The Women’s Natural Health Summit Q&A

Welcome,

Thanks to everyone who submitted a questions at the recent Women’s Natural Health Summit.

We have completed answering all of the questions we were able to from this years Women’s Natural Health Summit. We were unable to answer some questions because they requested specific medical advice and without knowledge of specific medical histories, state of health and other confounding factors we cannot provide specific recommendations/answers to those questions.

Q&A

How long does it take for herbal/vitamin/mineral supplements to start working or be effective? It really depends on what supplement you are taking, the dosage, and your system (how your body processes the supplement). With certain supplements, such as multivitamins or fish oil, you may not necessarily feel any different, however taking these products helps correct deficiencies, ensures that your nutritional needs are met and may help to protect against certain chronic diseases. In comparison to pharmaceutical drugs, vitamin and herbal remedies are typically very gentle on your system and as such require a longer period of consecutive use for optimal results. With herbal products that are taken therapeutically, such as Menopause Relief which contains Black cohosh, you may start to notice benefits (relief of menopause symptoms) in a few weeks. Since everyone is different and every herbal remedy is different there is no one answer to the amount of time a vitamin or herbal remedy will take for noticeable results. With femMED products we recommend 3-4 weeks of consecutive use for best results.

Does it matter how fresh garlic is prepared to get nutritional benefits? Garlic contains a wide range of active compounds that have health benefits. To maximize the nutritional benefits from garlic, it is best to chop or crush fresh garlic before eating. This will stimulate the enzymatic process that converts the nutrient alliin into allicin, one of garlic’s active compounds. In order to allow for maximal allicin production, wait at least 5 minutes (preferably 10 minutes) before eating or cooking the garlic. Wait at least 5 minutes before adding garlic to acidic ingredients such as lemon juice or vinegar, because Ingredients with a pH below 3.5 can also deactivate the enzymatic process.

Research has shown that microwaving or boiling garlic in uncrushed, whole clove form will deactivate its enzymes, preventing the formation of allicin. So always chop or crush the garlic cloves prior to heating. When including garlic in cooked dishes, add it during the end of the cooking time (last 5 to 15 minutes) to retain the nutritional value. If garlic is cooked for a long time with high heat, this will reduce the activity of the sulfur compounds.

Can you suggest supplements for PMS and painful periods? For those women looking for a more natural way to relieve their PMS and pre-menopause symptoms, there are several botanicals that have been evaluated for use in PMS and pre-menopause. Some of these natural health products work by correcting hormonal imbalances and other products reduce symptoms by non-hormonal mechanisms. Overall, these botanicals may be used to effectively balance hormones in the body and help alleviate PMS and premenopausal symptoms such as cramping, bloating, mood swings and breast tenderness. femMED Hormone Balance contains six ingredients that help provide PMS and pre-menopause symptom relief. The ingredients include: Saw Palmetto, Chastetree Berry, Milk Thistle, Scullcap, Red Raspberry and Wild Yam. For cramping, Both Red Raspberry and Wild Yam have muscle relaxant effects which may reduce physical cramping felt during PMS and premenopause.

Is there not contraindication with Green Tea and liver disorders? Green tea is generally regarded as safe, however green tea extracts (supplement forms) are not recommended for those with liver failure. There are several case reports in which use of a concentrated green tea extract was associated with liver inflammation. In most cases, liver problems disappeared after the extract was discontinued. But, in two cases, permanent liver failure occurred. While it is not absolutely certain that the green tea extract caused the liver problems, nor how it might do so, these reports have raised concerns about use of green tea extracts, especially by those with liver disease.

What do I need to avoid as in ingredients in products (i.e. aluminum in deodorant) What skin care products are safe and toxin free? A great site to learn all about safe cosmetics is http://safecosmetics.org/ and the cosmetic database http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/.

Note: The Canadian Cancer Society also has information on their website about controversial ingredients, such as aluminum. Check out www.cancer.ca for more information.

What about estrogen in Green Tea and soy beans for increasing breast lumps? My GP has told me not to drink green tea. Green tea does not contain any estrogen. In fact, some research has suggested that it may actually help in estrogen metabolism and reduce breast cancer risk.

Soy contains isoflavones which are known as phytoestrogens because they can bind to estrogen receptors and exert weak estrogenic effects. Soy foods have been shown in studies to offer many health benefits including providing protection against osteoporosis (increasing bone density), reducing risk of heart disease with beneficial effects on cholesterol, platelets and blood vessels, and relieving menopause symptoms.

According to most human research, eating whole soy foods does not increase risk of breast or endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women, and may even be protective. There is also some evidence that soy may be beneficial for cyclic breast pain and improve fibrocystic breast conditions.

However, consuming purified soy products and supplements is a different matter. A study published in Carcinogenesis suggests that not only is the cancer-preventive ability of soy foods markedly reduced in highly purified soy products and supplements, but that such processed foods can stimulate the growth of pre-existing estrogen-dependent breast tumors.

The recommendation is 7 hours of sleep per night. Is that continuous, unbroken sleep or can it be interrupted? Ideally this is un-interrupted sleep since we need to reach deep, restorative sleep. The actual recommended amount varies by age but most experts suggest adults get 7-9 hours of sleep at night. The best gauge is how you feel and function on a daily basis. If you have difficulty falling asleep or waking up or if you have unusual fatigue during the day then you may not be getting enough sleep at night.

Would you repeat the author/source of the final quote given by Dr. Pettle? Dr. Maggie Laidlaw

I haven’t been sleeping well for the longest while. What can I do? It is important to figure out what is causing your sleep problems. Many factors can affect quality sleep such as stress, diet, activity level, use of medication (antidepressants, blood pressure pills and many other drugs) and hormonal imbalances.

Here are some general tips for getting a good night sleep:

Set aside at least 7 to 8 hours for sleep. Leaving only 5 or 6 hours may make you feel stressed and impact your ability to fall asleep.
Establish a regular bed and wake time and try to follow this routine even on the weekends.
Do relaxing activities before bedtime – read a book, listen to relaxing music or have a warm bath.
Reserve your bedroom for intimacy and sleep only; don’t work in your bedroom.
Make your bedroom dark, quiet and comfortable. If you live near a busy street or have other noise to content with, problems dealing with any type of noise consider a white noise generator. No need to spend a lot of money on an electronic system, an old fan puts out great white noise. White noise masks disruptive noises.
Avoid bright light around the house before bed. Using dimmer switches in living rooms and bathrooms for a few hours before bed can be helpful. Darkness helps the brain produce melatonin. (Dimmer switches can be set to maximum brightness for morning routines.)
Exercise regularly early in the day. Vigorous activity in the evening can be stimulating and impair sleep.
Don’t smoke or consume alcohol– nicotine is a stimulant and impairs your ability to fall asleep and have a restful sleep and alcohol may help you to get to sleep but it will cause you to wake up throughout the night.
Stay away from stimulants like caffeine. This will help you get deep sleep which is most refreshing. If you take any caffeine, take it in the morning. Avoid all stimulants in the evening, including chocolate, caffeinated sodas, and caffeinated teas. They will delay sleep and increase arousals during the night.
To avoid nighttime waking to use the bathroom reduce fluids after 6pm.
Consider acupuncture, massage, yoga and meditation to promote relaxation
If you can’t get to sleep for over 30 minutes, get out of bed and do something relaxing in dim light till you are sleepy.
Prescription sedatives should only be used when all else fails as they are addictive and cause numerous side effects, including impairment in short term memory.
Natural sleeping aids can help without the side effects that prescription sleeping pills can. Look for a product with the following ingredients:

5-HTP: 5-hydroxytryptophan increases serotonin and melatonin levels which promotes relaxation and better sleep

L-theanine: an amino acid found in green tea which reduces stress, promotes relaxation and improves sleep

Melatonin: a hormone naturally secreted by the brain that regulates our sleep/wake cycles. Supplements can help reduce the time needed to fall asleep, reduce nighttime wakening and improve sleep quality.

If poor sleep quality is an ongoing problem and you aren’t able to determine an underlying cause, then it is important to ask your doctor for a referral to a sleep disorders clinic.

What kind of green tea is healthy?

All true tea plants (black, green, oolong) belong to the same species called Camellia sinensis. The quality of teas and their health benefits differ based on local growing conditions (altitude, climate, and soil) and the way the leaves are processed.

Green tea is the least processed and thus provides the most antioxidant polyphenols, including a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits linked to green tea. Hundreds of studies have evaluated the benefits of green tea for heart health, cancer prevention, bone health, diabetes, gum disease, brain health, weight loss, and much more.

Certain types of green tea contain higher levels of nutrients, and they are also much more expensive than regular green tea. For example, Matcha green tea is made from the finest, youngest leaves of the first harvesting days in Japan.

Most of the research on the health benefits of green tea is based on the amount of green tea typically consumed in Asian countries—about 3 cups per day.

In 2007 the USDA compared nearly 400 kinds for their flavonoid content, which is mainly responsible for green tea’s health benefits. They found that a cup of hot, regular (not decaffeinated or flavoured) green tea provided 127 milligrams of catechins, which is

2 times more than a decaffeinated green tea.
3 times more than a flavored green tea.
10 times more than an instant or bottled green tea!

Allow the tea to steep for three to five minutes to extract its catechins, most notably epigallocatechin-3-gallate.

Is there any way to regulate my thyroid without medication if I have hypothyroidism? It depends on your individual situation and the severity of your hypothyroidism. The majority of people with hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s disease, which is an autoimmune condition that causes destruction of the thyroid gland over time. As this destruction progresses, the thyroid gland becomes less and less able to produce enough hormones to meet metabolic needs. This is reflected in an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The thyroid gland produces two hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroixine (T4). It is important to know that many people with borderline hypothyroidism are symptomatic but have blood tests may show thyroid hormone levels (T3 and T4) that are slightly low or even within the normal range, or just a slightly elevated TSH.

Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, dry hair/skin, brittle nails, easy bruising, cold intolerance, constipation, low libido, headache, joint aching, and slow heart rate.

If you have mild or borderline hypothyroidism, which is quite common, then taking supplements that help support the body’s production of thyroid hormone may be helpful. Guggul is a supplement that increases production of thyroid hormone (T3). Many nutrients are required to produce thyroid hormone such as vitamins C, E, A and the B-vitamins. Selenium is reu=qurid for the conversion of T4 to T3. Ashwaganda is an herbal product that also helps boost thyroid function.

For many people with moderate to severe hypothyroidism thyroid hormone medication is often required. There are several different types of thyroid medications such as the synthetic forms of thyroid hormone (Synthroid and Eltroxin), which provide the body with T4. There is also Cytomel, which provides the body with active T3 however it needs to be taken three times daily. Lastly there is natural thyroid hormone, which can be made at a compounding pharmacy.

Does taking lemon juice with water daily help to prevent breast cancer? (1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 cup of water)? There is no scientific evidence that drinking lemon juice and water can prevent breast cancer. However lemon juice doe contains various nutrients that may have some cancer-protective benefits. Lemons contain vitamin C, flavonoids (type of antioxidant), potassium and B-vitamins. Lemon juice is also good to support the health and function of the liver and gallbladder.

Is there something that will help shrink or get rid of fibroids? Fibroids are non-cancerous tumours or growths of the uterus. They are very common – about half of women have fibroids, and in many cases they go undetected until they grow large enough that they cause symptoms such as urinary frequency, pelvic pain or heavy bleeding during menstruation. Fibroids usually grow slowly and in most cases treatment is not necessary. Fibroid growth is stimulated by estrogen, so they eventually shrink and go away when women go through menopause. If your fibroids are causing you discomfort there are a few things that you can try to shrink them:

Diet – eat more cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussel spouts. They contain compounds that help the liver detoxify estrogen. Choose organic foods to avoid pesticides ingestion (pesticides can act as endocrine disruptors and worsen estrogen dominance).

Supplements – Hormone Balance by femMED helps to correct estrogen dominance. There is also a product called Breast Health that contains calcium D-glucarate and indole-3-carbinol and these ingredients assist in the detoxification and elimination of estrogen.

Acupuncture can help relieve pelvic pain and swelling and it also reduces stress (stress can be a contributing factor to hormonal changes that worsen fibroid symptoms).

Exercise regularly to reduce stress and maintain a healthy body weight. If you carry excess body fat, that can serve as a reservoir for estrogen.

What is a recommended birth control pill or birth control method apart from condoms? There are several options to consider. The natural way is the rhythm method, which involves avoiding intercourse right before, during and after ovulation, which is the time of the month when an egg is released from the ovaries and you can conceive. You will need to know your cycle well and have regular cycles in order to use this method. A woman who has a regular menstrual cycle has about 9 or more days each month when she is able to get pregnant. These fertile days are about 5 days before and 3 days after ovulation, as well as the day of ovulation.

Other options include IUDs (intrauterine devices), which come in a variety of types. They are highly effective, very safe and well tolerated. Diaphragm, contraceptive sponges and spermicide are other options to consider but they are not as effective as IUDs.

Here is a link to a good overview of the various methods of birth control: http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/birth-control-methods.cfm

What is your opinion about Maca powder or Macafem for hot flushes and menopause symptoms? Maca is a Peruvian root vegetable used both as food and medicine It is widely marketed for improving male and female sexual function, fertility and menopause, however, at present there is no reliable evidence that it actually provides any benefits at all. Most of the evidence for maca comes from animal studies. Until proper clinical studies are conducted in humans it is hard to know the potential benefits and risks of this product.

What kind of cardiovascular tests should we get done? There are many tests that can be done to check heart function. At a bare minimum you should have your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and heart rate checked. If you have symptoms of heart disease such as chest pain, pain on exertion or palpitations or if you have existing risk factors (in addition to family history other risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes) then your doctor may order any one of a number of tests such as an exercise stress test, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, holter monitor and CT scan to name a few.

In terms of synthetic hormones what about medications such as Synthroid for hypothyroidism that doctors say you have to take for the rest of your life? What should I do? Where do I go next? Most people with hypothyroidism have to take thyroid hormone for the rest of their lives. Our thyroid hormone regulates many body processes and if levels are inadequate it can result in a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms.

The thyroid gland produces two hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroixine (T4). Most of the actions of thyroid hormone are due to T3, the active form of thyroid hormone. Our bodies convert T4 to T3, however in some people this conversion does not happen adequately.

There are several different types of thyroid medications – natural and synthetic and T3 and T4. Synthetic forms of thyroid hormone (T4) are Synthroid and Eltroxin. There is also Cytomel, which provides the body with active (synthetic) T3. This is a preferred form for those who do not convert T4 to T3 adequately, however it needs to be taken three times daily. Lastly there is natural thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine, which can be made at a compounding pharmacy. It is important to know that in this case “natural” means that they are not chemically made or synthesized, they are obtained from animal (pig) thyroid. While natural thyroid is typically well tolerated some people do react adversely.

Here is a link to an article that discusses some of these issues:

http://www.thyroid.org/patients/patient_brochures/hormonetreatment.html

Is there anything natural to take for PCOS rather than Diane 35? PCO is a condition characterized by hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, excessive hair growth and obesity. One of the key features with PCO is insulin resistance, which can affect fertility, cause weight issues and even increase heart disease risk. It is not known whether PCO causes insulin resistance or the other way around.

Birth control pills such as Diane 35 are often used because they lower levels of circulating androgens (hormones that are associated with hair growth and oily skin). The concern with taking products such as Diane 35 are the side effects such as low libido, mood swings, depression, headaches and bloating to name a few.

Here are some things that you can do naturally to help improve PCOS:

Follow a low glycemic index (GI) diet and get regular exercise because both of these things can improve insulin sensitivity. All our hormones are interconnected, and if something is out of balance (like insulin) it can affect other aspects of health, such as weight and fertility.

A low GI diet means avoiding all refined/white flour products such as white bread, pasta, rice and baked goods. Instead have the whole grains (brown bread/rice/pasta). Cut down on sugar and juice. Eat small frequent meals with low GI carbs, healthy fats like olive oil, fish and avocado, and lean protein.

For exercise aim for 30 minutes to one hour of moderate intensity activity daily. Exercise can help improve body composition, insulin sensitivity and androgen levels and it may help restore ovulation.

For supplements I would recommend:

Hormone Balance by femMED – contains ingredients that help to balance hormones
Chromium 200mcg daily to improve insulin sensitivity
Fish oil (omega-3) 1000mg twice daily

For more information refer to this article:

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.cfm

You mentioned that 6 years was the maximum for birth control pills -I have PCOS and have been on birth control pills for most of the last 20 years. What do I say to my doctor when she tells me it is the only treatment? Every situation is unique. In general, it is best to only take hormones like birth control pills and HRT short term, however considering you have PCOS it may be necessary to take them longer. There are some natural ways to improve PCOS. See the question above.

Does chemotherapy increase cholesterol and could that cholesterol influence creation of breast cancers? Yes, some types of chemotherapy can increase cholesterol levels. Some research has suggested that elevated cholesterol levels, typical of those in a Western-style diet, may accelerate the development of breast tumors and exacerbate their aggressiveness.

Here is a link to a good article that discusses the types of chemo that impact cholesterol levels and ways to improve management of high cholesterol:

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/inc_cholesterol.jsp

Is it true that eating a lot of meat substitutions (tofu, soy etc.) raise/effect estrogen levels & weight gain? Consumption of soy foods such as tofu is not associated with weight gain. In fact, many studies have found that vegetarian or plant-based diets, which include soy foods, are more effective for weight management. Soy does contain phytoestrogens, which are plant-based estrogen-like compounds that can exert weak estrogenic effects. Most research has found that soy foods do not raise estrogen levels in the body and that they may play a role

Is there an age post-menopause at which you should stop taking HRT? Everyone’s situation is different. Generally speaking, we recommend that HRT be used as the lowest dose possible for the shortest period of time to manage menopausal symptoms.

If I go off the birth control pill after 6 years-is it safe to get an IUD? Yes, you can have an IUD inserted after going off birth control pills. Discuss this with your doctor.

I saw a ob/gyn and was recommended a D&C, but my family doctor says no. I have cramps and am postmenopausal. Ultrasound shows a thickening on the left side. What should I do? You should discuss this further with your ob/gyn and ask why he or she is suggesting a D & C. A thickening of the uterine wall could be due to hormonal imbalance, fibroids (benign growths), polyps or it could be an indication of something more serious such as endometrial cancer. Fibroids commonly cause heavy bleeding ad cramping, but they are much more common in pre-menopausal women.

For women over 40, especially those past menopause, who have uterine bleeding or thickening a D&C or another procedure called an endometrial biopsy may be warrented. Occasionally a hysteroscopy is performed at the same time as a D&C, allowing the doctor a better view of inside the cervix, vagina, and uterus.

If you have already had breast cancer, are BRCA2 positive and are taking Tamoxifen, could femMED Breast Health be taken to reduce risk of re-occurrence?-Could femMED libido be taken? Yes, you can consider taking Breast Health and Libido. Breast Health contains a unique blend of natural ingredients that help protect breast tissue by aiding detoxification, helping the body eliminate harmful estrogens and promoting a healthy estrogen balance. Specifically, it helps raise levels of 2-hydroxy estrogen, which is a form of estrogen that is breast-protective. In fact, several studies have shown that as levels of 2-hydroxyestrogen increase and levels of 16-hydroxyestrogen decrease, the risk for breast cancer decreases.

femMED’s Breast Health formula was just recently involved in a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial that was published in a peer reviewed journal called Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research. This study was also presented at a prestigious scientific conference. Researchers evaluated the product in 47 pre-menopausal women and 49 post-menopausal women for 28 days. On day one and 28, they analyzed blood and urine samples for estrogen metabolites. They discovered that femMED’s Breast Health supplement significantly increased the mean urinary concentration of 2-hydroxy estrogen in pre- and post-menopausal women (by 110% and 88%, respectively). The Breast Health supplement was well-tolerated, and displayed no adverse side effects.

Low libido can be caused by a number of factors, including hormonal imbalance, such as low estrogen and/or testosterone. femMED’s Libido product contains ingredients help to increase sexual desire, blood flow to the pelvic area and alleviate dryness.

femMED