Dear Dr. Dean: Recently I began taking HerBalance 1 and using the Progesterone Cream to help with my perimenopausal symptoms. I feel 100% better and my symptoms seem to be letting up but I am now starting to put on excess weight around my midsection. I haven't changed my eating habits or exercise but everyday it seems like my clothes are getting tighter and tighter. I also have high blood pressure (140/90) and high cholesterol (240). Is there something else I need to be taking to supplement my new regime so I slow down on the weight gain? Most of my weight is in my midsection (suggesting possibly a cortisol problem?). Any suggestions would be dearly appreciated. I love your company and your products and am dedicated to working through this naturally instead of through the local medical community who just wants to stuff me full of pills. Ms. N.

Dear Ms. N., Whenever someone notes a sudden change, something is going on. With regard to your symptoms, my first guess is to check your thyroid. Please see my article on hypothyroidism on VRP's website. Dr. Broda Barnes believed that hyperlipidemia could almost always be considered a sign of subclinical hypothyroidism. Also, another cause could be borderline or overt diabetes--or hyperinsulinemia. As we get older we all tend to become borderline diabetic. Please see my article on the Metabolic Pattern of Aging in the April 2002 issue of VRP's newsletter (also available on our website). This article ties together the common cause of hypertension, hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol), hypercortisolemia, and weight gain--and that common cause is insulin resistance (hyperinsulinemia). Thus, a combined approach is to first address the central problem of hyperinsulinemia. The most effective way is with Metformin (glucophage), an anti-diabetic drug. See my article on Metformin on VRP's website. You may be able to get a prescription from your physician. Alternatively, you can obtain it without a prescription from IAS (www.antiaging-systems.com). VRP's natural alternatives to Metformin include GluControl or AGEBlock which contain VRP's standardized Goats Rue Extract--the herbal prototype for Metformin. A related approach is to add AdaptaPhase I and possibly AdaptaPhase II to address any possible cortisol involvement (especially likely if your thyroid is involved, as hypothyroidism, hyperinsulinemia, and hypercortisolemia all go hand-in-hand). CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) may be useful to help with weight loss as well as to lower cholesterol. Also, a mild diuretic like Dandelion Root may help if you are experiencing any signs of fluid retention (rings not fitting, tight shoes, etc). Hope these suggestions help. Ward Dean, M.D.

      

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