Bioidentical Hormones Information

A natural bioidentical hormone has a chemical structure that is identical to the hormone naturally produced by the body.

With the advent of genetic engineering, it is now possible to produce natural bioidentical hormones that in every way match those produced by our body. The medical procedure to replenish these hormones with natural bioidentical hormones is called bioidentical hormone replacement therapy -- the science of simply restoring the balance of the endocrine system to that which we had at an earlier age.

It is logical to ask: “ if there are hormones available that are natural to my body, why do doctors prescribe synthetic hormones?" The story of bioidentical natural hormones is one of money, politics and education. Natural bioidentical hormones are identical in structure to the hormones naturally found in the body, and may not be patented. A patent will guarantee that a pharmaceutical company will have an exclusive right to manufacture and profit from their product.

After the tremendous monetary investment that goes in to developing and studying a pharmaceutical product, it is logical that the pharmaceutical companies would want their investment protected with an exclusive, patented product.

Therefore there is scarce research and minimal marketing of natural hormones. Further, since insurance generally does not pay for preventive medicine, the patient is often discouraged from using the natural hormones.

Where do these natural bioidentical hormones come from? There is a special type of pharmacy known as a compounding pharmacy. These are regular licensed pharmaceutical companies.  And they are able to do more. They are similar to the old fashioned concept of pharmacist with a mortar and pestle. They acquire the pure pharmaceutical grade hormone and compound it into the form ordered by the physician. They produce pills, capsules, liquids, and creams per the doctor's prescription order for you. This makes your program very customized and personalized.

Are health food store products natural? Products in health food stores provide people with a variety of natural options, usually from an herb or plant source. Folk medicine, naturopathy, and herbalists have evolved such that there is more substantiation and better acceptance of these alternative, herbal products.

However, the products from compounding pharmacies are different in several ways.  First, the dose provided by a pharmacy requires a prescription. Health food store products (and over the counter products sold at pharmacies) are most often of a dose that is insufficient to produce a measurable difference in the body based on actual laboratory tests.

Second, the products from the compounding pharmacy utilize ingredients of pure pharmaceutical grade that are “micronized. Micronized means that the product is a fine grain that will be well absorbed. This results in less waste as it processes through your digestive system. Third, the natural bioidentical hormones from the compounding pharmacy can be prescribed as long-acting or sustained release. This helps the body have a more balanced hormone level instead of the highs and lows that come with quick acting, quickly absorbed or poorly absorbed products.

A compounding pharmacy is able to customize an individual prescription and provides many options for a personalized hormone program. Options range from individualized doses, to custom fillers (i.e.: lactose free), to options of delivery (sublingual triturates, tablets, capsules, liquids and creams).

To summarize, a natural bioidentical hormone has a chemical structure that is identical to the hormone naturally produced by the body.

Natural hormones can not be patented by drug companies. Synthetic hormones have a structure similar to but not exactly the same as a hormone produced by your body. These chemical differences mean that the synthetic hormone acts differently and produces substantially different effects or that the breakdown product causes side effects. Natural bioidentical and synthetic hormones should not be considered the same or used interchangeably.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

This important hormone has had a strong impact in the medical community ever since the landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1990 by Daniel Rudman, M.D. HGH, also known as somatotropin, is the most abundant hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Cells in the pituitary, known as somatotropes, produce HGH and release it into the bloodstream where it is absorbed by the liver and converted into various other growth factors.

It appears that nearly every organ in the body is dependent on HGH for proper growth and development. HGH regulates the body’s metabolism of proteins, electrolytes, and carbohydrates and controls how the body uses fat. However, after the age of thirty, HGH declines at the rate of fourteen percent (14%) per decade.

Typically, as we age, lean body mass diminishes while fat stores increase. Muscle mass may decrease by as much as thirty percent (30%) while fat may increase as much as fifty percent (50%). The liver, kidneys, spleen and brain as well as bone mass all start to shrink. On a chemical level, the body becomes more susceptible to disease, the immune system declines, and the ability to metabolize sugar drops. Bad cholesterol levels soar while good cholesterol levels sink. Elimination of toxins becomes less efficient.

HGH promises rejuvenation from the inside out, so much so that Stanford University medical researchers concluded that “physiological HGH replacement might reverse or prevent the inevitable sequela of aging.

• Decrease the % of body fat while increasing lean muscle mass by stimulating the body's ability to increase protein synthesis
  
  
• Increase bone mass, reversing damage that leads to osteoporosis
  
  
• Reverse the degeneration of neurological functions
  
  
• Improve cardiac function
  
  
• Improve skin tone, thickness, and elasticity
  
  
• Improve pulmonary functions
  
  
• Improve the functioning of the immune system
  
  
• Improve kidney function
  
  
• Improve exercise and aerobic capacity and endurance
  
  
• Help wounds heal faster
  
  
• Improve cartilage synthesis for stronger joints
  
  
• Reverse the normal, age-related shrinkage of organs
  
  
• Decrease levels of LDL and VLDLcholesterol
  
  
• Rejuvenate sex drive

"We are our hormones. Without them we die. In fact, aging is the loss of hormones." - Suzanne Somers

"To be in my metabolic prime with these bioidentical hormones, and then to add to it the wisdom and perspective that comes with aging, it's about as good as it gets. It's better than being 20, 30, or 40."
- Suzanne Somers

WEIGHT LOSS

The decision to develope a healthy body that properly utilizes food for energy is one of the most challenging and most rewarding tasks of your life. The NBH Lifetime Health Weight Loss Program is (1)based on medical science and clinical experience; (2)emphasizes steady and consistent fat loss; and (3)educates clients on healthy eating and the knowledge of how the body works to burn calories.

Weight loss (fat loss) will be accomplished through determination, dedication, education and science. The NBH Lifetime Health Weight Loss Program is not a crash diet program nor does it require you to buy food that has been pre-packaged for every participant. Our program uses your unique metabolic profile to determine the types of food that are best for you, not only for fat loss but for long term health. These are foods that you can purchase at the grocery store of your choice. Our goal is to help you reduce body fat not muscle mass and to achieve your ideal weight!

The goals of NBH Lifetime Health are (1) to educate each client as to how they may best lose weight and maintain their weight loss; (2) to help each client meet his or her weight loss goal; (3) to recommend an exercise program that increases the fat burning capability of the body; and (4) to assist each client in making good lifestyle choices in healthy eating, regular exercise, and proper nutrition.

The key to achieving and maintaining weight loss, for adults or children, is learning how the body converts food to energy and feeds the muscles instead of storing energy as fat.