In contrast to Premarin and Provera, the hormones that are recommended are exactly the same as those found in the female body. Though they are synthezied in the lab from hormone precursors found in soy beans or yams, their molecular structure is designed to be an exact match of the hormones found in the human body. Hence we call them bioidentical, a term that is far more precise than "natural", which can be used in confusing and ambiguous ways ...e.g.; Premarin is said by some people to be a "natural" product because it is made from horse urine. As Dr. Joel Hargrove, a pioneer in the use of bioidentical hormones and the medical director of the Menopause Center at Vanderbuilt University Medical Center in Tennessee, says, " Premarin is a natural hormone if your native food is hay !"

Because bioidentical hormones are just like the hormones that our bodies were designed to recognize and utilize, their effects are more physiologic (consistant with our normal bio chemistry) with less chance for unpredictable side effects at low replacement doses than with synthetic, non-bioidentical hormones. To take advantage of these benefits, you first have to give up the notion that there is an easy, one-size-fits-all answer. There isn't ! Some women need or want HRT, some don't . When it comes to hormone replacement, the science we look to for answers is inconsistant, influenced by market forces, and confusing to researchers, doctors, and patients alike. The blessing is that this dilemma forces us to tune in more fully to our inner wisdom, and to make our choices in full partnership with our intuition and intellect. This approach is the essence of feminine wisdom.

The Holistic Approach

The diet : These guidlines are also appropriate for the prevention of heart disease and osteoporosis.
In various societies, older women traditionally eat certain foods to remedy menopausal side effects. In the South Seas, for example, once a day women of menopausal age eat papaya, which contains phetoestrogens. Studies are beginning to show that these plant compounds can be helpful in menopause. Traditional diets in Japan also are rich in phetoestrogens.
According to Dr. Konenberg, " studies of Japanese women with traditional Japanese diets show that these women's bodies contains levels of plant estrogens one hundred to one thousand times the level found in western women. It may be that the reason that these women don't have hot flashes is that they are eating a lot of weakly estrogenic substances all the time". She continues, " these women also have less incidence of breast cancer, and one of the reasons that has been suggested for this, is that there are other things in the plant foods that are anti-carcinogenic". In these studies, the higher estrogen levels were associated with intake of soy beans, soy products such as tofu, miso and boiled beans.
As much as 50% of the Japanese diet contains phetoestrogen foods, whereas westerners eat 10% or less. We really have very little dietary support as far as suppression of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Foods in the western diet that do contain phetoestrogens are apples ,carrots ,yams ,green beans ,peas ,potatoes ,red beans , brown rice ,whole wheat ,rye , and sesame seeds. Though all these foods may contain 1/400th or less estrogen than a single dose of hormone supplement, the thing that people have not really thought through is that the metabolism of a stronger dose of something may not be well incorporated into the body's sytem. If you have a steady drum beat instead of a thunder clap, it may actually do much more for the body.

Legumes are excellent sources of minerals needed by menopausal women containing calcium , magnesium , and potassium . There are also high in Iron and in B complex, nutrients important for the health of the liver, which play a role in the metabolism of estrogen. Seeds and nuts are also good sources of calcium, magnesium and potassium, and seeds such as flax seeds are midly estrogenic. Seeds are also high in essential fatty acids (Omega-3). A deficiency in these oils may be responsible in part for the drying of the skin, hair, vaginal tissues, and other mucous membranes that occur with menopause: good sources are flax seeds and pumkin seeds. The average healthy adult requires only four teaspoons per day of the essential oils in their diet, but menopausal women with extremely dry skin may need up to 2 to 3 tablespoons per day until the symptoms improve.

Keys for Optimum Health :

Avoid white sugar, and everything made with it. The process of chemically whitening sugar is toxic. As a substitute use unpasteurized honey, maple syrop or unbleached turbinaro sugar. Sweetening can also be acheived with consentrated natural fruit juice.

Avoid bleached flours, and everything made with it.

Rather than seeking calcium in milk we strongly recommend that the consumer find their calcium from alternative sources. click here

Avoid all processed foods, including the frozen pre-packaged types.

Be especially vigilant in your selection of meat products, and avoid the processed varities, as many commercially grown animals are exposed to high levels of perticides, antibiotics, steroids and questionable dietary sources.

Thoroughly wash all fresh fruits and vegetables in warm water adding a few drops of a quality dish soap. Rinse well.

Know your food, and understand the labels. Check out the Food Additives Guide in this site.

Eat whole foods, and prepare your meals at home using fresh, natural products. Concentrate your diet on a large variety of items, avoiding heavy consumption of saturates primarily found in red meats.

Establish an eating schedule. It may be that 3 large meals per day isn't what's best for you; perhaps 4 or 5 smaller ones will be better. Know which combination of food groups go well together.

Regularly practice juice fasting. This will cleanse your system of toxins and residues.

Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol consumption ( research points to having a small amount of red wine per day is actually benefitial, although we suggest that it is hard to limit ones self to just a bit without it becoming a problem so it's best to avoid or only on occasion ). Heavy coffee consumption is to be avoided ( 1 or 2 regular cups per day is not considered harmful )

Avoid fried foods and foods cooked in oil. When oil is heated to cooking temperatures it begins to break down and has been identified as a carcinogen. Sauté your vegetables in broth, beer, water or white wine.

Routinely practice under-eating.

Incorporate into your daily routine a regiment of moderate exercise, such as walking, biking or swimming and strive to live in harmonious surroundings that contribute to inner peace.

The best way to prevent or even avoid menopausal syndrome and remain younger longer is to build up a high level of health and consequently resistance to disease and aging by :

1) Proper diet
2) Plenty of exercise
3) Adequate rest and relaxation
4) A positive mental and spiritual attitude