Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy is Key
Invest in your health this New Year!
Written by Mary Miller-Wilson ANP-BC
Bio-identical hormone therapy is the key to longevity and vitality for both men and women. It is the cornerstone of the Anti-Aging movement which focuses on early detection, prevention, treatment and reversal of age-related decline. The goal of Anti-Aging medicine is to promote “healthy aging” and to prolong the health span of an individual so that more years are spent in good health. Bio-identical hormone replacement is one of the main tools used in anti-aging medicine.
Adequate hormone levels are essential to health, vitality and longevity. When hormone levels decline, which can start to occur in both men and women in the 4th decade of life, it triggers deterioration in cellular functions, aging and the onset of chronic diseases. Maintaining adequate hormone levels can slow down or even reverse the aging process.
Bio-identical hormones have the exact same chemical structure as the hormones made naturally in the body and behave identically to your own hormones-there is NO difference. It is what the body recognizes! As a result, they do not have the same side effects as synthetic hormones (Premarin, Provera, birth control pills).
For women, natural menopause occurs between the ages of 35 and 55 (average age in US is 51). Symptoms can begin to occur 5-10 years earlier (peri-menopause) and include moodiness, irritability, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, urinary tract infections, central body weight gain, depression and anxiety.
Men begin losing their testosterone in their 30s. It is a more gradual loss than what women experience, so the symptoms can go undetected for decades. Most men have a 50% decline in testosterone levels by the time they are in their 50s. Symptoms include fatigue, abdominal weight gain, decreased sex drive and erection strength, cognitive decline, problems with muscle strength/endurance and ambivalence about life.
In the anti-aging industry, optimal thyroid performance is also critical for functionality and quality of life. Thyroid function becomes compromised in the 4th and 5th decade of life. The thyroid gland is considered a “sentinel” gland and often bears the brunt of everything we dish out; poor diet, stress, poor sleep patterns and exposure to toxins. In the Functional Medicine/Anti-Aging community, optimal thyroid performance is a “big player” in improving a patient’s energy levels, performance in the gym and maintaining an ideal body weight. Natural combination products are used to address lagging thyroid function (Armour thyroid, NP thyroid) as well as introducing the necessary co-factors that the thyroid gland needs to function properly (zinc, selenium, iodine, B-vitamins), to name a few.
DHEA and pregnenolone are also important for optimal health and wellness and are largely overlooked as important by the traditional medical community. DHEA is produced in the adrenal glands and supports energy, the immune system, promotes weight loss and aids in tissue repair. Pregnenolone, the hormone of memory, also declines with age and often restoration of this level in the human body supports cognition.
The hormones in the human body are a “web.” They are interconnected and must be in balance with each other for optimal functionality. They can be replaced safely when they decline with bio-identical hormones, which are the exact same molecules our bodies have always made. Maintaining optimal hormone levels is the key to sustaining vitality and longevity.
We offer the above services in our office! See our very talented and experienced Functional Nurse Practitioner, Mary Miller-Wilson for an assessment and treatment.
RECOMMENDED READING:
“The Hormone Cure,” Sara Gottfried, MD
“The Testosterone Syndrome,” Eugene Shippen, MD
“The Wisdom of Menopause,” Christiane Northrup, MD
“How to Achieve Healthy Aging,” Neal Rouzier, MD
Give us a call at 313-290-2250 to set up your appointment today!
Visit our website at www.inmmed.com to learn more about our services.
Make it a health and happy new year for yourself,
Dr. Shah and team