Menopause and EstrogenWritten by Cathy Taylor
As we age, is loss of estrogens what causes onset of peri-menopause and finally, menopause? For women, menopause is a direct result of loss of estrogens in female anatomy. The ¨E¨, as it is called in medical circles, is a group of female hormones produced in ovaries. These female hormones are responsible for regulating function of reproduction in female body. Estrogens determine a woman’s body shape by distributing fat to different areas of body, aid in development of uterus, and construct tissues in brain and bones. Safe levels of estrogens in body help maintain proper blood flow, control cholesterol levels, and act as an antioxidant filtering harmful chemicals from body. Menopause is known as final phase of menstruation. As a result of aging, fewer eggs are produced. When menopause arrives, ovaries stop producing estrogen altogether. Instead they produce minute amounts of testosterone (a male hormone) which is stored in body fat. A loss of estrogen contributes to stopping female anatomy’s daily routine of maintaining homeostasis (holistic balance in body) and has effects on brain as well. Studies have shown that estrogen helps improve blood flow to brain and prevents Alzheimer disease by blocking production of chemicals contributing to it. It also increases level of serotonin – a chemical in brain known to improve mood. As you can see, losing estrogen can have a profound effect to a woman’s mental and, as a result, emotional balance. Estrogen is not name of one hormone, but name of three special female hormones that unite to form one. They are known as E1, E2 and E3. E1, first set of estrogen hormones in series, is also known as estrone and is primary source of estrogen in body. E2 (or estradiol) is most important estrogen developed by ovaries and E3 (estriol) are special estrogens that are produced during pregnancy when high levels are present. During menopause, E1, E2, and E3 are all affected, and after its aftermath, low levels of estrone is only source of estrogen remaining in female body. It is important to note that this female hormone serves a helping function as well, transporting vital enzymes throughout system, maintaining positive levels of cholesterol, and sparking calcium activity.
| | Skin CareWritten by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
Your skin is your armor, your shield from elements. Yet when was last time you really thought about what you need to do to take care of it? Throughout your life, genetic and environmental factors will cause a lot of wear and tear to your skin. But you are never too young or too old to start taking care of your skin. In fact, skin care and protection should be an essential part of your health, fitness, and beauty regime. If you take care of your skin, your skin will take care of you! If your stuck in a skin care rut, or if you are just looking to learn a bit more about basics of skin care, read on to learn more about this important step in your daily activities. The Essentials of Skin Care The first step to taking care of your skin is preventing damage. Sun, wind, pollutants, and simply aging can degrade condition of your skin. Common complaints include dry and itchy skin, wrinkles, sagging, color changes, and age spots. There are steps that you can take to keep you skin looking and feeling its best. Exercise, rest, and good nutrition lay foundation for beautiful, healthy skin, inside and out. A proper diet is not only good for your overall health, it also helps to ensure that your skin will receive all of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that it needs to maintain and repair cells. Drinking purified water is another good way to keep your skin healthy. Water helps to hydrate skin and move waste and nutrients through system. It is very effective mixing a teaspoon or capful of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar in with your water. Do not drink Tap Water. The most important way to care for your skin is to protect it from damaging rays of sun. Ultraviolet radiation damages skin and can lead to wrinkles, premature aging, age spots, and cancer. Take extra precautions to make sure your skin is not exposed to sun’s rays. Use a natural sunscreen, or a moisturizer that contains sunscreen (at least SPF 15) everyday. Your skin does need some sunlight – 10-15 minutes of direct exposure daily. Dry skin is very common, especially with age. Older skin has fewer sweat and oil glands than younger skin. Dry skin may be caused by frequent baths, certain cosmetics or medications. But whatever cause, there are ways to alleviate itchiness associated with it. Avoid using harsh soaps when bathing, and if possible, cut back on number of baths or showers each week. A sponge bath with warm water may help to clean and revive skin without stripping skin of its valuable moisturizers. When you do use soap, try using a natural very mild soap that does not contain any dyes, parabens or perfumes. Follow up bath with a moisturizing lotion like Parfait Visage, concentrating on problem dry areas. A good all natural moisturizer is one of foundations for a healthy skin care regimen. Continue moisturizing throughout day to keep skin healthy. Your hands and face are particularly susceptible to daily damage, and may need to be moisturized several times.
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