Menopause, Hormones, and Osteoporosis

After practicing Nutritional Response Testing and Functional Medicine for the past 23 years, I have found a hierarchy of things that cause, or contribute to symptoms of menopause, hormonal dysregulation, and osteoporosis.  I use Nutrition Response Testing and Functional Medicine to locate, support and eliminate these problems.

Blood Sugar Imbalances

This is the most overlooked cause or contributing cause of any and all diseases. This is also the most common reason for the dreaded estrogen dominance.  Blood sugar imbalances contribute to fatigue, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, immune system dysfunction, brain dysfunction, and the list goes on and on.  I would say over 70% of Americans (conservatively) eat too many carbohydrates (especially the so-called “good” carbs).  This is #1 on my hit list. A quick way I learned to balance this is to just start your day with meat and nuts, and nothing else.  This not only fuels your body with energy from protein but also balances blood sugar to stave off cravings later in the day.

HPA Axis Dysfunction

HPA Axis Dysfunction occurs when the patient is under chronic stress, either from blood sugar imbalances, food allergies, toxicities, chronic immune system dysfunctions, or even just life in general. First, you should locate and eliminate these stressors (when possible, as we all know certain things we can’t change.  Just make a list of the stressors, and take care of them one by one), then rebuild the HPA axis.  Most people who perform so-called “cleanses” skip this important step.  Without fixing the adrenals and related dysfunctioning glands, cleanses will make people worse.

Thyroid Dysfunction

Hidden thyroid dysfunction is rampant and is often an underlying cause of cases that do not respond. Nutrition Response Testing and Functional Blood Chemistry locate these difficult to spot cases and handle them quickly and effectively.

Food Sensitivities

I would say that at least 90% of people with hormonal issues have undiagnosed food sensitivities. This comes from overconsumption of certain foods, especially in the present or past, such as sugars, grains, dairy, and so on.  Elimination of these foods from the diet, along with enzyme replacements usually eliminates these sensitivities these within 3 months and gives dramatic results.

Metal and Chemical Toxicities

We are swimming in a sea of heavy metals and toxic chemicals. Everything from pesticides, cosmetics, to food, is now toxic.  All of these toxicities put stress on the body and must be eliminated in order to alleviate hormonal issues.  But how does this contribute to osteoporosis you might ask?  Heavy metals, especially the heavier ones, like mercury and lead (which are pervasive in our society), displace healthy minerals like calcium from our bones.

Immune System Dysfunctions

Just like a virus running in the background on a computer, immune system problems such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and yeast all sap our available energy. Nutrition Response Testing and Functional Medicine identify these immune system problems quickly so that they can be handled safely and effectively.

Bone Health

Once the above six issues are addressed, it’s time to look at bone health! You see, unless you get your digestion right, you can’t absorb the nutrients you need to build healthy bones.  Unless you get your blood sugar balanced, your hormones will not be balanced, throwing of the bone mineralization process.  Heavy metal toxicity blocks minerals from getting into the bones.  That is why all of the above issues must be addressed first.  Once they are here’s the list of things I check for with Nutrition Response Testing and Functional Medicine to assist in supporting healthy bones:

1. 1. Vitamin D
   2. Essential Fatty Acids
   3. Calcium
   4. Magnesium
   5. Digestive acids
   6. Thyroid Function

Focusing on locating and eliminating these causes with Nutrition Response Testing and Functional Medicine gives great results.