Dr. Amy Emch's Blog » diabetes

DHEA should be used with caution

Dr. Amy — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:54:38 +0000

Hormones are messenger molecules that influence the function of cells and tissues all over the body. DHEA and cortisol are the body’s long-acting stress hormones and are antagonistic to each other to some degree. Whereas DHEA has an anabolic or building influence, cortisol has a catabolic or tearing down effect on the body. Both of these effects are essential and these two hormones must be in proper balance for optimal health. How do these hormones become imbalanced? By stress maladaptation.

Stress maladaptation is the body’s inappropriate response to prolonged stress. The normal reaction of the body to stress is to produce greater quantities of both cortisol and DHEA. When the stress is gone, the body reduces its output of cortisol and DHEA to resting levels and everything is fine. This is what happens with short episodes of stress. However, when the stress is prolonged, the body prefers to make increasingly greater amounts of cortisol and less DHEA. How long does it take for this to occur? One study showed that after just 28 days of continuous stress, cortisol levels had climbed to 240 percent of starting values and DHEA had dropped to 15 percent of initial levels! What’s even worse is that even after the stress is removed, the body sometimes does not recover and bring these hormones back to normal levels, but instead, remains in the stress response mode with high cortisol and low DHEA output.

The consequences of elevated cortisol and reduced DHEA levels are devastating: The immune system is compromised with increased risk to infections, certain cancers, allergies and autoimmune diseases. Glucose utilization and insulin function are altered with resultant higher blood sugar levels. Salt and water are retained, producing tendency toward high blood pressure. Blood cholesterol and triglycerides increase and predispose to heart disease. Thyroid function becomes impaired, resulting in decreased metabolism, lowered body temperature, and reduced vitality. The body stores fat, especially around the midsection. Depression, insomnia, hunger, and PMS result. Reproductive function falters with resultant infertility and cessation of the menstrual cycle. The body becomes more susceptible to toxins and heavy metals. Stomach ulcers form. Memory and learning become impaired. The combination of reduced R.E.M. (rapid eye movement) sleep and lowered growth hormone release at night diminish mental and physical regeneration, which results in acceleration of the aging process. Protein synthesis is reduced and protein breakdown is increased, leading to bone loss, skin wrinkles, arthritis, muscle loss and weakness, and all the protein supplements in the world won’t make a difference. However, resistive exercise (like bodybuilding) can maintain muscle mass under these conditions by “stealing” protein from the internal organs. Obviously, this is not healthy. An additional strike against endurance athletes is the fact that insulin-sensitive, slow oxidative type 1 muscle fibers become replaced by fast glycolytic type II-B muscle fibers, resulting in poor performance. Not all of these effects of high cortisol and low DHEA occur in everyone. What does happen in each individual is dependent upon genetic predisposition and lifestyle/environmental factors.

When DHEA levels are low, supplements should be taken for several months. When another saliva test has shown that DHEA is back in normal range, the supplements are gradually tapered off and followed by another test about a week after stopping supplementation. This is done to assure that the body has recovered and is again making DHEA on its own.

For those who are not concerned with health but take DHEA for reasons other than restoring levels to normal, beware of excessive and/or prolonged use causing or contributing to: nausea, headaches, acne, liver tumors, atherosclerosis, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, male breast growth, uterine fibroids and polyps, endometriosis, cystic breasts and ovaries, male pattern hair growth in women, spotting, and breast tenderness. The adrenal glands may atrophy and some people on thyroid replacement therapy will become hyperthyroid as the DHEA makes the medication more active.

Radio Talk Show Starts Monday, December 5, 2011

Dr. Amy — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:31:20 +0000

Tune in on Monday afternoons at 3 pm weekly to hear Natural Answers with Dr Amy. 96.3 FM will have a 1 hour weekly call in talk show covering all natural medicine topics. You can call into the station, or email your questions or comments to whysradio.org or email me at the station at dramy@whysradio.org and your questions will be responded to on the air.
This talk radio show is meant to share information to increase the quality of life of the listeners through natural medicine, and natural nutrition.

Stop the FDA from making Natural Supplements Prescription only by Dec 31, 2011

Dr. Amy — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:29:10 +0000

PLEASE contact your local representatives by email to voice your concern about the FDA and AMA making all natural supplements prescription only. There is a bill in front of the Congress that will be voted on Dec 31, 2011 to ban anyone from selling natural supplements. The goal is to make you the consumer, have to see a medical doctor for a prescription for any natural supplement of vitamin.

www.usa.gov/contact/Elected.shtml

Fucoidan for Pain, Shingles, and Cancer

Dr. Amy — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:22:06 +0000

Fucoidan (Brown Seaweed Extract) has been studied to show that it kills cancerous tumors but cutting off the blood supply to tumors. Some other studies have shown it to lower blood sugar, taken with fish oil twice per day, it lowers blood levels of cholesterol, and it kills the shingles virus and caused the HIV virus to not be able to multiply! It is also very useful against the pain of arthritis, it blocks the cells that cause the inflammation. FUCOIDAN is available in 500mg capsules at B Natural in Eau Claire WI. 715-836-7021

Help Stop the FDA from regulated supplements and making them prescription only!

Dr. Amy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:44:09 +0000

http://healthimpactnews.com/2011/red-alert-fda-set-to-ban-your-supplements/

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/DietarySupplements/ucm257563.htm/

https://secure3.convio.net/aahf/site/Advocacy?alertId=911&pg=makeACall

Class At B Natural in November 2010

Dr. Amy — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 23:31:12 +0000

I am looking at my calendar and setting up some classes at B Natural.
Topics I am considering:
Beginning Healing Energy on Those You Love
Natural Medicine for ADD/ADHD in Children and Adults
Helping Infertility Naturally
General Natural Supplemental Plan for Children and Adults
Natural Cancer Therapy Plans
I am open for other topics and ideas –
Contact me through the blog or at 715-836-7021

Healthy Diet Tips

Dr. Amy — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:00:02 +0000

It is the easiest time of year to diet. It is hot outside and all the gardens are producing lots to eat.
Start with a protein (about 4-6 ounces of your choice) if you are a meat eater I would highly recommend going organic/free range so you are not ingesting hormones and chemicals in your protein source. If you a vegetaria, you could use beans, eggs, nuts, cheese, yougart etc.
The other 2 equal parts of your plate need to be alkalining foods. These tend to be vegetales. So if your protein is meat, here is where you add some grilled mixed veggies.
Remember to have at least 3 colors on your plate, and have 2 times the amount of your protein in veggies in the afternoon, fruits and grains in the morning.
Google a low glycemic foods chart off the net. This is a great way to help your pancreas, and eat lean. Exchange a sweet potato for a white potato. Exchange your regular pasta with Barilla plus or other brands that use grains high in protein.
Eating healthy doesnt mean never having comfort foods. As a nurtritionist, I meet with patients and go over their family recipes to tweek them a bit to be alittle more health friendly.

When making desert for the family add ground flax to your recipes and add a banana , healthy oils, or yougart for more moisture.
It is easy, but you have to be aware to make a change.
If you would like a private consult either in person or by telephone, call B Natural today 715-836-7021

SALES at B Natural

Dr. Amy — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:10:27 +0000

B Natural has been seeing the economy affect all our customers, in response we are working on cutting our prices on our popular items. We have the Giovani line on sale some items as much as 30% OFF!
Many other items in the store are marked down from 10-25%.
All our stainless steal drinking bottles are on huge discount!
Come in or call and we will be glad to help you and our budget through these tough times!
715-836-7021

Appointments With Doctor Amy- 2 for $80.00

Dr. Amy — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:10:28 +0000

Doctor Amy will not be taking private appointments for most of June. She will be going to Ethiopia to bring back her son and also working with several orphanages to help many sick children and training staff in the use of natural medicine.
B Natural is running an Appointment Special. If you book a 1 hour appointment in May for $80.00 you will receive a 30 minute follow up appointment FREE in late June or Early July. This will be a private consultation with Doctor Amy on any medical or nutritional need you have. This special is also available to those who come to Doctor Amy for Hands on Energy/Faith Healing sessions.
So – 2 appointments for $80.00 – the first appointment must be in May and the second appointment must be before July 30.
Call 715-836-7021 and mention this internet special to the staff for your booking special. The $80.00 must be paid in full at the time of the first appointment in May, 2010.
Hope to see you soon!

For those Who Have Been Told Not To Eat Fruits

Dr. Amy — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 20:37:58 +0000

Genses 1:29And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

Genesis 1:30
And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Lets all take a logical look at our diet. We were not meant to live on a diet of beans. Our body needs fruits and the vitamins, digestive enzymes, and fiber that God put into fruit.
Eat a diet full of color, and whole grains. Balance on the plate, brings balance to your life!