October 2011

Menopause management complex but possible!

Recently, I attended the meeting of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) in Washington DC along with 1500 other health professionals.    The bottom line:    Estrogen is not the devil, but it is not the panacea for all things female!

When the large Women’s Health Initiative was halted in 2002 due to some unexpected findings in women on hormone treatment, the use of hormones significantly dropped.   However, many women found that their most bothersome symptoms returned and some went back on HT with a bit more concern.

Saw Palmetto Ineffective for Prostate Symptoms

Ladies, share this blog with the men in your life.     Long-term adminstration of the dietary supplement saw palmetto, even at three times the usual dose, did not reduce symptoms of prostate enlargement significantly better than placebo in a large group of middle-aged men, according to the most rigorous study of the popular herb.

Your genes at work

In one of the largest genomic studies ever, an international research consortium identified 29 genetic variations that influence blood pressure. More than half of these variants were previously unknown. The findings provide insights into the biology of blood pressure and may lead to new therapeutic strategies.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects over 1 billion people worldwide. It can damage the body in many ways over time, leading to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and other health problems.