In this Issue:
Greetings,
Progesterone Cream - Questions Answered!
Since announcing that we no longer will be able to purchase progesterone cream
from our manufacturer, my email has been full of accusing notes. Members shared
the following:
"Before I
found your progesterone cream, this menopausal woman had to pay over $20 for a 2
ounce jar. Where do I turn for a better price? Thanks ever so…totally bummed
out…"
"They
got us again, didn't they? I'm afraid this is just the tip of the iceberg.
What's next? I'm angry. Aren't all of you? Sorry. Just a little venting.
Thanks. Still, I will remain a loyal customer."
"Gee.
I guess that milk will be also now be considered a drug!"
Meanwhile, some of the integrative medicine practitioners also weighed in, with
things like:
"There
are actually good reasons to remove progesterone creams."
"We
should be careful with hormones that can stimulate the growth of cancers."
This
kat took the subject up with
Dr. Rodier, who shared the following:
"The goal of using progesterone is to balance estrogen, but some
women do not detoxify progesterone well. I think physicians should warn patients
about accumulating progesterone, which can act as an endocrine disruptor and
stimulate breast cancer. With progesterone cream use, I advise running a
detoxification pathway test to identify if a patient is genetically prone to
storing progesterone. If so, I prescribe a detoxification program with
I3C or similar substances such as DIM or
calcium d-glucarate, all of which support hormone detox pathways in the
liver."
Net-net, we've been
hearing about a potential crackdown on progesterone sales for at least four
years. We didn't know when or if the regulation of over-the-counter
progesterone creams would hit.
However, when it came
time to re-order, our trusted manufacturer had to decline the order. We wish we
had a perfect crystal ball, but we don't.
And, as it turns out,
our discussion today may help some ladies identify whether they need some help
detoxifying their systems of stored progesterone, before these stores cause
mischief or worse.
That would be the
proverbial rainbow at the end of a storm. ^..^
Meanwhile, for
inquiring minds who want to know more, here's a little Q&A:
-
Where does the FDA
state the regulation on progesterone?
The FDA's web site
details the restrictions of Title 21. We've checked with our regulatory
compliance consultants and it's unequivocal, we're out of the progesterone
business.
Title 21 Link
-
Why are other
companies still providing progesterone cream products?
Some companies have
not yet received FDA warning letters, others have chosen to ignore those
warnings. In our case, we work with highly-ethical manufacturers. Our
progesterone cream manufacturer informed us that customers purchasing from them
were sent warning letters, so they took proactive action.
You see, fair
members, as a small fry, in an industry dominated by well-funded scoundrels, we
could never afford big legal bills associated with an FDA inquisition, so we
prefer to be a bit conservative. We think it's far better to paint within the
lines and continue to offer great products at great prices. We hope you agree.
-
Where else can we
get this product?
We can't vouch for
any particular brand, but there are plenty of companies still selling
progesterone cream products.
-
Who can you
complain to?
Writing opinion
pieces for your local newspaper is one good avenue. Writing to your
Congressional representative is another good option. Elected officials do not
hear from constituents often enough on the importance of protecting consumer
choice. Visit the House of Representatives' website for a full listing of
congressmen by state and zip code.
If you still have questions, please drop a line:
guido@ourhealthcoop.com.
Antioxidants Help Manage Calcium Balance
in Brain Cells
Calcium's reputation is usually associated with bones and teeth, but it happens
to be a major player in the brain and nervous system too.
Specifically, calcium is required for the electrical signals of the nervous
system, which are firing by the thousands every second. It also functions as a
"secondary messenger" to brain cells. When chemical signals arrive at a brain
cell, secondary messenger calcium ions bind to certain proteins and "carry"
messages from the outside to the inside of the cell. Pretty cool, huh?
Interestingly, calcium concentration is 10,000 times lower on the inside
than on the outside of cells, which means even a tiny flux of calcium
into the cell causes huge changes in cellular activity.
Given this sensitivity, brain cells have the ability to control calcium through
pumps and an elaborate network of calcium binding proteins, which protect cell
walls from excess calcium.
If a pump or protein begins to fail, the cell suffers chronic activation and
ultimately will be triggered to die – not a brain-friendly process!
Sadly, a number of these calcium-binding proteins, which are central to managing
excess calcium, are not as abundant in the cells of older brains.
Likewise, calcium pumps, which regulate calcium concentrations, may not be as
active in older brains either. This means that each time a brain cell fires,
excess calcium may enter into the cell. This excess cellular calcium brings
about cell stress and increases free radical formation, which then causes cell
damage. Sigh. Poor little brain cells!
Keeping calcium mechanisms running properly with calcium-binding proteins isn't
so hard though. Research, in fact, has shown several common supplements to
support proper functioning of calcium pumps in cells:
-
Korean Ginseng
has been shown to moderate the activity of calcium ion pumps, reducing the
cellular stress experienced by aging brain cells. This mechanism may be
responsible for ginseng's "anti-aging" reputation.
-
Vitamin D
has also been shown to reduce the impact of age-related, calcium-dependent
processes in brain cells. Vitamin D is required for the synthesis of the
hormone that regulates calcium metabolism for the whole body.
-
Antioxidants
like
grape seed and other berry extracts,
coenzyme Q-10,
green tea,
lipoic acid and
acetyl-L-carnitine, all help support energy factories in brain cells.
These nutrients ensure calcium pumps have enough cellular energy to manage the
flow of calcium ions and to protect cells from age-related stress and death.
Health in the News
Kat's Notes
Meanwhile, Teri was overheard chuckling with member Allen L. this week about his
workout routine.
Allen regularly goes to a small gym in Maine, where he sometimes has to wait to
use the treadmill. Nope, the wait is not because his gym is crowded. The gym's
owner brings her two Golden Retrievers to work and makes them "work out" on the
treadmill!
Golden Retrievers, as Teri well knows, are known for packing on the pounds as
they age. Workouts keep these affable dogs trim and prevent things like fatty
tumors, hip trouble, and other weight-related troubles!
Good grief. Dogs on
treadmills?! What happened to chasing squirrels and catching Frisbees?! ^..^
Still purringly yours,
Guido
Guido Housemouser
Chief Kat and Community Manager
Our Health Co-op
4188 Westroads Drive,
Unit 123
Riviera Beach, FL 33407
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