Dr. John Lee is the physician who wrote "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Pre-Menopause" He is very strongly opposed to the use of Fosamax. It is interesting that Merck, the manufacturer of Fosamax, funded both of these studies on women in their 40's and 50's and both appeared in two well respected medical journals the same week. Osteoporosis is nearly non-existent until one is in their 60's, 70's or 80's.

Fosamax is in the same chemical class (phosphonate) that is used in cleaners to remove soap scum from your bath tub or build-up in toilets. This is a metabolic poison that actually kills the osteoblasts and osteoclasts. These are the cells that provide elasticity and remove old bone matter so you can actually rebuild strong, healthy bone.

It is quite clear that if you kill these cells your bone will become more dense. What these studies do not show is that four years later the bone actually becomes weaker and brittle, even though it becomes more dense. This is because bone is a dynamic structure and requires the removal and REPLACEMENT of new bone to stay strong. Fosamax does NOT build ANY new bone but prevents the removal of old bone matter and recycling of new bone, which gives the allusion that the bone is becoming more dense.

The true solution is to use natural progesterone. One can review Dr. Lee's book for more information. Progesterone is the only substance Dr. Lee cites that will actually increase bone strength and density. It does this by serving as a growth promoter for the osteoblasts, or the cells that build bone. Of course, it would be wise to have the other basics in place such as adequate amounts of calcium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin D and copper, in addition to using essential fatty acids (fish oil, flax oil, borage oil), exercise and avoidance of items that will damage bone like soda pop and sugar.

ABOUT PROGESTERONE CREAMS

From Dr. John Lee's books, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause and What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause.

Most women in our culture are estrogen dominant, so using progesterone cream goes a long way toward balancing hormones which usually decreases a woman's risk for breast cancer, aids with osteoporosis and osteopenia, improves PMS symptoms, breast tenderness and normalizes her cycle.

Natural progesterone is the exact same hormone that is produced by a woman's ovary. It is made from naturally occurring plant steroids found in the wild yam. It is NOT the synthetic version that is commonly purchased as tablets with a prescription such as Provera. The synthetic progesterone can produce severe side effects including increased risk of cancer, abnormal menstrual flow, fluid retention, nausea, and depression. Side effects are extremely rare with natural progesterone. The only one of concern is that it might slightly alter the timing of the menstrual cycle.

Reasons Why Natural Progesterone Made by Your Body Is Good: Natural progesterone is very useful to balance excess estrogen and thyroid function. Natural progesterone is also different from estrogen in that your body can use it as a precursor or starting material to make other hormones such as adrenal hormones. It can even convert it into estrogen or testosterone if your body needs it. The table on the next page lists the properties of estrogen relative to progesterone.

Some of the reasons that estrogen is frequently in excess in many women are:

1. Over production of estrogen. Ovarian cysts or tumors can lead to excess estrogen production. Stress also increases production, but probably the most common cause is obesity. All body fat has an enzyme which converts adrenal steroids to estrogen, so the more fat you have, the more estrogen is present.

2. Inability to breakdown estrogen. Excess estrogen is generally removed by the liver. Diseases of the liver like cirrhosis or decreased enzyme activity can lead to increased estrogen levels. Vitamin B6 and magnesium are necessary for the liver to neutralize estrogen. Increased sugar intake will also excrete magnesium and interfere with its ability to breakdown estrogen.

3. Exposure to pesticides and other chemicals in foods. Most of us eat foods that have pesticides on them. Foods packaged in plastic, Styrofoam or other petroleum-based containers become contaminated with those chemicals and produce "xeno" or "false" estrogens in the body. These and many other unnatural chemicals share a common structure with estrogen and further stimulate the body's estrogen receptors thereby increasing risk of cancer and cysts.

4. Estrogen supplementation. Clearly any additional estrogen given by prescription will increase the level unless it is properly balanced with natural progesterone. Herbs, such as red clover, chaste tree vitex, and black cohosh enhance estrogen levels.

5. Decreased production of progesterone. Progesterone is necessary to counterbalance estrogen. If women do not ovulate during their cycle they will not produce progesterone that cycle. This happens commonly and worsens the already disturbed progesterone/estrogen balance.

Estrogen Effects
Stimulates breasts cysts
Increases body fat storage
Salt and fluid retention
Depression and headaches
Interferes with thyroid hormone
Increases blood clotting and risk of stroke
Decreases libido (sex drive)
Impairs blood sugar control
Loss of zinc and retention of copper
Reduced oxygen level in all cells
Increased risk of endometrial cancer
Increased risk of breast cancer
Helps decrease bone loss slightly

Protesterone Effects
Protects against breast cysts
Helps use fat for energy and keep it off hips
Natural diuretic (water pill)
Natural anti-depressant
Facilitates thyroid hormone action
Normalizes blood clotting
Increases libido
Normalizes blood sugar levels
Normalizes zinc and copper levels
Restores proper cell oxygen levels
Prevents endometrial and breast cancer
Increases bone building

PMS: Progesterone and estrogen levels rise and fall naturally during the menstrual cycle. However, if progesterone is too low or estrogen is too high, a woman will experience symptoms. Some common symptoms of PMS include water retention, breast soreness, migraines, mood swings and cramping. The use of natural progesterone will relieve these symptoms.

What we recommend:

Kokoro Women's Balance Crème (progesterone from wild yam) and Pure Essence Transitions

Bone-Builder Kit – Includes: Bone Maximizer III (Calcium/Magnesium complex), Strontium Bone-Maker (citrate), Arthred (WARNING: Strontium Bone-Maker should NOT be used in conjunction with bisphosphonate prescriptions!)

Available at:
VitaGanza Health Foods
625 S. Myrtle Avenue ~ Monrovia, California91016
Telephone: 626-599-2417 locally / Toll-Free 866-464-2692
Website: www.vitaganza.com ~ Email: customerservice@vitaganza.com

All statements made are the opinion of VitaGanza and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You should never self-diagnose in lieu of proper medical care and advice. Statements made and products sold may not have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. If you have are exhibiting symptoms or have a health concern, VitaGanza encourages you to contact your physician immediately.