Dr. Linda Page's Weblog

Menopause- Taking Control Of Your Life Change

By 2015, almost half of all American women will be in menopause. Will the temperature of the planet rise from all the hot flashes?! Menopause is intended by Nature to be a gradual reduction of estrogen by the ovaries with few side effects. In a well-nourished, vibrant woman, the adrenals and other glands pick up the job of estrogen secretion to keep her active and attractive after menopause. While almost 90% of women experience some menopausal body changes and hormonal fluctuations, most only last a year or two and are not severe enough to interrupt their lives. Still, our modern stressful lifestyles and poor eating habits mean that many women reach their menopausal years with prematurely worn out adrenals and poor liver function where estrogen is not being processed correctly, so hormone fluctuations are magnified.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

There’s a firestorm of controversy about synthetic hormone replacement. Premarin, an estrogen replacement drug for menopausal women made from pregnant mare’s urine, is one of the top selling drugs in the U.S.  The threat of breast and uterine cancer is dramatically increased with HRT, and the risk increases as a woman ages. In an action that received wide media attention, U.S. government scientists halted a July 2002 study on hormone replacement because it was such a threat to the participants’ health. Increased risk of invasive breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs) were all cited as reasons for halting the study. The drugs being tested included Premarin, Prempro and Provera. In hopeful news, some research finds that the higher risk for breast cancer diminishes, even largely disappears when a woman is off HRT treatment for five years.

What’s The HRT Connection To Osteoporosis?

HRT is still strongly promoted for osteoporosis prevention. Many menopausal women are so afraid of osteoporosis that with a little coaxing from their physicians they begin taking hormone drugs right away. Of those, about 60% discontinue the therapy because of side effects or fear of cancer! There is no question that hormones are involved in bone-building and bone loss, but declining estrogen levels after menopause do not by themselves cause osteoporosis. Although some studies show estrogen inhibits bone cell death, the newest tests reveal that as many as 15% of women on estrogen therapy continue to lose bone! Moreover, estrogen isn’t the only hormone involved in bone building. The hormone progesterone actually increases bone density in clinical tests. Low androgen levels of DHEA and testosterone also play a role in bone loss.

All About BHRT (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy)

With celebrity endorsements from Suzanne Somers and Oprah Winfrey, today bioidentical hormones are an incredibly popular approach to relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and low libido. One reason is bioidentical hormones avoid high doses of estrogen common to conventional HRT drugs like Prempro. Early research suggests they may even be safer with less breast/uterine cancer risk than traditional drugs. Common side effects like weight gain and mood swings are often reduced, too.

How Are Bioidentical Hormones Unique?

Bioidentical hormones are synthesized from plant sources and are chemically identical to what is produced in the body. Estradiol, estrone, estriol, DHEA, progesterone and testosterone are all available. Some bioidenticals are FDA approved and sold in a standardized dosage. However, most are produced on a case-by-case basis. Your physician tests your blood or saliva in order  (sometimes at different times of day) to develop the formula for you to reach a targeted level of hormones. A compounding pharmacist then produces a customized hormone Rx in the exact proportions that your body needs.  

Menopause The Natural Way

80 percent of postmenopausal women in the U.S. do not use any form of HRT at all! Beyond increased cancer risk, HRT can have many unpleasant side effects. Women taking hormone drugs report weight gain (especially fatty deposits on the hips and thighs), heavy bleeding (worse than former menstrual periods), PMS-like pain, severe leg cramps, migraine headaches, uterine and breast fibroids, and low libido.

 Unless you have specific, extenuating circumstances (only about 6% of American women do), a natural menopause may be the best. Even women who don’t have a symptom-free menopause say they feel younger and more energetic when they address menopausal changes, naturally. If you are about to be confronted with the great HRT choice, consider carefully before you agree. Symptoms that accompany menopause are due to the body’s difficulty in adapting to its new hormone functions. Many are positively influenced with natural approaches like whole herb formulas and bodywork therapies. If you’re experiencing a hormone roller coaster, with hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness and low libido, check out my newest book release, Healthy Healing 14^th Edition for much more information on the natural way to “keep the change!”

To Life-long health,

Linda Page

Is It Time For a Spring Cleanse?

A spring cleanse is a real breath of fresh air for your body after a long winter. It’s one of the best ways to quickly shed winter weight and increase your energy levels. Hippocrates, “the Father of Medicine,” Galen, Paracelsus and other great physicians throughout history prescribed detoxification. It was even practiced by Plato and Socrates. Cleansing has been helping people heal for over 20,000 years!

Fact:  At least 20% of the food supply is contaminated with pesticide residues. The average American gets about 68 exposures to these toxins each day!  We are just beginning to see the far-reaching implications on hormonal health, specifically on hormone-driven cancers like that of the breast, testicles, and prostate; infertility problems in men and women; endocrine disorders; and earlier and earlier puberties for young American girls.
    
Body signs that you may need a detox:
A yes answer to two or more of these symptoms should alert you to signs of toxic overload.

—body odor, bad breath or a coated tongue
—frequent candida infections or UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)
—poor digestion, heartburn, constipation with intestinal bloating or gas
—unusual fatigue; relying on stimulant pick-me-ups like sugar and caffeine to get through the day
—cellulite collecting on your hips, thighs or tummy               

You should be drinking at least 3 glasses of mixed fresh vegetable or fruit juices every day of your cleanse.Fresh fruit and vegetable juices have a powerful effect on the body’s recuperative powers because of their rich, easily absorbed nutrients and life giving enzymes.  Enzyme-rich fresh fruit and vegetable juices literally pick up dead, decaying material in the body and carry it away.  Note: Avoid caffeine, sugar, dairy foods and alcoholic drinks for the duration of your cleanse. They contribute to lymphatic stagnation.

I usually recommend a 3 to 5 day diet plan because it’s the easiest to fit in most people’s busy lifestyles. For the best results, I recommend following your detox with 1 to 4 days of a diet of 100% fresh foods. You can begin on a Friday and detox for a long weekend. For people who want to go on a longer, more intense detox, detox spas and centers where you will receive professional guidance are the best choice.

Featured products

Cleansing & Purifying tea: Designed to rid the body’s systems from waste and toxic build-up. Directions: Drink 2 - 3 cups of tea daily.
Toxin Detox: A formula to help rid toxic build-up caused by air, water and food pollutants. Directions: Take 2 caps, twice daily.
Fat & Sugar Detox: Boost metabolism of fats & sugars while reducing food cravings. Directions: Take 3 capsules daily, one before each meal.
Milk thistle seed extract: A potent tonifying and detoxifying herb for the liver, rich in anti-oxidant properties that prevent free radical damage. Directions: Take 10 - 15 drops under the tongue daily as needed.

-Sarah

Food Allergy Solutions

Food allergies and sensitivities are one of the fastest growing forms of allergic reactions in the U.S. today. Well over 35 million Americans suffer from food allergies. The numbers of people who suffer from sensitivities to wheat or gluten-containing products are even higher.

Wheat/gluten sensitivity symptoms to watch for:

• constipation/diarrhea/abdominal pain
• hypoglycemia
• skin flushing (especially in children)
• swollen stomach
• fatigue or unexplained weight gain
• congestion or frequent infections

The increase of gluten sensitivity is believed to be related to many things: an aging population; an increase in consumption of treated, refined grains; low Hcl (hydrochloric acid); and an overload of prescription and over-the counter drugs that damage the digestive tract.

The effects of undigested or partially digested food in the gut is devastating. The gut wall becomes more permeable and undigested proteins begin leaking out into the bloodstream. The immune system sees the protein particles as invaders, causing inflammation and the food allergy response. Gluten proteins (found in wheat) are especially difficult to process and are a main factor in Celiac disease, a type of malabsorption that causes intestinal problems.

What's Left After You've Eliminated Wheat?

Eliminating wheat or gluten may seem like an impossible task, but there are many healthy options available at any health food store to ease the transition. A few options are: rice (red, brown, wild), chickpea, amaranth, corn, millet, oats (not tolerated by all celiacs), and quinoa.

Herbal Digestive Helpers for People Sensitive to Grains

• For gluten intolerance: Candida Detox caps--especially if there is unexplained weight gain.
• Cleanse the G.I. tract: Bitters & Lemon extract before meals; BWL-Tone I.B.S. caps to soothe irritated bowel; or aloe vera juice each morning.
• Produce antihistamines: Anti-HST caps, good for seasonal allergies as well.
• Add a proteolytic enzyme formula: Use a high protease formula between meals like Dr. Enzyme with Protease & Bromelain or Papaya enzyme chewables.

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Real whole grains offer important health benefits. They're a good source of complex carbohydrates for slow calorie burning and increased energy. Their protective fiber, antioxidants and plant chemicals may even help deter cancer and heart disease. To reap the benefits, switch to organic, real whole grains from the health food store. It may help correct a wheat sensitivity and is certainly a better answer for health.

-Linda

Thermogenesis is critical to weight loss after 40.

Thermogenesis is about fat burning. About 75% of the calories you eat work to keep you alive and support your resting metabolic rate. The rest are stored as white fat, or burned up by brown adipose tissue, (BAT), your fat-burning factory. Brown fat is the body’s chief regulator of thermogenesis, so the more active your brown fat is, the easier it is to maintain a desirable weight. Dieters who rely solely on restricting their calorie intake usually end up disappointed, because extreme calorie restriction lowers the rate of thermogenesis. Your body actually burns less fat than it did before you started dieting.  People who yo-yo on and off low calorie diets have even more problems. When a yo-yo dieter begins to increase calorie intake after dieting, their metabolic rate does not return to pre-diet levels, so they store more calories as fat than they did before they started!

Middle-aged spread means you’re not burning enough calories after you eat. Everybody increases metabolism after eating, but the amounts of heat (thermogenesis) vary widely. Lean people experience a 40% increase in heat production after a meal. Overweight people may have only an increase of 10%. Obesity occurs primarily when brown fat isn’t working properly, only a little thermogenesis takes place, and the body deals with the excess calories by storing them as fat. During mid-life years, starting in our early 40s, a genetic timer shuts down the thermogenic mechanism. Turning this timer back on is the secret to re-activating thermogenesis and a more youthful metabolism.

Here’s how brown fat works to stimulate thermogenesis: A protein, called uncoupling protein, breaks down, or uncouples, the train of biochemical events that the cells use to turn calories into energy. Brown fat cells continue to convert calories into heat as long as they are stimulated, and as long as there is white fat for them to work on. Brown fat activity is also self-perpetuating, because it energizes more uncoupling proteins, produces more brown fat cells, and results in substantially more excess calories being burned off as heat through thermogenesis.

Research into the genetics of obesity shows that some people are not born with enough brown fat. People who eat lightly but still can’t lose weight, gain more weight in middle age because the little brown fat they did have is reduced even further. Thermogenesis research demonstrates that it is possible to reverse this aberration. Thermogenic herbs have been successful at reactivating brown fat in middle age. They can increase calorie burning without additional diet changes or exercise, although these things offer added benefits.

1. Thermogenic herbs increase blood flow to lean muscle tissue, so it works faster and longer.

2. Thermogenic herbs suppress appetite. You eat less with less effort. 

3. The longer you take thermogenic herb formulas, the more effective they tend to become, because they help your body produce enough thermogenic activity to make a difference.

Thermo Thinner caps activate your calorie burning energy, burn fats and help curb your appetite. If you put on pounds from poor assimilation, add Dr. Enzyme with Protease & Bromelain.

To Life-long health,

Linda Page

 

Update on H1N1 (Swine flu)- Should You Vaccinate?

In the last few weeks, my inbox has been flooded with your questions on H1N1 and whether getting the H1N1 vaccine is a good idea. While the choice to vaccinate is clearly a personal one, here is some information to help arm you in making the right choice for you and your family.

The threat of a H1N1 outbreak is real. Experts predict that the H1N1 (swine flu) could infect 30-50% of the population. Still, it is important to remember that most cases in the U.S. so far have not been serious. Normal seasonal flu kills as many as 36,000 people a year, compared to 556 U.S. deaths currently linked to H1N1.

Yet, the CDC is recommending vaccination for all high risk groups like: health care workers; pregnant women; children and young adults 6 months to 24 years old; parents of babies under 6 months old; and adults with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, and lung disease. The first doses of the nasal spray vaccine will be available in early October 2009. While we still have much to learn about the swine flu vaccine, there are some concerns with its usage.

Known reactions to the H1N1 vaccine
Flu-like symptoms
Guillain Barre syndrome (a nerve disorder causing muscle weakness and paralysis)
Dangerous for those allergic to eggs
The H1N1 vaccine may contain toxic adjuvants like squalene, linked to inflammatory disorders.

A strong immune system is your really your best defense against any flu. You can use your diet and whole herbs to supercharge your defenses without great risks or side effects. Even if you do choose to vaccinate, a healthy lifestyle is still critical for seasonal flu defense.

To Life-long Health,
Linda Page

Featured products:
Anti-Bio caps: First-aid responder, now with anti-viral support.
Virex caps: Stimulates lymph system to remove pathogens.
Dr. Enzyme with Protease and Bromelain- This potent blend of proteolytic enzymes helps reduce inflammation and purify the bloodstream so the body can get better--naturally.

Do you have a cold or flu? Take this self-test.

Colds and flu are distinct and separate upper respiratory infections, triggered by different viruses. The flu is more serious, because it can spread to the lungs, and cause severe bronchitis or pneumonia. In the beginning stages, the symptoms of colds and flu can be similar. Nose, eyes and mouth are usually the sites of invasion from cold viruses. The most likely target for the flu virus is the respiratory tract.

A Cold Profile looks like this:

• Slow onset. No prostration.

• Body aches—largely due to the release of interferon (an

immune stimulator).

• Rarely accompanied by fever and headache.

• Localized symptoms such as sore throat, sinus congestion,

listlessness, runny nose and sneezing.

• Mild to moderate chest discomfort.

• Sore or burning throat common.

A Flu Profile looks like this:

• Swift and severe onset.

• Early and prominent prostration with flushed, hot, moist skin.

• Usually accompanied by high (102° -104°) fever,

headache and sore eyes.

• General symptoms like chills, depression and body aches.

• Extreme fatigue, sometimes lasting 2-3 weeks.

• Acute chest discomfort, with severe hacking cough.

• Sore throat occasionally.

If you have a lingering cold that you can’t seem to get over. Try this tried and true method used for over 2 decades.

For 3 days:

Drink 3 cups of Cleansing and Purifying tea or dandelion root tea to release congestion. Take 6 capsules daily of Herbal Laxa caps to eliminate the excess mucous that keeps harboring the infection. This method removes the bacteria that keep seeping back into your body from your colon and bowel, and reinfecting you.

If you’re feeling under the weather, please make sure to get plenty of rest. Light exercise is better than intense exercise during a cold or flu.

To Life-long health,

Linda Page

 

 

The Natural Keys To Controlling PMS

PMS is by far the most common woman's health complaint. For some women, PMS is a minor inconvenience that lasts a few days. For others, it disrupts the whole month! A woman's body is delicately tuned, and can become unbalanced easily, causing pain, poor function, and a disconcerting feeling of not being "together," especially during the menstrual cycle.

Fortunately, women can take relieve PMS effectively with a simple 4 point program.

1. Use essential fatty acids to balance prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are vital hormone-type compounds that regulate body functions almost like an electrical current. Evening Primrose oil 500-1000 mg. daily shows excellent results for many women.

2. Love your liver. The liver is in charge of hormone metabolism, and helps to rebalance estrogen and progesterone levels. Try a cup of Liver Cleanse Flushing tea or dandelion tea each morning to relieve balance hormones, relieve organ congestion and detoxify the liver.

3. Enhance your thyroid to reduce PMS. Excess estrogen in the body is related to thyroid imbalance. If the thyroid does not have enough iodine, insufficient thyroid hormone is produced and too much estrogen builds up. Seaweeds are a good choice because they are rich in iodine. Two tablespoons daily in a soup or salad, or over rice are a therapeutic dose. Or, try seaweed in capsules, like Ocean Minerals caps.

4. Phytohormone-rich plants like soybeans, wild yam, licorice root and dong quai, help control PMS symptoms and have a safety record of centuries. An phytohormone-rich combination like Female Harmony works as a stabilizing resource to keep PMS symptoms at bay, naturally.

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• Female Harmony caps and tea: Helps PMS symptoms. Reestablishes hormone harmony.
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• Evening Primrose Pearls: Pure, unrefined Evening Primrose Oil with high, unadulterated GLA content.
  
  
• Liver Cleanse Flushing tea: Boosts liver cleansing to help remove blood toxins and enhance immunity.
  
  
• Ocean Minerals caps: Iodine, potassium and silica from the sea for thyroid balancing.
  >>> Download PDF Info Sheet for Ocean Minerals
  
  
• PMS-eze extract: Fast acting relief for PMS and cramping. Releases excess fluid build-up; relaxes nerves and eases tension.
  
  

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A woman can expect a natural healing program for PMS relief to take at least two months, as the body works through both ovary cycles. The first month, there is a noticeable decrease in PMS symptoms; the second month often finds them dramatically reduced.

-Linda

What's happening to the male libido?

We tend to think of men’s libido as overcharged and always ready for action. This may be true for many men. Certainly a strong male libido can wear out even the healthiest woman. Still, with the advent of erection enhancing drugs like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, there’s no question that a lot of men are looking for new ways to bring back their youthful sexuality.  Some sexual problems like occasional erectile dysfunction impotence or reduced libido can actually be a good wake up call that overall health needs a boost. For instance, impotence problems may signal later cardiovascular problems due to poor circulation.

A low libido in a man may be a sign of depression, reduced testosterone or , most often, a lackluster diet with little or no fresh fruits and vegetables. All of the factors can be easily improved with healthy diet changes, targeted herbal therapy and regular exercise. Further, sometimes, a man may only need to take a closer look at his prescription medication for the cause of his low libido or erectile dysfunction. Antidepressants, sedatives, high blood pressure medication, and diuretics top the list of drugs that can put a damper on male libido and the ability to achieve an erection.

Are your testosterone levels low?

Around four to five million American men do not produce enough testosterone. Even more worrisome, research shows that most men know very little about testosterone, or how low testosterone levels can affect their health.

Low testosterone signs to watch for:
Lack of energy and libido
Difficulty concentrating or depression
Low sperm count/ Infertility
Weakened erections
Loss of muscle mass or body hair
Increased breast size
Bone loss or osteoporosis

Testosterone replacement with bioidentical hormones or transdermal gels is becoming more and more popular for men with this problem, but any type of testosterone replacement should be closely monitored to avoid health risks like hormone-driven prostate or testicular cancer, and side effects like prostate enlargement, acne, head hair loss, fertility problems, and irritability.

I prefer herbal testosterone boosters like ginseng and sarsaparilla because their effects are more gentle but longer lasting, restoring the health of the male reproductive glands, natural hormone balance and libido. Here are few libido enhancing formulas I suggest:

Men's Healthy Libido: Increases sexual energy and desire for men, at any age. Supports healthy hormone production, sex drive and sperm count.

Male Performance: A potent blend of herbs that nourish the entire male system. Helps increase energy and blood supply to support and strengthen the male reproductive system.

To Life-long health,

Linda

What about a water fast? I don’t recommend it.

Leading nutritionists and detoxification experts agree that fresh vegetable and fruit juice cleansing is superior to water fasting. Indeed, juice cleansing is an evolution in detoxification methods. Fresh juices, broths and herb teas help deeply cleanse the body, rejuvenate the tissues and guide you to a faster recovery from health problems than water fasting.

A traditional water fast is harsh and demanding on your body, even in times before huge amounts of food and environmental toxins were part of the picture. Today, it can even be dangerous. Deeply buried pollutants and chemicals from our tissues are released into elimination channels too rapidly during a water fast. Your body is essentially “re-poisoned” as the chemicals move through the bloodstream all at once. Sometimes, the physical and emotional stress of a water fast even overrides the healing benefits.

Vegetable and fruit juices are alkalizing, so they neutralize uric acid and other inorganic acids, better than water, and increase the healing effects. Juices support better metabolic activity for fasting, too. Metabolic activity slows down during a water fast as the body attempts to conserve dwindling energy resources that further reduce productive cleansing. Juices are very easy on digestion, and easily assimilated into the bloodstream. They don’t disturb the detoxification process.

To Life-long health,
Linda

Healthy Diet for Dogs and Cats

Cats and dogs usually need better nutrition than they get from today’s animal foods. Commercial foods often contain low quality ingredients rejected for human consumption, even diseased animal meat laced with high levels of antibiotics. If these foods are the mainstay of your pet’s diet, they may destroy its health.

Most brands are saturated with the ingredients we fight to avoid for ourselves...... chemical additives, artificial colors, dyes, preservatives like BHT and BHA — ingredients with known toxicity that are banned for human consumption. Avoid pet foods with meat by products, fillers and potential allergens for your pet’s best health.

Further, cornmeal is a primary ingredient in commercial feed, but many animals, especially cats, cannot tolerate a high carbohydrate diet. Modern pet foods often contain imbalanced essential fatty acids (low Omega 3’s and high Omega 6’s), leading to skin problems, dull coat or dander. Further, almost all pet food is cooked, pasteurized, canned or microwaved, killing most of the enzymes critical to your pet’s healthy body processes.

It’s easy to see why so many pets are now victims of the same health problems people face: arthritis, heart disease; thyroid, kidney, adrenal and digestive disorders; chronic infections; diabetes and hypoglycemia; allergies, skin and eye disorders. Like us, animals need the live energy of fresh foods and quality, whole ingredients. Their bodies rely on enzymes even more than ours to protect them from degenerative diseases. It’s the reason some animals, even some breeds, tend to eat waste excrement — for the enzymes.

It takes a little more time and effort to feed fresh foods to your pet. Actually, adding a little bit of leftover salad to your pet’s meal makes a big difference to your pet’s health. Start them on some veggies young if you can. I remember the day our cat (who recently passed on after living to the ripe old age of 24) turned up her nose at her own cat food and jumped on the kitchen table to eat our dinner salad! 

Important note: Do not overfeed pets. An estimated 35-50% of pet dogs are overweight. Smaller dogs especially put on weight more easily, and table scraps and treats can really add up. Obesity in dogs and cats can lead to high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, and lung disease.