Posts about heart disease prevention | Dr. Emina Jasarevic, Naturopath Kelowna

Heart Health & Cholesterol – What women (and men) NEED to Know.

February 16, 2024

The Gender Gap Cardiovascular disease (CVD) or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the…

Testosterone

Testosterone is the main male sex hormone, but it’s important for women as well, in smaller amounts. Testosterone helps maintain muscle mass and bone strength, enhances sex drive and helps with overall sense of well-being and zest for life. Overall, lower testosterone levels are being found among men in the general population. In men, testosterone levels decline about 10% every decade, but sometimes the levels drop sooner or more severe than they should. Environmental factors play a large role and low testosterone in men is commonly overlooked. Some of the warning signs of low testosterone levels include infertility, decreased muscle mass, depression, weight gain, decreased sex drive, and fatigue. There are many natural approaches to balancing hormone levels and supporting men and women in being healthy.

Why do I have allergies?

Seasonal allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to normally harmless airborne particles. An allergy is an abnormal hypersensitivity to these airborne particles or environmental antigens called allergens. An allergen can include pollen from trees, grasses, weeds, and ragweed, as well as cat or dog dander, dust and moulds. Exposure to an allergen leads to overactive B cells that in turn produce excess Immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE then triggers the allergic symptoms by activating mast cells (cells that line the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat) that produce histamine. Common symptoms include: runny nose, sinus congestion, headache, fatigue and itchy eyes.

Cortisol

Cortisol is our primary stress hormone. It is responsible for regulating many other functions in the body including, but not limited to:

Blood sugar levels
Fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism to maintain blood glucose
Immune responses
Anti-inflammatory actions
Sex hormone production
Blood pressure
Heart and blood vessel tone and contraction
Central nervous system activation

Cortisol is secreted in high amounts by the adrenal glands during times of stress. After a short period of time cortisol levels should return to normal following a stressful event. Unfortunately, in our current high-stress culture, the stress response is activated so often that the body does not always have a chance to return to normal. This can lead to “Adrenal Fatigue.” Adrenal fatigue can cause anxiety, depression, insomnia, weight gain and infertility. It is important to note that adrenal fatigue often precedes thyroid conditions as well. Treating your stress, and restoring your adrenal health is possible and often necessary to feeling better and improving your overall health.

DHEA

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is primarily produced in your adrenal glands alongside cortisol, but it’s also produced in the brain and the gonads (Ovaries, testes). DHEA is the precursor to testosterone and even estrogen. Stress and aging are the two main reasons DHEA declines. Low DHEA can lead to low sex drive, muscle and joint pain, reduced bone density, depression and weight gain.

Sometimes, women can suffer from high DHEA called masculinization such as deep voice, facial hair or male-patterned baldness. In men, it can also lead to feminine traits, such as increased breast tissue and testicular wasting. Other possible symptoms include fatigue, sweating, and acne.

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. ”
– William Shakespeare

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
– Paulo Coelho

“I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.”
– Joyce Meyer

A fit body, a calm mind, a house full of love. These things cannot be bought – they must be earned.”
– Naval Ravikant

“I don’t count my sit-ups; I only start counting when it starts hurting because they are the only ones that count.”
– Muhammed Ali

“The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician.Therefore the physician must start from nature, with an open mind”
– Paracelsus

“Begin with little things daily and one day you will be doing things that months back you would have thought impossible.”
– Swami Satchidananda

“There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophies.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche

Dr. Emina jasarevic, nd | Naturopathic physician

heart disease prevention

Heart Health & Cholesterol – What women (and men) NEED to Know.

FAQ

Testosterone

Why do I have allergies?

Cortisol

DHEA

Address

Email

Phone

Navigate

Hours