Friday, January 16, 2009

The Best Kept Celebrity Beauty Secret


Bioidentical Hormones and Celebrities

What are some of the “not often mentioned” secrets of celebrities of a certain age? Menopause is a difficult time for many women. This passing period is associated with a lot of emotional and physical stress. The sex hormones start to decline, there are changes in behaviors and one starts to feel a little old. So how do celebrities of a certain age at menopause manage to get through menopause without feeling like the rest of us? Does it help the celebrities with their antiaging regimen? Actors such as Suzanne Somers who has written a few books on the subject of bioidentical hormones are actively pursuing their health and wellbeing. In the last few decades there has been a lot of interest in the use of natural or bioidentical hormones as a treatment for menopause. Bioidentical hormones are the exact replica of hormones that are naturally produced in your body.

Bioidentical hormones are available from compounding pharmacies and weaker strengths in many health food stores. The bioidentical hormones that are prescribed by doctors aree custom designed hormones which come in many different formulations. There are both prescription and over the counter hormones available. The need for bioidentical hormones is made by evaluating the saliva for levels of hormone in the body or a blood test of your hormones.

The indications for taking bioidentical hormones include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, preventing osteoporosis, reversing some signs of aged skin, and improving mental and physical well being.

Many celebrities take these bioidentical hormones to improve hormone levels, mental health and physical fitness. The manufactures of these products claim that the hormones are natural and much safer than any of the other synthetic prescription hormones. Even male actors are supplementing with bioidentical hormones such as progesterone and testosterone for their benefits.

The one obvious advantage of bioidentical hormones is that the custom designed formulations can be provided in individualized doses which is not possible with the synthetic prescription hormones. Celebrities who take these bioidentical hormones also claim that the bioidentical hormones make them feel young, boost their energy and improves the quality of the skin.

Recently the FDA has sent a letter to several pharmacies to cease making such formulations and selling them. The FDA has concerns that there is little evidence for the efficacy of these hormones and perhaps they may even contain impurities or contaminants. One should note that all the data on bioidentical hormones are anecdotal and there are no controlled clinical studies or long term safety reports available. The products come in a variety of formulations and the FDA suspects that the quality and quantity of bioidentical hormones may not be safe for human consumption. As a result, bioidentical hormones are now becoming known as biomimetic hormones because they are taken in a biomimetic fashion.

Europeans have been using these bioidentical hormones for many more years and claim that these hormones are effective in relieving symptoms of menopause. Most alternative care practitioners recommend that bioidentical hormones should be used in low doses, for a short duration and must be complimented with changes in diet and lifestyles.

No dealer of these bioidentical hormones recommends that these products be used for long periods or as a cure for aging.

Women who do have breast cancer or even have a family history of breast cancer should be careful about using such products and regularly have their hormone levels checked. If estrogen is used without progesterone this is potentially a factor which can promote the growth of cancer.

The cost of bioidentical hormones is variable in different cities, but one can expect to pay about $60 to $100 a month for these supplements.

Celebrities are using bioidentical hormones now for a solution to their menopausal problems, but ordinary women like you and I are now demanding more natural solutions to their health problems and the use of bioidentical hormones is increasing. This is one of the most hushed up celebrity beauty secrets of male and female actors for retaining their health, wellbeing and attractiveness as they age.

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