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Integrative Management of Endocrine Dysfunction by Joseph Collins, RN, ND |
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It’s Not Just the
Levels, It’s the Listening |
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When addressing non-optimal endocrine function
it is important to understand Endocrine Nutraceutical Consolidated recognizes
that what appears to be an inconsistency between hormone levels, and the
symptoms that a patient experiences is actually a sign that the cells of the
body “do not listen” to the hormones as well as they should. The most
well-known of this clinical situation involving hormone resistance/antagonism
is insulin resistance, a widely recognized condition in which hormone levels
and cellular response to those levels are not congruent. The restoration of
peak hormone function requires both the support of tissues that make
hormones, and the support of cellular response in every tissue that responds
to hormones. Functional endocrinology always requires a more detailed
analysis of the physiological response to hormones, or how well cells “listen”
to each hormone. Cellular response is as important as the function of hormone
production. This function-response connection guides all other concepts
associated with successful restoration of peak hormone function. |
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Lifestyle Management is Critical for Restoration of
Optimal Hormone Function |
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Since lifestyle stress
has a great impact on the endocrine system, appropriate diet, exercise, rest,
sleep, recreation, social interactions, hydration, and detoxification are
important issues to address when first endeavoring to restore optimal hormone
function. Properly managing hormone health always requires addressing
lifestyle first. Even bioidentical HRT cannot make up for unhealthy diet and
lifestyle. |
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Vitamins & Minerals are Foundation Cofactors for
All Hormone Production |
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Vitamins, minerals,
trace minerals and other trace nutrients are critical cofactors for
the production and metabolism of all hormones. An effective dosage of these
hormone supporting nutrients should be taken on a daily bases as foundation nutrients.
Keeping hormone supporting nutrients separate from the actual herbal
formulation allows clinicians to adjust the dosage of phytotherapeutic agents
without the risks of toxicity that would result if a specific mineral were
placed within a hormone specific formulation. By not adding zinc and copper
to herbal formulations, clinicians can adjust the dosage without concerns
about zinc becoming antagonists to steroidogenic pathway enzymes. The Ultra Preventive® X formulation is a nutraceutical that has the right proportions of vitamins,
minerals, trace elements, and other nutrients to support optimal endocrine
health, without danger of toxic build-up or other side effects It also
provides significant antioxidant support, which is required by adrenal,
gonadal and thyroid tissue. |
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Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is the Fatty Acid that Improves Hormone Signaling |
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DHA improves cell membrane health by changing the lipid structure of the
membrane in such a way as to actually improve the ability of the cell to
receive hormone signals. It also affects the movement of molecules in the
cell, affecting organelles within the cell such as the mitochondria, the
principal energy source of the cell. Increasing DHA in the mitochondria
through nutraceutical support improves the ability of
mitochondria to create cellular energy, and to carry out the message that it
received from the hormone. The high DHA:EPA ratio in Opti DHA is critical for cell membrane health |
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Adrenal Function Must Always be Considered When
Addressing Any Hormone Imbalance |
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The Dynamic
Interactivity of the Endocrine System is
so profound that it is virtually impossible to address imbalances in
estrogens, progestogens, androgens, insulin or thyroid hormones unless
adrenal gland function is also addressed. Such phrases; “adrenal-gonadal” and
“adrenal-thyroid” reinforce the fluidity of endocrine interdependence. The phytotherapeutic formulations for specific hormone functions
each interact with the adrenal glands in a manner distinctive to that
particular hormone. While Progesto-Mend™ uses herbs to
enhance adrenal production of progesterone, Testo-Gain™ and Estro-Mend™ support hormone function by improving
the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary
adrenal (HPA) axis. The corticosteroid-inhibiting effect of gymnema
contributes to the function of Glucobrium. The
adaptogenic constituents of Thyro-Mend™ and Testo-Quench™
modulate adrenal function to restore optimal function of targeted hormones. |
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The Hypothalamic-Pituitary
(HP) Axes Must All Be Considered when Addressing Hormone Imbalance |
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The hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, the
hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary thyroid
(HPT) axis are the three primary axes that regulate the Dynamic Interactivity of the Endocrine System. These axes have
feedback loops that ensure optimal hormone levels that are maintained under
various conditions. The hypothalamic-pituitary glands also affect a number of
other endocrine tissues. Supporting optimal health of the HP axes with
targeted phytotherapeutic is an important component of Estro-Mend™, Progesto-Mend™, Testo-Gain™, Testo-Quench™ and Thyro-Mend™. |
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Synergy & Compatibility of Formulations is Required
to Restore Dynamic Interactivity of the Endocrine
System |
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When choosing the appropriate
nutraceutical and phytotherapeutic
formulations, the Phytocrine
Formulations are both synergistic for
the function of the specific hormone that is targeted, and synergistic with other
formulations that may be indicated for other hormonal needs. As such, a
formulation that could be used for symptoms associated with weak thyroid
function must also be compatible with formulations that may be used for weak
progesterone function, or weak testosterone function, or excessive
testosterone function. In addition, formulations designed to support normal
function of a specific hormone must address all of the needs of that hormone.
Formulations that may be used for weak testosterone function must enhance the
function of every tissue that responds to estrogen. In addition to relieving
fatigue and decreased libido, that formulation must also support healthy
function of bone, heart, brain, skin and other testosterone sensitive
tissues. |
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Use “Precursors” & Metabolites Before any form of
HRT – Which is the Last Course of Action |
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Before hormone
replacement therapy is chosen whether it is traditional (HRT) or bioidentical
(BHRT), weaker hormones such as DHEA, pregnenolone or the metabolite and
7-keto-DHEA should be considered. There will be situations where restoration
of optimal hormone function cannot be achieved with lifestyle, nutraceutical
and phytoceutical interventions alone. In those cases, the use of DHEA 5 MG, Pregnenolone 25 Mg Tab, and 7-KETO can support the hormone producing pathways through
supplementation instead of replacement. Since DHEA, pregnenolone and
7-keto-DHEA have physiological actions of their own, and provide benefits
independent of BHRT, they increase the efficacy of BHRT if needed, and will
allow clinicians to prescribe much lower dosages with increased success. |
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♦These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. |
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YourMenopauseType.com, Inc. |
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