Featured Topic: Estrogen and DIM (6 slides)
Estrogen: Key hormone for women s health Estrogen is best known for its role in controlling the menstrual cycle Estrogen is also important for bones, skin and mood Too much of the wrong kind of estrogen (more estrogen than other hormones, such as progesterone) is called estrogen dominance Weight gain, especially around the hips, waist and thighs Severe PMS symptoms Fibroids Fatigue Irregular menstrual cycles Xenoestrogens chemicals in the environment that aren t real estrogen but act like estrogen in the body can also lead to symptoms of estrogen dominance
Estrogen and Breast Cancer 70% of breast cancer cells have receptors for estrogen This is estrogen receptor positive breast cancer Breast cancer cells without estrogen receptors are estrogen receptor negative Estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells grow and proliferate when exposed to estrogen Estrogen receptor positive breast cancer is usually treated with drugs to Block estrogen from binding to receptors (for example, the drug tamoxifen) Reduce estrogen production using aromatase inhibiting drugs However, 50% of all breast cancers fail to respond to tamoxifen, and most that do respond will eventually develop resistance
DIM for Estrogen Dominance Estrogen occurs in more than one form (like cholesterol can be LDL or HDL) some forms are healthy and some are associated with a greater risk of cancer and other adverse effects DIM a compound found in broccoli and other vegetables) helps keep healthy estrogen levels high reduces the amount of harmful estrogen and xenoestrogens Technically, DIM shifts the ratio of unhealthy to healthy estrogen In a small study of women with thyroid cancer, daily intake of DIM increased the amount of healthy estrogen by 20 times, and reduced by half the amount of unhealthy estrogen DIM has also been shown in laboratory studies to reduce the growth of breast cancer cells by up to 50%
Aromatase Aromatase = enzyme that increases estrogen formation (converts androgens to estrogen) Side effects of synthetic aromatase inhibitors including joint and muscle pain, risk of bone fractures, and menopause-like symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness Natural aromatase inhibitor: grape seed Grape seed reduced aromatase activity by 75% (cell study) and tumor size by almost 60% (animal model of breast cancer) In a study of breast cancer cells, grape seed inhibited both estrogen receptor positive and negative breast cancer cell growth by up to 72%, and increased cell death by 33%
Curcumin and Estrogen Curcumin has several effects on estrogen Reduces estrodial (a form of estrogen) production; one study reported a 22% reduction in estrodial Blocks the estrogen mimics (xenoestrogens); one study found a 98% reversal of breast cancer induced by exposure to a known xenoestrogen Estrogens are broken down and expelled from the body through the liver; curcumin increases liver function while protecting it from exposure to potentially harmful compounds, including xenoestrogens Curcumin stops breast cancer Up to an 80% inhibition of breast cancer cell replication (cell study) 40% reduction in tumor size associated with curcumin in animal model of human breast cancer
Keep estrogen in balance Goal: the right kinds of estrogen, in balance with other hormones (including progesterone) Recommendations Reduce exposure to environmental xenoestrogens (stay away from plastic food and drink containers, vinyl shower curtains, and synthetic fragrances) Take 120 mg of DIM complex (30 mg DIM) plus 250 mg of curcumin and grape seed extract once or twice daily for any problems with hormonally sensitive tissues: breast, uterine or cervical cancer, PMS and menopause symptoms, etc MEN can use these ingredients as well prostate cancer is also a hormonally-sensitive cancer
Go nuts for nuts (1 slide)
Make a handful of nuts your go-to snack Nuts are loaded with healthy fats and important nutrients Fun fact: PEANUTS are not nuts, they are legumes they grow underground while nuts grow on trees or bushes; almonds, walnuts, and pecans are technically seeds but are identified as nuts for dietary purposes Regular intake of nuts has been associated with 29% decreased risk of heart disease 11% decreased risk of cancer overall 69% decreased risk of colon cancer 45% reduced risk of Alzheimer s disease
3 Warning Signs of Diabetes (2 slides)
25% of people with high blood sugar don t know it (yet) 3 sneaky signs of high blood sugar Really thirsty: frequent dry mouth, pee a lot, unusual weight change (gain or loss) Sometimes weak and shaky: when blood sugar peaks and then drops suddenly, it may cause weakness and carbohydrate cravings Blurry vision: in the early stages of diabetes, glucose builds up in the eye, changing its shape and causing temporary blurry vision If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor and get your blood sugar levels checked
If you do have high blood sugar: Hintonia latiflora Native to Mexico and Central America; clinical studied in German Ideal for reducing high blood sugar, especially in the early stages of Type 2 diabetes 11% decrease in HbA1c levels 25% reduction in fasting glucose levels 22% reduction in postprandial glucose levels In one study of people with type 2 diabetes taking oral anti-diabetes medication or insulin, 45 people were able to reduce their medication dosage, including 10 who were able to stop medications altogether
Common Sleep Problems and How to Solve Them (1 slide)
Solve your sleep problems and get more Zzzz Problem #1: Racing mind, can t fall asleep Answer: Essential oils an hour before bed: lavender, lemon balm, ravensara, mandarin are relaxing and calming, leading to restful sleep without morning groginess Problem #2: Fall asleep, but wake up in the middle of the night Answer: Protein snack (cheese) before bed or on awakening, plus check your blood sugar levels and consider Hintonia if they are high; essential oils in problem 1 may also be helpful Problem #3: Really tired, but too much pain to sleep comfortably Answer: curcumin and boswellia reduce inflammation and relieve pain, plus P5P, DLPA, and melatonin for additional pain relief and sleep support