Dr. Eliaz Newsletter - May 2007

In this issue I would like to introduce the application of integrative medicine in women's health. Integrative medicine is a gender-based medicine meaning that one of the primary differentiations when addressing health and disease is gender. Men and women have a basic difference in their physiology that has to be reflected in the health programs and the basic nutritional formulas that they use. Both genders share a lot in common with the main vital organ systems being present in both. This is why many nutrients are beneficial for men and women. Where their differentiation is most pronounced is in the hormonal system and the reproductive system. The view in Chinese medicine is that the reproduction system is influenced by the various organ systems, which differ based on age and circumstances. This principle is used in women's and men's health in general and in gender related malignancies, examples being breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Nature provides us with well-defined rhythms and cycles. Examples include the 24-hour cycle, the one-year cycle, and the lunar monthly cycle. These rhythms are evident in women and are the basic concept behind women's health in integrative medicine. Establishing balanced rhythms is critical for the proper development and health of a woman. This can be divided into different stages, based on age and hormonal status. As we age, the focus shifts from simple health maintenance to specific disease prevention. With declining immune functions and innate repair, greater external support is needed. This can be achieved in many forms such as exercise, relaxation, meditation, nutrition, supplements, proper sleep, etc. I will briefly discuss each of the three main time periods as they relate to nutrition, with the hope of revisiting the subject in greater detail in future newsletters.

1. Early menarche to early twenties-at this stage in life, the main goal is to establish a harmonized rhythm. This is reflected in the menstrual cycle. Various nutrients are useful in establishing a healthy rhythm at this stage; examples include royal jelly, soy isoflavones, and herbal formulas like Xiao Yao Wan. A part of this rhythm regulation takes place in the liver, the body's big processor and regulator. From a biochemical perspective, we know that the liver is heavily involved in the processing and metabolism of sex hormones, especially estrogens. Proper metabolism, which is reflected in a more regulated cycle, will also manifest itself in a healthier estrogen metabolite profile. This can be aided by nutrients such as soy isoflavones, which have been shown to improve the 2oh estrone/16oh estrone ratio 1,2 . There is strong epidemiological evidence regarding the role of isoflavones in reducing the occurrence of breast cancer. One of the potential causes of this reduction is the change in the 2oh/16oh ratio. With 2oh estrogens being the "good estrogens" shown to inhibit breast cancer growth, and 16oh estrogens being the "bad estrogens" that stimulate both breast and uterine cancer growth. This is an example of how an energetic regulatory principle that manifests itself through regular cycles can have a preventative effect on the most common cancer in women, breast cancer. Many future illnesses can be prevented with proper health care at this stage in life with the use of nutrients that can help maintain a healthy, harmonized rhythm.

2. Early twenties to menopause-this is a very active stage in a woman's life. She has to integrate family life, child raising and her career. Many times in an environment hostile to her needs. At this point in a woman's life, her internal rhythms are often established and hard to change. The focus should be on maintaining her rhythms while providing support and nourishment for this challenging and busy period in life. In Chinese medicine, the main herbal formula for this stage in life is called Eight Precious Ingredients. It strengthens the woman's energy and blood, to provide her the extra support and stamina to cope with the demands of daily life. Additional nutrients at this stage include royal jelly, soy isoflavones, adaptogenic herbs, and an appropriate supply of vitamins and minerals. As the aging process continues, proper antioxidant coverage can be of benefit. Our Women's Longevity (r) Rhythms formula is based on these principles and includes these necessary ingredients.

3. Postmenopausal-at this period in life the menses have stopped but the internal rhythm still has to be sustained. As the level of estrogens, progesterone and other sex hormones decline with menopause, the body undergoes significant changes. Western medicine looks at menopause as a crisis or disease. This problematic view lends itself to the disease-oriented approach towards menopause. From the viewpoint of integrated medicine, this is a new stage in a woman's life. It is a time when daily commitments and stress have been reduced, and a woman has more time to focus on her needs and her personal growth. This process can be supported by nutrients that allow for the changes and refocusing at this stage of life. The classic Chinese herbal formula for this stage is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. Other nutrients can include soy isoflavones, herbs like dang gui, Chinese yam, hawthorne fruit, motherwot, chaste tree (vitex), and black cohosh root. Additionally there is a need to pay more attention to specific disease prevention, immune support, antioxidant coverage and support for the various organ systems. Our Women's Longevity (r) Rhythms Gold formula addresses the need for a woman's internal rhythm to be sustained and includes ingredients that support these needs. For women with a family history of breast cancer, additional supplementation to specifically cover breast health is very important. In this short discussion of one pivotal aspect of women's health, rhythm, I tried to demonstrate the continuous process that unfolds with time. Following such a health model through life can, I believe, result in better health and longevity for women.

References:

• Lu L. et al. Increased urinary excretion of 2-hydroxyestrone but not 16alpha-hydroxyestrone in premenopausal women during a soya diet containing soy isoflavones. Cancer Res;2000;60(5):1299-1305.
• Xu X. et al. Soy consumption alters endogenous estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women (In Process Citation). Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev;2000;9(8):781-6.