May 4: Thursday: Excessive Testosterone

Sources:
----Excerpted from Time for Health - Your Menopause Type: Testosterone www.time4health.com
----www.johnsondrugs.com/docs/MENOPAUSE3
----www.Diagnose-Me

Testosterone is a male hormone that is usually linked to male sexuality. What you may not know is that it is made in the ovaries of women and in the adrenal glands of both men and women. Besides its reproductive function, it has a direct affect on blood sugar levels, the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the skeletal system, and other tissues.

Normal testosterone levels are critical for the prevention of depression and osteoporosis. Symptoms and indicators of high female testosterone levels are a hard-driving personality (type A), adult acne, male pattern hair loss/ baldness, and excess perspiration. Conditions that suggest high female testosterone levels: malignant breast cancer tumors, ovarian cancer, PCOS, heart disease, and diabetes.

Normal levels of testosterone directly stimulates bone growth, mineralization and repair of damaged bone. Excessive testosterone results in osteoporosis.

Excessive testosterone can cause vaginal atrophy as well as inflammation. The risk here is yeast infections and endometrial cancer.

Normal levels of testosterone have a relaxing effect on coronary arteries. Excessive testosterone increases the risk of heart disease.

Menopause in women is usually when the troubles start. The average age of menopause in Western societies today is 51 years. When a complete cessation of menses has stopped for one year, the menopausal transition can be said to have occurred. Premature menopause occurs before age 40 and is often a result of a genetic condition or autoimmune disorder. There is also surgical menopause (hysterectomy) or chemotherapy induced menopause.

For menopausal women who have high testosterone, these changes in diet are recommended:

Eliminate: (blog's author: all the good stuff!)
----Sugar, candy, soda. Luncheon meats.
----Alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages.
----White flour, bread.
----Artificial sweeteners.
----Pork. Margarine and Canola oil.

Consume:
----Organic fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. Raw fruits and vegetables. Adequate amounts of fiber. Whole grains (bulgar, brown rice, bran, oats.)
----Stevia for sweetening.
----Foods high in phytoestrogens (green vegies).
----Apples. Nuts. Olive oil, coconut and rice bran oils for cooking.
----Drink a log of water - 1/2 of one's weight in ounces daily. Butter. Soy. (Reliv!) Celery.
----Skinless turkey and cold-water fish.

Lifestyle changes:
----Limit stress and obtain adequate rest, regular exercise. Massage therapy, aromatherapy, yoga.
----Drink good quality filtered water only. Avoid exposure to chemicals as they promote free radical activity and burden the immune system.
----Use stainless steel or glass cookware. Not aluminum.
----Use supplements to support the immune system if immune system issues are present.

Suggested lab testing:
----Hair metal mineral analysis. Adrenal Stress Index. Female Hormone Panel. (Saliva test!)