HRT is short for Hormone Replacement Therapy. HRT has been used in large clinical trials like the Women's Health Initiative, and has been shown to be unhealthy. It does not protect a woman from heart disease nor does it improve her sexual response. It is important to recognize that HRT does not actually replace ovarian hormones, nor was that ever the intention. HRT was designed to help control hot flashes and to reduce bone loss.

HRT is an abbreviation for Hormone Replacement Therapy. Several years ago it became popular for doctors to prescribe the hormone estrogen for women with menopausal symptoms. They thought they were replacing the hormones lost with the advent of menopause. Contemporary physicians now know that estrogen is not the hormone needing to be replaced. They are becoming increasingly aware that it is progesterone that is desperately in need of replacing.

MSN Health & Fitness does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Researchers have empirical evidence that HRT can increase muscle mass, decrease body fat, increase bone density, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve your sleep patterns, strengthen your immune system, enhance your sexual drive and performance, regenerate your heart, liver and kidneys, improve your skin tone and remove wrinkles. - (1*, 2*)

Natural hormones are, in fact, bioidentical hormones. The fact that the bioidentical hormones come from natural plants (soy or yam plants) does not make them bioidentical. From there they are taken to a chemical plant where they are further processed into the bioidentical forms. They are further tested for bioidentical purity, so that when a compounding pharmacy receives these products they are ready to be compounded into different dosage forms.

There are no specific raw foods which are unhealthy, but some foods if eaten in excess can be stressful to the digestive system. Having too much of the higher-fat raw foods such as nuts, seeds and avocados in your diet can be stressful to your system, especially for people who have been raw for years so their system is not used to all the heavier food anymore. Also, avoid eating too high a percentage of fruit or any one type of vegetable in your diet for a long period of time.

Today's lifestyles subject us to stressful living. The following four main factors contribute to a toxic liver: The typical American diet is harsh on the liver. Improper diets high in carbohydrates, saturated and hydrogenated fats can be hard on the liver. Diets low in quality protein do not provide the building blocks for repairing the body and stimulating the immune system.

If left unchecked, symptoms of liver dysfunction can result in chronic fatigue syndrome, immune disorders, high blood pressure, and the most serious and life threatening liver diseases - cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, liver cancer, and complete liver failure. unhealthy liver creates a toxic condition that manifests itself in one or more of the following symptoms:

Many women now taking estrogen or estrogen combined with progestins are able to discontinue their HRT. Please consult with a medical professional before doing so. It is possible that if adequate natural progesterone levels were present, any needed estrogen could be made from it. Because progesterone sensitizes estrogen receptors, it makes sense to supplement with progesterone rather than estrogen.

Copyright © 2002-2005 Health Information Publications. The information provided on this Web site has been developed exclusively by and for Health Information Publications and ehealthMD and may not be copied without written permission. The information provided is for general information only and is not intended to replace the advice of your health-care provider. This is original material developed by Health Information Publications, Copyright © 1990-2005

Since the Women’s Health Initiative Study came out there has been a great deal of confusion about HRT. Most of the press got the information wrong as they mixed bioidentical with synthetic hormones as being all the same. The press never understood the difference between bioidentical and synthetic. The study was done with synthetic hormones and a major arm of the study (Prempro) had to be discontinued because of the risks involved while women were on it.

Studies show that HRT used at the proper dosages to return diminished levels of hormones to their optimum youthful levels rarely has any negative side effects. In fact, long-term studies show that HRT over a period of years is virtually free from side effects while providing continuing benefits. - (1*, 2*)

That's one of many strategies we need to employ to transform the food available to children in Canada's schools. But many schools don't have food available at all. We need to ensure that children have equal access to nutritious food across the country with national nutritional standards.

If an unhealthy colon was genetic, then it would be possible for us to eat whatever we want with no regard for the consequences. However, research indicates that an unhealthy colon is a result of a poor diet. A healthy diet that's high in fiber and includes lots of water can significantly improve our colon health and result in a longer, better life. Weight loss can be difficult for many people. Even with a strict diet and regular exercise, the body doesn't always respond as expected.

Many scientists and health care professionals would loudly declare yes. Obesity—the more, the worse—is, they'd say, a disease or very risky in terms of getting a disease.

Studies have shown that excess weight, especially around the midsection, can increase the risk of developing many serious diseases and/or conditions such as: Those who reduce their body weight to within a healthy BMI often report a better quality of life that includes more energy to complete daily tasks and improved self-image.