Healthy Aging with Optimal Hormones

From Baby Boomers in their 60s and 70s to Millennials and everyone in between, aging is inevitable. But the aging healthfully movement is here! People are no longer comfortable with getting older and not feeling their best. Many people desire to stay feeling young, healthy and vibrant, no matter their age.

Overmedication with synthetic medications is not the answer. If we shift the focus on healthy aging through hormone optimization safely, it will not only relieve symptoms of imbalance but also improve our quality of life. Optimizing hormones will decrease visceral fat, decrease inflammation and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Multiple studies show bioidentical hormones have protective benefits on the heart, brain, bone, breast and prostate.

Bioidentical vs. Synthetic Hormone Replacement

Bioidentical hormones are derived from plants and are more likely to act like the body’s natural hormones. Bioidentical hormones are made by a compounding pharmacy and are not patented. Synthetic hormones are chemically or synthetically made by a pharmaceutical company for the sole purpose of being patented. Synthetic hormones are not like our natural hormones.

Synthetic forms often contain metabolites of hormones that are reabsorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and can cause carcinogenic effects in the body. For example, Premarin is a synthetic estrogen that comes from horse urine. It contains 10 different metabolites, none of which are the active form of estrogenestradiol.

The dangers of using synthetic hormones were highlighted in 2002 in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study. This study showed that using synthetic progestin (progesterone-like) Provera and combination Prempro (synthetic progestin and estrogen) increased the risk for blood clots, heart attack, stroke and cancer. The estrogen-only group had less cancer risk than the progestin/estrogen combo.

As a consequence of this study, there was a dramatic 79% decline in utilization

of all hormone therapy and patients suffered with more hormone imbalance symptoms. The WHI study did not consider differences in action and risk associated with other forms and routes of administration of hormones, the age of the participants or pre-existing conditions. It also omitted testosterone as a component of hormone optimization.

The WHI study was great at showing that synthetic oral hormones are harmful. However, it was skewed in that it blanketed all hormone replacement therapy as increasing risk. As a result, many physicians as well as members of the general public continue to remain confused about appropriate hormone options and safety.

Bio-identical hormone replacement, when given in the appropriate individual dose, method and proper monitoring by a hormone specialist, can safely be a key component to aging healthfully while decreasing risk for age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, obesity/insulin resistance, diabetes and some cancers. Optimizing hormones is key in healthy aging. Hormone optimization is monitoring the most effective dose that promotes an optimal blood level range where patients feel the best. Optimal hormones may improve physical, mental, emotional and sexual health and promote an overall sense of well-being. FBN

By Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc

Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc, The Vitality Doctor, is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in hormone optimization, optimal health and vitality. She is a new Flagstaff resident, practicing since 2004, and opened her second location in Doney Park in 2020. For more information thevitalitydoctor.com or call 928-863-6086.