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HRT AND MNOPAUSAL SYMPTOM CONTROL: ENERGY LEVELS

ENERGY LEVELS. Women at midlife sometimes claim that their get up and go has got up and gone. They can’t raise the energy to pursue activities they have enjoyed for years. Such a woman is Bronwyn, whose youthfulness comes from an appetite for adventure that was unquenchable until menopause hit. ‘I don’t have flushes and I generally feel OK, except that I don’t have any energy. I’m working near to home but I find it harder than ever to get up in the morning, and to get moving. The worst thing is that I just want to rest on my days off, instead of visiting friends or taking off for the bush. I haven’t been able to look my hiking boots in the eye.’

If this is your scenario too, it is important — before allowing a doctor to reach for the prescription pad — to establish that your loss of energy has a physical origin and is not explained by job frustration or dissatisfaction, or the need for new challenges in life. Once you are satisfied that there is a physical basis to the problem, it is essential to have a check on your general health, diet, activity levels and lifestyle stresses before even considering HRT. Some women do find that energy levels respond to HRT. It is unclear to what extent this is due to an effect of HRT in settling other symptoms such as night sweats and sleeplessness; a feeling of wellbeing induced by HRT’s action on the brain and other body tissues; or a placebo effect activated by a doctor’s interest in and support of his or her patient.

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Tags: Hormonal

THE A TO Z OF HRT: INDEPENDENT STUDIES

Women’s acceptance of oestrogen was helped along by the statements of medical authorities such as Dr Robert Greenblatt, a leading endocrinologist who was president of the American Geriatrics Society. In 1974 Dr Greenblatt claimed that about three-quarters of menopausal women were acutely oestrogen-deficient, and he advocated oestrogen therapy for them all, even in the absence of symptoms. A year later, with prescriptions for oestrogen exceeding 26 million in the US alone (it was the fifth most frequently prescribed drug), and worldwide sales of Premarin surpassing $USioo million in value, controversy erupted.

Two independent studies by reputable US research teams, both published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1975, reported a link between postmenopausal oestrogen therapy and cancer of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), the risk increasing with the duration of therapy and its dose. The researchers found that women who had a uterus and used oestrogen preparations without any other sex hormones, such as progestogens (synthetic forms of progesterone), for longer than six months had an increased risk of endometrial cancer -five to ten times greater than was normal for their age.

There followed a period of widespread concern and scientific reappraisal, during which progestogens were teamed with oestrogen, the aim being to protect the endometrium of all women with an intact uterus from the increased risk of endometrial cancer. Subsequent studies have confirmed that progestogen achieves this protection.

Much has been learned from this saga, particularly the need for constant review of present knowledge, and a commitment to ongoing research of the menopause and ageing. What we can say with confidence is that in recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in HRT, together with an acceleration of research and clinical trials using therapies of different dosages in different patient groups, and the development of new ways to administer it. One of the biggest challenges now facing the medical research community is to identify women who need HRT and those who don’t. Women themselves should at the same time be analysing their experience of menopause in the light of their own medical history, weighing up the evidence, and making their own judgement.

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Tags: Hormonal

THE SYMPTOMS OF FOOD INTOLERANCE: CROHN’S DISEASE

This is a serious bowel disorder that produces patches of inflammation in the intestines, mostly in the second part of the small intestine (the ileum) or the large intestine (the colon). These patches have a characteristic appearance under the microscope. They may heal themselves in time, and some patients recover after just one or two attacks of Crohn’s disease. Others suffer recurring attacks throughout their lives. As they heal, the inflamed areas may develop scar tissue that narrows the intestine, making passage of food difficult. In terms of actual symptoms, Crohn’s disease produces diarrhoea, and cramps or more generalized pain in the abdomen, especially after eating. There is usually a general feeling of malaise and, sometimes, a slight fever. If left untreated, there is weight-loss and the health deteriorates because nutrients are not absorbed properly. Other symptoms, such as joint pains and mouth ulcers, often go with Crohn’s disease.

Despite intensive study, doctors still have no clear idea of what produces Crohn’s disease. The damaged areas of intestine, when studied under the microscope, contain a great many immune cells – it is these that produce the inflammation. The obvious explanation is that some infectious agent attracts them there – but there is no evidence that Crohn’s disease is infectious, and the fact that the disease mostly affects people in their twenties makes an infection unlikely. However, some researchers believe that they may now have found an infectious agent – a slow-growing bacterium related to the one that causes tuberculosis. Attempts to show that this bacterium really does produce Crohn’s disease are now in progress.

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Tags: Allergies

NATURAL SLEEP – THE INTERPRETATION OF DREAMS

The general interpretation of dreams as practised by private individuals or by psychologists usually goes too far. It is interesting, however, that you may find an answer to some problem you have been looking for in vain while awake, the reason being that the rested brain is able to draw more logical conclusions. Some researchers and inventors have even found the solutions they were seeking while asleep and dreaming. The solutions were proved to be correct on subsequent examination of all the details involved.

According to God’s inspired writings in the Bible, the Creator revealed his purposes on several occasions in the form of prophetic dreams way back in antiquity. On the other hand, dreams can also be inspired by magic, metaphysical powers that are neither in harmony nor accord with the Almighty. Dreams have always had an important place in ancient cultures, as can be clearly seen from Daniel’s reports about King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylon, as recorded in the Bible. However, the memorable dream in question, telling of a mighty tree, came in fact from God Almighty, and the King’s magicians and interpreters of dreams were unable to understand its meaning. No one but Daniel himself, with God’s help, succeeded in presenting the correct information to the frightened ruler. A similar thing happened to the Egyptian pharaoh in the time of Joseph. In that case, too, no one but Joseph knew the divine dream’s interpretation.

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Tags: Herbal

THE INFLUENCE OF CORRECT BREATHING ON ILLNESS – INTRODUCTION

A slim figure can be obtained or retained by correct breathing. A ‘spare tyre’ will disappear more quickly if, at the same time, attention is given to the diet. Even if one is careless with the diet, correct breathing alone will ensure a 50 per cent success rate in achieving a good figure.

Anyone suffering from enlarged adenoids may do so because of faulty breathing, since it can lead to the formation of these growths of lymphoid tissue. On the other hand, correct breathing, day and night, will prevent them and even make existing ones recede.

Some people lose their sense of smell. For them we recommend a diet of natural foods, for a time perhaps even raw food, and correct breathing exercises. This combination can slowly bring back the sense of smell. Indeed, no illness or disease exists that will not benefit from correct breathing techniques.

If women would but breathe properly, most of their abdominal complaints, tumours and growths could be prevented. Confinements would be much easier because nervous congestions would disappear. Tight clothing, belts and tight-fitting elastic girdles should be avoided if abdominal breathing is to be unrestricted. It is preferable to exercise the abdominal muscles to maintain their elasticity, rather than to control their shape by girdles that restrict and only serve to weaken the muscles. As soon as such an artificial contrivance is removed, the muscles which have been kept in place by pressure alone will again bulge out and the whole purpose of maintaining a pleasing appearance will be defeated.

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Tags: Herbal

COFFEE – MAKING SAUERKRAUT AT HOME (PART 1)

If you want to make your own sauerkraut, you might like to try the following recipe for sauerkraut with onion.

Shred a head of white cabbage, not too fine, not too coarse. Spread a layer about 2 cm thick (a little less than 1 inch) on the bottom of a container, preferably one made of wood or glazed earthenware. Scatter some juniper berries and mustard and coriander seeds over the cabbage and add a small pinch of salt. You can leave out the salt, but then add more mustard seeds to compensate. On top of this, place a layer of sliced onions about 1 cm (about Vi inch) thick. Add another layer of cabbage and seasoning, then onions; continue until the container is full. Press the cabbage and onions down firmly and cover the vegetables, using a lid or plate that will fit inside the neck of the container. Place a heavy stone on the lid to weigh it down, and allow the cabbage to ferment. If you want to speed up the fermentation process, dilute some yogurt ferment or whey concentrate with water and pour over the cabbage.

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Tags: Herbal

SUGAR – THE GOODNESS OF DATES

The visitor to Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf is greeted by millions of date palms. Growing in unspoilt, mineral-rich soil, they bring forth thousands of tons of a wonderful fruit sugar year by year, the great benefits of which, however, rarely extend beyond these geographical borders. It is a joy to admire the Arab children’s beautiful teeth, but the sight also fills the visitor with sadness. Why? On the one hand we are glad for the Arab children, but on the other hand we are sad because the teeth of our own children and youths, according to the reports of school dentists, are in a very poor state indeed.

When I visited the ruins and vicinity of ancient Babylon, an Arab boy climbed up a date palm, happily and with enviable ease, picked some ripe dates and threw them down to me. It gave him great satisfaction to see that his generosity was gratefully acknowledged, his beaming smile showing a row of healthy white teeth. His firm and strong muscles and his lithe body, which gives those sons of the desert the agility of a wild cat, impressed me greatly. Although these children of nature can be presumptuous and brash, they do leave an unforgettable impression.

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Tags: Herbal

HELPFUL DIETS FOR THE SICK A – FASTING (METABOLIC WASTES)

When a person fasts the body has an opportunity to rid itself of accumulated harmful metabolic wastes. From time to time it is a good idea to plan ahead to have a fruit juice day and follow this up with one or two days of taking only clean pure water. However, before you begin the fast, make sure the bowels are empty. Mucilage-producing substances such as linseed or psyllium seed, or a herbal laxative, perhaps manna, will help move the bowels. If your liver is in good order you can then begin the fruit juice diet with orange, grapefruit or grape juice, according to what is in season. During the berry season, add berry juice to the list. Any wastes in the body will be eliminated and your organs will begin to function more efficiently.

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Tags: Herbal

SESAME SEEDS – EXCELLENT FOR THE LIVER (SOLID FOOD)

Solid food should be avoided at this stage, because the disturbance will be cleared up much faster if the patient fasts. Rehabilitation will only be delayed by burdening the digestive system with food. In cases where the patient vomits bile, be sure to give him liquids afterwards. Horsetail (shave grass) or better still, dandelion tea will be excellent. You can use dandelion leaves and roots to make the infusion. An extract of dandelion called Taraxacum will be found most effective in such cases. Avoid cereal gruels, because they always contain some fat and in the digestive process the liver will be irritated. Taking solid food can serve no useful purpose and, again, the value of fasting during the first few days cannot be overemphasised.

Once the grated apple and any of the various fruit juices can be digested and the patient feels hungry again, try giving him wholefood muesli for breakfast and supper. At midday, a little salad may be eaten, taking care that the dressing contains only a little cold-pressed, unrefined vegetable oil, or no oil to start with, just lemon juice or Molkosan. For several days after recovery fried foods of any kind should be avoided, because a certain degree of sensitivity will remain. Even slightly heated oil or animal fat will soon cause the feeling of congestion in the back of the head or in the forehead to return. A peculiar feeling of nausea may manifest itself also, even though it may be slight. Until all germs, which may or may not be known, have been eliminated from the system, the normal diet should not be reintroduced.

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Tags: Herbal

CHRONIC CONSTIPATION – NATURAL REMEDIES 3

Whether you suffer from constipation or any other functional disorder, foods that tempt the taste buds but contribute to constipation should be firmly rejected. There are plenty of delicious natural foods that are good for the digestion and the bowels, so why not choose these instead? You simply cannot eat and live just any old way and then hope to overcome the resulting discomforts by means of pills and drops. This approach will only hurt you, and eventually lead to chronic ailments. We must subject ourselves to the demands of nature and only then, with the use of good natural remedies as well as appropriate adaptations to our lifestyle, will we achieve the desired results. There is no other way.

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Tags: Herbal