HEALTH
better
Who Needs
Hormones?
A c c o rd in g to new data, m ore w om en than
previously thought— perhaps even yOU.
by
g a l e m a l e s k y
even years ago, the
National Institutes of
Health Women’s Health
Initiative broke the bad
news that hormone
replacement therapy could increase
the risk for breast cancer, heart
disease, stroke, and blood clots.
Women and their doctors dropped
the therapy in droves, preferring hot
flashes to cancer or heart disease.
In the years since, WHI data have
been further analyzed. The results
show that the risk for breast cancer
doesn’t appear until after two to three
years of HRT, and that women who
begin HRT within 10 years of the
onset of menopause have less risk of
heart disease from the therapy than
women further into menopause.
Those findings have led to a
significant new recommendation:
short-term use of 3-5 years in
younger women only—those between
ages 50 to 60 or so—who have
moderate to severe hot flashes,
vaginal dryness, or who are at high
risk for osteoporosis but can’t take
other drug treatments.
The trend is also toward the
lowest dose that’s still effective, says
Dr. Jacques Rossouw, WHI project
officer. And HRT is now more likely
to be given in patches, which deliver
the drugs through the skin rather
than orally, eliminating the need for
them to pass through the liver before
entering the blood. This reduces the
likelihood of blood clots and allows
for a smaller effective dose.
The decision to take HRT is one to
be made in consultation with your
doctor. Just make sure you both
weigh the pros and cons carefully.
This is also a decision in which a
second opinion can be warranted.
THE ALL'IRA!
It’s pretty easy, actually.
All-Bran
cereals contain
natural wheat bran fiber,
which is important to
your digestive health
and overall wellness.
Natural wheat bran fiber
cleanses your system,
helping you feel
lighter, happier and
more energetic.
Who wouldn’t want
some of that?
What about bioidentical hormones?
There is quite a divide between “regular” doctors who prescribe
pharmaceutical HRT such as Premarin and Prempro and “alternative”
doctors who prescribe biodentical hormones—those natural compounds
chemically identical to hormones, says Dr. Ken Holtorf of the Holtorf
Center for Hormone Imbalance in Torrance, California Regular doctors
contend there’s no proof that bioidenticals are safer than synthetics. By
proof they mean a large, long-term study like the WHI. In that regard, they
are right. But doctors such as Holtorf say there are many well-executed
smaller studies, and years of clinical practice, to show that bioidentical
hormones are safer. Lots of doctors dabble in natural hormones, but to find
an expert, look for one who is board-certified in anti-aging medicine. Use
the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Web site,
w o r l d h e a l t h . n e t .
Put us to work for you.
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS AUGUST 2009 2 2 1
<B>,
TM. © 2009 Kellogg NA Co.
