Bio-Identical Hormones and Metabolic Syndrome
Bio-Identical Hormones and Metabolic Syndrome
If you have metabolic syndrome, there is a greater-than-average chance that you are susceptible to heart disease, diabetes, or a stroke. The metabolic risk factors include having a large waistline, having high triglyceride levels (a type of fat found in the blood), high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. There are millions of Americans living with metabolic syndrome, but few realize that there are many options available that can help treat the syndrome before it leads to a serious medical condition. In addition to traditional prescription medications, it is possible to use integrative medicine, like bio-identical hormone replacement, to help reduce metabolic risk factors. This article will explain some of the benefits of using bio-identical hormone replacement to treat metabolic syndrome.
How Hormone Replacement Therapy Works
Your body’s hormones (including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) are designed to work together to keep you healthy. If one of these becomes deficient, the body is faced with a hormone imbalance and that can lead to health issues. Bio-identical hormone replacement is a relatively new process that allows physicians and specialists to replace certain altered or deficient hormones within your body, which can help you lose weight or treat a number of conditions. Bio-identical hormones are derived from plants and, and are specifically designed to copy your body’s natural hormones. Participating in hormone replacement therapy can make a drastic difference if you are working to reduce metabolic risk factors.
Replacement Therapy for Women
Bio-identical hormone replacement can help a woman feel balanced, as well as help prevent or treat depression, Alzheimer’s disease, or even breast cancer. The two main hormones that are often replenished for women include estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is a hormone that can help protect a woman from heart disease, osteoporosis, and strokes. Low estrogen levels have also been linked to anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Replacement therapy can help increase estrogen levels, helping achieve general hormone stability and reducing these commons symptoms. Progesterone, on the other hand, is a hormone that stimulates growth within the uterus. Some of the other functions, especially in post-menopausal women, include restoring libido, protect against endometrial and breast cancer, stimulate bone growth, help thyroid function and much more. Women also benefit from testosterone replacement therapy. Yes, that’s correct. Even women benefit from testosterone which can help increase libido as well as muscle tone.
Replacement Therapy for Men
Just as in women, replacement hormone therapy can also help a man improve overall health. The two main hormones replaced in men include testosterone and thyroid hormones. Testosterone is a crucial hormone responsible for a man’s overall health. It can help improve reproductive health, as well as increase muscle mass. Men with low testosterone levels can suffer from chronic fatigue, which is often a reason for not working out regularly – that lack of energy. Other symptoms include depression, prostate problems, and even increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The other main group of hormones often replaced for men involves the thyroid hormones. These are responsible for keeping up your metabolism and banishing those sluggish feelings and helping with weight management. In addition, thyroid hormones are also linked to bone, heart, mood, and reproductive health.
