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| Hormone
Rejuvenation with Homeopathy |
NuFem Hormone Rejuvenation
System offers a gentler approach to mid-life hormone
balance than HRT--and works for men, too. |
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There is continual debate about both conventional
and natural hormone replacement therapies (HRT). Conventional
HRT uses synthetic hormones taken orally and, among a
number of adverse side effects, is known to cause ovarian
and other cancers in a small percentage of women. Natural
HRT usually relies on wild yam-derived progesterone and
cofactors applied in a skin cream, but the quality control
of over-the-counter products and their effectiveness have
been called into question. There is a third option, however--do
not attempt to replace the hormones at all. Instead, restore
balance by rejuvenating the body's innate ability to produce
the proper hormone levels. |
| This third approach is the one taken by
Theresa Dale, Ph.D., in developing her NuFem Hormone
Rejuvenation System. These are homeopathic remedies incorporating
time-tested principles of naturopathic and traditional
Chinese medicine. |
| Although natural hormone replacement is
many times safer and can be more effective than synthetic
HRT, "natural" bio-identical hormone preparations are
still synthesized from natural substances. The body knows
the difference between a wild yam and something synthesized
from a wild yam. Further, the taking of any externally-originated
(exogenous) hormone, natural or synthetic, can signal
the body to stop, or at least to slow down, production
of the endogenous (the body's own) version of that hormone.
The homeopathic approach employs remedies made up of substances
intended to support the body's self-healing mechanisms.
Successively diluted from 1/10th to only billionths of
their original strength, the minute amounts of these healing
substances cannot act to replace the body's hormones,
but instead they serve as catalysts: agents that in effect
kick-start the body's own appropriate production of hormones.
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| A three-part system |
| |
The NuFem Hormone Rejuvenation System has
three aspects. It incorporates a proprietary hormone saliva
test and interpretation; remedies and support for individual
organs as indicated by the test; and one of three NuF
em HRS formulas, corresponding to the degree of overall
hormonal imbalance. |
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One
problem with using over-the-counter creams, or any kind
of prescribed HRT, is that women tend to do so without
first getting hormonal tests to establish a baseline profile
of their hormonal status. Dr. Dale recommends salivary
hormone testing as a baseline for every woman who is considering
beginning treatment for menopausal symptoms. |
| Several
reputable laboratories around the country offer a saliva
test kit by mail. To be complete, the kits should test
both the important sex and stress hormones, including
progesterone, estradiol (estrogen), testosterone, cortisol
and DHEA. Saliva collection can be performed at home and
the sample sent by mail to a laboratory. This is a simple,
non-invasive process. The test should be repeated periodically
to re-evaluate hormone levels and adjust any supplements
being taken. |
| Saliva
is considered to be a better indicator than blood serum
of biologically active hormone levels and is therefore
a more accurate reflection of the body's functional hormonal
status. Research has proven the effectiveness of using
saliva instead of serum or urine as a diagnostic medium
to measure bioavailable (biologically active) hormone
fractions. Saliva testing measures the levels of "free"
(unbound) sex and stress hormones available to body tissues,
and hormone concentrations are independent of saliva flow
rate. |
| Dr.
Dale has developed her own NuFem HRS Saliva Test to determine
whether hormone levels are within expected normal ranges
for one's gender and age. She says that the test is "an
accurate method of evaluating how hormone replacement
therapies, topical hormone creams and other therapies
affect hormone levels, and it allows one to periodically
monitor how the NuFem formulas, along with proper diet
and exercise, are positively influencing hormone balance."
|
| The
NuFem Saliva Test specifies saliva collection times to
be performed according to the "Body Clock" of traditional
Chinese medicine (see illustration). In this system, the
functional states of body organs and glands are correlated
with the times of day, with seasons, emotions, substances
and energies all classified as belonging to one of five
"Elements." These Elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
and Wood) are classifications used to describe basic principles
of how members within each category behave, influence
and interact with each other. "The Five Element Theory
is a key to identifying the core energy pattern that anchors
a disease and causes blocked meridians and thus blocked
hormones and neurotransmitters," says Dr. Dale. "The Body
Clock correlates the Elements with organ and endocrine
functions to specific peak times of the day and evening."
Dr. Dale uses these peak times in the 24-hour functional
cycle in her test interpretations. Correlating the results
with Chinese medicine, she will recommend Neuro-Emotional
Remedies to balance the organs and glands that correspond
with abnormal hormone levels, and also make dietary recommendations.
|
| "This
comprehensive circadian endocrine profile will give results
on hormone levels in addition to profiling the health
of corresponding organs and glands." For example, if the
test reveals that a person's cortisol level is high at
2 AM, this is an indication of a liver imbalance. The
health of the liver is key: our body's largest internal
organ plays a central role in nutrient transportation
and metabolic processes. If it is congested, the body
will not be able to detoxify properly and circulation
will also be impaired, severely inhibiting the body's
ability to heal other organs. |
| The
Body Clock |
The
Body Clock is a representation of an aspect of the
Five Element Theory of traditional Chinese medicine.
Classic medical texts discussing the Five Element
Theory date back to at least 200 BCE. The Chinese
character we translate as "Elements" is also called
"phases" or "movements." Based on the idea that
all things in the universe are interrelated, the
Five Element Theory shows the ways in which all
things tend to influence and give birth to each
other.
In
the Body Clock, twelve organs of the body, controlled
by the twelve acupuncture meridians, are associated
with different times of the day. The particular
times of day at which saliva testing shows abnormal
hormone levels indicates which organs are being
adversely affected by the imbalance. (The Body Clock
also makes it obvious how interrupted sleep patterns
can be caused by hormone imbalances.)
Depending
on the degree to which a patient's hormones are
imbalanced, Dr. Dale will recommend one of three
NuFem formulas to address the overall needs of the
endocrine system. However, if, for example, cortisol
levels are low at 8 AM, Dr. Dale will also include
a homeopathic Neuro-Emotional Remedy specifically
for the stomach; or if levels are also low at 4
PM, she will add a Remedy for the bladder. Dr. Dale's
experience is that including the whole body in the
treatment plan results in restoring hormone health
more quickly and more permanently.
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Importantly,
the saliva test measures levels of stress (adrenal steroid)
hormones as well as sex hormones. Adrenal stress is a
major cause of hormonal problems. As one ages, if the
body becomes more stressed and limited in function, the
first system to be sacrificed is the reproductive system.
Symptoms such as decreased energy or libido often begin
around the age of forty, and can progress to serious endocrine
dysfunctions within just a few years. |
| Men
also experience significant health changes when sex and
adrenal hormones decrease with age. Almost all men over
age fifty suffer from some degree of prostatitis. This
is an obvious symptom of male menopause, but, as with
women, "non-obvious" symptoms can also be occurring and
leading to more serious dysfunctions. Dr. Dale says, "Human
hormones are affected by stress. Conversely, hormones
have a powerful influence over physical, intellectual
and emotional behavior. Prolonged exposure to stress may
be devastating to the body and mind. Repressed emotions
and behavioral patterns have a profound effect on hormonal
production." |
| Adrenal
adaptation, maladaptation and exhaustion |
| |
Finally,
there are the three NuFem HRS formulas themselves. "Each
formula contains a combination of remedies, and each remedy
contains an imprint--an energetic signature--of the molecular
structure of the entire endocrine system, including hypothalamus,
pituitary, ovaries, uterus, cortisol, adrenal--all necessary
hormones and more," Dr. Dale explains. "The hypothalamus
is the main nerve-hormone link. Within seconds of receiving
a remedy, it translates a picture of how the specific
healthy organ or gland normally functions directly to
the organ that you wish to stimulate. These imprints,
or pictures, act as subtle amplifiers of the natural function
of an organ by giving off an electromagnetic signal that
attaches itself to a si milar signal and imprint." |
| NuFem
formula #1 is indicated if NuFem HRS Saliva Test results
indicate adrenal adaptation, a phase in which the endocrine
system is producing increased amounts of hormones to compensate
for the body's abnormal demands. Typical symptoms include
digestive problems, inability to calm down, increased
serum cholesterol, severe weight gain or loss, prostatitis,
menstrual problems, sleep disturbances, diarrhea and a
decrease in sex drive. NuFem Formula #1 is used to stimulate
DHEA, cortisol and progesterone production in pre- and
post-menopausal women and men. |
| NuFem
formula #2 is called for if saliva test results show adrenal
maladaptation. At this stage the overworked endocrine
system is unable to supply the body's demands and hormone
production significantly decreases. Typical symptoms might
include chronic fatigue syndrome, loss of libido, impotence,
bloating and fluid retention, constipation, male or female
hair loss, bone loss, increased urination and low back
or sciatica pain. NuFem Formula #2 is used to stimulate
cortisol, DHEA, estradiol, estrone, estriol and cortisol
production as well as stimulating progesterone production
in postmenopausal women. |
| NuFem
formula #3 is called for when saliva test results show
adrenal exhaustion. This is the state in which the endocrine
system has broken down and is unable to recuperate on
its own. Typical symptoms might include fibromyalgia,
chronic nonspecific pain, heart arrhythmia, severe constipation,
panic attacks or anxiety, bile reflux and digestive problems,
depression and mental frustration, memory loss and inability
to think, sensitivity to smells, light or sound, difficulty
breathing, inflammation and joint pain. Men might experience
various testicular conditions and pain in the spermatic
cord. Formula #3 is used to stimulate DHEA, cortisol and
testosterone production in women and men. |
| NuFem
formulas do not include fillers, colorings, artificial
preservatives and thickening gums which may have a neutralizing
effect or keep homeopathic remedies from penetrating deeply.
Dr. Dale employs only transdermal gels containing remedies
suspended in a natural, 100% pure liposome base that allows
the NuFem formulas to be deeply absorbed--an effective
way for the body to utilize hormonal therapies. The gels
can be applied to different areas of the skin, such as
the inside of the elbow. |
Dr. Theresa Dale |
| |
NuFem homeopathic remedies can improve progesterone
uptake and metabolism, yet will not interfere with the
normal shift from progesterone to estrogen dominance that
occurs during the monthly cycle. These formulas do not
have any known side effects. The homeopathic substances
in the formulas are made from botanicals and minerals,
in addition to healthy tissue or secretions of the body
such as hormones. |
| Case histories |
| |
Initial testing of the NuFem Formulas began
two years ago with 25 patients. According to Dr. Dale,
patients' symptoms abated completed or were reduced significantly
within 10 days. |
| One of her recent patients was a 59-year-old
female who had undergone a hysterectomy. She was 20 pounds
overweight, with a swollen abdomen, and had mood swings
and severe gastrointestinal problems. She had been attempting
to follow a protein-heavy "Blood Type O" diet, but she
had also included alcohol, sugar, dairy and occasional
fast foods. She had been taking conventional HRT (Estrotest)
for one year. The drug itself had created a high normal
estradiol and low testosterone and exhausted her adrenal
glands. According to the NuFem HRS Saliva Test interpretation,
her cortisol levels were very low, causing adrenal exhaustion
and low melatonin levels. The results were: |
|
Cortisol levels
| Time |
Test Results |
Normal Range |
| 8AM |
44.1 |
(47.0-83.0) |
| Noon |
16.2 |
(18.0-36.0) |
| 4PM |
6.4 |
(11.0-30.0) |
| Midnight |
3.3 |
(33.0-16.0) |
| 2AM |
5.1 |
(88.0-20.0) |
| 4AM |
3.8 |
(44.0-20.0) |
DHEA 0.9 (22.0-10.0)
Testosterone 11.0 (20.0-50.0) |
| |
According to the NuFem saliva testing times
the following organs were affected by the low cortisol
levels and needed support through homeopathic Neuro-Emotional
Remedies taken five drops twice daily for one month: Stomach,
heart, bladder, circulation-sex meridian (endocrine) and
lungs. She was started her on the NuFem Formulas #2 and
#3, which were topically applied twice daily. |
| Dr. Dale reports that the patient called
on the first day and said she felt better emotionally.
Each day thereafter she reported an abatement in symptoms.
Within 10 days of starting the NuFem gels and the Neuro-Emotional
Remedies she reported all of her severe symptoms had abated.
She had no more heart palpitations, felt more balanced,
had much less allergic response to foods and allergens,
experienced elimination of gastrointestinal problems and
felt, as she put it, "a clearer brighter me." After two
months on the program she was still symptom-free. Follow-up
saliva tests will confirm improvements. |
| Another patient was a 44-year-old female,
10 pounds overweight, with hot flashes, low energy, mood
swings and painful periods. She was using a transdermal
U.S.P. progesterone natural cream, which she said was
not working. She had her saliva test performed at a lab
without the entire range of cortisol levels. Her Testosterone
was 19.7 (normal range is 20.0-50.0) and DHEA was 0.4
(normal range is 2.0-10.0). |
| She started on NuFem #1 (homeopathic adrenal
support) and #3 (homeopathic testosterone support). After
one month she reported that her symptoms had completely
abated. She took another saliva test and it confirmed
her subjective improvement: her testosterone had increased
to 26.0, and DHEA jumped four-fold to 1.9. |
| Women have been more or less left to view
menopause as if it were a debilitating condition rather
than a life-cycle transition. From this perspective, menopausal
symptoms become pathologies rather than signals of imbalances
that can be corrected. As a result, women begin to feel
that their health and hormone production abilities are
permanently lost. Many women diagnosed with menopause
are really in adrenal insufficiency or exhaustion, and
once their cortisol levels are balanced, the menstrual
cycle begins. Women need to have faith in their bodies'
own healing abilities. Ideally, balance and health can
be achieved with gentle support. |
Reproduced with permission from the November 2000, issue
# 38 of Alternative
Medicine Magazine. For subscription information
call 800-333-HEAL (4325). |
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