Menopause and Estrogen

Written by Cathy Taylor


As we age, isrepparttar loss of estrogens what causesrepparttar 113890 onset of peri-menopause and finally, menopause? For women, menopause is a direct result ofrepparttar 113891 loss of estrogens inrepparttar 113892 female anatomy. The ¨E¨, as it is called in medical circles, is a group of female hormones produced inrepparttar 113893 ovaries. These female hormones are responsible for regulatingrepparttar 113894 function of reproduction inrepparttar 113895 female body. Estrogens determine a woman’s body shape by distributing fat to different areas ofrepparttar 113896 body, aid inrepparttar 113897 development ofrepparttar 113898 uterus, and construct tissues inrepparttar 113899 brain and bones. Safe levels of estrogens inrepparttar 113900 body help maintain proper blood flow, control cholesterol levels, and act as an antioxidant filtering harmful chemicals fromrepparttar 113901 body.

Menopause is known asrepparttar 113902 final phase of menstruation. As a result of aging, fewer eggs are produced. When menopause arrives,repparttar 113903 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 stoppingrepparttar 113904 female anatomy’s daily routine of maintaining homeostasis (holistic balance inrepparttar 113905 body) and has effects onrepparttar 113906 brain as well. Studies have shown that estrogen helps improve blood flow torepparttar 113907 brain and prevents Alzheimer disease by blockingrepparttar 113908 production of chemicals contributing to it. It also increasesrepparttar 113909 level of serotonin – a chemical inrepparttar 113910 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 notrepparttar 113911 name of one hormone, butrepparttar 113912 name of three special female hormones that unite to form one. They are known as E1, E2 and E3. E1,repparttar 113913 first set of estrogen hormones inrepparttar 113914 series, is also known as estrone and isrepparttar 113915 primary source of estrogen inrepparttar 113916 body. E2 (or estradiol) isrepparttar 113917 most important estrogen developed byrepparttar 113918 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 isrepparttar 113919 only source of estrogen remaining inrepparttar 113920 female body. It is important to note that this female hormone serves a helping function as well, transporting vital enzymes throughoutrepparttar 113921 system, maintaining positive levels of cholesterol, and sparking calcium activity.

Skin Care

Written by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN


Your skin is your armor, your shield fromrepparttar elements. Yet when wasrepparttar 113889 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 aboutrepparttar 113890 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 degraderepparttar 113891 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 layrepparttar 113892 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 ofrepparttar 113893 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 hydraterepparttar 113894 skin and move waste and nutrients throughrepparttar 113895 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 fromrepparttar 113896 damaging rays ofrepparttar 113897 sun. Ultraviolet radiation damagesrepparttar 113898 skin and can lead to wrinkles, premature aging, age spots, and cancer. Take extra precautions to make sure your skin is not exposed torepparttar 113899 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 whateverrepparttar 113900 cause, there are ways to alleviaterepparttar 113901 itchiness associated with it. Avoid using harsh soaps when bathing, and if possible, cut back onrepparttar 113902 number of baths or showers each week. A sponge bath with warm water may help to clean and revive skin without strippingrepparttar 113903 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 uprepparttar 113904 bath with a moisturizing lotion like Parfait Visage, concentrating on problem dry areas. A good all natural moisturizer is one ofrepparttar 113905 foundations for a healthy skin care regimen. Continue moisturizing throughoutrepparttar 113906 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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