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(Ivanhoe Newswire) — A new study reveals women who exhibit signs of stress are three-times more likely to miscarry during the first three weeks of pregnancy.

For the study, University of Michigan researchers measured the stress-induced hormone cortisol in urine samples taken from 61 women three times a week for a year. Previous studies show between 31 percent and 89 percent of all conceptions result in miscarriage. Although most miscarriages happen during the first three weeks of pregnancy, a majority of the studies begin about six weeks after conception when women first notice they are pregnant.

"The only way to capture the first three weeks of pregnancy is to begin collecting their urine from before they become pregnant. That is extremely labor-intensive and expensive," says Pablo Nepomnaschy, researcher and doctoral student at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

During the study, 22 pregnancies occurred in 16 women, and each woman's cortisol levels were measured against her own baseline levels. Researchers found 90 percent of women with elevated levels of cortisol miscarried during the first three weeks of pregnancy compared to 33 percent of those with normal levels.

Researchers say it is unclear whether cortisol is directly involved with the miscarriages or not. Nepomnaschy says: "Maybe increased cortisol is understood by the body as a cue that the context is uncertain, changing, or the quality of the environment is deteriorating. The body's response is to stop any extra activity and go back to its most basic functions."

The study involved a small population of women, and Nepomnaschy says the next step is to attempt to replicate these results in a larger population.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, SOURCE: University of Michigan, published online Feb. 20, 2006.

(Ivanhoe Newswire) — "Low-carb," "low-fat" and "geared to your body type" are catch phrases University of South Florida researcher Barbara Hansen, Ph.D., says don't need to be part of your weight-loss regimen.

Hansen's latest studies in rhesus monkeys reveal lifetime calorie restraint to prevent obesity is the most effective way to lower your risk of age-related health problems like high blood pressure and high triglyceride levels. Hansen says, "Our studies have unequivocally demonstrated that if you prevent excess fat deposits in the body through excess calorie restraint, you'll improve health and postpone death."

Hansen and colleagues are working to understand the underlying mechanisms of obesity that may lead to new drugs that more specifically target centers in the body that regulate weight. Scientists are continuing to learn about how different factors interact to predispose someone to obesity. Previous studies support the notion that each person has an age-related "set" point for weight somehow regulated by physiology and genetics. This helps explain why most people gain back the weight after losing a lot. Hansen says, "Basically, while your weight may fluctuate throughout life, your body's natural tendency is to return to its individually programmed body composition."

Hansen's advice for weight monitoring? Using the "bathroom scale model of weight loss." She explains: "If you see your weight creeping up, then cut back on your portions. A 10-percent daily reduction in the total calories you consume may produce a small, but at least sustainable, weight loss."

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com,

SOURCE: The American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting in St. Louis, Feb. 16-20, 2006

By Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D.

Pre-menstrual syndrome or PMS can make life miserable, momentarily or monthly, for 90 percent of American women. It's a mishmash of symptoms–bloating, cramping, tender breasts, irritability, food cravings and a dozen other symptoms–that can occur in the luteal phase of a woman's menstrual cycle (right after ovulation until the menstrual flow begins).

To the eternal aggravation of countless women through time, PMS can last as long as 14 days until menstruation begins.

PMS can be aggravated by:

• Stress
• Genetics
• Age
• The number of children a woman has had
• Alcohol consumption
• Sugar and caffeine intake
• Progesterone deficiency

Other dietary factors, lack of exercise, hypothyroidism and depression can also contribute to PMS symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with daily life for up to 40 percent of all women.

Listed below are some of the many symptoms of PMS:

Of course, these symptoms can be caused by many conditions, but when they are consistently linked to this specific time in a woman's menstrual cycle, they are usually grouped under the PMS label.

Scientific evidence now suggests that women who exercise regularly are less affected than sedentary women by the mood swings and depression often associated with PMS.

A Closer Look

Many doctors are now beginning to take a deeper look at PMS. Recurring and life-altering PMS warrants an investigation of the following:

• Thyroid function to determine if hyper or hypothyroid symptoms are interfering with hormone balance
• Insulin metabolism to determine if blood sugar fluctuations are triggering food cravings, fatigue, headaches and irritability
• Diet to determine if the patient is eating a diet high in sugar and refined and processed foods

The late Dr. William Crook, author of The Yeast Connection and Women's Health, suggested a connection between the systemic overgrowth of candida albicans yeast and PMS. He believed PMS develops as the result of a number of causes, among them yeast overgrowth.

Some researchers suggest systemic candida overgrowth may trigger PMS symptoms by activating an autoimmune response to sex hormones such as estrogen.

The normal rise and decline of estrogen in a monthly cycle could help explain the periodic flare-ups and subsequent quieting of candida symptoms, which can be remarkably similar to those of PMS mentioned above.

For women experiencing PMS discomfort who also had a high score on the yeast questionnaire, Dr. Crook suggested his special sugar-free anti-candida diet, oral antifungal medications and nutritional supplements could be life changing. A growing number of his colleagues are now beginning to agree with the connection between yeast and PMS.

As can be seen from the yeast questionnaire, women who have taken repeated courses of antibiotics, suffered recurrent vaginal yeast infections, taken birth control and/or had a diet high in sugar and processed and refined foods are at particularly high risk for candida yeast overgrowth.

Learning to Eat Healthier

Research shows that women most likely to suffer from PMS had some remarkable dietary parallels. They consumed more carbohydrates (62 percent), refined sugar (75 percent), dairy products (79 percent) and more sodium (78 percent) than women eating the standard American diet.

We suggest that women suffering from the symptoms of PMS consider the following anti-candida diet for one cycle and see if there is a difference in PMS symptoms. It is best to begin the diet at the end of the luteal phase, the day your period begins.

The first phase of the anti-candida diet involves eliminating all:

• Sugar
• Sweeteners
• Corn syrup (most fruit drinks are sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup)
• White bread and other white flour products
• Soft drinks
• Most ready-to-eat cereals
• All sweet, fat-laden snack foods

Foods containing these nutritionally deficient simple carbohydrates promote yeast overgrowth and literally feed the yeast organisms.

Replace all processed and refined foods with more vegetables of all kinds, including those you might normally eat. Avoid all fermented or mold and fungus-based foods, including soy sauce, vinegar, blue cheese and all types of mushrooms.

Avoid and Replace

Get rid of all hydrogenated fats and foods containing food coloring and additives. Add modest amounts of olive, walnut, flaxseed, sesame and other healthy unprocessed, unrefined oils for cooking and salad dressings.

Round out the diet with lean cuts of beef and pork, chicken, turkey, seafood, wild game, nuts and seeds. Modest amounts of high-carbohydrate vegetables, including potatoes (white and sweet), avocado, beans and other legumes, are permissible. Yogurt, hard cheeses and cream cheese can be eaten too.

For this experimental phase, avoid all fruit, which is high in the fruit sugar called fructose. It can be added back cautiously after the first month. Also avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee and other caffeinated drinks.

Charting symptoms, moods and general feelings of well-being over this month-long period can provide some powerful insights. Review our symptom chart. By the end of this phase, there should be a clear picture of the connection between diet and PMS symptoms.

For the next phase, certain foods can be gradually re-introduced. Experiment with fruit, brewers yeast and vinegar one at a time to determine how they affect symptoms. More explicit instructions about the challenge phase can be found here.

Probiotics (live "friendly" bacteria) are an essential part of the anti-candida program because they help restore the natural balance of intestinal flora, including yeast. Nutritional supplements like olive leaf extract and caprylic acid may also be helpful. See descriptions for these nutrients at our Web site.

In extreme cases, prescription antifungal medications may be necessary while keeping on a candida-free diet and taking probiotics.

Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., is medical advisor to Woman's Health Connection at www.yeastconnection.com and is featured on the website's "Ask A Pro" page. Her latest books are The Miracle of Magnesium and Natural Prescriptions for Common Ailments.

Reprinted with Permission from the SixWise.com Security & Wellness e-Newsletter

by www.SixWise.com

Hormones play a major role in how well your body functions and how you feel from day to day. If your hormones are in balance, you likely sleep well and have lots of energy, a strong sex drive, and well-functioning immune and digestive systems.

"The healthy body is equipped to produce all the hormones a woman needs throughout her life," said Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of The Wisdom of Menopause. But those hormones can easily become pushed off kilter — even with too much stress or an unhealthy diet — leaving room for a wide array of hormonal disorders to surface.

Hormones are proteins or steroids that are secreted directly into your bloodstream. They are responsible for the body's metabolism of minerals, regulation of fluids, reproduction, sexual function, and responses to stress.

The endocrine system, which includes glands such as the pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal cortex and medulla, and ovaries, produce hormones in women.

Common Hormone Disorders: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

The most common hormonal disorder among women is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which affects an estimated 7 percent of women. However, many cases may go undiagnosed, so as many as one in 10 women may be affected.

"This is a syndrome, which means it is a collection of features," said Dr. Ricardo Azziz, chair of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's department of obstetrics and gynecology.

Two-thirds of women with PCOS are overweight and most are insulin resistant. Symptoms include:

·         Irregular or absent periods

·         Unusual body hair growth

·         Unusually severe acne

·         Darkened skin patches

·         Rapid weight gain

Although the cause of PCOS remains unknown, researchers are looking into its connection to obesity, genetics and insulin production.

Lifestyle changes, including eating a healthy diet and exercising, are often "prescribed" for patients with PCOS. This is because weight loss has been found to cause an improvement, or even a remission, of symptoms. Sometimes medications, including birth control pills and fertility drugs, are prescribed to help with symptoms.

Thyroid Dysfunction

Over 20 percent of menopausal women in the United States are diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction, according to Marcy Holmes, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician, and Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN N.P. However, studies suggest that millions more may be suffering from subclinical problems, but remain undiagnosed.

Most women are affected by hypothyroidism, a sluggish or "underactive" thyroid. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

·         Fatigue

·         Weight gain

·         Depression

·         High cholesterol

Other women may be affected by the opposite, hyperthyroidism, which is an overactive thyroid. A person with hyperthyroidism may:

·         Have trouble sleeping

·         Feel anxious

·         Be irritable

·         Feel overheated

·         Experience weight loss (with an increased appetite)

Hormonal imbalances, which could be caused by stress and nutritional deficiencies, trigger thyroid disease. Hypothydroidism may also occur at other times your body may be more prone to hormonal imbalance, such as during perimenopause, menopause and pregnancy.

Adrenal Fatigue

Your adrenal glands (located on top of each kidney) act as control centers for many hormones. One of their most important tasks is to get your body ready for the "fight or flight" stress response, which means increasing adrenaline and other hormones.

This response increases your heart rate and blood pressure, slows your digestion and basically gets your body ready to face a potential threat or challenge.

While this response is good when it's needed, many of us are constantly faced with stressors (work, environmental toxins, not enough sleep, worry, etc.) and are in this "fight or flight" mode for far too long — much longer than was ever intended from an evolutionary standpoint.

The result? The adrenals become overworked and fatigued. Symptoms of adrenal dysfunction are varied, but include:

·         Fatigue and weakness

·         A suppressed immune system

·         Muscle and bone loss

·         Depression

·         Hormonal imbalance

·         Skin problems

·         Autoimmune disorders

You can support healthy adrenal function by:

·         Resting more

·         Reducing stress in your life

·         Eating a nutrient-dense diet

There are many other hormonal disorders among women as well, including menstrual and fertility problems. A lot is still being discovered, such as why some women appear to be more vulnerable to hormone problems than others. If you suspect you may have a hormone disorder, you should seek help from a health care practitioner. Holistic practitioners, in particular, may be able to help you get relief from your symptoms using herbal supplements and lifestyle modifications, rather than prescription drugs.

By Yew-Por Ng, M.D.

Our hormones are the most delicately balanced system of our bodies. The same hormones that keep us healthy and happy can cause emotional and physical distress if they are not in equilibrium. Women with a healthy hormone balance tend to enjoy long, healthy and productive lives. However, long-term hormonal imbalance can make life pretty miserable for women and their loved ones.

Fortunately, there is a new method of hormone testing by measuring the free hormone levels in saliva. This is because bioavailable hormone molecules easily enter the saliva through the cells of the salivary glands, whereas the bound hormones do not. When we test for hormones in saliva, we get a precise level of the free hormones that are circulating through our bodies and interacting with the hormone receptors.