In this prospective cohort study of older noninstitutionalized adults in the U.S., researchers found that consuming 1 or more eggs/week was associated with a 47.0% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD).  This study included 1024 older adults at a mean age of 81.  Over a mean follow-up of 6.7 years, 280 participants were diagnosed with AD.  Weekly consumption of > 1 egg/week was associated with a 47% reduction in the rates of AD  as was 2 or more eggs/week.  Those with intakes of > 1 egg/week also had a  reduction for AD pathology in the brain and 2 or mo ..read more

Menopause hormone therapy is having a new moment in its long history of use and research.  While the last 22 years, since the publication of the first paper from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), put what seemed like a permanent dark mark on the use of menopause hormones.  Researchers and clinicians who have kept up to date with the research in the last 22 years and longer, have realized its benefits and select risks for all of this time, and never did have the across the board dark mark against it.  But now we have the reverse problem, it’s being thought by uninformed clinic ..read more

In my neck of the woods (Pacific NW), June is when we start to see more regional juicy summer fruits including cherries and blueberries.  But this is only the beginning of the robust berry season which will soon be local blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and then the peaches, plums and melons.  We also find more and more fresh vegetables at local farmer’s markets starting with the fresh greens and snap peas and then moving into all the summer goodies of tomatoes, peppers, green beans, cucumbers, summer squash and corn.  Then, we get to look forward to winter squashes and r ..read more

Women during the menstruating years often struggle with one or more issues related to menstruation, including abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramping pain), premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and cyclic mastalgia (breast discomfort) related to PMS. Abnormal bleeding can include heavy menses, long menses, short cycle, long cycle and no cycle at all.  Any of these symptoms require an evaluation by a qualified practitioner and require a thorough medical history, select physical exam and possible laboratory testing, pelvic ultrasound and sometimes a uterine biopsy.  PMS symp ..read more

I think we all know what aging of the skin looks like: wrinkles, reduced tone, sagging areas, loss of fat pads in the face, dryness, skin pigmentation changes, telangiectasias and lentigines.  There are multiple influences on this normal age related process such that some individuals have more or less skin aging features.  Genetics, decline in estrogen with menopause, UV light exposure, cigarette smoking, alcohol, stress, select medications and weather exposure in general are the dominant influencers.  Darker skinned people have less severe intrinsic facial skin aging, with agin ..read more

The herbal research for perimenopause and menopause women and their symptoms continues to expand.  This recent published report was the second study that I am aware of, on Shatavari in menopausal women.   This randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, placebo-controlled clinical study investigated the use of a full spectrum Shatavari root for menopausal symptoms.   It was conducted in India where both pre and postmenopausal women between the ages of 40 and 65 who had typical symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, fatigue, depression, insomnia and mood swings. T ..read more

As I sit here eating an afternoon snack, I’m reminded of how easy it is to gain weight and how hard it can be to lose it.  If you are looking for a fresh, thoughtful, holistic approach to weight loss, please check out what my two favorite dieticians are offering.  And it’s right around the corner.  If you’ve tried “diets”, and are looking for a non-pharmaceutical, safe, effective, supportive, healthy approach to weight management… and especially if you are in your 40s or beyond, check it out… today!!! Here’s what they have to say: Are you struggling to lose weight in perimenopa ..read more

Menopause hormone therapy prescribing is an essential skill in the care of women.  It is imperative that all prescribers have a science based approach to the benefits and risks of menopause hormone therapy (MHT).  In these now forty years of clinical practice as a licensed naturopathic physician and a clinical practice in women’s health, I think I’ve seen every perimenopause/menopause issue, every possible evidence based and historical use natural therapy, and likely every  hormone prescription that women have been given (although I still am occasionally surprised……. and alarmed ..read more

I’m sitting at my kitchen table on the first day of the new daylight savings time. I must admit, I like the “fall backward” time change, which is much more appealing on day 1, but I am looking forward to tomorrow’s after work increased daylight to exercise outdoors and work in the garden.  But today, I don’t like that feeling of an hour of lost time. It’s not just the impact on one’s daily activities to consider.  This time change can have some other impacts that can be harmful.  Let’s start with sleep, and I’m talking more than just cranky or tired the next day.  Sleep tro ..read more

I’m turning 72 in a few days.  Year of the Dragon.  I was born in 1952, year of the Water Dragon.  In 2024, it’s the year of the Wood Dragon.  From what I have superficially read, the Wood Dragon symbolizes a rebirth within.  Apparently, the Wood Dragon is very creative and curious, full of original ideas and explores lots of subjects in life.  Full of drive and motivation, confident, with a great sense of humor, perceptive in business affairs and can be very generous.  There is much more to learn about this Wood Dragon…but it’s sounding mighty good to me. Bu ..read more