DHEA and 7-Keto DHEA

DHEA and 7-Keto DHEA support weight loss and sexual health,
written by Dr Corey Schuler

Women tend to lose DHEA at a faster rate than men as they age. Because of this, much research has been done regarding the effects of DHEA and women’s health, specifically, sexual health.  Aside from the increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease as women age, sexual function and interest tends to decline as well (Yasui, 2012).  One study found that daily oral DHEA therapy at the dose of 10 mg provided a significant improvement in sexual function and in frequency of sexual intercourse in early postmenopausal women (Genazzani, 2011). 

Newer research is showing that a metabolite of DHEA, namely the 7-hydroxylated metabolite, is lower at certain times during a female’s menstrual cycle.  One study found that decreased levels of the 7-hydroxylated metabolites of DHEA may be associated with decreased mood and cognitive disturbances during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (Duskova, 2011).

 

DHEA and Weight Loss

The metabolite of DHEA, 7-Keto DHEA, has emerged as an important one for weight loss and decreased fat by increasing a process called thermogenesis. The body’s resting metabolic rate increases, which increases heat in the body, resulting in an energy that increases consumption of calories and burns fat. The physiological mechanism that this is accomplished by is stimulation of fatty acid oxidation.

Research is showing that 7-Keto DHEA is effective AND safe as this metabolite is not converted into testosterone or estrogen. The only theoretical safety concerns about DHEA centers around these conversion issues. Where testosterone and estrogen therapies have caused concern, DHEA is been given similar caution. Very few natural products improve basal metabolism; however, 7-keto DHEA caused a slight but significant rise in thyroid hormones in men during the treatment period, however levels declined to basal levels after treatment was stopped (Hampl, Sulcova, 2006). Resting metabolic rates were increased 1.4% in overweight adults using 7-Keto DHEA (Zenk, 2007). 

I use 7-Keto DHEA to improve short term weight loss when used in combination of other dietary and lifestyle therapies. In regards to using DHEA itself rather than the 7-Keto metabolite, I strongly urge the use of testing and retesting to promote safe use. DHEA and DHEA-S can be measured via blood for relatively low cost and should be ordered with either a traditional or advanced (VAP) lipid panel. Unbound DHEA can be monitored via salivary panels as well.

 

1.      Duskova M, Simunkova K, Hill M, Starka L. 7-hydroxylated derivatives of dehydroepiandrosterone as possibly related to menstrual mood change in healthy women. Endocr Regul. 2011 Jul; 45(3):131-7

2.      Genazzani AR, Stomati M, Valentino V, Pluchino N, Pot E, Casarosa E, Merlini S, Giannini A, Luisi M. Effect of 1-year, low-dose DHEA therapy on climacteric symptoms and female sexuality. Climacteric. 2011 Dec;14(6):661-8.

3.      Hampl R, Sulcová J, Bílek R, Hill M. How short-term transdermal treatment of men with 7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone influence thyroid function. Physiol Res. 2006; 55(1):49-54.

4.      Yasui T, Matsui S, Tani A, Kunimi K, Yamamoto S, Irahara M. Androgen in postmenopausal women. J Med Invest. 2012;59(1-2):12-27.

5.      Zenk JL, Frestedt JL, Kuskowski MA. HUM5007, a novel combination of thermogenic compounds, and 3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone: each increases the resting metabolic rate of overweight adults. J Nutr Biochem. 2007 Sep; 18(9):629-34.

DesBio hA2cg Weight-Management Program - December 18th Webinar

Topic: Prepare your patients for a successful new year with the DesBio hA2cg Weight-Management Program - December 18^th

Details: Join Dr. Bruce Shelton, MD, Chief Medical Adviser for DesBio, a world-class homeopathic MD and current President of the Arizona Homeopathic and Integrative Medical Association. We will also be joined by Clair Dainard MS, CN and DesBio's Director of Practitioner Support who will focus on the nutritional issues during the webinar.

Why the DesBio Evolution Weight-Management Program?
- Since its introduction, over 100,000 patients have successfully completed the Evolution Weight-Management Program.
- Utilizes the power of hA2cg Evolution. This patent-pending formula is the only product to incorporate the bioidentical versions of the two active peptide chains in the hCG molecule. While other formulas contain non-specific amino acid blends, hA2cg Evolution uses the science of the actual molecule to more directly signal the body.
- Two programs to help your patients be successful. Developed by our team of practitioners, the DesBio program features a 500 calorie option and a 1000 calorie option to suit your patients' individual needs.
- A complete suite of supporting products, exclusively distributed by Evolving Nutrition, to help your patients achieve weight-management success.

Date: Tuesday, December 18th, 2012
Time: 5:00 p.m. PST (8:00 p.m. EST)

If you are interested in registering, you can contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 456-0891 or you can email us info@evolvingnutrition and we will add you to our list of attendees.

Thinking Twice About Testosterone Replacement

Thinking Twice About Testosterone Replacement, by Dr Corey Schuler 

Testosterone replacement therapy can be a necessary medical intervention in some men for conditions such as sexual dysfunction, depression, and chronic fatigue. However, there are known risks. Popularity of testosterone prescriptions are skyrocketing, but who is it safest for and who is at the greatest risk of early cardiovascular death and heart attack? How do consumers make decisions in combination with their doctor without knowing the consequences? Ultimately you have to rely on the experience and knowledge of your provider, but having the right information in front of you can only help the decision process.

In a recent publication from Endocrine Today, evidence suggests that a new subset of men should not use testosterone replacement therapy. Men with obstructive coronary artery disease have higher risk of death and heart attack when using testosterone replacement therapy.

But that leaves some questions, doesn't it? What if you've had a coronary angiograph which confirmed obstruction or perhaps had an angioplasty or stent to correct obstruction and also have confirmed or suspected low testosterone levels? Are you just out of luck with no therapy for the hormone imbalance?

Symptoms of hormone imbalance in aging men are not limited to sexual dysfunction. Rather, depression, poor sleep, poor recovery from activity, poor stamina, libido (sex drive), lack of energy, and decreased strength and performance may all be symptoms of hormone imbalance. We also note that stress and poor blood sugar control can deteriorate men's hormones at an accelerated rate as well. Does this sound familiar? If so, read on.

We often suggest lifestyle modification such as weight loss, stopping smoking, and increasing exercise, especially activities such as weight training and sprinting to improve hormone balance in aging men, but the reality is that besides stopping smoking, these are quite tall orders for those who have obstructive coronary artery disease. Thirty minutes of weight lifting or daily sprinting probably isn't going to be approved by the cardiologist or cardiac rehab therapist. Not to mention that poor hormone balance often makes losing weight difficult.

Getting back to the basics of health, the pillars of good living, may be the answer along with specific products to support hormone balance.

From a diet perspective, adequate protein is an absolute must to stop the breakdown of muscle in aging men. Supplemental protein shakes are often a good way to go if appetite isn't great or cooking isn't your strong suit. If you can tolerate whey protein, it seems to be one of the best sources. It raises glutathione levels which is important from an antioxidant perspective and also contains branch chain amino acids which support muscle health. Vegan protein powders are a bit easier on the body. These contain hemp, pea, and/ or rice but often times are much lower in protein content. Shoot for 20 grams per shake. Nuts and seeds provide excellent protein from plant sources as well. Vegetable and plant nutrients cannot be understated for general heart health and all doctors and practitioners should be encouraging this behavior.

From a dietary supplement side, Revolution Macalibrium is a tested formula of specific phenotypes of maca (Lepidium peruvianum). Maca has a rich history of supporting men's hormone health; however, research has shown that there are specific phenotypes ideal for men’s hormonal health. Revolution Macalibrium not only has these exact phenotypes but has concentrated levels of the full spectrum of active constituents ten to twenty times higher than the levels found in raw maca which is why doctors and patients are getting such strong results quickly. This is a foundational product that works through the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis to help a man make his own hormones versus relying on hormones from outside of the body. A man's own hormones made by him is much safer since nothing is more natural than your own hormones.

Omega-3 fatty acids, especially those rich in EPA and DHA are recommended. If a man has high triglycerides, the American Heart Association suggest 2.4 grams of EPA + DHA per day. This seems like a prudent suggestion for all men facing either hormone imbalance, obstructive coronary artery disease, or life in the modern world. Reducing inflammation and supporting cell membrane health are just two well known mechanisms of omega-3 fatty acids and since the human body doesn't make its own omega-3's it has to rely on us to ingest them every day. I prefer high EPA products. Some products contains as much as 1060 mg of EPA and 274 mg of DHA per 2 capsules. Two capsules twice per day is ideal to hit this goal dose of 2.4 grams. Be wary of lower doses or you'll end up taking 8 capsules per day. Many products will contain 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA. This is perhaps suitable for the percentage of the population that gets nearly adequate dietary omega-3 fatty acids and is already healthy.

Other interventions and supplements may be indicated given your history and complicating factors, and in that case we recommend working with a doctor who understands your condition and also natural approaches. Click here to find a practitioner close to you.

So, if you know a man considering testosterone replacement and also has obstructive coronary artery disease, arm them with this important information so he can make an empowered decision.

To review Natural Health International's Revolution Pro, please visit the following link to our website: http://www.evolvingnutrition.com/Product-Categories/Mens-Health/RevolutionPRO

If you have additional questions, please contact us at (800) 458-0891, ext 23 or via email at info@evolvingnutrition.com . We are always here to help!

Aloe Goes Beyond the Burn

Chances are you’ve slathered a cooling aloe vera gel over a searing sunburn. Perhaps you’ve even cracked open an aloe plant leaf and drizzled its milky juice directly onto inflamed or dry, itchy skin. Information found in wellnesstimes.com states that topically applied, aloe’s soothing benefits are widely known—and have been extolled by nurturing grandmothers for decades. But the plant harnesses a host of other potential applications for health and wellness. Naturopaths and herbalists have long touted its ability to ease constipation, flush toxins from the body, tackle gastric problems and even help lower blood sugar when consumed orally as a supplement or a juice. According to the American Botanical Council, there are more than 300 species of aloe plants that grow all around the world. Because its documented use dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who dubbed aloe the “plant of immortality,” and spans much of the globe, botanists aren’t entirely sure where the genus originated. Regardless, the species commonly grown and used for medicinal purposes in America are those familiar perennials with fleshy, dark green, upright leaves with serrated edges.

Aloe plants contain gel which is the translucent, gooey substance packed into the inner leaf. Aloe gel contains active compounds that help temper inflammation and block bacteria from infecting damaged and vulnerable organs—including our biggest organ, the skin. Gel constituents are also thought to aid in cell regeneration, resulting in faster healing times. For these reasons, aloe enthusiasts swear by gel and gel-based topical products’ healing prowess.

Research largely supports aloe’s effectiveness in these areas. One study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in June 2010 found that aloe cream reduced patients’ postoperative pain, sped wound healing and cut the need for analgesic painkillers significantly more than placebo. As for burns, a trial published in the journal Surgery Today in July 2009 found that second-degree burn patients given an aloe gel–based cream healed more quickly than those treated with topical silver sulfadiazine.

Just as aloe gel shows promise in soothing and healing skin, preliminary research suggests it may also protect against and help heal gastric ulcers. According to a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in April 2006, aloe vera, given internally, reduced gastric inflammation and sparked ulcer healing in mice. And research detailed in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in July 2004 found that aloe protects mucous membranes in the gastric systems of mice from injury.

Another promising benefit of taking aloe internally is its antidiabetic effects. Research findings on aloe’s impact on blood glucose and triglyceride levels have been inconsistent, but a paper published in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal in July 2009 points to several studies that support the plant’s blood sugar-lowering effects in patients with type 2 diabetes. In their own trial, the authors found that an aloe vera extract resulted in lower triglyceride and glucose levels within four and six weeks, respectively, in a small sampling of diabetic patients.

Evolving Nutrition offers Aloe Vera in the form of a softgel from Protocol For Life Balanceand can be ordered by contacting a customer service representative at (800) 458-0891. To read additional information on this supplement, you may visit our website HERE for product details and additional nutritional facts.

 

 

 

If you have questions about aloe or would like to reach out to a consultant at L'BRI PURE n' NATURAL, please contact Kathy Stubbs (Senior Consultant and Certified Skin Care Consultant) at Kathy@DreamJourney.net or you can visit her website at www.kathystubbs.lbri.com!

 

 

 

Natural Health International Presents - Libido in Men: Taboo or Critical Information?

A Natural Health International Teleseminar: Libido in Men: Taboo or Critical information?

Oftentimes, patients and practitioners alike assign decreased libido to aging. Aging is normal. However, not all symptoms associated with it are! Some quality of life markers such as libido and others may even be warning signs of other more pressing risks or conditions.

Join Natural Health International on September 20th, 2012 at 5:00 PST for a preview of Dr. Schuler's

topic at the Pennsylvania Association of Naturopathic Physicians 2012 convention.

Clinical Rounds, presented by Corey Schuler, MS, DC, CNS, LN, National Medical Educator for Natural Health International, will highlight the advantages of a motivational interviewing style to a man's medical history as well as therapeutic approaches that address multiple systems.

Clinical Rounds is a live teleseminar not a webinar. Go to http://eepurl.com/mlQ_9 to

register. You must be registered to receive the archived audio.

Do You Suffer From Hormone Imbalance?

Do you suffer from hormone imbalance?

Changes in menstrual cycle, low libido, infertility, depression, menopause or andropause symptoms, PCOS, erectile dysfunction, poor workout recovery, poor energy, poor sleep, acne, heart disease, and ...osteoporosis all can be due to hormone imbalance.

 

Hormone imbalance can be rooted in stress and toxic exposures.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is now a known endocrine disruptor. Here are some tips to reduce your exposure.

1) Reduce your exposure, especially in plastics. Also cans such as canned foods. It's terribly inconvenient to reduce the amount of plastic in your life. Just do what you can. Especially try to keep your food and water away from any plastic. Use metal or glass or ceramic instead.

2) Help your liver to detoxify and intestines to get healthier so they can do a better job of getting rid of the BPA and other environmental chemicals. A healthier diet that is high in fiber will greatly aid this process.

3) You could get tested to see if you have high levels of BPA. If your levels are high, consult with an "environmental medicine" doctor for a program to get rid of it. 

 4) Educate yourself about possible occupational exposure. For example, if you handle thermal paper, dental sealants or certain medical supplies and equipment, either wear gloves or as your employer if they contain BPA.

 

This article was taken from our vendor, Natural Health International. If you have any questions about what was mentioned here, please contact us directly at (800) 458-0891.

Upcoming Webinar Events

Evolving Nutrition and Zycal Bioceuticals have partnered to bring you an Evolving Nutrition Webinar Event. If you are a licensed health care professional and would be interested in learning more about Ostinol and how it can help your patients, please click on the HERE to register for one of the offered webinar times.

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Discover Ostinol - Bone and Cartilage Stimulating Proteins

Description

Ostinol, a natural osteoinductive protein-complex with Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs), activates and transforms stem cells into osteoblasts and chondrocytes for bone and cartilage growth. The BMPs in Ostinol are backed by decades of surgical use as well as years of safe, effective oral use.

Ostinol represents a paradigm in bone and joint health; a Nutrigenomic approach to steam cell activation. To learn more about Ostinol, the science of osteoinductive proteins and their applications, More...please join us for this special webinar.

To register for this webinar, please click HERE . If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department at (800) 458-0891 or via email at info@evolvingnutrition.com. We look forward to speaking with you and partnering with you in your nutraceutical needs!