Hormones
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a part of functional medicine where we look to restore the naturally occurring hormones that decline with age or, depending on disease, has been genetically deficient as in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Bio identical hormones are natural hormones that are made by a special compounding pharmacy and they are made to be molecularly exact to what is made by your body. These bio identical hormones are quite protective against many diseases. When you start to decline in them we see more illness such as cancer, diabetes, mood disturbances, weight gain, decreased sex drive, decreased muscle mass, increased blood pressure, increased cholesterol, decreased motivation, bone loss, chronic urinary tract infections, dementia and much, much more.
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
Offsets cortisol, the stress hormone, helps with anxiety and depression, helps with energy, insulin resistance, balances sugar fluctuations, transforms fat into lean body mass. Boosts the immune system, works as an anti-oxidant, helps with bone health. Can help with lupus and arthritis.
Melatonin
An anti-inflammatory, a potent free radical scavenger, helpful with the immune system and believed to be an inhibitor of tumor growth. It is being used as a supplement to cancer therapy. Puts you into REM sleep which is restorative sleep. Sleep is of the utmost importance. Without sleep you cannot achieve your best health.
Vitamin D3
Even with adequate sun exposure deficiency is very common. Vitamin D is extremely important for anxiety, depression, bone health, obesity, diabetes, immune health and cancer protection. Monitoring levels is a must to make sure we do not get levels that are too high.
Progesterone
Women only. Most of us need this replaced even in our 30’s. It helps with anxiety, depression, contentment, stimulates new bone formation, sex drive, hot flashes, cholesterol, regulates periods, helps with PMS, headaches, and infertility. Offsets estrogen thereby protecting you from uterine and breast cancer. The oral form is far superior to progesterone creams. Creams do not adequately protect your uterus or breasts like the pill does. Women need this even if they do not have a uterus.
Estrogen
Women only. This is replaced after menopause. Protects against Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, vaginal dryness, urogenital atrophy causing UTIs, helps with hot flashes, decreases risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke by protecting blood vessels of the heart, lowers cholesterol. There are 3 types of estrogen. Estradiol is the best form for protection and effect on tissues. Oral administration (a pill) is the best for protection of all the above benefits. However, there are a couple of reasons you may receive a cream, but this is a small subset of people. Estrone and Estriol are not effective forms of estrogen. Estradiol is the best and it is what we were making in our younger years.
Testosterone for men and women
Improves sex drive, builds stronger muscles, bone health/formation, motivation, assertiveness, stamina, improved orgasms, erectile dysfunction, protects against heart disease, improves cholesterol, depression, is a potent anti-inflammatory, helps with degenerative joint pain, arthritis, improves insulin resistance, helps weight loss by transferring fat to lean muscle mass, and an overall sense of well-being and zest for life. Testosterone DOES NOT cause prostate cancer. In men we want testosterone to convert to estrogen, just like it does normally. We DO NOT want to block that conversion with a medication called an aromatase inhibitor. It is that conversion to estrogen that protect men from osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Thyroid
Improves fatigue, energy level, brain fog, constipation, cholesterol, fertility, bone health, blood pressure, PMS, weight loss, dry skin, hair loss, improves cardiac function, feeling cold all the time, depression, immune health.
Pregnenolone
Pregnenolone is the “grandmother” of hormones like DHEA and progesterone. It has been implicated in the improvement of cognitive health such as schizophrenia, giloma, bipolar depression disorder, rheumatoid arthritis and wrinkles.
Vitamins & Minerals
Multivitamins
Multivitamins are typically taken once or more daily as a multivitamin/mineral formula, coupling fundamental, overall support with the convenience of a gentle hypoallergenic formula well tolerated by sensitive individuals. A high -quality multivitamin will provide a comprehensive profile of highly bioavailable vitamins, fully chelated minerals and antioxidants that support optimal health and wellness.
B12
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement and a prescription medication.Vitamin B12 is required for proper red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. A water soluble vitamin found primarily in the liver needed for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Aids with gluconeogenensis. Preserves DNA integrity. Prevents neural tube defects
Magnesium
Magnesium, an abundant mineral in the body, is naturally present in many foods, added to other food products, available as a dietary supplement, and present in some medicines (such as antacids and laxatives). Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium is required for energy production, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis. It contributes to the structural development of bone and is required for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and the antioxidant glutathione. Magnesium also plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes, a process that is important to nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm.
Vitamin K2
“Vitamin K,” the generic name for a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods and is available as a dietary supplement. These compounds include phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and a series of menaquinones (vitamin K2). Menaquinones have unsaturated isoprenyl side chains and are designated as MK-4 through MK-13, based on the length of their side chain. MK-4, MK-7, and MK-9 are the most well-studied menaquinones. Phylloquinone is present primarily in green leafy vegetables and is the main dietary form of vitamin K.
EPA and DHA
EPA and DHA have been indicated in the promotion of healthy vision and mental function, as well as the support of respiratory and immune health.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Zinc is also found in many cold lozenges and some over-the-counter drugs sold as cold remedies. Zinc is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It is required for the catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes and it plays a role in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis , and cell division. Zinc also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence and is required for proper sense of taste and smell. A daily intake of zinc is required to maintain a steady state because the body has no specialized zinc storage system.
Selenium
Selenium is a trace element that is naturally present in many foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Selenium, which is nutritionally essential for humans, is a constituent of more than two dozen selenoproteins that play critical roles in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, and protection from oxidative damage and infection.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin with three biologically active forms: retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid (retinoids). Vitamin A is needed for the rods in the eyes; opsins are photosensitive compounds found in rod cells that are bonded to vitamin A. Gene control – vitamins are bound to receptor proteins and affect the expression of genes which regulate growth and differentiation of cells. Mucus membrane and skin cell integrity – retinal is needed for synthesis of glycoproteins and mucopolysaccharides. Anti-cancer agent – cancer may be associated with low carotenoid levels. Boosts immune system
and supports reproduction and fertility.
Provides skeletal and connective tissue strength and integrity .
Vitamin C
A water-soluble vitamin founds in high concentrations in the pituitary, adrenals, brain and white blood cells. Reducing agent in a number of different reactions – reduce oxygen, cytochromes Boosts immune system.
Antioxidants – increases glutathione, revives Vitamin E.
Anti-histamine. Involved in biosynthesis of elastin, fibronectin, proteoglycans, collagen gene expression – needed for hydroxylation of proline residues in collagen that are involved in connective tissue and wound healing. Cofactor in: L-carnitine biosynthesis; formation of catecholamine neurotransmitters (epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin); conversion of omega-3 into EPA. Aids iron absorption by reducing ferric to ferrous iron. Needed for steroidogenesis (ACTH stimulation of the adrenals depletes vitamin C). Cholesterol excretion via transformation to bile acid.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin absorbed in chylomicrons and taken into the liver where it is inserted into VLDL. It is also found in cell membranes, other lipoproteins, and fat deposits. Antioxidant – Works well with vitamin C and selenium. Anti-inflammatory (inhibits lipooxygenase enzyme). Anti-coagulant (blocks platelets from sticking together). Protects nerves from damage.