Hormone Harmony: How to Balance Insulin, Cortisol, Thyroid, Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone to Live Your Best Life

by Stanton, Alica, M.D.; Tweed, Vera

• ISBN13: 9780967873398
• ISBN10: 0967873398
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-09-30
• Publisher: Healthy Life Pr Inc

Summary

Hormone Harmony addresses millions of women who are struggling with hormone imbalance, an epidemic that is disrupting countless lives during menopause and much earlier in lifea widely unrecognized fact. It demystifies the subject of natural or bioidentical hormone therapy and debunks the myth that menopause is the primary trigger of midlife symptoms such as constant fatigue, lack of zest, sleep difficulties, mood swings, weight gain, loss of sex drive, forgetfulness, fuzzy thinking, and even hot flashes. In a friendly style, the book reveals the chief lifestyle triggers of hormonal havoc that are ignored in health care today; why six key hormonesinsulin, cortisol, thyroid, estrogen, progesterone and testosteronemust be in balance; how to restore harmony by making practical lifestyle changes that cost little or nothing; and when necessary, how to get medical help. While aimed mainly at women, Hormone Harmony includes a chapter and plan for men.

Table of Contents

Dr. Alicia Stanton's Story	p. xiii
Vera Tweed's Story	p. xxv
What's Happening Today?	p. 1
Not Your Mother's Menopause	p. 3
The Bigger Hormonal Picture	p. 4
Nature's Cycle	p. 5
Lifestyle Havoc	p. 6
Regaining Balance	p. 7
What Are Bioidentical Hormones?	p. 8
Identifying Individual Needs	p. 9
How Diet Triggers Hormonal Havoc	p. 11
The Food-Insulin Trigger	p. 14
The Cortisol Trigger	p. 17
The Progesterone Deficiency	p. 18
The Information Gap	p. 19
Culture and Carbohydrates	p. 21
Cultural Messages	p. 22
Social Pressures	p. 23
Carbohydrate Liabilities	p. 24
Carbohydrate Quality	p. 27
The Glycemic Index	p. 28
Choosing Carbohydrates Wisely	p. 29
Food Traps	p. 33
Hot Flashes and Weight	p. 34
Blood Sugar, Appetite and Weight	p. 34
Nutritious vs. Empty Calories	p. 36
Harmful and Helpful Fats	p. 37
Trans Fat	p. 38
The Trans Fat Label Trap	p. 40
Watch for Hidden Trans Fats	p. 41
Hallmarks of Food Quality	p. 42
Restoring Harmony with Food	p. 45
Top Priorities	p. 46
Taking Care of Taste Buds	p. 47
Top Foods	p. 49
Pitfalls to Avoid	p. 57
Every Bit Counts	p. 58
Stress Less	p. 61
People	p. 62
Time	p. 65
Money	p. 67
Physical Activity	p. 68
Managing Your Life	p. 74
Toxins: Reducing Daily Exposure	p. 75
Food	p. 76
Water	p. 81
Plastics	p. 81
Bisphenol A (BPA) in Plastics and Cans	p. 82
Fragrance	p. 82
Antibacterial Products	p. 84
Toxin Reduction Basics	p. 85
Exercise For Harmony	p. 87
Taking Care of Muscles	p. 88
Strength-Training Basics	p. 89
Important Reasons to Exercise	p. 90
Aerobic Exercise	p. 93
Monitoring Heart Rate	p. 95
Do You Need a Health Club?	p. 97
Making Time	p. 98
A Basic Strength-Training Routine	p. 100
Supplements: the Basics	p. 103
Multivitamins	p. 103
Special Antioxidant Formulas	p. 106
Additional Basic Nutrients	p. 115
Timing	p. 119
Shopping Guide	p. 120
Supplements for Individual Situations	p. 123
Hot Flashes, Mood Swings and PMS	p. 123
Stress, Mood and Sleep Difficulties	p. 125
Digestion	p. 127
Weight-Loss Support	p. 128
Vaginal Yeast Infections	p. 129
Constipation	p. 130
Urinary Tract Infections	p. 130
Prevention of Hormone-Related Cancers	p. 131
Pain	p. 131
Bioidentical Hormones	p. 133
Terminology	p. 135
ôSyntheticö Hormones	p. 137
HRT Health Risks and Panic	p. 138
Progesterone vs. Progestins	p. 140
Bioidentical Hormone Research	p. 140
The Basic Steps of BHRT	p. 142
Symptom Questionnaire	p. 144
Symptom Questionnaire	p. 144
Frequently Asked Questions	p. 147
What Is Adrenal Fatigue?	p. 147
Why Is Thyroid Hormone Tested?	p. 148
Isn't Testosterone a Dangerous Steroid?	p. 149
What Sex Hormones Do for Women	p. 150
Are Bioidentical Hormones Natural?	p. 150
How Quickly Do Bioidentical Hormones Work?	p. 151
Why Are Tests Needed?	p. 151
How Are Tests Done?	p. 152
Do I Need a Prescription?	p. 152
In What Form Are Bioidentical Hormones Taken?	p. 153
How Much Do Bioidentical Hormones Cost?	p. 153
Can Bioidentical Hormone Prescriptions
Be Filled at My Local Pharmacy?	p. 154
How Can I Tell if a Mass-Produced Hormone
Prescription Is Bioidentical?	p. 154
Can My Regular Doctor Prescribe Bioidentical Hormones?	p. 155
What Is a Compounded Prescription?	p. 155
Are Compounding Pharmacies Regulated?	p. 156
Is BHRT Covered by Health Insurance?	p. 157
Do I Have to Take Bioidentical Hormones for the Rest of My Life?	p. 158
Where Do I Find a Qualified Doctor?	p. 159
Your Personal Action Plan	p. 161
Food Basics	p. 161
Stress Control	p. 166
Toxin Reduction	p. 167
Correct Exercise	p. 167
Nutritional Insurance	p. 168
Bioidentical Hormones	p. 168
The Bottom Line	p. 169
Hormone Harmony Habits Checklist	p. 170
Hormone Harmony for Men	p. 173
Testosterone Robbers	p. 174
Cultural Stereotypes	p. 175
Body Mass Index	p. 176
Symptoms of Hormonal Disruption	p. 178
Stress, Men and Hormones :	p. 179
Dietary Stress Triggers	p. 180
Other Lifestyle Issues	p. 183
Dietary Supplements	p. 185
Bioidentical Hormones	p. 186
Lifestyle Snapshot	p. 187
Appendix
How to Find Qualified Physicians	p. 189
Compounding Pharmacies	p. 189
Laboratory Testing Sources	p. 190
Bioidentical Hormone Brands	p. 191
Supplement Sources	p. 192
How to Track Your Progress	p. 192
Selected References	p. 193
Index	p. 211
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