Some bioidentical hormones may not meet quality standards Nature knows best The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are questioning the increasing use of bioidentical hormones to control the symptoms of menopause. Their complaint? That there has not been rigorous clinical testing of these compounds and that some may not meet quality standards.  I don't know about you, but I'd rather take my chances with a natural product versus a synthetic one anytime. And if we're looking for judgment calls on a product's safety, we need to look no further than the study that pointed out the health risks of taking Big Pharma's hormone replacement drugs!  That study, the Women's Health Initiative, was the first-ever large-scale investigation designed to examine the effects of HRT. It found that a widely prescribed therapy combing estrogen and progestin caused increases in breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. The study was halted four years earlier than expected because of researchers' concerns.  The bottom line is while there is risk with all treatments, natural is always better.  ****************************************************  A gas guzzler  Q: I have an embarrassing problem. Can you offer me a remedy for flatulence? Simple diet changes are not doing the trick!  JVW: Try peppermint oil. In a clinical trial, 110 patients with irritable bowel syndrome took either 187 milligrams of peppermint oil three to four times a day, about 15 to 30 minutes before each meal for one month, or a placebo. The patients on peppermint oil experienced less flatulence, along with improvements in abdominal pain and distension and stool frequency. Look for peppermint oil capsules that are enteric-coated to avoid potential heartburn. The coating ensures that the capsule will not break down until it has passed through the stomach and into the small intestine.  ****************************************************  What is...a bioidentical hormone?  Bioidentical hormones are derived from estrogen-like plant compounds and are identical to natural hormones in the body. Natural hormone replacement therapy tries to mimic as closely as possible the natural proportions of the hormones estrone, estradiol, estriol, and progesterone that are present in a woman's body between the onset of menstruation and menopause.  Bioidentical hormones are available from health care practitioners that are knowledgeable about natural therapies. Physician referrals can be found on the website for the American College for the Advancement in Medicine (acam.org), or the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (aaem.com). As with any long-term therapy, it is important to seek the guidance of a skilled professional before pursuing treatment.   Yours in good health, Amanda Ross Editorial Director Nutrition & Healing

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