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First of all, the term "natural" and "bio-identical" are not the same.
Many people assume that it is better to use a "natural" hormone. But "natural" doesn't imply that it is "bio-identical" to a human. Any product whose principal ingredient has an animal, plant, or mineral source is technically natural.
One example is soy. This plant is a source of supplements that a lot of women use to help with the symptoms of menopause. Yams are also a source of estrogen. Yams are used to make Estrace, which is an FDA approved hormone and therefore regulated. Soy supplements on the other hand are not regulated. They have also not been rigorously tested in humans. We therefore do not actually know the safety of soy or its effectiveness in humans.
One prime example of "natural" versus "bio-identical" is Premarin. Premarin is "natural". It comes from the urine of pregnant mares (horses). But it is certainly not "bio-identical" to humans.
Most bio-identical hormones are made, or synthesized, from a plant chemical extracted from yams. Some are made from soy. These are your estrogen hormones. Bio-identical progesterone is simply progesterone. It’s micronized (finely ground) in the laboratory for better absorption in the body.
Your body can not distinguish bioidentical hormones from the ones your ovaries produce as they are biologically identical.
When you use biologically identical hormones they will will follow the natural pathways in your body. In other words, your body has pathways which utilize enzymes and other chemical reaactions to metabolize and use items you put in. If you put in a biologically identical item, then the normal biological pathways will be followed. If you put in synthetic items, then your body will not follow the natural pathways as it is not biologically identical to what your body should be getting. This is the main reason why we get side effects or bad outcomes from synthetic medications.
You've probably heard more about hormones and hormonal imbalances recently - as researchers have become more aware of evidence showing this may be the root cause of many chronic health issues you could be experiencing.
Your hormones should exist in harmony with each other. When levels of each hormone are in the right proportions, body systems are stable. When balance is lost, hormone deficiencies and excesses can cause chronic symptoms and disorders, and raise risks for disease.
A whole host of symptoms may signify an imbalance:
Women (Menopause) Men (Andropause)
Mood swings Burned out feeling
Irregular periods Abdominal fat
Hot flashes Prostate problems
Night sweats Decreased urine flow
Tender/fibrocystic breasts Increased urinary urge
Uterine fibroids Decreased mental clarity
Foggy thinking Erectile dysfunction
Memory lapses Decreased libido
Irritability Decreased strength
Anxiety Decreased stamina
Depression Difficulty sleeping
Heart palpitations Irritability
Bone loss Depression
Water retention Hot flashes
Weight gain Night sweats
Vaginal dryness Poor concentration
Low libido Acne/oily skin
Scalp hair loss
Excess facial/body hair
Polycystic ovaries
Infertility
Difficulty sleeping
The symptoms of hormonal shifts occurring in our bodies can be very strong and can even make you feel out of control at times.
If you have tried to figure out what is happening or perhaps treated your symptoms in ways that don't seem to work, testing your hormones may be the first step to feeling better.
Saliva and blood spot testing reliably identify hormone imbalances. Hormones exist in harmony with each other – partners in a delicate balancing act. When levels of each hormone are in the right proportions, body systems are stable. When balance is lost, hormone deficiencies and excesses can become toxic to the body causing unwanted symptoms, disorders and disease.
Affinity is dedicated to your overall health and well being. A part of this is having hormonal balance as we age, whether being female or male. Hormonal balance is an important part of the correct functioning of our body. One hormone being off can effect various functions and other hormones within the body.
The aging process can significantly alter our hormones to the point where we begin to have various bothersome symptoms as well as physical changes. These include increased body fat with difficulty losing weight, decreased energy, thinning of the skin, decreased sexual drive, foggy thinking and memory loss, loss of calcium from the bones, loss of muscle mass and others. Many people think that when we talk about hormone imbalance we are just talking about females. Males can also have a hormonal imbalance.
You should enjoy being vibrant and feel healthy no matter what age you are.
Affinity is here to help you become your best through a comprehensive program designed to assess your hormone balance, weight, and nutrition.
Affinity Wellness
813.964.5901
DISCLAIMER
The information contained or presented on this website is for educational purposes only. Information on this site is NOT intended to serve as a substitute for diagnosis, treatment, or advice from a qualified, licensed medical professional. Any facts presented are offered as information only in order to empower you. Any protocols on this site are not medical advice – and in no way should anyone infer that I, even though I am a physician is practicing medicine, it is for educational purposes only. Any treatment protocol you undertake should be discussed with your physician or other licensed medical professional. Seek the advice of a medical professional for proper application of ANY material on this site. NEVER stop or change your medications without consulting your physician. If you are having an emergency contact your emergency services at 911.