Centre for Optimum Health

Dhea  or 7 Keto DHEA – Can it make a Difference?                            

Clearing up information regarding the utilization of DHEA or 7Keto DHEA which is a necessary hormone made by the adrenal glands and that you need to know their differences. 

Why should you be interested?

The way we handle stress has a lot to do with our type of personality as well as our genetics.  Even those that proclaim to be okay and feel they are not affected by external stress suffer from more of the invisible, internal imbalances.  Some just have a hard time admitting anything that has to do with the word stress. 

So, if you feel that you are free of emotional and mental stress let your Anti-Aging Doctor prove that your body stress is in balance also.  They are able to do this through specific blood work and saliva testing.  Your traditional doctor may not offer any help in this matter as it does not fall under the usual look see areas.

Adrenal Fatigue and Cortisol Levels seem to be the new kids on the block and are at the base of all our ailments.  The other hormone produced by the adrenal glands and depressed by stress is DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone).  DHEA is considered the most abundant of all the steroid hormones and is commonly referred to as The Anti-Aging hormone.  As we age, the production of cortisol rises and the DHEA decreases which leaves us more likely to experience heart disease, depressions, weight problems, cancer and diabetes.

What does DHEA do?

• ·         Bone Building (stimulates osteoblasts)
• ·         Skin renewal (fibroblasts)
• ·         Protects the Brain from aging decline (neurotransmitter production)
• ·         Regulates  and supports Immune Function
• ·         Low levels can be associated with Impotence
• ·         Increases Muscle Mass
• ·         Reduces high levels of Cortisol
• ·         Lowers Triglyceride Levels
• ·         Enhances Thermogenics
• ·         Increases Conversion of Stored Fat to Energy

What are the benefits of balancing the levels of DHEA?

• ·         Enhanced Energy and Relieves Fatigue
• ·         Improvement in handling stress
• ·         Better Moods
• ·         More relaxed
• ·         Better Sleep
• ·         Enhanced Memory
• ·         Helps Depression
• ·         Reduces Inflammation (arthritis, lupus)
• ·         Improves Gut Issues
• ·         Helps Balance Thyroid
• ·         Helps overcome Insulin Resistance
• ·         Fights Allergic Reactions
• ·         Cholesterol Reduction

The 7-Keto DHEA is a non-toxic version of DHEA.  It declines with age and can be a major culprit in the later part of life.  Urinary excretion studies show a 50% loss by age 50.  Upping your level of 7-Keto DHEA helps prevent and improves many signs of aging. 

It is a natural metabolite or converted form of DHEA and is unable to be utilized to make Testosterone or Estrogen.  The 7-Keto DHEA is also better at promoting loss of stored fat.  In an article by Dave Tuttle, May 2005 Life Extension wrote about how when 7-Keto DHEA is low that age-related declines in cellular immunity have an impaired response to flu vaccine, making them susceptible to catching the flu, even after flu shots.

DHEA is a very important component that is rarely acknowledged in traditional medicine.  Your doctor may look at a DHEAS which is the sulphated level in blood tests, find it to be too low and not know what to do with it. Over the counter supplements can help but please do it with guidance.  Low DHEA, like low Thyroid hormone, is a major marker of Aging and is necessary in our bodies.

What Time of Day Should DHEA or 7-Keto DHEA Be Taken?

Take all amounts in the AM hours with or without food as the body’s natural production of DHEA peaks in the morning.  If you take it at night you may stimulate your brain activity and experience bouts of insomnia.

If you or someone you love relates to any of the above indicators, don’t hesitate to pursue knowing your DHEA levels.  I suggest you find a specialist in the area of Anti-aging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine as they will listen, test and advise what would be the best bio-identical direction for you to achieve Optimal Health

ASK THE DOCTOR – DIABESITY

THE GROWING EPIDEMIC OF DIABETES AND OBESITY IN AMERICA

Are you concerned about being overweight?  Does diabetes run in your family?  Do you have a lot of stress?  Do you Crave sugar and carbs?  Can’t seem to loose weight despite exercise?  You could be headed toward diabetes!

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes is a disease in which the sugar level in blood is chronically high.  Because sugar molecules stick to everything, the elevated levels of sugar in the blood stream means more sugar molecules are going to stick to the blood vessel walls, nerves and muscle fibers, which causes damage.  This damage leads to everything from heart disease to Alzheimer!

WHAT CAUSES INCREASED BLOOD SUGAR?

Several things cause an increase in blood sugar.  We all know about diet, and that eating concentrated sweets too often leads to a problem controlling blood levels of sugars.  Insulin rises in an effort to get more of the sugar out of the bloodstream and into the cells where it can be used for energy.  High insulin over time, however, also damages blood vessels and increases inflammation, which we all know from our previous newsletter, is the root of all evil.  Inflammation is pretty much at the beginning of all of our modern day diseases.

Stress is another important issue for elevated blood sugar.  When we are stressed our bodies actually release more sugar into the bloodstream so our muscles have lots of fuel to “fight the tiger” as I like to say.  Evolutionarily our predominant stressor is danger, so more sugar in the blood stream meant we would have more energy for our muscles to run from or fight the tiger.  Being stressed however leads to an increase in blood sugar, and again, this leads to diabetes.  It also leads to obesity.  In the 21^st century, our stressors are not tigers, but time, toxins, relationships, work, family matters,etc.  Since we are not running from tigers and burning all that increased blood sugar, we end up storing it as belly fat.

Belly fat, or adipose, as it is called, also increases inflammation.  Inflammation itself leads to increased blood sugar and insulin.  We now know that adipose is a gland that produces hormones that affect the body.  A few of these hormones increase inflammation.  One of the hormones actually prevents you from feeling full – so the more adipose you have the hungrier you are!  It gets to be a vicious cycle!

HOW DO WE BREAK THE CYCLE?

First of all is diet.  Eliminate concentrated sugars and as many starchy carbohydrates as you can.  This means breads, pastas, crackers, cereals, etc., as well as pies, cakes, and candy.   Look at the stressors in your life.  Are you getting enough sleep and exercise?  B vitamins are essential for stress, as is replacing your electrolytes.

Important nutrients to decrease blood sugars include vitamin D3 at roughly 5000 IU per day. Every cell has vitamin D receptors, even the cells that produce insulin.  So they don’t function well without enough vitamin D.  High doses of chromium picolinate are very helpful to transport sugar out of the blood stream and into cells, and it helps cut down sugar cravings.   Vanadium helps decrease insulin resistance and lower sugars.  L-Tyrosine helps with carb cravings and emotional eating.

We can help inflammation with herbal remedies such as turmeric, curcumin, boswelia and wobenzyme.  

DIABESITY is a multi-faceted problem and requires a multi-faceted approach. If you or someone you know Is suffering in this direction, let us help you avoid the repercussions of this growing epidemic!

ASK THE DOCTOR SERIES  #2 Dr. Leila Kirdani Asks:

Questions about Adrenal Fatigue

• Do you feel exhausted?
• Burned out?
• Do you crave sugar and caffeine?
• Do you get frequent colds and upper respiratory infections?
• Are you gaining weight despite diet and exercise?
• Do you have muscle and joint pain?
• Have you been to your doctor and told there was nothing wrong?
• You could have adrenal fatigue!

Dr. Leila Kirdani Describes:

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is a condition where the adrenal glands are unable to produce the amount of cortisol, or stress-hormone, our bodies need to function during the day. 

Where Does Adrenal Fatigue Come From?

Adrenal fatigue can arise from prolonged stress, or after a major stressor such as surgery, a car accident, or even a divorce. Think of it this way: Our bodies were built for danger, not for chronic stress.  We were designed to stay alive in the face of mortal danger. 

Example: The tiger jumps out of the bush at us and our cortisol (fight or flight hormone) immediately increases to compensate.  This also causes an increase in blood sugar, so our muscles and brain have fuel to run from the tiger.  Part of our immune system is activated to produce inflammation so that if the tiger bites us we can clot well and keep running. Another part of our immune system is suppressed – the part that helps us to fight cancer, because who is worried about cancer when we are facing a tiger?  Additionally, blood flow to our intestines decreases, because we are not concerned with digesting and absorbing food when in front of a tiger.

 Dr. Leila Kirdani Explains: 

What Happens?

While these changes are important for our survival when faced with mortal danger intermittently and for short periods of time, over the long run they cause detrimental changes in the body.   In the 21^st century we are facing “tigers” all of the time. Our tigers today are childhood trauma, relationships, finances, time, job stress, car accidents, and a toxic environment. Chronically increased blood sugar leads to weight gain.   Chronically increased inflammation leads to numerous medical problems;

• including hypertension
• asthma, allergies
• arthritis
• diabetes or insulin resistance
• obesity
• muscle and joint pain.

With chronically suppressed natural killer cells we have an increased risk of cancer.  Low blood flow to the intestines over time can cause constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel.  After years of overproducing cortisol, the adrenal glands can’t keep up.  They start to tire and then they don’t produce enough cortisol. 

All of the above changes occur if cortisol levels are too high or too low. 

Without enough cortisol, we feel exhausted all the time.  We may be irritable, anxious or depressed.

Dr. Leila Kirdani on the Traditional Doctor’s View!

Most doctors do not look for adrenal fatigue.  Doctors are trained to watch out for elevated cortisol levels, but rarely do we look for low cortisol.  There is a distinct bias in the medical community when it comes to adrenal fatigue.  For some reason doctors think that either your adrenal glands are perfectly fine, or they have ceased to function, a condition known as “Addison’s Disease” which lands you in the Intensive Care Unit.

Dr Leila Kirdani Explains:

WHAT TO DO FOR ADRENAL FATIGUE?

The good news is that there is help for adrenal fatigue!  Working with a Board Certified Doctor who is trained in adrenal fatigue is optimal, especially to obtain a proper diagnosis and direction.  However, the basic things you learned as a child can help as well.  Getting enough sleep, moderate exercise, proper diet, supplements and calming exercises like meditation are essential to healing adrenal glands.  A Functional Doctor considers the Whole Person and not just the symptom.