"Treat the disease, you win some, you lose some. Treat the patient, you always win."
~Patch Adams~



Friday, July 27, 2012

Physical function poorer after menopause: study

How ironic, I was just moaning to myself that today is a weight workout day at the gym (I'm fine once I get there, but I do not like working with weights....boring).....and This article from Reuters pops up.

I'm not at all surprised by the results of the study. Menopause (without bioidentical hormone replacement) causes weight gain, mood swings, sleep disruptions (who wants to exercise when you are exhausted), and cognitive impairment (when you can't get out of your own way.). I've seen a great many instances of this among my friends, women in their 50's and early 60's who act like old ladies because they can't get around. They are less mobile and energetic than the ladies at water aerobics who are in their 70's and 80's!

Bottom line, slow the effects of aging by getting your hormones (bioidentically) optimized, and then do as much as you can to stay active in both mind and body. Off my soapbox and off to climb into my gym clothes.

Have a great weekend!
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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Email Issue

Hi everyone......someone emailed me last night asking for information about Dr. Carr's practice......and I have tried to respond 4 times but keep getting delivery failure notice. If by chance you are that person (long shot since blog readers always see Dr. Carr's contact information on the upper right side of the blog) please email me again at holyhormones@gmail.com. Thank you!


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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

New toy for Andrea!

I am constantly looking for exercises that build core strength...it keeps my back strong. Saw this on Amazon.com for less than $20 and ordered it....tried it out, lots of fun and a real challenge! Looking forward to adding this to my fitness routine!



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Pharmaceutical Drugs Are 62,000 Times Likely to Kill You

Pharmaceutical Drugs Are 62,000 Times Likely to Kill You

My thanks to Dr. Carr for sharing this article today on Facebook. Most of us taking bioidentical hormones are also taking supplements.....and we often face criticism and ridicule from friends and family, and sadly, also too often from primary care physicians.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Pfizer Loses Prempro Ruling, Must Pay $10.4 Million

Good morning! Another major lawsuit ruling against Pfizer Pharmaceuticals has been upheld, to the tune of $10.4 million. Why Premarin and Prempro are still on the market, when they are know. To be dangerous and there are safer alternatives available, is beyond me. Read about the ruling on Bloomburg.com By clicking here.
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Saturday, July 21, 2012

Some great exercises......

To tone your arms......I do all of these except 3 & 4 ...... and will start incorporating that exercise into my routine tomorrow. For those of you who have never used a balance ball before, I love mine and it really helps with core strength.



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Friday, July 20, 2012

To start your weekend with a a smile!




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Inactivity 'killing as many as smoking'

Check out this article from BBC Health.com on how physical inactivity may be as dangerous to our health as smoking.

I am now on my way to get in my water workout before the thunderstorms roll in (very hazy, hot and humid today in the Carolina's). Get out there and be active!


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9 Ways to Keep an Aging Brain Sharp

Good morning! The brain fog that comes with peri/post me opausal changes can be absolutely maddening, so I am always on the lookout for ways to keep my brain active and engaged. I keep up on current events, do Sudoku puzzles, a few other games on my iPad, read, and I knit lace shawls from charts (with the added benefit of having a nice collection of shawls to wear in the cooler weather!)

Check out this article from Online Psychology Degree.com on Nine Ways To Keep An Aging Brain Sharp. I need to work on numbers 8 and 9, and I love the picture under number 6!

My thoughts are with the victims of the shootings in Colorado......today is one of those days that I am not planning to watch the news.....it is simply too heartbreaking. Wishing all of you peace in your heart.


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Wednesday, July 18, 2012




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Obesity Plus Low Vitamin D May Add Up to a Greater Risk of Diabetes

Good afternoon everyone! Since regular readers of this blog know I am big on Vitamin D supplementation (you are getting your Vitamin D level checked, aren't you?), I thought
This article from Science Daily might be of interest to you. A recent study indicates that patients who are obese and who are also Vitamin D deficient are at much higher risk for diabetes than patients who are obese OR Vitamin D deficient.

Speaking of Vitamin D.......I am heading out to the outdoor pool to get in a cardio/stretching workout (did weights this morning at the gym), and while I'm outdoors in the pool I'll get a good dose of Vitamin from the NC sunshine! Have a great day, everyone!

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Sunday, July 15, 2012

Another site with some great ideas for water workout exercises!

Hi, everyone, I have not forgotten you......there just haven't been any good articles in the news this week on menopause/hormonal balance and related issues.

I've been dealing with a flare up in my back, and it's been very hot here in NC, so I am spending some time most days working out in the pool in my subdivision. Often I am the only one in the pool (which I love), and I get in my daily dose of sun/Vitamin D along with my workout. I do a lot of core strengthening, as the stronger my core is, the more stable my back is....And that helps my endurance. I do a lot of stretching, too, to stay as flexible as I can. I'm working out a bit more gently right now because of the flare up, but I know it doesn't last forever and I'll be able to up my workout intensity soon. I am also doing light weight workouts either at home or the Y for bone strength. There is an upside, however.......having to slow down and rest a bit more has increased my knitting time (I have a sweater for me, a sweater for a friend, and a shawl for me currently in progress), and also my reading time (hope to have a review on a menopause book for you later this week).



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Free (for the time being) Book For Your Kindle!

For those of you who have a Kindle, the book Power of Vitamin D New Scientific Research Links Vitamin D Deficiency to Cancer, Heart Disease, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Kidney Disease, Fibromyalgia, ... Diseases, Dental Problems and Depression. [Kindle Edition] is free right now, I downloaded it but have not read it yet. Many times these books stay on the free list for a day or two, so go grab this before the price goes back up. Click here for the link.........Click here


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Saturday, July 14, 2012

Something to think about......





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Tuesday, July 10, 2012




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Sunday, July 8, 2012




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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Higher Doses of Vitamin D Prevent Fractures in Older Women

Good morning, everyone! My apologies for my sporadic posting, and be aware my posts may look a little different for the next week or so. My computer died (moment of silence for dead computer) so I am working entirely from my iPad right now!

Vitamin D has been much in the news lately, a recent study indicated that post menopausal women should not take Vitamin D and calcium because there was no effect on the risk of fractures. First of all, the levels of Vitamin D studied (400-600 IUs daily) are far blow what most progressive practitioners are recommending for their patients right now. Dr. Carr has had me on 5000 IUs of Vitamin D3 (10,000 in the winter months) for nearly 6 years, I have never had an ill effect for it and it most certainly contributed to curing my osteopenia. Secondly, Vitamin D affects more than just bone health.....it has been shown to positively affect mood (think seasonal affective disorder), and studies suggest it helps prevent some forms of cancers.

A new study detailed this morning on Yahoo News/HealthDay shows that there is a reduced risk of fractures among older people when the amount of Vitamin D taken is ABOVE 800 IUs daily. This is significant for all of us, because hip fractures and loss of mobility are one of the leading causes of death among the elderly, and loss of mobility certainly diminishes quality of life. I can speak with some authority on this, as my mother, who was seriously affected by osteoporosis (she lost 4 inches in height) fell and broke her upper arm, spent weeks in the hospital, never fully recovered and spent the last several years of her life as an invalid. Caring for her fell entirely on me as an only child, and it was utter hell. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I am absolutely determined not to follow in her footsteps......I work out nearly every day, take my supplements and hormones, and although I still struggle with healthy eating.....I try to do my best.

As always, discuss Vitamin D supplementation with your healthcare practitioner, but if he/she blows you off and refuses to test your Vitamin D levels......don't stand for it, insist on getting the blood test.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Hot Flashes Don't Signal Poor Heart Health for Most Women: Study

This article from US News and World Report.com may be of some comfort to those of you suffering with hot flashes:  a study presented recently at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society indicated that there is likely no increased risk of cardiovascular disease for women who experience hot flashes around the peri/menopausal transition.  However, if the hot flashes persist for many years (without hormonal optimization) or they begin many years after menopause, there may be a higher risk for cardiovascular issues. 

It's important to remember, however, that this study is looking at ONE factor----hot flashes and their onset.  We know that the lack of hormones can and does cause all sorts of issues, and it is known that estrogen is heart protective.  Way too many women seek out hormonal care only because of hot flashes or weight issues, not taking into consideration all the other ways hormone optimization can improve their health.......decreased inflammation in the body (think arthritis), cholesterol (thyroid is a hormone, and increased cholesterol can be a sign of thyroid imbalance), heart disease, body mass, bone health (this is a big one for me, my mother had severe osteoporosis), increased well being, sexual health, vaginal atrophy, and the list goes on and on. 

Sleep Deprivation Affects Immune System Like Physical Stress

Good morning! 

Many of us in the peri/post menopausal transition list lack of sleep as one of our most distressing symptoms.  I know until I got my hormones optimized, many nights I was sleeping less than 3-4 hours a night, and they certainly weren't all in a row!  The hormone fluctuations make women tired to begin with, and night sweats also disrupt sleep, so it's a wonder we can function at all during this time.  Prescription sleep aids have their own set of problems (addiction being one of them--believe me, I know, I had a terrible time getting off them), and the sleep you get from sleeping pills is often not what is called a "good sleep", more of a drugged state.

This article from PsychCentral.com discusses a study that finds sleep deprevation can affect the immune system, much in the same way as physical stress (I consider sleep deprevation/chronic fatigue to be a physical stress!)  This is not something to fool with, or to feel like you shouldn't discuss it with your doctor because it isn't "important".  Sleep deprivation can cause a myriad of physical issues (obesity, diabetes) and can also be a safety issue ------- many car accidents are at least in part caused because of poor reaction time by drivers, falling asleep at the wheel, etc.  Sleep deprivation is part of the success of Starbucks!