Could Melatonin Help You Sleep Better and Longer?

Aloha,

Do you have problems falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night? Did you know our body naturally produces a hormone called melatonin from our pineal gland? This hormone is what helps us sleep every night. Recently, I read a couple articles on the cycle of sleeping and waking. The first article comes from the National Sleep Foundation and they found:

“A key factor in how human sleep is regulated is exposure to light or to darkness. Exposure to light stimulates a nerve pathway from the retina in the eye to an area in the brain called the hypothalamus. There, a special center called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) initiates signals to other parts of the brain that control hormones, body temperature and other functions that play a role in making us feel sleepy or wide awake.”

They explain around 9pm our bodies start to release melatonin into our bloodstream making us tired. Interestingly, this is generally the time I tend to start getting ready for bed. I highly recommend trying this natural hormone supplement to see if it will fit in your daily program. Sleep is an extremely important part of living a healthy lifestyle according to the US Department of Health and Human Services NIH (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute):

“Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety.”

What if our natural melatonin doesn’t function as it should? I am sure you have seen melatonin down the vitamin aisle at stores. What is the appropriate dosage to take? The right dosage will be different for everyone and may take a few attempts to experiment at different levels. However, finding that dosage amount and what time to take melatonin (how much sleep you need for it to wear off) is extremely important.

I discussed with friends their experiences with melatonin, one friend explained 5mg works great while others need 20mg or more. Everybody is different with how much melatonin is released within your body and how much extra you need to supplement to ensure a good night’s rest. Understanding your needs for melatonin can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.  

Keep Smiling,

Melissa

Testosterone in Men and Women

Aloha,

Have you thought about the possibility of having low in testosterone? Yes, both men and women suffer from low testosterone. Understanding the signs and symptoms, in men and women, can help dramatically and improve testosterone levels.

Since I was 30 years old, I forced my body through menopause with a lupron shot prior to starting chemotherapy in order to prevent my estrogen-positive cancer from spreading. Unfortunately, I had the same side-effects women go through during menopause including hot and cold flashes, dryness, and low libido. Have you considered the changes your body is going through and the hormones it could be lacking? It may be your body is needing more testosterone.

Dr. Purser talks about how women needs testosterone and understanding what testosterone does for your body. Testosterone increase muscle mass, improves joints, and increases libido going. Personally, I use a testosterone cream and it has helped rejuvenate my body’s hormones to help its healing process. Be sure to watch Dr. Purser’s videos WOMEN: Testosterone Natural Options and Low Testosterone in Women for more information.

Generally, for men three causes contribute to low testosterone. These are trauma (pituitary or testicular) nutrition, and/or genetic. Finding the root reason of low testosterone and increasing levels naturally is critical. Using testosterone shots or creams should be your last result. Dr. Purser sees many who suffer from head trauma, such as concussions, have low levels of testosterone. Vitamin deficiencies, nutritionally and genetically, have negative affects in your body’s ability to naturally produce testosterone. Low Testosterone in Men, Five Things About Testosterone Your Doctor Has Wrong, and Dr. Purser’s book Improving Male Sexuality, Fertility and Testosterone cover solutions and natural treatment plans to improve low testosterone.

Keep Smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Natural Progesterone

Aloha,

In a previous blog, I talked about the ‘Sunshine’ vitamin, and today I want to share a little bit about the ‘Feel Good’ hormone. Natural progesterone is an incredible hormone that helps women with many benefits women. Take a look at some of these benefits:

• Stops or reduces hot flashes

• Stops or reduces night- or day-sweats

• Reduces risk of breast cancer

• Kills breast cancer cells (causes apoptosis)

• Reduces or reverses fibrocystic breast tissue

• Reduces the risk of heart attacks (reduces coronary artery disease)

• Causes somnolence (sleepiness) and aids in sleep

• Causes weight loss

• Causes increase muscle

• Gets rid of migraines and menstrual headaches in women (not men)

• Shuts down endometriosis

• Halts abnormal uterine bleeding

• Causes hair regrowth (thicker hair)

I can imagine almost every woman has at least one thing on the above list they would like to reduce or stop. The women in my family that take the compounded progesterone version, that dissolve under the tongue, rave about the benefits! Since monthly cycles are less painful, or nonexistent, they do not need to plan for ‘that time’ of month.  

I sat down with a woman who started to use progesterone in her 40s. She would suffer from horrible monthly cycles including heavy flow, clotting, and cramps. When she started progesterone, she had “an overall feeling of wellness, slept better, and felt an improvement in sex-drive.” The progesterone changed her monthly cycles into a much gentler experience along with clearer skin.

Another woman in her 20s says, “Progesterone is the ultimate woman's feel good hormone! I’ve taken it since I was 17 and I cannot not live without. It always keeps my cramps and emotions steady and helps me sleep fully. Progesterone just makes me feel better overall!”

As you can see the benefits of this natural hormone help women of all ages. If you are interested to learn more about progesterone, speak with your doctor and check out Dr. Purser’s book PROGESTERONE: The Ultimate Woman’s Feel Good Hormone.

Keep Smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Essential Oils & Menopause

Aloha!

 One of the most dreaded words for women is menopause. Many women embrace this natural change; however, other women are shocked when it happens to them. Personally, my body is going through menopause as a result of my cancer treatment. Unfortunately, I am very familiar with the constant hot and cold flashes women face during this difficult time.

 Have you realized what happens to your body besides the hot and cold flashes, or the joyous stop of your monthly cycle? What other changes take place within your body that cause these symptoms? Can you do anything to help compensate for what your body is losing? Dr. Dan Purser’s Essential Oils and Healthy Menopause: History and Research Secrets is a great resource to understand more about menopause. Below I will cover several main points, but I would recommend reading his book for a deeper look into menopause.

 In menopause, your ovaries begin to fail, if they haven’t failed already. From their failure, you will no longer produce at least five hormones including Progesterone, Testosterone, Estradiol, DHEA, and Pregnenolone. These hormones not only make us beautiful women, but protect us from aging. Fortunately, essential oils can help substantially. Below are oils and vitamins that are life-savers for replenishing these hormones:  

• Progesterone Supporting Essential

• Testosterone: Mountain Savory Blue Spruce Essential Oil

• Estrogen: Lavender oil and Clary sage

• Thyroid: Myrtle

• Jasmine

• Evening primrose essential oil

• Chaste Tree Berry Leaf

• Zinc tablets

• Glutathione

• Vitamin D

I would highly recommend learning more of how these oils benefit the loss of these hormones during menopause with Dr. Purser’s book. Hopefully using essential oils is possible solution to help you feel better and healthier!

Keep smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Natural Infertility Treatment

Infertility affects thousands of couples each year who struggle to find helpful advice. One common treatment recommended is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Although initial testing is performed, it is incredible how many doctors leap to IVF as an answer. The two reasons I would not recommend IVF is the treatment’s cost and scope. To complete the treatment, couples can expect to spend roughly $12,500 (Utah IVF average) while critical infertility issues (low testosterone and sperm count from pituitary, genetic, or nutritional factors) are rarely considered.

Unfortunately, more natural female infertility treatments are not given enough merit since the root causes (minor to moderate) are not known, understood, or recognized sufficiently. From my ten years of research, vitamin deficiencies and pituitary dysfunction (less common) can cause ovarian or testicular insufficiencies, when may appear as pituitary damage. However, the ‘appearance’ of pituitary damage is a lack of fertility hormones produced to complete the fertilization process. To address this factor of infertility properly, we use specialized technology (FDA & HHS approval) to provide reliable and insightful results.

For most cases, genetics also need to be reviewed (particularly for MTHFR) for each spouse. We use intracellular vitamin testing, targeted supplement regime, and deep genetic testing to understand and resolve the full issue. Our patients who combine their knowledge of infertility factors and genetics, address their long-term fertility success while improving their children’s health affordably.

If you (or a spouse) struggle from infertility, be sure to check out my bestsellers on Amazon for further information or schedule an appointment. Contact me at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com.

God bless and go in good health!

Dr. Purser

Natural Osteoporosis Therapy

Osteoporosis is a problem many individuals face. However, osteopenia (a precursor to osteoporosis) is an even bigger challenge few recognize. To compound the issue, many doctors prescribe bisphosphonates when undiagnosed (or improperly diagnosed) vitamin deficiencies are causing osteopenia and osteoporosis. Unfortunately, bisphosphonates are reported to have a 75% rate of serious side effects.  

Vitamin deficiencies are no joking matter in relation to osteoporosis. Most know a lack of Vitamin D can cause softer bones and lower levels of calcium. Yet, many other vitamin deficiencies, including magnesium and zinc deficiencies, may lead to osteoporosis.  

In our research, we found intracellular levels of these vitamins are far more accurate than serum levels to assess deficiencies. Therefore, we use a patented (FDA & HHS approved) method that measures 39 potential deficiencies in addition to properly obtaining serum levels of various hormones (all of which can impact quality of life, bones, cardiovascular health, and sexuality). When vitamin and hormonal levels are optimized, majority of patients experience an increase of bone density and do not rely on bisphosphonates (or similar drugs).  

If you have any osteoporosis symptoms, here is the link to my free book of extensive osteoporosis research. Read More →  

For any other symptoms or concerns, be sure to check out my bestsellers on Amazon for more information or schedule an appointment. Contact me at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com. 

God bless and go in good health! 

Dan Purser MD