Virginia Hopkins Health Watch - Current Articles
Natural Hormone
& Nutrition News,
Drug Watch and More...
Money-Driven Medicine
The real reason health care costs so much.
by Maggie Mahar
This is the scariest book I’ve ever read! Be forewarned, if you read it, you will never approach a hospital the same way again. As a nation we’ve gotten into the habit of blaming the insurance companies for the dismal state of our health care system, but Mahar also pulls back the curtain on how our hospitals do business.
In the Mood Again
Use the power of healthy hormones to reboot your sex life—at any age.
by Genie James MMSC and CW Randolph MD
They’ve done it again! The wife-husband team of Genie James and Dr. C.W. (Randy) Randolph have created an entertaining and useful book for women and men about how to revive a sex life that has been damaged by age, poor diet, weight gain, self esteem issues and of course, hormone imbalances.
Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition
Self-care for improved cycles and fertility—naturally!
by Marilyn M. Shannon
This is a densely packed and well-informed book that should be on the shelf of every woman who wants improved fertility. This 4th edition has evolved to an authoritative and useful manual for restoring fertility through better nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and balanced hormones.
Stay Young and Sexy with Bioidentical
Hormone Replacement
The Science Explained
by Jonathan V. Wright MD and Lane Lenard, PhD
Jonathan Wright is one of the true pioneers in alternative medicine, and when he talks, I listen. I don’t always agree, but I listen. This is an updated and expanded version of Wright and Lenard’s 1997 classic “Natural Hormone Replacement for Women Over 45,” and includes a more science and biochemistry, and extensive references...
Stop the Needless Suffering
The Complete Guide to Balancing Your Hormones Naturally
by Rosie Brown, RN, MSN
If you’ve had enough of the science and biochemistry of hormones and want an entertaining and personal story about achieving hormone balance, this is the book. You’ll think you’re hanging with girlfriends hearing about their hormonal adventures and misadventures, and while you laugh and cry with her you’ll be learning.
Dear Reader,
Three of the four articles in this newsletter include warnings about products or pitches that promise to reverse the aging process. Anti-aging hypes and scams are reaching fever pitch as baby boomers head for their golden years; after all, it’s a multi-billion dollar business! The promise is that we can stop or reverse the aging process and regain our youthful looks and vigor—if we just empty our wallets for the latest greatest hormone, vitamin, herb, exercise gadget or fat-sucking and expression-erasing plastic surgery.
We baby boomers have made so many things politically incorrect. Let’s make aging politically correct. Let’s make it politically correct to have the beautiful facial expressions of aging, especially smile lines. Let’s consider making it OK to have jiggly upper arms, a bit of belly fat and gray hair. Can we surrender our inevitable loss of youth with grace and graciousness? Can we admire and appreciate youthful beauty without envy or regret?
It makes no sense to be anti-aging. We’re born, we age, we die. What happens after that is debatable. Hopefully while we age we make the most of life’s journey. It’s worthwhile to be as healthy as we possibly can while we age, but to be against aging, and the natural processes that go with it, is a terrible waste of money, energy and attention. It’s like being against the setting sun or the falling leaves. The true keys to optimal aging are free—friendship, laughter, compassion, understanding and tolerance (especially of ourselves).
In the last newsletter I introduced my Facebook page, and was very touched to see the faces of so many readers. We’re in good company. Really good.
Warm regards,
Virginia Hopkins
Why a Little Belly Fat is a Good Thing
Belly fat is the trendy new “no no” for women—everybody’s talking about it. But I beg to differ. For a menopausal woman, a little bit of belly fat is natural, healthy and put there for a purpose…
Is hCG a Miracle Weight Loss Solution?
Proponents claim that this pregnancy hormone can melt away stubborn fat at the rate of 1 to 2 pounds a day. Is it a miracle or is it hype?
CONSTIPATION:
What Your Dr May Not Tell You
Five causes of constipation you might not know about; simple, commonsense remedies for constipation; are these products colon cleansers or wallet cleansers?
Hormone Testing Q&As
Answers to interesting reader questions about hormone testing.
- Are my urinary tract symptoms due to hormones?
- Could my husband have low thyroid?
- Can men get hormonally related migraines?
- What’s better—saliva testing or blood spot testing?
- I’m taking oral progesterone, why do I still have symptoms?
NEW!
Optimal Health Gems from John R Lee MD
The Best Q&As
John R Lee MD Medical Letter
1998 to 2003
A booklet packed with Dr. Lee's famous and timeless down-to-earth advice about hormones, progesterone cream, birth control, osteoporosis, breast cancer, pregnancy, vaccinations and much more.
RECENTLY POSTED ARTICLES
NIH Testosterone Trial for Men Over 65
A new study by the government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) aims to find out if testosterone replacement in men aged 65 and older will improve their health, but the trial design may be flawed. learn more>>
10 Ways to Encourage Kids to Eat Their Veggies
by Dr. John Lee
With seven young grandchildren I understand first-hand how difficult it can be to keep kids away from the soda pop and candy and eating their veggies. However, vegetables are the mainstay of a healthy diet, even for kids. With a bit of creativity and consistency, you can integrate vegetables into your children’s daily routine. Here are some suggestions…learn more>>
List of Kid Nutrition Myths
by Dr. John Lee
There are an amazing number of myths about children and nutrition, most of them perpetrated by various sectors of the processed food industry that have an economic interest in having your children eat their products. Here’s the list… learn more>>
Most Popular Products
Vitamin D Test Kit
Detects deficiencies in both Vitamin D2 and D3 as a potential cause of health problems. Also for those who are taking vitamin D supplements to ensure adequate levels and avoid excess.
Female Hormone Test - Blood Spot Profile I
The Female Profile I is a comprehensive assessment of overall female health, vitality and hormone balance. In particular, this test can be a good indicator of specific hormone imbalances. Includes estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, SHBG, DHEAS, cortisol.
Cell Phone Ladybug
New Lower Price!
A nifty little device that helps reduce cell phone radiation.
Hormone Balance for Men
A booklet by John R. Lee, M.D. available for download
The original and thought-provoking work by John R. Lee, M.D. about men's hormones, how men can use natural hormones for optimal health, causes of prostate cancer and more. A quick read, yet loaded with useful information and suprising insights about male hormones.
Male Hormone Test - Blood Spot Profile I
Overall assessment of male vitality, performance, and prostate health. Includes: estradiol, testosterone, SHBG, PSA, DHEAS, Cortisol.
Prescription Alternatives - 4th Edition
by Earl Mindell and Virginia Hopkins -- If you're taking prescription drugs or want to avoid taking prescription drugs, this is the book for you! Hundreds of common drugs are listed with side effects, interactions, and best of all, natural alternatives.
HORMONE TESTING FOR MEN
Male Hormone Profile
Includes testosterone, SHBG, PSA, DHEAS, cortisol, estradiol
Make 2010 YOUR Year for Hormone Balance!
NEW TO BIOIDENTICAL HORMONES?
Read Natural Progesterone-An Overview. This article will give you a great introduction to natural progesterone, the building block for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), and will point you to more detailed articles.
Bioidentical Estrogen - How Much to Take and When
by John R. Lee, M.D.
A little bit of estrogen goes a long way. Dr. Lee explains which types of estrogen to use, in what forms and at what dose, for optimal hormone balance.
Dr. John Lee's
HORMONE BALANCE MADE SIMPLE
Better mood, weight loss, younger looking skin, stronger bones, increased libido and relief from menopausal sypmtoms. These are just some of the benefits that can be achieved with hormone balance.
If you need a user-friendly guide to hormone balance, this is the book for you. A step by step program for hormone balance that's easy to follow.
MORE HORMONE BALANCE RESOURCES
Need Help Deciding Which Hormones to Test?
Take the Hormone Balance Test
For Women
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Hysterectomy and Natural Hormones