How well are you aging?

HORMONE BALANCING THERAPIES

As we age we experience a decline in the production of many hormones. These shifts can begin as early as in our 30’s. Over time we will experience a drop of most hormones but when hormone production drops below a certain level this can cause the onset of undesirable symptoms and even disease. For example, research demonstrates that men with low testosterone levels are four times more likely to experience heart disease.

One of our main goals at AGE WISELY is to assess your hormone levels with the most advanced, sensitive testing available at reasonable costs and to guide you on how you can keep your hormone levels in optimal ranges to slow the aging process and prevent disease.

Balancing hormones involves reducing undesirable, disease causing hormones and boosting health promoting hormones. “Balancing hormones” does not equate with taking hormone replacements, although it can include this therapy. You can also bring hormones into balance through diet, exercise, detoxification, vitamins, herbs and homeopathic remedies, among others. Every person is unique and must be treated individually. We will identify which hormones you may need to optimize and inform you of the safest, most effective methods of doing so.

When hormone supplementation is warranted, we advocate the use of Bio-identical hormone therapies. Bio-identical hormones have the same chemical structure as the hormones made in the human body whereas other pre-manufactured hormones from pharmaceutical companies may not be bio-identical. Non bio-identical hormones have been shown to produce more unwanted side effects.

Here is a list of your main metabolic hormones and their important functions to demonstrate the benefit of keeping their levels in balance.

DHEA (DHEA-sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone):

• Is normally the most abundant steroidal hormone in the human body.
• Is primarily made in the adrenal glands, and to some degree in ovaries and testes.
• Levels peak in our mid twenties, then decrease by half with each decade of life.
• Has beneficial effects to prevent diabetes, malignancy (colon), inflammation, osteoporosis, and collagen diseases
• Increases insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion
• Is the precursor to progesterone, testosterone and estradiol
• Is a ‘neurosteroid’ which promotes nerve cell function
• Increases Nitric oxide synthesis, keeping blood vessels healthy

THYROID HORMONES (T4 AND T3):

• Major metabolic hormones in the body that control metabolism, immunity, reproduction
• Promotes all major to function by docking on receptors
• T4 synthesis requires iodine, tyrosine
• T3 synthesis occurs in the liver and B vitamins and selenium
• Both are bound to carrier proteins and are only active when free
• T4 significantly affects the heart and digestive system
• T3 significantly affects the brain, nervous system and muscles
• Levels drop in up to 2.5% of pregnant women, and 9% women after pregnancy, and 20% post menopausal women

PROGESTERONE

• Produced in the ovaries, brain and nerve cells
• Helps maturation of ovums (eggs)
• High levels in pregnancy maintain the pregnancy
• Relaxes muscles such as the uterus, prevents contractions
• Prepares the uterus for pregnancy, thickens uterine lining
• Drop in progesterone production signals menstrual bleeding
• Is often the first hormone to drop in perimenopause
• Is calming, reduces tension and anxiety
• Prevents breast, uterine cancer with estrogen replacement
• Wild yam creams contain the precursor for progesterone, not the active form
• Bioidentical progesterone has been proven safer than synthetic forms (Provera, Norgestrel)
• Improves mood by increasing brain endorphins
• Needed to maintain bone density
• Contributes to collagen formation in the skin

ESTROGEN

• Produced in the ovaries and fat cells
• 3 main forms in the body: E1 (estrone) E2 (estradiol) E3 (estriol)
• Stimulates growth of ovarian follicle which produces eggs
• Has receptors on most organs in the body
• Contributes to collagen formation in the skin
• Strengthens and promotes urethral and vaginal cell functions leading to lubrication
• Endogenous estrogen through life helps normal function of blood vessels, keeps cholesterol low and helps with bone formation (However the Women’s Health Initiative Studies concluded that supplementation with equine estrogens for more than five years after menopause was associated with an increase risk of cancer, bone loss, dementia and heart disease)
• Interacts with many parts of the brain leading to memory, learning, nerve cell regeneration
• Can be prescribed as capsule, vaginal ring, gel, cream or patch
• Improves mood by increasing brain endorphins

TESTOSTERONE

• Major metabolic hormone produced in the ovaries and adrenals
• Bound to sex hormone binding protein, only free form is active
• Can increase free form with saw palmetto
• Improves mood by increasing brain endorphins
• Can be converted into estradiol
• Provides sex drive (libido) for both women and men
• Provides energy, strength and endurance
• Allows sex organs and glands to respond to stimulation
• Helps bone cells lay down bone matrix
• Keeps heart strong, prevents heart attack
• Produced in ovaries, testes and adrenals

MELATONIN

• Normally produced in large quantities at night by Pineal gland
• Produced from 5-hydroxytryptophan
• Is a main modulator of the endocrine system and affects many other hormones
• Suppressed by increased cortisol (stress)
• Maintains normal sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythms)
• A safe effective treatment for insomnia (prescription sleep aids often prevent deep (REM) sleep)
• Cures and prevents jet lag
• May prevent heart disease, lowers cholesterol, blood pressure
• Used in treating breast cancer
• Stimulates production of DHEA
• May slow the aging process
• Stimulates thymus to produce immune cells
• Useful in treating Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, seasonal affective disorder

HGH / HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE

• Main metabolic hormone that controls metabolism, caloric use, weight control.
• Helps to control blood lipids (cholesterol)
• Needed for muscle strength
• Contributes to bone density
• Helps with energy and vitality
• Needed for exercise capability
• Lowers risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Contributes to psychological well-being
• Peak of production is in 20’s

CORTISOL

• Our “stress” fighting hormone, helps us adapt
• Control of blood sugar, proteins and fats
• Reduces inflammation
• Controls blood pressure
• Contributes to circadian rhythm

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