HORMONES
Hormones are messengers that coordinate the various biochemical activities that occur in all the cells of our bodies. They help each cell function properly. Without adequate hormones the cells are not healthy, thus the organs are not healthy. The bottom line is that you will not feel very well. Hormones are vital to staying active for life!

NATURAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (NHRT)
NHRT can improve many bodily functions. NHRT can promote bone formation, reduce joint pain and increase flexibility, improve skin condition, and reduce sexual dysfunction symptoms such as painful intercourse, vaginal dryness, and decreased libido.

DO HORMONE LEVELS DROP WITH AGE OR ILLNESS?
The answer is a resounding "yes." The above figure depicts falling DHEA levels as we age. Not a pretty site, is it? DHEA, growth hormone, Testosterone, progesterone, Estrogen, and sometimes cortisol and Thyroid levels also decline with age.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF LOW HORMONE LEVELS?
Declining hormone levels during aging is one of the reasons why people become overweight, lose muscle mass, and become fatigued as they age. Below is a list of menopausal symptoms that have been to shown to occur as a result of estrogen, progesterone, and/or testosterone deficiencies:

WHAT IS NATURAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?
Women are often given synthetic hormones after menopause or hormones that are derived from horse urine. Because the exact hormones naturally produced by the body are now available today, these types of synthetic hormones do not have to be used. The chemically exact hormones to the human body are used. The natural hormones used in Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy (NHRT) include the following: Estriole, Progesterone, Thyroid, DHEA, Growth Hormone, and Testosterone. These may be given in capsule or cream form.

THE GOALS OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
NHRT aims to help both men and women "age gracefully." Hormones are supplemented to the levels of normal values for ages 30 to 35 (sorry, not 18!). Improving hormone levels increases vibrancy, energy, and zest for life, and also helps in the prevention of diseases of aging such as osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease.

HOW DO I GET STARTED ON NHRT?
The first step is to determine which hormones require supplementation replacement. Checking the hormone levels in the body provides this information. People already taking synthetic hormones must stop taking them at least 24 hours prior to the testing. Other tests are often run at the same time, which require an overnight fast. We also perform Diet Typing to better assess individual dietary and nutritional needs, which is also done in a fasting state. Therefore, you may wish to "fast" from food (water is okay to drink) on the day of your appointment.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM NHRT?
The goal is to feel great! Studies have shown that NHRT is part of an overall program to help reduce some of the detrimental effects of aging such as cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. As with any medical therapy, every person is different and has different needs. Within the first several months of NHRT, people often notice that they have more energy, a happier outlook on life, feel sexier, and start slimming down. It often takes several months to determine the optimum dosages for NHRT. During this time it is possible to experience some unwanted side effects such as bloating, menstrual bleeding, and others, but the long term effects are well worth it. Any person not feeling quite right on their prescribed NHRT should contact their physician as soon as possible so that the dosages can be adjusted. A yearly pap smear is recommended for women on NHRT and a prostate exam for men on NHRT.