When the National Institute of Health shut down their long-term study, the Women's Health Initiative, because of the increased rates of cancer, stroke, and heart attack brought on by using hormone replacement therapy (HRT), it sent shock waves around the world. Since then, researchers have been sifting through other studies and data to confirm -- or perhaps try to disprove -- the results of the WHI.
Most recently, researchers in England reviewed 28 HRT (hormone replacement therapy) trials involving 40,000 women, and they confirmed that HRT was associated with a 29 percent increase in risk for ischemic stroke.
If you are a regular reader of Dr. Wright's, you already know that he believes in bio-identical hormone therapy instead of mainstream HRT. The big difference being that traditional HRT comes from horse urine, and contains molecules that are not natural to your body. Bio-identical hormone replacement uses natural molecules that are already found in your body, in roughly the same concentrations you would naturally produce.
When natural physicians prescribe bio-identical hormone replacement, they are mindful of what the body already uses and recognizes. This is inherently much safer than using hormones from horses, which can be as much as 1,000 times stronger than anything your body has ever encountered.
That being said, even bio-identical hormone replacement can slightly increase the risk of stroke, especially in large quantities or high doses. This is because all forms of estrogen are known to cause blood clots, which are the cause of stroke. This is why Dr. Wright always recommends that his patients increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E when they start any kind of hormone replacement therapy. One tablespoon of cod liver oil and 400 IU vitamin E daily ought to keep that risk factor from going up.
Know that there are risks associated with any treatment, whether it's natural or not. When it comes to determining the best course of action for your health, you always have to weigh the risk vs. the benefits. The bottom line on HRT is that the risks far outweigh the benefits. But with bio-identical hormone replacement, the risks are far less -- making it a much safer, more reasonable approach to managing menopause. Then, both menopause and its treatment become something you can live with.
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Sizing up -- and scaling back -- sickle cell anemia
Q: I have a friend who has Sickle Cell Anemia. She is often hospitalized for minor illnesses that do not affect others as severely. Can you suggest some natural products that would boost her immune system?
JVW: Sickle cell patients must be diligent about maintaining their regular health in order to minimize the complications of the disease. Sickle cell anemia is a disorder of the red blood cells affecting their shape and therefore their ability to function properly. It is a hereditary disorder, and, at this time, science has not found a cure.
Basic management of the disease includes blood transfusions of normal red blood cells and oral or IV pain medication for what is called a sickle cell crisis.
Boosting overall immune function can be an important part of guarding against these crisis situations, which often land sickle cell patients in the hospital and subject them to excruciating pain.
Anyone with a disease such as sickle cell must be willing to completely eliminate sugar products from their diet. This includes candy, soda, jam, syrup...even many supposedly healthy "fruit" juices. Sugar reduces the effectiveness of white blood cells, which are responsible for destroying germs in the body. So even in small amounts, sugar negatively affects the body's ability to fight off diseases.
Be sure to check the labels for any ingredient that ends in "ose" -- sucrose, fructose, glucose, etc. Corn syrup is another no-no -- best to stay away from it entirely as well.
The herbs echinacea and astragalus are well-known immune system strengtheners. Other beneficial supplements include aloe vera, beta-glucan and garlic. A multivitamin and mineral supplement is important as well as extra vitamin A, zinc, vitamin E and vitamin C. You might also refer to my article in the April 2001 issue of Nutrition & Healing, which provides in-depth coverage of natural immune boosters.
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What is...hemoglobin?
Hemoglobin is a protein contained in your red blood cells. Its primary job is to transport oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Normal hemoglobin is called hemoglobin A and is soft and round-shaped. People with sickle cell anemia have an abnormal form of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S.
This genetic disorder causes the hemoglobin to stick together in long, rigid rods after they release the oxygen they are carrying, and they are unable to pass through tiny blood vessels. When this happens, blood flow can be interrupted, causing pain akin to a heart attack -- but throughout the entire body.
Hemoglobin also carries sugar, and sugar can cause even normal hemoglobin to become sticky. This is why sugar elimination is such a critical element of sickle cell patient care.
Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healing
Sources:
Bath PM, Gray LJ. "Association between hormone replacement therapy and subsequent stroke: a meta-analysis." BMJ 2005; 330(7,487): 342
Inoue N, Ichimura H, Goto S, Ushio Y. "Cerebral thrombosis in a postmenopausal woman on HRT." J Clin Neurosci 2005; 12(1): 109-110
