Thursday, May 12, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Menopause
"There are many experimental and clinical studies that say that milk thistle is an effective therapy for a variety of liver diseases, including fatty liver, acute and chronic hepatitis, advanced cirrhosis and damage from drugs and exposure to toxic chemicals.
In 1981, a German researcher, Dr G. Vogel of the University of Munich conducted a study of 49 patients throughout Europe, who had been poisoned by a deadly mushroom, amanita mushroom, also called the death cap. All of them were given injections of milk thistle’s active chemicals daily in addition to their regular treatments. And the results ranged from amazing to spectacular. Ordinarily the death rate from these mushrooms would be 30-40%, but the milk thistle reduced the death rate to zero!
During the menopause, the liver is overtaxed. It tries to cope with surges of hormones and trying to adapt to the transition that the body is going through. This is the reason why so many women become oversensitive to chemicals and food. So it is important to reduce the toxic overload by trying to eat sensibly. You should include lots of veggies and organic in your diet. But it’s also a great idea to supplement with milk thistle to help the liver even more."
"Red Clover Tea is amazing and there are a number of studies to support red clover blossom as an effective estrogen replacement."
Links:
Herbal Tea for Women
Milk Thisle
In 1981, a German researcher, Dr G. Vogel of the University of Munich conducted a study of 49 patients throughout Europe, who had been poisoned by a deadly mushroom, amanita mushroom, also called the death cap. All of them were given injections of milk thistle’s active chemicals daily in addition to their regular treatments. And the results ranged from amazing to spectacular. Ordinarily the death rate from these mushrooms would be 30-40%, but the milk thistle reduced the death rate to zero!
During the menopause, the liver is overtaxed. It tries to cope with surges of hormones and trying to adapt to the transition that the body is going through. This is the reason why so many women become oversensitive to chemicals and food. So it is important to reduce the toxic overload by trying to eat sensibly. You should include lots of veggies and organic in your diet. But it’s also a great idea to supplement with milk thistle to help the liver even more."
"Red Clover Tea is amazing and there are a number of studies to support red clover blossom as an effective estrogen replacement."
Links:
Herbal Tea for Women
Milk Thisle
Friday, April 22, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
5 Foods that Contain Estrogen
This list of 5 foods that contain estrogen can be used as a guide to help you get started on a more balanced eating regimen. Consuming foods containing natural estrogen is said to help regulate a woman's body as she passes through menopause.
Plant estrogen, also called phyto-estrogen, is said to mimic human estrogen when consumed. Replacing estrogen naturally by consuming estrogen-rich foods is thought to be a safe way to help prevent breast cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and high blood pressure. Hot flashes, night sweats, headaches and trouble sleeping are some other complications related to the lack of estrogen during menopause that can also be relieved by consuming phyto-estrogens.
1. Legumes. Legumes, such as soybeans, are often considered to be one of the best estrogen-rich food sources. Tofu and soy milk stand out as examples. However, other legumes, such as chickpeas and kidney beans are also rich in phyto-estrogen.
2. Whole grain cereals. Cereals containing whole grain, especially those with barley or flax-seed, contain the phyto-estrogen classified as lignans.
3. Fruits and vegetables. Fruits, such as pomegranate, pears, cherries, red raspberries, tomatoes and plums, are all estrogen-rich foods. Vegetables, such as celery, carrots, cauliflower, beets, cucumber and squash, also contain estrogen.
4. Herbs. Herbs, such as licorice, fennel, thyme and garlic, can add both flavor and estrogen to your diet.
5. Drinks. Coffee and red clover tea can be consumed as drinks, or added to food recipes to increase the phyto-estrogen levels of a meal.
Anyone with a family history of breast cancer, or who has had breast cancer, should consult a physician before consuming estrogen-rich foods to reduce the risk of complications.
Links:
5 Foods
Plant estrogen, also called phyto-estrogen, is said to mimic human estrogen when consumed. Replacing estrogen naturally by consuming estrogen-rich foods is thought to be a safe way to help prevent breast cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and high blood pressure. Hot flashes, night sweats, headaches and trouble sleeping are some other complications related to the lack of estrogen during menopause that can also be relieved by consuming phyto-estrogens.
1. Legumes. Legumes, such as soybeans, are often considered to be one of the best estrogen-rich food sources. Tofu and soy milk stand out as examples. However, other legumes, such as chickpeas and kidney beans are also rich in phyto-estrogen.
2. Whole grain cereals. Cereals containing whole grain, especially those with barley or flax-seed, contain the phyto-estrogen classified as lignans.
3. Fruits and vegetables. Fruits, such as pomegranate, pears, cherries, red raspberries, tomatoes and plums, are all estrogen-rich foods. Vegetables, such as celery, carrots, cauliflower, beets, cucumber and squash, also contain estrogen.
4. Herbs. Herbs, such as licorice, fennel, thyme and garlic, can add both flavor and estrogen to your diet.
5. Drinks. Coffee and red clover tea can be consumed as drinks, or added to food recipes to increase the phyto-estrogen levels of a meal.
Anyone with a family history of breast cancer, or who has had breast cancer, should consult a physician before consuming estrogen-rich foods to reduce the risk of complications.
Links:
5 Foods
Food and drink to lower estrogen levels?
Page last modified on: October 1, 2008
Question from jiri: My wife has a recurrent breast cancer which is related to a high level of estrogen in her body. What kind of food and drinks can lower the level of estrogen in a woman's body?
Answers —David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: One of the things we do know that will increase risk for breast cancer is obesity, and we know especially if there's more fat that collects around the abdominal area, that can promote more circulating estrogens. There is an issue with weight management, because there's a concern with a diagnosis of breast cancer and being overweight at that diagnosis, having a poorer prognosis associated with that. Gaining weight during remission is also a concern.
Penny Block, M.A.: Even during treatment, when people can’t spend a lot of energy trying to lose weight, it might be poorer prognostically to gain weight. This is always a whole dietary plan, and we try to individualize for each patient.
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: We know that whole grains, for example, have fibrous compounds that can block harmful estrogens and there is some good research showing the cultures that consume more whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and legumes have lower rates of breast cancer not only because of the estrogen binding properties, but because of the general health benefits.
Penny Block, M.A.: Crucifers, for example - broccoli and cauliflower, and the lowly cabbage, because people don't always think of what a gem of a food it is. So even coleslaw is good, because cabbage contains a compound that shifts the estrogen to a safer form of it. It's a property in cabbage that is very healthy. Sometimes we're looking for more exotic foods, but even cabbage, which is available in every supermarket, has tremendous benefits.
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: Out of all the vegetables—not that we're picking one over another, because vegetables in general are good for the diet—a doctor did some research into a phytochemical in cruciferous vegetables showing it blocked breast cancer growth. So besides the possible estrogen-blocking properties, there is a chance it affects programmed cell death.
Penny Block, M.A.: Dave is mentioning an important point, that there is something potentially more beneficial about the whole food rather than just the isolated compounds in that food. Another University of Illinois researcher talked about the beneficial effect of eating broccoli three times a week in terms of reducing risk value of cancer.
Judith Sachs, moderator: Broccoli three times a week sounds difficult. Can you give us some tips on preparing it?
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: Broccoli ice cream…
Penny Block, M.A.: I think we can get into such seriousness about all this, but having fun with food (and I'm glad you're asking what to do with broccoli!) but what to do with good food is important. If food is just a nasty prescription we swallow three times a day, it's no good. And there is evidence that if we have pleasure in eating, we absorb the nutrients more effectively.
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: Now for the broccoli tips! Again, we often come into this situation talking about an optimal diet, but how do you make it doable? Think of vegetables beyond a couple of cooked stalks of broccoli on a plate. It can be in a soup, a juice, frozen, fresh—there's a variety of ways to include it. And with broccoli or other vegetables that may be a challenge, that's been a dilemma we've addressed for years. We finally decided to produce an organic green vegetable drink that can be easily incorporated into a beverage, a juice, pesto, etc.
Penny Block, M.A.: Getting back to what to do if you want to use broccoli? But quickly steam it so it's still a vibrant green, so it's still crisp. The green may actually be more vibrant at this point than when it's raw. Serve it with a dip, or slightly sauté it with a good quality extra virgin olive oil and garlic. You could certainly incorporate some of it in a pasta sauce. A creamed broccoli soup. It's easy to make creamed broccoli or mushroom soup, using oats cooked in water. If you puree it, it's quite creamy. So cook your broccoli with garlic, onions, oregano, etc. then put it in this creamy oatmeal liquid that's been seasoned to taste, and puree to make a nice creamy soup which is often more pleasing to the digestion.
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: Not to gloss over the importance of whole grains, but again, following Penny's great suggestion to add oats, there is also some bang for the buck in fighting cancer. Oats are rich in a substance found to enhance natural killer cell activity. It's like the game Pac Man, where these little guys go out and gobble up cancer cells. You want those cells in your body to have highest activity, and oats may enhance that.
Penny Block, M.A.: There are some vegetables, particularly hearty green vegetables like kale, collards, etc. but even carrots, cooking them seems to break down the tough cellulose wall which makes it more difficult to absorb the nutrients if they're not cooked. This doesn't mean you can't eat raw vegetables, only that there is a benefit in cooking them. There are some people in my family that don't want crunchy cooked vegetables; they want them cooked more so they're softer. So cooking them until they're crunchy is not the only way to cook them.
Judith Sachs, moderator: When the transcript for this chat is posted, we'll include some of the recipes from Penny's cookbook.
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: And we have new recipes we post to our website, www.blockmd.com. We just did a presentation on TV where we talked about foods for fighting breast cancer specifically. Some of the recipes we features showed creative ways to eat dark greens. We actually had a roasted vegetable spinach wrap sandwich. Admittedly, the amount of spinach in the wrap was at low levels, but some is better than none!
One last comment about raw vegetables, because I know we're talking about reducing risk of breast cancer. But if you're undergoing treatment for breast cancer, especially treatments that can lower your white blood cell count, there can be increased risk of bacterial infection (food poisoning, if you will) when you have low white blood cell counts. So that's why we strongly encourage you to cook vegetables to kill bacteria that are on vegetables.
Penny Block, M.A.: It doesn't mean you have to eliminate raw vegetables, because a cool fresh salad in summer is so refreshing. But maybe for a day or two, people need to be more cautious. One of the things that Dave and his team of dieticians do is to counsel our patients so they know what is appropriate for them at any given time. We use tests to determine their biochemical statuses. But when the while blood cell count is low, use a little caution for a day or so.
On Wednesday, July 20, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Buying Healthy Food and Drink. Penny B. Block, M.A., David W. Grotto, R.D., L.D., and moderator Judith Sachs answered your questions about finding, buying, and preparing the healthiest food and drink for people with breast cancer and their families.
Question from jiri: My wife has a recurrent breast cancer which is related to a high level of estrogen in her body. What kind of food and drinks can lower the level of estrogen in a woman's body?
Answers —David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: One of the things we do know that will increase risk for breast cancer is obesity, and we know especially if there's more fat that collects around the abdominal area, that can promote more circulating estrogens. There is an issue with weight management, because there's a concern with a diagnosis of breast cancer and being overweight at that diagnosis, having a poorer prognosis associated with that. Gaining weight during remission is also a concern.
Penny Block, M.A.: Even during treatment, when people can’t spend a lot of energy trying to lose weight, it might be poorer prognostically to gain weight. This is always a whole dietary plan, and we try to individualize for each patient.
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: We know that whole grains, for example, have fibrous compounds that can block harmful estrogens and there is some good research showing the cultures that consume more whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and legumes have lower rates of breast cancer not only because of the estrogen binding properties, but because of the general health benefits.
Penny Block, M.A.: Crucifers, for example - broccoli and cauliflower, and the lowly cabbage, because people don't always think of what a gem of a food it is. So even coleslaw is good, because cabbage contains a compound that shifts the estrogen to a safer form of it. It's a property in cabbage that is very healthy. Sometimes we're looking for more exotic foods, but even cabbage, which is available in every supermarket, has tremendous benefits.
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: Out of all the vegetables—not that we're picking one over another, because vegetables in general are good for the diet—a doctor did some research into a phytochemical in cruciferous vegetables showing it blocked breast cancer growth. So besides the possible estrogen-blocking properties, there is a chance it affects programmed cell death.
Penny Block, M.A.: Dave is mentioning an important point, that there is something potentially more beneficial about the whole food rather than just the isolated compounds in that food. Another University of Illinois researcher talked about the beneficial effect of eating broccoli three times a week in terms of reducing risk value of cancer.
Judith Sachs, moderator: Broccoli three times a week sounds difficult. Can you give us some tips on preparing it?
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: Broccoli ice cream…
Penny Block, M.A.: I think we can get into such seriousness about all this, but having fun with food (and I'm glad you're asking what to do with broccoli!) but what to do with good food is important. If food is just a nasty prescription we swallow three times a day, it's no good. And there is evidence that if we have pleasure in eating, we absorb the nutrients more effectively.
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: Now for the broccoli tips! Again, we often come into this situation talking about an optimal diet, but how do you make it doable? Think of vegetables beyond a couple of cooked stalks of broccoli on a plate. It can be in a soup, a juice, frozen, fresh—there's a variety of ways to include it. And with broccoli or other vegetables that may be a challenge, that's been a dilemma we've addressed for years. We finally decided to produce an organic green vegetable drink that can be easily incorporated into a beverage, a juice, pesto, etc.
Penny Block, M.A.: Getting back to what to do if you want to use broccoli? But quickly steam it so it's still a vibrant green, so it's still crisp. The green may actually be more vibrant at this point than when it's raw. Serve it with a dip, or slightly sauté it with a good quality extra virgin olive oil and garlic. You could certainly incorporate some of it in a pasta sauce. A creamed broccoli soup. It's easy to make creamed broccoli or mushroom soup, using oats cooked in water. If you puree it, it's quite creamy. So cook your broccoli with garlic, onions, oregano, etc. then put it in this creamy oatmeal liquid that's been seasoned to taste, and puree to make a nice creamy soup which is often more pleasing to the digestion.
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: Not to gloss over the importance of whole grains, but again, following Penny's great suggestion to add oats, there is also some bang for the buck in fighting cancer. Oats are rich in a substance found to enhance natural killer cell activity. It's like the game Pac Man, where these little guys go out and gobble up cancer cells. You want those cells in your body to have highest activity, and oats may enhance that.
Penny Block, M.A.: There are some vegetables, particularly hearty green vegetables like kale, collards, etc. but even carrots, cooking them seems to break down the tough cellulose wall which makes it more difficult to absorb the nutrients if they're not cooked. This doesn't mean you can't eat raw vegetables, only that there is a benefit in cooking them. There are some people in my family that don't want crunchy cooked vegetables; they want them cooked more so they're softer. So cooking them until they're crunchy is not the only way to cook them.
Judith Sachs, moderator: When the transcript for this chat is posted, we'll include some of the recipes from Penny's cookbook.
David Grotto, R.D., L.D.: And we have new recipes we post to our website, www.blockmd.com. We just did a presentation on TV where we talked about foods for fighting breast cancer specifically. Some of the recipes we features showed creative ways to eat dark greens. We actually had a roasted vegetable spinach wrap sandwich. Admittedly, the amount of spinach in the wrap was at low levels, but some is better than none!
One last comment about raw vegetables, because I know we're talking about reducing risk of breast cancer. But if you're undergoing treatment for breast cancer, especially treatments that can lower your white blood cell count, there can be increased risk of bacterial infection (food poisoning, if you will) when you have low white blood cell counts. So that's why we strongly encourage you to cook vegetables to kill bacteria that are on vegetables.
Penny Block, M.A.: It doesn't mean you have to eliminate raw vegetables, because a cool fresh salad in summer is so refreshing. But maybe for a day or two, people need to be more cautious. One of the things that Dave and his team of dieticians do is to counsel our patients so they know what is appropriate for them at any given time. We use tests to determine their biochemical statuses. But when the while blood cell count is low, use a little caution for a day or so.
On Wednesday, July 20, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Buying Healthy Food and Drink. Penny B. Block, M.A., David W. Grotto, R.D., L.D., and moderator Judith Sachs answered your questions about finding, buying, and preparing the healthiest food and drink for people with breast cancer and their families.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Random Finds
A Health Canada study of canned pop has found the vast majority of the drinks contain the chemical bisphenol A, a substance that imitates the female hormone estrogen.
The highest levels of the chemical, known as BPA, were found in caffeine-loaded energy drinks, but the residue was also detected in ginger ale, diet cola, root beer and citrus-flavoured soda. Pop cans are lined on the inside with BPA in order to prevent the drink from coming into contact with the metal in the can.
Probably Mothers Milk
Estrogens (U.S., otherwise oestrogens or œstrogens) are a group of steroid compounds, named for their importance in the estrous cycle, and functioning as the primary female sex hormone,
Well it appears Energy Drinks are testing positive for the chemical, Bisphenol A, which mimics the hormone estrogen. This chemical is often used to line the inside of cans and new testing performed in Canada showed alarming levels of this chemical in the drinks themselves.
This chemical is known to cause birth defects, but it is unclear if it really causes damage in adults. However, it’s something to be aware of and guys if you have any of the above symptoms you may want to have your hormone levels checked!
Estrogen Drink Recipe
- Banana
- Eggs
- Red Wine
- Strawberry Syrup
- Yogurt
Flaxseed
The National Institutes of Health report that flaxseed may act like estrogen, a hormone in the body. The Institute states that there is concern that flaxseed, an estrogen-acting food, may worsen or aggravate hormone-related conditions such as uterine fibroids. However, it also reports that some animal research shows flaxseed might have a protective effect against hormone-related conditions. More studies are needed. The National Institutes of Health advises that you do not include excessive amounts of flaxseed in your diet if you suffer from hormone-related conditions.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/324438-foods-drinks-to-avoid-for-women-suffering-with-fibroids/#ixzz1Jl5b5lrU
Health in Motion
LiveStrong
Food & Estrogen
Foods that contain natural estrogen
Alfalfa
Animal flesh
Anise seed
Apples
Baker's yeast
Barley
Beets
Carrots
Cherries
Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
Clover
Cowpeas (black- eyed peas)
Cucumbers
Dairy Foods
Dates
Eggs
Eggplant
Fennel
Flaxseeds
Garlic
Hops
Licorice
Oats
Olive oil
Olives
Papaya
Parsley
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Pomegranates
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Red beans
Red clover
Rhubarb
Rice (relatively high)
Sage
Sesame seeds
Soybean sprouts
Soybeans
Split peas
Sunflower seeds
Tomatoes
Wheat
Yams
Estrogen Inhibiting Foods
If you are suffering from breast cancer, PMS, fibroids, ovarian cysts, and other situations that estrogen might exacerbate, the following estrogen inhibiting foods might be of interest to you.
Berries
Broccoli
Buckwheat
Cabbage
Citrus Foods
Corn
Figs
Fruits (except apples, cherries, dates, pomegranates)
Grapes
Green beans
Melons
Millet
Onions
Pears
Pineapples
Squashes
Tapioca
White rice
White flour
Links:
HRT & Menopause
Alfalfa
Animal flesh
Anise seed
Apples
Baker's yeast
Barley
Beets
Carrots
Cherries
Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
Clover
Cowpeas (black- eyed peas)
Cucumbers
Dairy Foods
Dates
Eggs
Eggplant
Fennel
Flaxseeds
Garlic
Hops
Licorice
Oats
Olive oil
Olives
Papaya
Parsley
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Pomegranates
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Red beans
Red clover
Rhubarb
Rice (relatively high)
Sage
Sesame seeds
Soybean sprouts
Soybeans
Split peas
Sunflower seeds
Tomatoes
Wheat
Yams
Estrogen Inhibiting Foods
If you are suffering from breast cancer, PMS, fibroids, ovarian cysts, and other situations that estrogen might exacerbate, the following estrogen inhibiting foods might be of interest to you.
Berries
Broccoli
Buckwheat
Cabbage
Citrus Foods
Corn
Figs
Fruits (except apples, cherries, dates, pomegranates)
Grapes
Green beans
Melons
Millet
Onions
Pears
Pineapples
Squashes
Tapioca
White rice
White flour
Links:
HRT & Menopause
Friday, April 15, 2011
Supplement People take to Transition
Phyto-Estrogen
Spironalactone
Peppermint Oil
Prempo
Tobacco
Breaking Research
Links:
Online Forum
BBC News - Spearmint Tea
Spironalactone
Peppermint Oil
Prempo
Tobacco
here are actually some foods that block testosterone that women are able to consume. One of the most important one is some foods that contain high level of protein. Some foods like milk, egg, cheese, and fish will be the sources of protein that you should avoid very well if you want to reduce the amount of testosterone in your body. Changing those kinds of foods with fruit and vegetables might be really good for you to increase your estrogen, instead of your testosterone.
The other kinds of foods that block testosterone are tobacco. So, for men who like to smoke should be really careful with the lack of testosterone of the tobacco they have smoked. Meanwhile, for women, it somehow is a good idea to reduce the testosterone by smoking. Yet, you have to think very carefully about the negative consequences that you are going to get if you are smoking. Similar to tobacco, alcohol and marijuana are also becoming really good for you who are willing to reduce the level of testosterone in your body. But, you are not actually suggested to consume those things, since they can be dangerous for your health.
Studies have shown that spearmint tea can help block androgens in the body, which we all know lend themselves to hormonal acne and oily skin. They also say that it can help with excess hair growth in women, which is another symptom of over-production.
I haven't tried it, but am going to as soon as I find a decaf version of the tea. What do you guys think about this?
Breaking Research
Tea 'controls female hair growth'
Spearmint tea may help to control excessive hair growth in women, say Turkish researchers.
Drinking the tea twice a day, reduced levels of male sex hormones, which can cause excessive hair growth (hirsutism) on the stomach, breasts and face.
Treatment for hirsutism, usually involves drugs to reduce the levels of androgen or male hormones in the body.
Writing in Phytotherapy Research, the Turkish scientists said spearmint could be a good natural alternative therapy.
Hirsutism is rarely caused by a serious illness but excess hair growth in women can cause distress or embarrassment.
“ This study shows that spearmint could be a good natural alternative for women who have mild symptoms ”
Professor Mehmet Numan Tamer, study leader
In some cases, hirsutism may be a result of an underlying medical disorder, such as polycystic ovary syndrome.
All women produce small amounts of the male sex (or androgen) hormones, which includes testosterone, but it is the over production of the hormones that leads to excessive hair growth.
According to the researchers, extracts of spearmint plant (Mentha spicata Labiatae) had been reported to reduce libido in men in a town called Isparta in southwest Turkey, possibly due to reduced androgen hormone levels.
To look at the effects in women, 21 volunteers with hirsutism, 12 of whom had polycystic ovary syndrome, were given a cup of spearmint tea twice a day for five days in the follicular (when the ovarian follicle develops) phase of their menstrual cycle.
They made the tea by pouring a cup (250ml) of boiling water over one heaped teaspoon (5g) of dried leaves, and leaving it for five to 10 minutes.
Testosterone
The researchers found a significant decrease in free (active) testosterone in the blood and an increase in several female hormones including follicle-stimulating hormone.
However, there was no decrease in overall testosterone levels, suggesting that more of the hormone was bound to protein in the bloodstream and was inactive.
Spearmint could affect the metabolism of hormones such as testosterone or directly affect synthesis of androgen hormones, the researchers suggest.
More work is needed to test the reliability of spearmint in treating mild hirsutism, warned lead researcher, Professor Mehmet Numan Tamer.
"Current therapies use either oral contraceptives to suppress androgen production, or medications such as spironolactone that prevent the body responding to androgen - but this study shows that spearmint could be a good natural alternative for women who have mild symptoms.
"We now need to do further studies to test the reliability of this finding, and to see the extent to which the reduced androgens do help women with mild hirsutism," she said.
Professor Richard Sharpe, principal investigator at the MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit in Edinburgh said the study was yet another indication that naturally occurring plant products can have an effect on human hormones.
But he warned that women suffering from hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome needed proper medical treatment.
"It's a relatively modest change and they haven't shown in this study if it would have any consequence for the women.
"For a lot of plant derived compounds, it's difficult to take it from this type of general observation to study the mechanisms and finding what the active compound is.
"If you suffer from hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome you would want to get a thorough work up and conventional treatment, as it depends what it causing it," he said.
The best known plant for natural anti androgen food is 3, 3’-Diindolylmethane (DIM). It is very effective plant as an anti androgen. The next natural anti androgen food is spearmint tea. Spearmint tea has anti androgenic properties in females with hirsutism. Female may use this natural anti androgen food to prevent biologic effect of androgen. The third plant is scutellaria baicalensis which is also has anti androgenic properties. An herbal formula (termed KMKKT) containing Korean Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) root and nine other oriental herbs have shown in vitro anti-androgen activity. The last herb that is also including as natural anti androgen food is Pygeum africanum. Pygeum africanum contains an anti androgenic compound atraric acid. Those are some natural anti androgen food that are quite effective and capable to prevent the biologic effects of androgen.
Links:
Online Forum
BBC News - Spearmint Tea
Meeting with Shana
Hi,
It was a pleasure to meet with you and I look forward to seeing how
this project develops.
Here's what I've managed to gather so far:
The person I spoke with suggested you talk to ****** at thridroot, who
is an herbalist and may be able to help you think through that part of
your project. You can find phone and email contact information for
thirdroot here: http://www.thirdroot.org/contact.html. I don't know
****** well, but he may remember my name - I'd just tell him what
you're working on and be specific about the kind of information you're
seeking.
Also, the people who are putting together the trans health book have a
website: transbodies.com and I reached out to them to ask about
setting up a conversation. I'll let you know as soon as I hear back.
In the meantime, please let me know if you have any questions at all
or if you'd like me to look over anything. The next time we meet,
I'll also have a couple of pieces for you to read.
All the best,
Shana
It was a pleasure to meet with you and I look forward to seeing how
this project develops.
Here's what I've managed to gather so far:
The person I spoke with suggested you talk to ****** at thridroot, who
is an herbalist and may be able to help you think through that part of
your project. You can find phone and email contact information for
thirdroot here: http://www.thirdroot.org/contact.html. I don't know
****** well, but he may remember my name - I'd just tell him what
you're working on and be specific about the kind of information you're
seeking.
Also, the people who are putting together the trans health book have a
website: transbodies.com and I reached out to them to ask about
setting up a conversation. I'll let you know as soon as I hear back.
In the meantime, please let me know if you have any questions at all
or if you'd like me to look over anything. The next time we meet,
I'll also have a couple of pieces for you to read.
All the best,
Shana
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Transgender Documentary
"Tanner IV, probably started
hormones as young teenager"
"Good size Tanner V,
started hormones age 13"
Links:
Groove Film - Transgender
Breast Development
Transgender Breast Development
Friday, March 11, 2011
Questions for Interview
Questions for MTF
Questions for FTM
Questions for professionals/doctors
1. How long have you been transitioning?
2. How much further will you go?
3. What kind of treatment are you on if any?
4. Are you on HRT (hormone Replacement Therapy)?
5. How do you define your gender?
6. How do you define your sexuality?
7. How does it feel to be a MTF?
Questions for FTM
1. How long have you been transitioning?
2. How much further will you go?
3. What kind of treatment are you on if any?
4. Are you on HRT (hormone Replacement Therapy)?
5. How do you define your gender?
6. How do you define your sexuality?
7. How does it feel to be a FTM?
Questions for professionals/doctors
1. Who are prescribed medication?
2. What kind of treatments are there?
3. How do you decide what treatment to give each person?
Presis (Pre-Thesis)
I want to create a product called T-Time. It is a tea bag that contains herbs with estrogen hormones for those who are interested in Male to Female transitioning. This product would be great for those who want to make changes to their body without taking artificial hormones and surgery. Along with the tea product, there will be supplemental material. I want to produce a zine with a diverse group of transsexuals and their experience. A website would also contain additional contents from the zine and allow users to interact with others.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Body Fat
Accumulating fat is directed to certain parts of your body based on what’s happening to hormones. For example; the stress hormone, called cortisol directs fat deep in your midsection whereas estrogen directs fat superficially around your hips and thighs (called cellulite).
These body ‘shapes’ can give clues on what the body is attempting to do.
Links:
Mignum 4 Health
Monday, March 7, 2011
References
Resources:
Gay Center
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
Downetime
APICHA
People:
Some names are pending approval.
Organizations:
Sex Clubs & Venues:
Gay Center
Workshops the Gay Center is offering
• Connected in Recovery: Trans & Gender Non-Conforming Focus
Monday, March 14, 2011 - 7:00pm – 8:30pm
• Life Coaching for Gay & Bisexual Men and Trans/GNC People
Monday, March 14, 2011 - 7:30pm – 9:00pm
• Life Coaching For Lesbian & Bisexual Women and Trans/GNC People
Monday, March 14, 2011 - 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
They are familiar with Trans issues, from transitioning and questioning
Downetime
Downetime is a monthly safe space for queer Asian men/trans folk ages 18-26 to connect with each other and discuss issues and shared experiences relating to identity, community and activism.
APICHA
Group Organizations Include
• Project Connect
• EquAsian
People:
• Shana Agid
(professor)
• Jennifer S.
(Doctor at Callen-Lorde)
• Malaika Ali
(Transexual MTF)
• Charlie Solidium
(Trans Man FTM)
• Farrah F.
(Transexual MTF)
• Maxxie M.
(MAC Artist, former MTF)
• Jennifer Rauh
(Transexual MTF)
• Rebecca Samuels
(Transexual MTF)
• Jackie Wu
(Cross Dresser)
• Paula Rosenberg
(Organizer of Safe Zone at The New School)
Some names are pending approval.
Organizations:
FIERCE
Quorum Forum
Submit
HMI + Salga
Sex Clubs & Venues:
Eden's Underground - Private parties 4 transgender, TGyrl, Trans, Tranny, Transvestite, Transsexual, Cross Dresser and Admirers
Hamachi's Restauran - INA Party Every sat. 11 pm @ Hamachi (20th bet park and broadway)
Karma Lounge - 51 First Ave East Village 3-4 Sts(Downstairs)
GIP Support Group
"That's My Jam"
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Third Gender
For transwomen, taking estrogens causes among other changes:
* The growth of breasts, with concomitant enlargement of the nipples.
* Redistribution of body fat.
* Thinning of skin.
For male-to-female transgendered people, HRT often includes antiandrogens in addition to the estrogens and progestogens mentioned above.
HRT does not usually cause facial hair growth to be impeded or the voice to change.
Irreversible changes
* breast development,
* enlarged nipples and areolae
* stretch marks (for some)
Reversible changes
* decreased libido,
* redistribution of body fat,
* reduced muscle development,
* various skin changes,
* significantly reduced body hair
* change in body odor and sweat production,
* less prominence of veins,
* ocular changes,
* gonadal size
Links:
Physical Attractiveness
Scientific American - Third Gender
BBC - Laos tackles transsgender taboos
Intersex Society of North America - Raising kids in a "Third Gender"?
My Husband Betty - en|Gender
Resources:
Gay Center
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
* The growth of breasts, with concomitant enlargement of the nipples.
* Redistribution of body fat.
* Thinning of skin.
For male-to-female transgendered people, HRT often includes antiandrogens in addition to the estrogens and progestogens mentioned above.
HRT does not usually cause facial hair growth to be impeded or the voice to change.
Irreversible changes
* breast development,
* enlarged nipples and areolae
* stretch marks (for some)
Reversible changes
* decreased libido,
* redistribution of body fat,
* reduced muscle development,
* various skin changes,
* significantly reduced body hair
* change in body odor and sweat production,
* less prominence of veins,
* ocular changes,
* gonadal size
Links:
Physical Attractiveness
Scientific American - Third Gender
BBC - Laos tackles transsgender taboos
Intersex Society of North America - Raising kids in a "Third Gender"?
My Husband Betty - en|Gender
Resources:
Gay Center
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
Links from Urshula
http://inhabitat.com/nanotech-tea-bag-purifies-drinking-water-for-less-than-a-penny/
http://www.ideaconnection.com/new-inventions/insect-hotel-03758.html
http://www.ideaconnection.com/new-inventions/why-recycle-when-you-can-grow-trees-03724.html
http://dvice.com/archives/2010/06/office-on-wheel.php
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/10611/adrian-lippmann-fold-flat-shelter.html
http://www.gizmag.com/ravenwindow-automatically-changes-transparency-with-temperature/15468/
http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/06/09/re-learning-the-traffic-lights/
http://www.ideaconnection.com/new-inventions/self-powered-street-lights-03623.html
http://www.ideaconnection.com/new-inventions/cost-effective-self-healing-concrete-03622.html
http://www.ideaconnection.com/new-inventions/insect-hotel-03758.html
http://www.ideaconnection.com/new-inventions/why-recycle-when-you-can-grow-trees-03724.html
http://dvice.com/archives/2010/06/office-on-wheel.php
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/10611/adrian-lippmann-fold-flat-shelter.html
http://www.gizmag.com/ravenwindow-automatically-changes-transparency-with-temperature/15468/
http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/06/09/re-learning-the-traffic-lights/
http://www.ideaconnection.com/new-inventions/self-powered-street-lights-03623.html
http://www.ideaconnection.com/new-inventions/cost-effective-self-healing-concrete-03622.html
Herbs and their Benefits
For part of my research I am looking at herbs and their benefits. I still want to do something relating to tea and tea bags and their benefits.
I am still searching for the right natural herbs for a natural transition.
Links:
Herbs
I am still searching for the right natural herbs for a natural transition.
Links:
Herbs
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Crash Diets
I am interested to see if crash diets could have an effect on my project. Maybe do a project on diets?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Business First
I am interested in the business aspect of design. As designers, we're always behind the scene, but I want to know is designers can also be businessmen.
I am not only looking to make money, but I am genuinely interested in the promotional aspects of it as well.
I am not only looking to make money, but I am genuinely interested in the promotional aspects of it as well.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Body Impolitic
"The portraits are distanced and deliberately constructed, with serious artifice and commercial quality polish. They’re also striking, and effectively make both their aesthetic and social change points. It’s powerful work that I’m not completely comfortable with, and definitely need to think more about.
Central to this new work is a group of five photographs titled Teen and Transgender Comparative Study, which parallels two puberties: one biological, the other chemical/surgical. Over the course of a year, White worked to identify teen and male-to-female transsexual subjects who, when viewed together, would create a visual bridge between female adolescence and male-to-female sexual transformation".
In the images in White’s series, both figures are blossoming into womanhood, though each along a different path. As observers, however, we have been taught to view the subjects in much the same way: with sheer terror. (Andrew Womak, The Morning News)
Links:
Body Impolitics
Second Type Woman
Central to this new work is a group of five photographs titled Teen and Transgender Comparative Study, which parallels two puberties: one biological, the other chemical/surgical. Over the course of a year, White worked to identify teen and male-to-female transsexual subjects who, when viewed together, would create a visual bridge between female adolescence and male-to-female sexual transformation".
In the images in White’s series, both figures are blossoming into womanhood, though each along a different path. As observers, however, we have been taught to view the subjects in much the same way: with sheer terror. (Andrew Womak, The Morning News)
Links:
Body Impolitics
Second Type Woman
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tea Cups
Want to give your tea parties an unique look? Designers from London-based Undergrowth Design came up with this original idea of a stylish retro tea set with a perky wink. Blaue Blume tea set includes a tea pot ($128.00), milk jug ($59.00), beautiful tea cups ($59.00), including a pure white tea cup, original version ($59.00), all items being inspired by retro lace, pin-up girls and porcelain dolls.
Links:
Porcelain
Monday, February 21, 2011
T-Time?
I kind of figured out what I want to focus my thesis on. Again, it would be with trannies and transitioning. I should push myself to think further outside the box, but through all my studes in college, I wanted to figure out some conclusion with the trans topic. I am not sure of what kind of answer I am looking for, or something... but I can not just leave this subject with hints of project. This thesis project will allow me to collect data and research to help me tailor what I want to focus on.
So far I have collected layouts spreads, and images, and had no real direction of where I wanted to go with my research. Hopefully, this subject will keep me interested for a while. Knowing my personality, I get bored very easily. I want to expose the ugly truth and the beauty behind the whole trans subject.
I am sure there are a lot of mysteries that need to be solved, or retold. My job is to tackle this hidden and taboo subject and re-brand the idea in a new way.
Idea: To make a tea product for t-girls (pun) and market it as a natural hormonal treatment. Instead of using pills or shot, one can drink this daily tea.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Phuk Mi
Phuk Mi (fuck me) is going to be a new collection of research for my Senior Thesis project. I am not sure where I am heading with this research, but I hope to have a better and depper understanding of my subject of interest. I will also include my possible topics in my next entry.
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