Posts by Liz

Wednesday Bubble: osteoporosis – all bets are off!

Posted by Liz on Mar 3, 2010 in bone health, estrogen | 3 comments

Which came first? The chicken or the egg?

When it comes to osteoporosis, all bets are off. Researchers are now saying that age and not estrogen decline is the primary culprit in development of osteoporosis in women. Estrogen simply acts to “accentuate” the negative results.

Aging increases what science refers to as “oxidative stress.” This means that as we age, an imbalance is created between certain molecules that freely circulate in the body (better known as free oxygen radicals) and cause major damage to cell and vessels walls and  the body’s natural ability to fight them off. Not surprisingly, oxidative stress has been linked to numerous chronic illnesses, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

In so far as osteoporosis goes, the loss of estrogen and androgens decrease our natural defenses against oxidative stress in bone in particular, leading to increased bone breakdown (resorption). The body also starts to overproduce certain hormones that directly affect the the vitality of the skeleton, causing bones to become brittle and more prone to fracture. However, studies also show that bone loss can begin in both women and men as early as age 30 or so, well before any major changes in sex hormone production.

The question is, what can we do about it?

Researchers have also found that there is a specific family of proteins in our bodies that act as a natural defense against oxidative stress. These proteins, better known as FOS (foxhead box transcription factors) are integral to a healthy lifespan and also, preserving bone mass. If researchers can identify what causes the decline in FOS, they may be able to devise strategies to preserve our reserves. Meanwhile, estrogen gets at least a partial reprieve this time.

Sources: Manolagas SC. Endocrine Reviews. 2010.  Ambrogini E. Cell Metabolism 2010;2:136-146.

Trans fats are not your friend

Posted by Liz on Mar 1, 2010 in diet, heart disease, stroke | 5 comments

Do you want to live well past menopause? One way to do it is to cut out the trans fats (or partially hydrogenated oils) now!

Trans fats are found mostly in fried (e.g. french fries, donuts) and processed foods (e.g. pastries,  pizza dough, cookies, crackers). In the body, trans fats significantly raise LDL cholesterol levels and lower HDL cholesterol levels (read: raise bad fats, lower good fats). And since we already know that elevated cholesterol right around menopause is a major factor in heart disease in women, it makes sense that the stroke risk might also come into play.

In a study  presented last week at the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference 2010, researchers analyzed data culled from 87,230 women who had participated in the Women’s Health Initiative and followed for about 8 years. After adjusting for possible factors that might influence results (e.g.s age, race, smoking, physical activity, alcohol, body mass index, hormone therapy, diabetes, aspirin use, fruits, vegetables and dietary fiber intake) they found that women who ate the most total fat had a 40% increased risk for ischemic stroke. Women who ate trans fat in particular, had a 30% increased risk for ischemic stroke. (Ischemic stroke is caused by blocked blood vessels in or leading to the brain.) So, how much fat were these women eating? Women who reported eating the most fat averaged about 86 grams of total fat and 7 grams of trans fat daily (compared to 26 grams and 1 gram, respectively, in women who ate the least).

It seems pretty simple, doesn’t it? Cut down on the fats and processed food and increase the healthy stuff. In the supermarket, stick to the store periphery where fruits, vegetables and all the good stuff can be found. Read the label…often.

Truly, trans fat is not your friend.

Hope for hops: hot flashes and night sweats

Posted by Liz on Feb 26, 2010 in estrogen, herbal medicine, hot flash, menopause, nightsweats | 4 comments

Do you remember last August’s post about beer and bone health? If not, research suggests that beer boosts bone density, or more specifically, a certain component in hops — namely female flowers — have high estrogen properties that help bone formation. More recently, researchers have been evaluating a standardized hop extract (8-prenylnaringenin) for the treatment of menopausal hot flashes. Among the many phytoestrogens contained in the female hop flowers, 8-prenylnaringen has been associated in laboratory studies with the highest estrogenic potency compared to others.

In a small, randomized, scientifically-sound study, researchers assigned menopausal women to either a hops extract 8-prenylnaringenin for eight weeks or placebo for 8 weeks; then they switched. Although both groups showed modest reductions in mild vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats) during the first 8-week period, only women taking the hops extract after first taking placebo experienced higher average reductions in their flashes and sweats. Although these changes were not considered “significant” they did lead the researchers to conclude that preparations containing 8-prenylnaringenin might offer an alternative to hormones for women who experience mild vasomotor symptoms.

Are hops completely safe?

Most people do not experience side effects when taking hops. However, like any herb or drug, reactions are individual. In some people, hops can cause allergic skin reactions (e.g. rash) when handled. Hops can also cause  mild drowsiness, which is why hop extracts shouldn’t be taken with sedatives. In some cases, hops has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. And of course, as a phytoestrogen, it should not be used at the same time as hormone replacement and only under doctor supervision if you’ve had breast cancer.

So, it’s too soon to tell. But indeed, there’s hope for hops!

Wednesday Bubble: easy does it…with chamomile

Posted by Liz on Feb 24, 2010 in anxiety, herbal medicine | 4 comments

Love love love this week’s Bubble because I don’t have to burst it. Writing in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, researchers say that chamomile is effective for mild to moderate anxiety. What’s more, this is the first time that the herb, which has long been known for its relaxation properties, has been subjected to rigorous, scientific study.

Anxiety is an integral part of the menopause experience, with many women experiencing mild nervousness or nervousness with depression, or full-blown anxiety attacks. Much of this anxiety is believed to be due to hormonal changes, and in fact, nearly half if not more of midlife women reportedly experience anxiety symptoms. Tension, depression and stress can all exacerbate persistent irritability, nervousness and mood swings. Moreover, having anxiety during the menopause transition has been linked to an increased risk for bothersome hot flashes.

In this latest study, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of German chamomile extract capsules (229 mg, up to five daily) compared to placebo in 57 women with mild to moderate anxiety. Dosing was individualized and based on each woman’s ability to tolerate the chamomile and its effect.  After 8 weeks, researchers observed a significant change in total anxiety rating scores in women taking the chamomile; these women also showed improvements in overall well being scores. The chamomile was well-tolerated.

Again, this is the first time that chamomile has been shown scientifically to improve mild to moderate anxiety symptoms. Obviously, a study with a larger group of women is needed to truly prove the effectiveness of chamomile, especially in women undergoing the menopause transition.

Chamomile – is it safe?

Chamomile, a member of the Asteraceae plant family, has been used in herbal remedies for thousands of years. In Europe, it is commonly used for digestive disorders. However, chamomile may cause allergic reactions that result in abdominal cramps, itching, skin rashes, and even throat swelling (anaphylaxis). Chamomile can also interfere with blood thinning medications such as Warfarin (an anticoagulant). Individuals who are allergic to  other plants in the Asteraceae family, including aster, chrysanthemum, mugwort, ragweed, and ragwort should avoid chamomile. Additionally, there have been reports of cross reactions celery, chrysanthemum, feverfew, tansy, and birch pollen.

Like any drug, speak to a licensed practitioner before trying chamomile to insure that you are a proper candidate and that you take the correct dosage for your problems.

Meanwhile, how wonderful to know that for women who can tolerate chamomile, there is a safe, scientifically proven alternative strategy to ease menopausal symptoms and irritability!

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Posted by Liz on Feb 22, 2010 in Early menopause, women's health | 2 comments

Actually, you may not have a choice! Did you know that a woman’s egg supply peaks as early as 20 weeks after conception? While still in the womb, a female will develop several million eggs. Up until age 14, the eggs will continue in number and then they steadily decrease until menopause (around age 50 or 51).

Using computer modeling of data taken from about 325 women, researchers determined that by the age of 30, 95% of women will only have 12% of their egg reserves remaining. By age 40, only 3% remain.  What’s more, age remains the primary influencer of the number of eggs up until about age 25. Then as a women grows older, other factors, including smoking, body mass index, stress and previous pregnancies start to play more important roles.

Why is this important? Afte rall, most readers of this blog are of the age where pregnancy is no longer a consideration and our number of eggs in reserve, pretty irrelevant. However, by establishing how the ovarian reserve of eggs is established and then diminished, researchers hope to be better able to predict when menopause will start individual women. By having a better idea of when menopause will start, you may be able to take appropriate steps in a timely fashion to both stave off vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats and maintain body weight and physical health. What’s more, imagine the possibilities in terms of mood swings and depression. The potential rewards are endless.

According to the researchers, they might also be able to predict which women treated for cancer are at highest risk for early menopause as the result of treatment. Since many of these women are young, this might provide opportunities for proactive family planning.

So, all those eggs in one basket? You might not be able to control how many but you may be able to control certain outcomes. Nice!