Hello from the Women For Balance Team!

We hope that you all enjoyed learning about whole body cleansing with us last month! As our newsletter helped introduce you to the health benefits of cleansing and fasting. If you missed any of our weekly radio shows where we discussed fasting and cleansing at length, you can go here --->  http://www.BalancedNowPodcast.com to listen to the recordings of all of January's broadcasts. We've heard from many of our readers who were inspired to start an extended cleanse of their own and the benefits they enjoyed as a result of their efforts! It puts a smile in all of our hearts as we realize the difference we are making in the lives of those we are able to reach. Thank you all for sharing your journey with us here at Women For Balance.

Be sure to watch for announcements for our February, Hot Flash Free broadcasts. Women's health advocate, Shana Clagg and I will be discussing Women's Heart Health in relation to the use of progesterone. We will also have Mary Tocco as an expert guest speaker. She will be discussing Childhood Vaccinations and share her expert advice about why vaccinating our children might not be the best thing for them. Coming February 19th to Hot Flash Free.  

All recipients of this newsletter are welcome to attend out weekly Hot Flash Free Live Broadcasts. If you would like to attend and hear from our expert guest speakers, the information below will direct you to our calls.

Weekly Hot Flash Free Calls~ Every Tuesday Morning

10 AM PST, 11:00 PM MT, 12:00 pm CT, 1:00 pm EST
http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/12797
Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Talkcast ID: 12797
Pin Numbers: Your own phone number  

These calls are recorded and if for some reason you cannot attend a live call, they are available online for you to listen at your convenience.

Our Focus for the month of February will be Heart Health, with a strong emphasis on how the use of supplemental progesterone can protect a woman from heart disease. I know many of our readers might be saying to themselves, *I am so young.... I have years before I need to worry about the condition of my heart*. Ladies please...please begin now by taking your health seriously and taking some simple, easy steps to help prevent the onset of heart disease while you are young enough to make a difference in your OWN lives! By making some very small changes in your diet, and using some powerful nutritional supplements, you can alter the course of your lives in dramatic ways. 

We hope you enjoy this month's issue and we hope to hear from those of you who decide to make some personal changes in your own lives!

In this issue, you will find:

• Progesterone and Heart disease

• HRT Comes With Serious Risks and Side Effects...

• Healthy Recipes From Rosie

• Aromatherapy Tips From Shana

• Baby Steps You Can Take To Move Toward Health 

• Congratulations to our JANUARY winner!!  

Progesterone and Heart disease 

Hormone imbalances induced by environmental poisons may be a contributory cause of heart disease and heart attacks in some individuals

The link between progesterone and heart disease is established at many levels. Heart disease has many manifestations. A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to the heart is cut off. In men this can be caused by either coronary atherosclerosis (deposits), thrombosis (blood clot), embolism (any foreign substance), or a spasm of the coronary artery. 

In women the link between a lack of progesterone and heart disease is perhaps stronger because of the action of estrogen. In women, heart disease is generally caused by a spasm. As we age arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries also plays a role. High blood pressure increases the risk of both heart attacks and strokes. Atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, thick blood and water retention all cause a rise in blood pressure. A normal blood pressure irrespective of age should be 120/80. 

A healthy cholesterol level should be 190 -210mg/dl. The average level in the USA is 220mg/dl, whereas people living in rural areas eating whole foods and little animal protein have levels between 120 to 160mg/dl. Too low a level increases the incidence of aggressive behavior, strokes, depression and suicides. 

There are a number of factors, which can lead to heart disease:

• a diet high in oxidized fats and

• low in anti-oxidants

• an excess of sodium and

• a lack of: potassium, calcium, magnesium, Omega 3, Vit A, C, E, selenium and zinc

A lack of magnesium in particular can cause a coronary artery to go into spasm. Omega 3 essential fatty acid is involved in the reduction of the prostaglandin thromboxane in the blood, which if too high can cause the arteries to go into spasm, increase blood clot formation and cause palpitations or arrhythmias.

Lack of progesterone and heart disease are linked through research showing that estrogen can also cause coronary arteries to go into spasm. Contrary to popular opinion estrogen does not prevent heart disease. It causes salt and water to be retained and potassium and magnesium to be lost, thereby increasing blood pressure.

The hormone progesterone, on the other hand, is a natural diuretic and protects against this. Estrogen promotes fat synthesis and blood clots while progesterone increases the burning of fats. Estrogen also accelerates the aging of collagen, weakening the walls of the arteries. 

The prevention and control of heart disease is assisted by:

• The avoidance of all forms of estrogen, oxidized fats (ie: all refined oils and fats including margarine, fried foods in particular), meat

• A reduced sodium intake

• An increased intake of potassium, calcium and particularly magnesium and the anti-oxidants Vitamins A, C, E, selenium and zinc

• Omega 3 which thins blood by lowering total cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Vitamin E is known to reduce heart disease by 75%, while Vitamin C strengthens collagen (the body's connective tissue). Magnesium prevents cramping of arteries and muscles, of which the heart is one. It is also very effective at preventing palpitations or arrhythmias.

Progesterone counteracts the effects of estrogen and is known to relax coronary arteries that have gone into spasm, it also normalizes blood clotting and brings down blood pressure by acting as a diuretic.
Taken From~ Progesterone Therapy News 

HRT Comes With Serious Risks and Side Effects...

Estrogen Definitely FAILS the heart test!

Synthetic HRT (hormone replacement therapy) may not treat your symptoms of menopause SAFELY! Synthetic hormones are different from natural hormones; they are structurally changed so they can be patented. Synthetic hormone replacement therapy RISKS MAY EXCEED THE BENEFITS! Many doctors prescribe hormone replacement therapy, and there are situations where it's appropriate. 

But much of this HRT is composed of synthetic hormones. And much of the information recently appearing in public makes the point this kind of HRT isn't as healthy as many people thought it was. Here are examples you may want to read for yourself.

The Women's Health Initiative, sponsored by the National Institute of Health, examined the relationship between traditional synthetic hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer, coronary heart disease, bone fractures, endometrial cancer, strokes and blood clots. 

This study was to last 8 years, but was stopped prematurely in July 2002 after only 5 years! Why? Because the women in the study on HRT had health risks that exceeded the benefits! And after just 5 years! 

The study found that women on hormone replacement therapy of combined estrogen plus Progestin (PREMPRO) had:

•  A 41% INCREASE in strokes

•  A 29% INCREASE in heart attacks

•  A 100% INCREASE in the rate of blood clots

•  A 22% INCREASE in total cardio vascular disease

•  A 24% INCREASE in breast cancer

•  A 100% INCREASE in the rate of Alzheimer's Disease (in women over 65) 

The Women's Health Initiative also concluded in 2003 that there were NO CLEAR BENEFITS or "Quality of Life" measures for those taking the combined estrogen plus progestin HRT! A woman's body has trouble assimilating synthetic hormones effectively and the side effects that result are often much worse than the original problems being treated. 

Study participants answered questions about their general health, bodily pain, energy, social functioning, depression, sleep, sexual satisfaction and menopause symptoms after treatment with synthetic hormone replacement therapy. 

On August, 2003 - The Oxford University in Oxford, England released a study of one million women which showed higher death rates from breast cancer among women who took combination estrogen plus progestin hormone replacement therapy than those who took estrogen alone. 

Begun in 1996, women had a 66% higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who did not get HRT. And women had a 22% higher risk of dying from breast cancer than those women who did NOT receive HRT. These results were as of 2002 when the study was stopped. 

For those taking ONLY ESTROGEN, the risk of breast cancer was 30% over those NOT taking estrogen HRT. The risk for breast cancer declined after women stopped hormone therapy - five years after stopping such therapy, women had no greater risk than those women who HAD NEVER TAKEN THE HRT THERAPY. 

Dr. Marcia L Stefanick of Stanford University is quoted in the New York Times as saying,” It looks like the longer you use (synthetic) hormone HRT, the worse off you are."

Why subject yourself to these health risks that come with synthetic HRT?
To balance your hormones, consider using bio-identical hormones, which are hormones, that ARE IDENTICAL to what your body makes. 

Taken From ~ Safe Solutions

    
*****For those who are already Neways Preferred Customers:  To Order your own tube of Natural, Bio-Identical Progesterone, simply call Neways at our toll free number 800-998-7232~

*****Healthy Recipe of the Month*******
Submitted by Women's Health Advocate: Rose Stading

Raw Cacao Mint Bark

¼ cup virgin coconut oil

¼ cup raw coconut spread

¼ cup raw cacao powder

3 T raw agave nectar

Melt and mix the four ingredients together in a small sauce pan using the lowest heat setting. Remove from stove and add one drop of peppermint oil. Pour out on a tray lined with wax paper. Allow to set up in freezer. Break apart when firm. Store in the refrigerator. 

Coconut Smoothie

10-12 ice cubes

1 cup of water

1-2 tablespoons protein powder (preferably from goat's milk)

1 tablespoon Virgin coconut oil

1-tablespoon flax seeds ground

1-teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3-4 tablespoons coconut flour (more if you want it thicker)

Place all ingredients in a blender and process at high speed until well combined. You may need more or less ice, depending on how cold you like a smoothie.  

Aromatherapy
Submitted by Women's Health Advocate: Shana Clagg 

Last month, we learned that essential oils all have a target organ or system in our bodies. This is true of the cardiovascular system!

How Aromatherapy affects the Cardiovascular System

Some essential oils are classified as hypotensive, meaning that they lower blood pressure. They achieve this effect by dilating blood vessels, and by relaxing the smooth muscle of the vein's walls.

Hypotensives: lavender, celery seed, basil, cedarwood, geranium, nigella, ylang ylang, sweet marjoram, skienard, neroli

Other essential oils are considered hypertensive, meaning that they raise blood pressure. However, evidence shows that they will raise blood pressure for people with hypotension but will have no effect on normal or high blood pressure. There is no need for contraindication of essential oils in either hypertension or hypotension.

Hypertensives: cypress, geranium, lemon, juniper

Some essential oils are rubefacient, meaning that they increase local peripheral circulation, which can be helpful for cold hands and feet or for problems such as diabetes, in which circulation may be impaired.

Rubefacients: rosemary, juniper, eucalyptus, ginger, bay laurel, black pepper, cinnamon

A few essential oils have been shown to have anticoagulant properties. This can be helpful for people who are at risk for blood clots, which could lead to more serious problems.

Anticoagulants: helichrysum, clove, West Indian bay, cinnamon leaf, basil, pimento

(From "Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners" by Ingrid Martin)

According to some practitioners, a massage with essential oils of lavender, peppermint, marjoram, and rose may help to strengthen heart action.

Essential oils that may be used for clogged, hardened arteries include:
Rosemary (Rosmatinus officinalis) and 
Juniper (Juniperus communis)..

Essential oils that aid circulation include: basil, geranium, lavender, neroli, pine, thyme, and vetiver.

Essential oils that may be used for heart palpitations or heart failure include:

Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora). 
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis). 
Melissa (Melissa officinalis). 
Neroli (Citrus aurantium). 
Peppermint (Mentha piperata). 
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). 
Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata).

Essential oils of elemi and frankincense are good for neutralizing stress, an important factor in cardiovascular disease.

How To Use:

You may:

Inhale the vapors from these oils as they rise from a bowl of water
Mix essential oils in a base oil and use in massage
Wear them as a perfume
Mix essential oils with the bath water.

 For an additional benefit, use a mixing oil that is good for the heart! Try Borage (starflower) oil, or Grapeseed oil (keeps heart healthy).

 Cautions: If you have a heart condition, consult an experienced practitioner. Do not use marjoram oil during pregnancy.

Don't neglect food for heart health! The kitchen cupboard supplies many foods whose essential oils enhance circulation, make blood vessels more elastic and inhibit blood clotting. These include garlic, onion, cayenne and ginger. Ginger either raises blood pressure by restricting external blood flow, or lowers it by dilating surface blood vessels. Garlic and onions also lower high blood pressure. Lemongrass contains five different compounds that inhibit blood clotting.

*****Take a look at the essential oils from Neways! Neways has taken centuries worth of knowledge and combined it with modern science to produce the purest, most therapeutic oils on the market today. They are 100% pure, and contain no added chemicals or additives of any kind, including vegetable oil. Neways is the only company that can trace their oils from plant to bottle.  As always, you are welcome to take advantage of the gift I've put on the table for you… become a Preferred Customer and get the Essential Oils at my wholesales cost!*****

Baby Steps You Can Take To Move Toward Health 

Top 8 Actions you can take for better health in February:

1. Immediately begin supplementing with a natural, bio-identical progesterone cream. If you are interested in the progesterone cream we here at Women For Balance use, please refer to the paragraph in pink above ;)  Endau Harmonizing Cream ~ Retail: $31.40 Wholesale: $21.90 Ask me which Neways Formula would be best for you.
    

2. Begin supplementing with a good quality Omega 3, especially good for heart health! You can get a top quality Omega 3 from Neways as a preferred customer of mine by following the same steps as outlined above for the progesterone cream. 
    

3. Take a closer look at the ingredients and chemicals that are in all mainstream personal care products. These chemicals wreak havoc with your own hormones as well as those of your family. Learn to read labels, discover which ingredients present the biggest health care risks and refuse to purchase products containing these ingredients. Neways International makes this easy for people to switch to higher quality personal care products with the Convert Your Bathroom Pack! You will find deodorant without aluminum, toothpaste without fluoride, hair care products without sodium laurel sulfate and propylene glycol. Cooperate with your body by using products that don't compromise health! Why not convert YOUR bathroom? We did! The safety and peace of mind we now have has been priceless, not to mention the health benefits! Ask me how!  Item # 5990 : CONVERT YOUR BATHROOM PACK~ Retail Price: $100.45 Wholesale price for preferred customers: $70.20
    

4. Use a common spice!! Red Cayenne is extremely beneficial to both the heart and the bloodstream. Hot and spicy, cayenne pepper adds zest to flavorful dishes around the world and health to those brave enough to risk its fiery heat. The hotness produced by cayenne is caused by its high concentration of a substance called capsaicin. Technically referred to as 8-methyul-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide, capsaicin has been widely studied for its pain-reducing effects, its cardiovascular benefits, and its ability to help prevent ulcers. Capsaicin also effectively opens and drains congested nasal passages. One can purchase Red Cayenne in capsule form at most health food stores.
    

5. Avoid eating, drinking or cooking in the microwave with soft malleable plastic containers. Be sure to use safe containers to eat and drink from in order to avoid chemical leaching. Learn more by googling *plastic dangers* http://www.google.com
    

6. Remind yourself of the 80/20 rule when making your food choices. When planning your food menus for the week, be sure to choose live foods that encourage the production of healthy cells in your body at least 80% of the time. Fresh fruits and vegetables, foods that are not highly processed and full of preservatives. Avoid foods that are full of trans fats and refined sugars.
    

7. Consider a powerful heart health supplement! CARDIOL - Co-Enzyme Q10 Helps support a healthy heart and normal blood pressure. CoQ1O and vitamin E work as cardiovascular nutrients and energy converters for enzyme-depleted systems.  Take 1 soft gel in the morning and 1 in the evening on an empty stomach. Probably the most important use of CoQ10 is in its dietary application to assist against cardiovascular disease.
   
   CoQ10 is known to be highly concentrated in this cell type. In an eight-year study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galeston, participants of the study took CoQ10 for cardiovascular disease. Eighty-eight percent of participants who took CoQ10 with conventional therapy showed significant improvement as determined by the New York Heart Association functional scale.
   Item # 1007 Retail: $31.45 Wholesale: $21.70
    

8. Get moving :))) Even if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, there are ways you can get your engine moving by taking some small steps toward becoming more active. Increase your activity on a daily basis and listen for your body to thank you for it! Start by strolling around the block once a day for a few days, gradually increase your block rotations to 2 and then three....before you know it, you will be going longer distances and be measuring by miles instead of blocks! It's a well-established fact that regular exercise is one of the best habits you can adopt that will help you avoid depression and stay emotionally balanced. It doesn't matter what kind of exercise you do. What's important is to be active and use your joints and muscles on a regular basis.

Would you like the opportunity to win a tube for yourself? I'd like to invite you to visits my site http://www.women4balance.com/judytovey and register to receive our monthly newsletter. Each month I will hold a drawing for a new winner! It could be YOU!!