I have mentioned in a couple of articles that I have been taking Cortisol Manager to relieve what I call the “grrrrrrr” symptoms of perimenopause and that it has been extremely effective. This article gives a little more information about this. I’d urge everyone, even those not going through perimenopause, to read on as an over-production of the hormone cortisol in the body is not limited to perimenopause.
First, what is cortisol? This next bit is from Wikipedia:
Cortisol (hydrocortisone) is a steroid hormone, or glucocorticoid, produced by the adrenal gland. It is released in response to stress and a low level of blood glucocorticoids. Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune system; and aid in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It also decreases bone formation. During pregnancy, increased production of cortisol between weeks 30-32 initiates production of fetal lung surfactanct to promote maturation of the lungs. Various synthetic forms of cortisol are used to treat a variety of diseases.
After reading through a number of articles and talking to my doctor, I’ve learned that cortisol is a stress hormone that the body releases to trigger the fight-or-flight response to stressful or dangerous situations. It is an essential function for many reasons. However, it can also be triggered more often than is needed by a number of outside factors including:
• Extended periods of stress
• Failure to process information about light through the retinas
• Perimenopause
• Poor diet
• Being overweight or obese.
This is not an exhaustive list, but is intended to indicate that a number of factors can trigger the over-production of cortisol by the body. This can be treated by adjusting the above-mentioned factors as much as possible. For instance, regular exercise and a better balanced diet will help. However, is some cases, the contributing factors can’t be controlled. Many people are exposed to stressful situations whether at work or dealing with other crises, and we can’t just always walk away from them to relieve the pressure. I’m also particularly interested in the concept that the processing of light may play a role as this is significant to people who are blind without light perception. I’ve known for a long time that this affects sleep and know many people who take melatonin, myself included, to offset this, but I didn’t know that failure to process light can also raise production of cortisol which in turn raises stress.
When I went to my doctor regarding the constant stress I have been feeling as a result of perimenopause, she prescribed a number of things (mentioned in other articles previously), including taking Cortisol Manager, an all-natural supplement to help the body stop over-producing cortisol. All I can say is that it has totally worked for me. I take two a night after learning through experience that one is not quite enough. All that is written below about not causing grogginess or other negative side effects has also proven true in my personal experience.
Below is a description of what Cortisol Manager is including its composition and what it is intended to do. I want to be clear that I am not promoting this particular source for purchase. I have not purchased from Tsang Enterprises. I purchase mine through Lucky Dragon which is the distributor my doctor recommends and in fact, I purchase it at the clinic I use. It is important to be sure that any provider of supplements is a reputable one as there is no regulation for nutritional supplements. Having said that, this web site gives a good overview of what Cortisol Manager is and the scientific trials to support its use. I read through a number of other articles and they all say the same thing.
From Tsang Nutrition
http://tsangenterprises.com/cortisol.htm
Home of Natural Remedies & Nutritional Information
Cortisol Manager by ITI (Integrative Therapeutics)
Reduces cortisol levels for all-day stress reduction and restful sleep.
Recommendations:
For adults, take one tablet before bedtime. Increase to two tablets during times of high stress. Safe for use every night.
Ingredient per serving size of 1 tablet
Sodium 5 mg
Stress-Reducing Proprietary Blend 250 mg - ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) (Sensoril brand) root and leaf extract standardized to contain 8% withanolides and L-theanine (Suntheanine brand)
Cortisol-Reducing Proprietary Blend 225 mg - magnolia (Magnolia officinalis) bark extract standardized to contain 2% honokiol and 1% magnolol and epimedium (Epimedium koreanum) aerial part extract
Phosphatidylserine 50 mg
Other Ingredients dextrose, cellulose, modified cellulose gum, modified cellulose, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, titanium dioxide color, soy lecithin, and carnauba wax.
Contains no sugar, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, dairy products, artificial flavoring, preservatives, or ingredients of animal origin. All colors used are from natural sources.
Warnings
Drowsiness may occur. Avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, or consuming alcohol while using this product. If pregnant, nursing, taking prescription drugs, or if you suffer with chronic insomnia, consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use. Keep out of reach of children.
About Cortisol Manager
Cortisol Manager dietary supplement has been clinically shown to reduce cortisol levels. Cortisol Manager combines an effective dose of phosphatidylserine with documented stress-reducing ingredients and cortisol lowering botanicals to help reduce stress and relieve occasional sleeplessness. This supplement promotes relaxation and supports a healthy sleep cycle without the use of habit forming ingredients. Cortisol manager is a safe and natural formula to increase the ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, while also providing all-day stress reduction. Long-term use supports healthy cortisol levels, which in turn can help reduce stress, relieve occasional sleeplessness and fatigue, and optimize immune system and neurological function.
• Safe - promotes relaxation with no habit-forming ingredients
• Natural - will not cause morning grogginess
• Effective - 71% experienced improved sleep
• Fast Acting - reduced cortisol levels after only 24 hours
Clinical Studies
The effectiveness of Cortisol Manager dietary supplement was examined in an open label clinical trial involving 21 healthy volunteers. The combination was taken each night, and results were assessed using salivary cortisol measurements as well as self-assessment questionnaires.
The 28-day trial found that Cortisol Manager produced a dramatic reduction in stress during the course of the study. Salivary cortisol levels decreased by more than 60% after the first dose of Cortisol Manager. The effect continued throughout the duration of the study, averaging a 75-83% reduction in cortisol. No side effects were noted, and the formula was well tolerated by participants. Additionally, the participant survey revealed that:
71% of participants felt more relaxed during the day
71% experienced improved sleep
64% achieved deeper sleep, while 57% felt they fell asleep more easily
57% felt their stress level was reduced
57% felt they were better able to handle stressful situations
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
From perimenopause to Back Pain
Well, all I can say is that the plot thickens! I think the last update I gave I was talking about finding a new alternative treatment center with doctors I like and approaches that fit with my lifestyle. I went in to address the complicated symptoms of perimenopause and have been making progress there. I had a series of magnesium treatments to get my magnesium levels up and started a supplement routine that included hefty vitamin D, a probiotic and omega-3 acid. It's hard to judge the impact of all of this, but the science indicates that this is good for my body and I'm willing to keep taking it.
The part that does make a noticeable impact is the cortisol manager I take every night along with melatonin. The cortisol manager impacts the body's process that releases cortisol when it thinks there is reason for stress. Perimenopause triggers this response randomly so that I was feeling stressed, edgy, and irritable, all for no reason. The cortisol manager has most definitely relieved this for which I am incredibly grateful. I have been more myself and on an even keel with regard to how I wake up and greet each day. This has been quite significant.
Then, enter the next health concern.
I have been having lower back pain that comes and goes for a few years. It use to be the case that when I exercised regularly, especially building up my core muscles, this back pain was relieved. It’s also true that I have fallen a few times and landed directly on my butt while navigating a narrow and uneven median to get to my bus stop for coming home from work. Falling forward isn’t an option as I’m walking between an extremely busy DC street and an equally busy service road. About four months ago, the pain came and didn't leave. It wasn't severe, but it was constant. Then about two months ago, it became severe and started making it painful and difficult to stand from a sitting or lying position and I was taking a lot of ibuprofen.
When the pain became acute and started shooting down my left leg and making my big toe numb, I interrupted my ongoing visits to the doctor who was helping me with the perimenopause issues to see her colleague whose expertise was in musculoskeletal pain management. He tried a couple of manual manipulation treatments, kind of a targeted and intense massage/flexology/chiropracty, and while it provided some immediate relief, it didn't make the problem go away. He gave me a short run of oral steroids and a medicine for nerve pain which helped, but again when the medicine was stopped, the pain returned with no lessening.
I then had an MRI which showed a herniated disk in my lower back (L5) and a free broken fragment which were pressing on the nerve bundle that goes into my left leg. I was referred to another clinic specializing in back pain and have now started a series of three injection treatments along with a hefty oral anti-inflammatory and the same but stronger nerve pain medicine and I'm hopeful that this will work out. Apparently, the idea is to reduce the swelling of the herniated disk, let it absorb the free broken fragment and remove the pressure causing the nerve pain. I currently have periods of relief, but I'm still waiting for noticeable improvement.
All of this means that I'm not exercising. I'm also not always being smart about what I eat. That is to say that my core diet is still quite good, but I'm supplementing that with things that aren't all that good. I've gained weight back and while I'm not exactly happy about that, I'm allowing my body time to heal without obsessing over the weight thing.
So as much as it irritates me to have to write such a message, (I never wanted to be one of those old people who complains about health issues!), they are in fact very real and this is my health and fitness blog where I want to be honest about my health and fitness!
Here are my goals:
1. Complete the treatment regimen currently underway.
2. Continue to be aware of what I eat and work to keep it sane.
3. Allow Tom to do all the lifting even though I'm having a definite bout of spring cleaning fever!
Here's to wishing us all good health. Who thought it would be so difficult!
The part that does make a noticeable impact is the cortisol manager I take every night along with melatonin. The cortisol manager impacts the body's process that releases cortisol when it thinks there is reason for stress. Perimenopause triggers this response randomly so that I was feeling stressed, edgy, and irritable, all for no reason. The cortisol manager has most definitely relieved this for which I am incredibly grateful. I have been more myself and on an even keel with regard to how I wake up and greet each day. This has been quite significant.
Then, enter the next health concern.
I have been having lower back pain that comes and goes for a few years. It use to be the case that when I exercised regularly, especially building up my core muscles, this back pain was relieved. It’s also true that I have fallen a few times and landed directly on my butt while navigating a narrow and uneven median to get to my bus stop for coming home from work. Falling forward isn’t an option as I’m walking between an extremely busy DC street and an equally busy service road. About four months ago, the pain came and didn't leave. It wasn't severe, but it was constant. Then about two months ago, it became severe and started making it painful and difficult to stand from a sitting or lying position and I was taking a lot of ibuprofen.
When the pain became acute and started shooting down my left leg and making my big toe numb, I interrupted my ongoing visits to the doctor who was helping me with the perimenopause issues to see her colleague whose expertise was in musculoskeletal pain management. He tried a couple of manual manipulation treatments, kind of a targeted and intense massage/flexology/chiropracty, and while it provided some immediate relief, it didn't make the problem go away. He gave me a short run of oral steroids and a medicine for nerve pain which helped, but again when the medicine was stopped, the pain returned with no lessening.
I then had an MRI which showed a herniated disk in my lower back (L5) and a free broken fragment which were pressing on the nerve bundle that goes into my left leg. I was referred to another clinic specializing in back pain and have now started a series of three injection treatments along with a hefty oral anti-inflammatory and the same but stronger nerve pain medicine and I'm hopeful that this will work out. Apparently, the idea is to reduce the swelling of the herniated disk, let it absorb the free broken fragment and remove the pressure causing the nerve pain. I currently have periods of relief, but I'm still waiting for noticeable improvement.
All of this means that I'm not exercising. I'm also not always being smart about what I eat. That is to say that my core diet is still quite good, but I'm supplementing that with things that aren't all that good. I've gained weight back and while I'm not exactly happy about that, I'm allowing my body time to heal without obsessing over the weight thing.
So as much as it irritates me to have to write such a message, (I never wanted to be one of those old people who complains about health issues!), they are in fact very real and this is my health and fitness blog where I want to be honest about my health and fitness!
Here are my goals:
1. Complete the treatment regimen currently underway.
2. Continue to be aware of what I eat and work to keep it sane.
3. Allow Tom to do all the lifting even though I'm having a definite bout of spring cleaning fever!
Here's to wishing us all good health. Who thought it would be so difficult!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Reclaiming My Life from Perimenopause
The progress I can report has to do with taking steps to reclaim my life from years of perimenopause symptoms. Let me explain just a bit.
A woman is not considered to have achieved menopause until she has gone 1 full year without having the typical monthly cycle. The period of time that gets her to that stage is called perimenopause and can last from 5 - 15 years. I recognized the onset of perimenopause about 6 years ago and have run the entire scope of possible symptoms, usually to the max and often with several of them happening at once. The hardest for me has been the change in the way I feel and react. I am typically a very even keel person with a lot of patience and a basic curiosity and enjoyment of most things in life. However, with the onset of perimenopause, this even keel has been slammed from side to side, turned over entirely and swings from top to bottom. I hate it.
My way of dealing with this has been to close it off inside and not demonstrate outwardly what I'm feeling. Tom says that although I tell him occasionally I'm having such extreme reactions, he doesn't see it in my day-to-day activity. Similarly, I don't think my work colleagues have noticed any radical changes in me either. But internally, it has been a wrestling match. Every reaction I have, I have to mentally assess it and alter the outward reaction to fit what I think it would be if perimenopause wasn't trying to kick my butt. This means that when my reaction is to rant and rave about something, I hold it back and react calmly to it. When I feel like I'm depressed enough to climb back into bed and pull the covers over my head for about a week or more, I get up and do whatever needs doing regardless of how I feel. This has really been taking a major toll on me, which, per typical, I pushed back and mostly ignored, until recently. All that repression hasn’t been good for my well being!
After doing some research and making some adjustments to allow for insurance coverage, I went to a center for integrative medicine where their approach is to treat you holistically and with as much natural remedy as possible. They use modern medical treatment, too, but in conjunction with alternative treatment. It’s an expensive, out-of-pocket cost that my insurance company will eventually partially cover as an out-of-network expense, but I decided that it was a personal investment I really needed to make.
In my first visit which was an hour-long session with my M.D., a treatment plan was developed. She took tests to establish a baseline and then using what I reported to her, started me on some supplements to help boost my body to be able to produce and process all the nutrients it needs.
For instance, my blood test shows that I am significantly vitamin D deficient, only having about half the minimum amount required, and this after taking a vitamin D 1000IU supplement for the past year! I am now taking 5000IU’s of vitamin D daily. By the way, most adults are deficient in Vitamin D, and while the FDA has set the daily minimum requirement to 800IU’s (a recent increase from 400IU’s), this doesn’t even come close to what is actually needed by our bodies. A friend who only takes whatever Vitamin D is present in his multi-vitamin and in the food he eats, has only .04 of the required level.
So take this example of vitamin D and apply it to other important nutrients the body needs to function properly such as omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium, and you can guess that bringing these things into balance is a good start to feeling better. Without the appropriate levels of vitamins, minerals and proteins, the body can’t perform normal functions adequately which results in aches and pains and low energy and other symptoms that people just deal with every day.
In addition to this, my treatment plan will start me on a plant-based, natural progesterone for 10 days a month. It’s no secret that perimenopause symptoms are caused by the irregular production of estrogen and progesterone, but previously the only treatment offered me was the typical hormone replacement treatment which is strongly linked to breast cancer. Since I’ve already had two forms of cancer (retinoblastoma and lyomyosarcoma) I’m not interested in tempting a third. I’m also not interested in taking a hormone that is developed from the urine of pregnant mares or that has other ingredients which have significant side effects. I am comfortable that my new doctor understands this and is prescribing a treatment that will be beneficial without the risks associated with typical hormone replacement therapy.
So here’s what I’m currently taking:
• A multi-vitamin for women 50 years or older
• Slow FE (a time-released iron supplement)
• Vitamin D3 5000IU’s
• Probiotic 3 times a day with meals
• Omega-3 capsules 3 times a day with meals
• Cortisol Manager once a night
• Natural progesterone 10 days each month
I’ll explore in more depth the probiotic and cortisol manager in future messages, but in the mean time feel free to Google them to see what you can learn. Most of the supplements I’m taking would be appropriate to any adult, male or female, though I’d recommend that you find out the baseline for these things in your own body before choosing what to take. Also, make sure that any supplement you purchase comes from a reputable source. There is no regulation for dietary supplements, so suppliers aren’t required to test the actual content of the capsules they distribute. Though the bottle may say that you are getting 5000IU’s of vitamin D, each individual capsule may contain anywhere from 5 to 50,000 IU’s because no regulatory testing is required.
As I progress through this treatment plan, I’ll report on how it is working. I am cautiously optimistic! I can say for sure that I like the approach this center takes toward treatment and I like all of the people involved. I truly believe that this is the best step I can take at present to get some relief so that I can focus on things like regular exercise and getting fit.
A woman is not considered to have achieved menopause until she has gone 1 full year without having the typical monthly cycle. The period of time that gets her to that stage is called perimenopause and can last from 5 - 15 years. I recognized the onset of perimenopause about 6 years ago and have run the entire scope of possible symptoms, usually to the max and often with several of them happening at once. The hardest for me has been the change in the way I feel and react. I am typically a very even keel person with a lot of patience and a basic curiosity and enjoyment of most things in life. However, with the onset of perimenopause, this even keel has been slammed from side to side, turned over entirely and swings from top to bottom. I hate it.
My way of dealing with this has been to close it off inside and not demonstrate outwardly what I'm feeling. Tom says that although I tell him occasionally I'm having such extreme reactions, he doesn't see it in my day-to-day activity. Similarly, I don't think my work colleagues have noticed any radical changes in me either. But internally, it has been a wrestling match. Every reaction I have, I have to mentally assess it and alter the outward reaction to fit what I think it would be if perimenopause wasn't trying to kick my butt. This means that when my reaction is to rant and rave about something, I hold it back and react calmly to it. When I feel like I'm depressed enough to climb back into bed and pull the covers over my head for about a week or more, I get up and do whatever needs doing regardless of how I feel. This has really been taking a major toll on me, which, per typical, I pushed back and mostly ignored, until recently. All that repression hasn’t been good for my well being!
After doing some research and making some adjustments to allow for insurance coverage, I went to a center for integrative medicine where their approach is to treat you holistically and with as much natural remedy as possible. They use modern medical treatment, too, but in conjunction with alternative treatment. It’s an expensive, out-of-pocket cost that my insurance company will eventually partially cover as an out-of-network expense, but I decided that it was a personal investment I really needed to make.
In my first visit which was an hour-long session with my M.D., a treatment plan was developed. She took tests to establish a baseline and then using what I reported to her, started me on some supplements to help boost my body to be able to produce and process all the nutrients it needs.
For instance, my blood test shows that I am significantly vitamin D deficient, only having about half the minimum amount required, and this after taking a vitamin D 1000IU supplement for the past year! I am now taking 5000IU’s of vitamin D daily. By the way, most adults are deficient in Vitamin D, and while the FDA has set the daily minimum requirement to 800IU’s (a recent increase from 400IU’s), this doesn’t even come close to what is actually needed by our bodies. A friend who only takes whatever Vitamin D is present in his multi-vitamin and in the food he eats, has only .04 of the required level.
So take this example of vitamin D and apply it to other important nutrients the body needs to function properly such as omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium, and you can guess that bringing these things into balance is a good start to feeling better. Without the appropriate levels of vitamins, minerals and proteins, the body can’t perform normal functions adequately which results in aches and pains and low energy and other symptoms that people just deal with every day.
In addition to this, my treatment plan will start me on a plant-based, natural progesterone for 10 days a month. It’s no secret that perimenopause symptoms are caused by the irregular production of estrogen and progesterone, but previously the only treatment offered me was the typical hormone replacement treatment which is strongly linked to breast cancer. Since I’ve already had two forms of cancer (retinoblastoma and lyomyosarcoma) I’m not interested in tempting a third. I’m also not interested in taking a hormone that is developed from the urine of pregnant mares or that has other ingredients which have significant side effects. I am comfortable that my new doctor understands this and is prescribing a treatment that will be beneficial without the risks associated with typical hormone replacement therapy.
So here’s what I’m currently taking:
• A multi-vitamin for women 50 years or older
• Slow FE (a time-released iron supplement)
• Vitamin D3 5000IU’s
• Probiotic 3 times a day with meals
• Omega-3 capsules 3 times a day with meals
• Cortisol Manager once a night
• Natural progesterone 10 days each month
I’ll explore in more depth the probiotic and cortisol manager in future messages, but in the mean time feel free to Google them to see what you can learn. Most of the supplements I’m taking would be appropriate to any adult, male or female, though I’d recommend that you find out the baseline for these things in your own body before choosing what to take. Also, make sure that any supplement you purchase comes from a reputable source. There is no regulation for dietary supplements, so suppliers aren’t required to test the actual content of the capsules they distribute. Though the bottle may say that you are getting 5000IU’s of vitamin D, each individual capsule may contain anywhere from 5 to 50,000 IU’s because no regulatory testing is required.
As I progress through this treatment plan, I’ll report on how it is working. I am cautiously optimistic! I can say for sure that I like the approach this center takes toward treatment and I like all of the people involved. I truly believe that this is the best step I can take at present to get some relief so that I can focus on things like regular exercise and getting fit.
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