Women’s Health Series

mikakuOver the next couple of weeks, we will be looking at natural solutions for hormone balance and menopause. At Village Green Apothecary, we believe in taking a comprehensive approach to supporting your health and wellness. For women’s health concerns, such as osteoporosis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), peri-menopause, menopause, thyroid conditions, and fatigue, we recommend natural remedies such as nutritional supplements, herbs, and homeopathic remedies, as well as custom compounded formulas that address the underlying root cause(s).

Village Green’s wellness counselors, including naturopathic doctors and certified nutritionists, are available for individualized consultations for a personal assessment of your unique situation. During your appointment (either by phone or in person), our professionals will:

  • Review your symptoms and health history
  • Examine your diet and lifestyle
  • Recommend specialized testing
  • Assess possible drug-nutrient interactions or depletions
  • Answer any questions you may have
  • Create a customized plan that includes natural remedies, custom compounding, diet, and lifestyle recommendations.

Continue reading “Women’s Health Series”

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Four Reasons You Need Zinc

Zinc is a fundamental mineral that is essential to human health and it plays a vital role in the development of hormones and immune molecules. It is also estimated that approximately 25% of people are deficient in zinc because of poor diet.

Here are four reasons why you should consider taking zinc:

1. Support Immune Health

Zinc is critical for balancing the immune system. Zinc increases the action of the human cytokine interferon-alpha, a protein that inhibits viral replication. This reduces immunological stress and improves the immune health.  Continue reading “Four Reasons You Need Zinc”

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5 Tips for Reducing Estrogen Dominance

From puberty to menopause, symptoms such as mood swings, bloating, headaches, hot flashes, and insomnia are indicators of hormone imbalance. Often the underlying cause is estrogen dominance. This occurs when there is too much estrogen or not enough progesterone to balance its effects. Estrogen dominance is caused by exposure to potent, environmental estrogens (xenoestrogens), found in plastics, pesticides, cleaners, detergents, beauty care products, meat and dairy products, stress, anovulation, poor diet, obesity, microbial imbalances, as well as synthetic hormones from birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy.

Foreign estrogens are much more potent than the estrogen made by the ovaries. Artificial estrogens activate receptors to stimulate a hormonal effect or occupy the receptor and block natural estrogens from doing their job, thereby disrupting normal endocrine function. Xenoestrogens can accumulate over time, are absorbed through the skin, are difficult to detoxify, and are stored in fat. While endogenous estrogens are biologically active only during the years of sexual maturity, have a life expectancy measured in days, and fluctuate month to month, xenoestrogen exposure starts with fetal development and can be around for decades.

Here are 5 tips for reducing estrogen dominance: Continue reading “5 Tips for Reducing Estrogen Dominance”

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Herbal Formula Shows Promise for Reducing Breast Cancer Risk

Estrogen plays many important roles in the body. For example, it is necessary for a woman’s menstrual cycle and for reproduction. It also supports cardiovascular and bone health. And, while estrogen is needed for the development of breasts, too much exposure to estrogen can also increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Estrogen can stimulate breast cell division and can support the growth of estrogen-responsive tumors.

Within the body, there are different estrogen metabolites which are known to be either beneficial or harmful. Simple urine tests are available to measure the metabolites and ratios to assess one’s risk. For example, the company Metametrix offers a test that measures the 2-hydroxyestrone (“good” estrogen) to 16-α-hydroxyestrone (“bad” estrogen). The 2:16 ratio can assess a woman’s long-term risk for breast, cervical, and other estrogen-sensitive cancers. Higher concentrations of 2-metabolites and lower concentrations of 16-metabolites may reduce breast cancer risk as well as the risk for other hormonally-related cancers. The good news is that nutritional interventions can promote a healthy 2:16 ratio.

In a recent study involving 47 premenopausal and 49 postmenopausal women, the results indicate that supplementation with an herbal formula may reduce the risk of breast cancer. Continue reading “Herbal Formula Shows Promise for Reducing Breast Cancer Risk”

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Weight Gain and Menopause

“I am going through menopause and I can’t seem to lose the weight, what can I take?”  We hear this question a lot, and most of us would like to hand over a magic pill that would shed those extra pounds, but this pill doesn’t exist, although certain infomercials would have you believe otherwise. Diet, exercise, genetics and hormones all play roles in weight control. Two of these four can be easily remedied for most people. Do you remember the study that came out in March that showed that women in their 40’s need to ante up on exercise? Basically, women nearing menopause and into menopause need to work out at least 1 hour per day to maintain weight. So think about how much you are really exercising and take that into consideration.  Debi had a great blog yesterday about weight loss, and there are great tips to help with your goals.

But what if you have tried diet and exercise, and you are still unable to nudge those pounds off your hips. Well, Margo, a Master Herbalist and Certified Nutritional Consultant, offered the following solutions to the questions of weight loss, menopause and cravings: Continue reading “Weight Gain and Menopause”

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Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
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  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
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  • Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
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  • Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
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  • Debi Silber
    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
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  • Teri Cochrane
    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
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  • Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
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  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
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  • Rob Brown
    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
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