Guest guest Posted February 17, 2004 Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 Tue, 17 Feb 2004 08:07:37 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson Same Story, Different Day Same Story, Different Day Health Sciences Institute e-Alert February 17, 2004 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, " Hormone Therapy Study Halted Over Cancer Concerns " That headline could be from July 2002, when the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) abruptly halted a multiyear hormone replacement therapy (HRT) study in order to protect subjects from developing breast cancer. But it's not. That headline is from February 2004. Some things never change, but it's high time they did. ----------------------------- What are they waiting for? ----------------------------- Just last week, in the e-Alert " Minor Concerns " (2/11/04), I told you about a Swedish HRT study that was suddenly cut short two years in advance of its projected end date. The problem: About 170 study subjects who were taking a pharmaceutical HRT were determined to be at an unacceptable risk of developing breast cancer. Of course, there's no way in the world that the Swedish researchers missed the news about the WHI study. And certainly they were aware of additional studies that have found associations between HRT with an increased risk of blood clots, gallstones, and type 2 diabetes. It makes you wonder how many other HRT projects are in the works that will be shut down ahead of schedule when problems arise. And more to the point - it makes you wonder why they haven't read the writing on the wall and stopped the projects already. ----------------------------- Change of therapy ----------------------------- I've opened this important topic again because I just came across the results of some revealing research conducted by Kaiser Permanente, a California-based health maintenance company. Kaiser researchers conducted a telephone survey to find out what effect the conclusion of the WHI study had on women who were using HRT at the time. Researchers contacted 670 women, and found that while more than 90 percent had heard about the controversy surrounding the WHI study, more than 60 percent of them didn't know that the findings indicated an increased risk of breast cancer associated with HRT. And yet, in spite of being poorly informed, more than half of the women surveyed said that they had discontinued HRT use within six to eight months after the WHI announcement. Of those who stopped using HRT, about thirty percent reported a recurrence of hot flashes, mood swings and other menopausal symptoms. Twenty-six percent of the women who stopped using HRT eventually began taking it again. The Kaiser team concluded that about 70 percent of women who stop taking HRT may experience no symptoms (or what they refer to as " very tolerable " symptoms), even if they stop abruptly. For those who have a recurrence of hot flashes, the study suggests several coping measures, including drinking cold beverages, keeping the body cool, and deep breathing exercises. Those sound like the standard suggestions you might get from the type of doctor who has no idea what to do when the drugs don't work. But rest assured, there are effective natural alternatives to HRT. ----------------------------- Lifting levels ----------------------------- According to a recent study, women may find relief from menopausal symptoms with low doses of the natural steroidal hormone supplement called DHEA (an acronym for dehydroepiandrosterone). Italian researchers recruited 20 postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 65 years. Blood samples for each woman were evaluated for hormone levels before the test began, and again every three months for one year. During that year, each of the women took 25 mg of DHEA daily. When all of the hormonal tests were analyzed, researchers found that estrogen, testosterone and progesterone levels at least doubled for each woman. Furthermore, hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms were significantly reduced. No side effects were reported by any of the women. DHEA is secreted by the adrenal glands, but your natural production of DHEA peaks in your twenties and then gradually declines. Research has shown that raising low DHEA levels with supplements of the hormone can have dramatic anti-aging effects. In addition, giving a boost to DHEA levels may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, help control diabetes, increase energy levels, improve memory, strengthen the immune system, and alleviate depression. Because it's a steroidal hormone, however, DHEA supplementation should always be monitored by a medical professional. As HSI panelist Martin Milner, N.D., explained in the e-Alert " Graceful Aging " (2/27/03), " Even at small doses, it's relatively easy to overdose on DHEA if you don't actually have a deficiency. " ----------------------------- Seeing the light ----------------------------- But if DHEA isn't right for you, there are other natural alternatives to pharmaceutical HRT, including dong quai, black cohosh, licorice, chasteberry, indium and natural progesterone yam cream. Supplements of vitamins A, C and B complex, plus minerals like boron may also be effective. In addition, some women may find relief in yoga, acupuncture or special exercise regimens. In previous e-Alerts I've told you about a special HSI report titled " Look and Feel Your Best, " written by HSI Panelist Linda Page, Ph.D. In this report Dr. Page shows women how to make their way through menopause naturally, without using hormone replacement therapy. Learn more about how Dr. Page's techniques can make the difference between just surviving menopause, and emerging from it happier and healthier at: http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/610SHORM/W600E260/home.cfm. The important thing for women to know is that there are a number of ways they can cope with menopause without resorting to drugs. These treatments don't work for everyone, but they do provide promising alternatives for women who are seeing the light and avoiding synthetic HRT. ************************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ************************************************************** ... and another thing By now you've probably heard that it's official: On Friday, February 6, the FDA banned the herb ephedra and all ephedra products. The ban will take effect in April. The FDA is also closely monitoring several other medicinal herbs that could soon be banned or come under strict controls. One of these botanicals is called bitter orange (used in some energy and weight loss supplements), and is said to mimic the effects of ephedra. According to a report I read on Fox News online, studies have shown that bitter orange may interact dangerously with certain medications. Notice they don't state that some medications may interact dangerously with bitter orange use. The subtle implication here is that the medications don't cause a problem, but throw bitter orange in the mix and then all the trouble begins. Never mind that someone might be using bitter orange and experiencing no problems at all, until their doctor prescribes a medication... and then all the trouble begins. It's the old mainstream media mindset we've seen time and again: Blame the herb, not the medication. And watch out, there are a lot of babies in that bathwater you're throwing out. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: " HABITS(Hormonal Replacement Therapy After Breast Cancer - Is it Safe?), A Randomised Comparison: Trial Stopped " The Lancet, Vol. 363, No. 9046, 1/31/04, thelancet.com " Hormone Therapy Study Halted Over Cancer Concerns " Associated Press, 2/3/04, cnn.com " Effect of the Women's Health Initiative on women's decisions to discontinue postmenopausal hormone therapy " Obstetrics & Gynecology, Vol. 102, No. 6, December 2003, sciencedirect.com " Most Women Successful in Stopping Hormone Therapy " Reuters Health, 12/1/03, reutershealth.com " Long-Term Low-Dose Dehydroepiandrosterone Oral supplementation in Early and Late Postmenopausal Women Modulates Endocrine Parameters and Synthesis of Neuroactive Steroids " Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 80, No. 6, December 2003, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Copyright ©1997-2004 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. 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