Bio-identical Hormone Therapy and Sage Advice 4 Women from

   The transition into menopause can be difficult or easy. Some women ease into it with not much difficulty.  Some do not. The key to easy transition relies on intact adrenal  glands.  Preparing for menopause is one of the most important transitions for improved aging.  (Preparing for childbirth is very similar. studies show that pregnancy in the midst of adrenal challenges may have less favorable outcomes)  The key is in getting the adrenal glands in their best shape so they can provide for natural waining hormones that stay in balance and protect us. When the ovaries are running on empty so to speak, the rest of our smart bodies will go to work as long as they are well fed and cared for. If a woman enters menopause and does not have the ability to make enough hormones from the substrates available then an inflammatory cascade begins. The adrenals glands make the hormones that the ovaries cannot produce.
   

     This inflammatory cascade of cytokines then is like a runaway train. It is responsible for the middle we grow. That belly fat grows then starts making these inflammatory devils and next thing you know...  hot flashes from the cortisol disturbances created, osteoporosis, joint pain, neurologic inflammation in the brain that makes us the typical crazy menopausal nut cases that comedians and folklore embellish. You can then start pharmaceutical , non bio-identical hormones and bio-identical hormones. or compounded  bio-identical ones or adaptogenic herbs and nutrients to put out the fires created, but this may only slow the train down, not stop or reverse it.


     The key is to train like for an athletic event and to nourish the adrenals. One must discover any health risks and correct them before the body and specifically the adrenals need to be at their best. So you must be good to your bodies and heal and nourish them before menopause. They will then be able to perform like champs for us. ( The same applies to pregnancy outcomes. You must be adrenally sound in order to have the best pregnancy  outcome and in some cases even to become pregnant. )
 

     How do you do this you ask?  You find a provider who will look at all the correct markers and determine if you need any rebuilding. If you do need help, you make sure to heal your adrenals and keep them as healthy as possible.  I do this with a salivary evaluation by Diagnostechs at the cost of $150. This Adrenal Stress Index looks at your cortisol levels at four times during the day to see if your patterns are normal. In addition you are tested for other hormones that are part of the adrenal, allergy and metabolic  pathways.  Depending on your results, a plan for restoration can be formulated and retested to monitor progress. If you are found to be normal, you need only to learn how to nourish yourself well for the transition which includes good food choices specifically for you and a great concentration of omega 3’s and vitamin D3.
   

       If your adrenals are not healthy, you fix them by engaging in intensive corrective nutrition which may include nutrients for the brain and gut repair. The relationship between the gut and the brain is amazing and inextricably linked. If either is not healthy they create a negative influence on the adrenals.