Life Fit Chat with Laura Lewis: Breaking Out of Hormone Hell
Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday and Thursday!For those of you who have experienced "The Change" you may remember it as more of a Hormone Hell rather than a mere life "change." PMS, Menopause, Perimenopause ... is it possible to avoid the tumultuous time that many experience while a lucky minority are able to escape?! I regularly see a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and with her guidance she has treated me personally for various "imbalances" I have experienced over the years with herbal remedies. And I believe it is possible to bring a body back into balance via certain alternative therapies.
"Herbally" Speaking....There are certainly pros and cons to just about every therapy available on the market, but herbal remedies often have fewer, and less drastic, side effects than their pharmaceutical counterparts. Having said that, it is important to note that herbs are not subjected to the same governmental regulatory standards as pharmaceuticals. Before starting any new therapeutic regiment, be sure to consult with your physician. Let your health care provider know of any medications you are taking as some herbs can have harmful interactions with other drugs.
The American College of Obstetricians (ACOG) released the following guidelines on the most popular alternative therapies for menopause:
- Soy and Isoflavones. Isoflavones are plant estrogens found in soybeans. Consuming approximately 50 grams of soy protein per day may be helpful in relieving hot flashes and night sweats, as well as having beneficial effects on cholesterol and bones. Like most things, too much of a good thing can be harmful as soy can increase estrogen levels if consumed in high doses.
- St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort is an herb that is known for treating mild depression in women who consume 1.2 milligrams or less per day. This herb can interfere with prescription anti-depressants and is not effective in treating severe depression.
- Black Cohosh. This herb is helpful in treating hot flashes and night sweats.
- Chasteberry. It is believed that Chasteberry inhibits prolactin, a natural hormone that influences breast health. This herb is known for treating breast pain and premenstrual syndrome. Research suggests that chasteberry provides improvement in mood, anger, headache, and breast fullness during PMS.
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