc. This phenomenon, known as Estrogen Dominance, has become widespread in recent decades due to extreme changes in the lifestyle and environment of women in the industrialized world.

As women of all ages become increasingly aware of these problems, many are finding that they feel healthier, more energetic and younger when they address their Hormone changes with gentle, Natural Herbal Dietary Supplements.

Natural Progesterone can be produced in the Body by intake of a Herbal Dietary Supplement called Wild Yam. Wild Yam contains Diosgenin which when digested is converted by the Body into Progesterone. Since the Body has its own intelligence and knows how much Progesterone is required by it, there is no chance of excessive Progesterone being produced and causing any side effects in the Body. The use of Synthetic or Natural Progesterone treatment is plagued by the problems of deciding the correct dose for each day. Herbal Dietary Supplements like Wild Yam and Chaste Berry do not have these problems as the Body itself regulates the digestion and absorption of these foods and takes from them exactly what ever it needs and the rest gets eliminated from the Body as waste matter in due course.

Natural Progesterone generated inside the Body can help to decrease the symptoms and discomfort associated with Estrogen Dominance (and / or Progesterone deficiency). Natural Progesterone produced in our Body is bio-identical and hence better, safer, and does not have the side effects associated with Synthetic Hormones or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). The biggest risk of HRT (besides their Carcinogenic effect on the human body) is that, whenever any Hormone is administered, the Endocrine Glands which normally produce it; and which have their own intelligence and regulatory mechanism; ceases of function and atrophy with each passing month of HRT and finally die. The downside being that once you start HRT or begin the external application of Creams or Dermal Patches containing Hormones - natural or synthetic, you will have to commit yourself to life long therapy; like a Diabetic Patient on ever increasing doses of Insulin with each passing year and suffer all the side effects of these chemicals. Yet, because natural substances cannot be patented, pharmaceutical companies choose to market the synthetic Hormones and Hormone Replacement Therapies and Programs.

Biochemically, Natural Progesterone provides the raw materials inside the Body from which all other Hormones are made. It is the precursor for testosterone, DHEA, cortisone, estrogen and aldosterone, etc. Natural Progesterone, therefore, has a balancing effect on the entire body. As a precursor, it gives the metabolism the flexibility it needs to create harmony in the dynamic, fluctuating system of the body. Our metabolism can synthesize from Natural Progesterone the other Hormones it needs on a minute to minute basis. On the other hand, Synthetic Progesterone cannot act with the flexibility of a precursor and this is one reason they produce side effects. Furthermore, because Natural Progesterone can convert into Estrogen, it is often the only Hormones that many women will need.

Recommended Doses and use of Herbs
If you have a serious Estrogen deficiency, or have had a Hysterectomy, you may find it beneficial to use Black Cohash as it is helps to increase Estrogen levels. Introduce this herb around the 8th week of the program. 1 capsule to be taken once or twice (maximum) per day.

Recommended dose has been estimated to be 30-60 mg per day, although optimal dose has not been determined yet. Due to the low efficiency of DHEA absorption through intestines, varying proportions of the orally taken DHEA will not be delivered to bloodstream. On the average, a 20 year old male produces approximately 30 mg of DHEA per day, while an average female produces 20 mg DHEA per day. Unless one takes excessively large amount of DHEA on a regular basis, no side effect is expected. Strange things have been reported to occur, although rarely, at large-dose intake of DHEA: these include increased facial hair, acne, increase perspiration, menstrual irregularity, and adverse influence on prostate, etc.

Best is to begin experimenting with each Herb and seeing how your body performs.