Bioidenticals & Custom Compounded Hormones: Pursuit of Alternative Medicines

Organic, natural, alternative and the list goes on as the age of internet produces more information to anyone with access can handle.  The ease of researching and to promote and publish books is making it blatently easy to market your opinions and products whether founded or not.  We all are hearing the benefits of organic products and who can not admit that the concept is good?  The older I get, my quest to stay younger and live longer has grown beyond my wildest imagination.  Now when I crave a Big Mac, I contemplate the millions of calories I'm adding to my already challenged body not to mention preservatives, flavorings and hormones utilized in the meat and buns.

I work at a pharmaceutical company so I understand the in's and out's of clinical trials and research.  The trend within the whole beauty and well being market is on bio this and bio that and gene this and gene that.  The latest buzz and I might be wrong but I think Suzanne's Somers book has started the flap is around Bioidentical.  I admit that I've not heard that term until this morning when I was reading this AP article titled "'Bioidenticals' Not FDA-Approved, Contain Estrogen."

The key take away from this is any health care supplement/product that is deemed natural is not required to go through the FDA process of proving safety and efficacy.  You might recall the Hydroxycut recall and prior to that, years ago, ephedra (I think).  Both products were deemed "natural" so the unsuspected user assumed it was safe and I was one of those. 

This trend with Bioidenticals is within the name as the appeal to consumers.  Per the article: 

"Bioidentical" is a marketing term that has no accepted medical meaning. Its implied benefit is not unique to alternative remedies; many prescription drugs contain hormones that chemically match estrogens and progesterones made naturally by the body.

Women need to understand there's no rigorous evidence these preparations are any more effective or any safer than traditional hormone therapy. In fact, there's much less evidence for efficacy and very little research on long-term safety," said Manson, who has no industry ties and was a key researcher in the big federal study that warned women in 2002 of the health risks from long-term hormone use."

The article also mentions compounding pharmacists which according to the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists are those 'who provide personalized medication solutions, mixed safely by trained, licensed pharmacists.'

I had no idea that they could do that either so I definitely learned a lot about this topic.

One final quote from the AP story:

In 2001, the government tested 29 products from compounding pharmacies and found that one-third did not meet standard quality benchmarks, including potency problems, Manson writes in her book, "Hot Flashes, Hormones and Your Health."

Want to know more or look at available products? Try Amazon:

       

Fall Into Good Health Series: Homeopathy Medicines for Children

As part of my series in getting healthier and having two children with chronic medical conditions both linked to elevated risks with H1N1, I am definitely in tuned to alternative methods of safeguarding them.  The homeopathic drugs allow another alternative to treating illnesses and diseases without the worry of contraindications.  With epilepsy, Keppra has warnings and with severe asthma, the same holds true.  As I approach this winter and all the reports of an increase risk with H1N1, this appears to be a good approach for me. 

These are some of the ways I'm safeguarding my family:

1. Everyone washes their hands frequently and in particularly, after a sneeze or blowing of the nose. 
2. Hand sanitizer is used when washing hands is not viable.  We go through a lot of hand sanitizer!  I don't bombard the house with an abundance of anti-bacterial products as I feel too much of a good thing could be bad.
3. Vitamins are taken by both myself and my husband as well as my children. 
4. Ensuring everyone is getting good sound sleep and eating a well balanced, healthy meal is also critical.
5. Light therapy via playing outside in the sun.  This was actually prescribed by one of my daughter's allergist for both girls as he was telling me how lack of Vitamin D is increasingly becoming an issue in the US and kids need to spend more time outside.

If you aren't aware of what homeopathy is, it's a therapeutic method to help the body and heal itself.  This type of medicine has been around since the beginning of time and with more and more people becoming concerned about what we are putting in our bodies, homeopathic medicine is a great alternative.  More and more practicing physicians are incorporating natural ways into their routine with patients.

Current homeopathic medicinces are used for many conditions such as allergies, flu-like symptoms, coughs and colds, arthritis pain, depression and the list goes on.  As a parent, I've been very attuned to the recent reports warning of over the counter medications and the dangers associated with them.  In fact, many aren't available any longer due to this concern mostly because of human error in administration.  I felt I was without choices other than Vicks and a vaporizer and really felt compassion towards the little one as they have no relief from symptoms.  To me, it's going to be more difficult to get better if they can't sleep and are too busy crying out of frustration and feeling miserable.

I just learned from the One2One Network that there are choices and I can't be more thrilled!  Boiron, been around for more than 65 years, just introduced three new homeopathic medicines for children!

1. Children's Oscilloccinum helps to nip flu-like symptoms.
2. Children's Coldcalm Pellets is a multi-symptom cold reliever.
3. Children's Chestal is for all types of coughs. 

These homeopathic medicines work naturally and safely without nasty side effects or drug interactions which means I can administer this with the six year old's Keppra and the two year old's allergy/asthma medications.  Another bonus is they are apparently sweet tasting and kid-friendly.

Bioron recommends having the Children's Oscilloccinum on hand since it works the best at the first onset of symptoms of a cold.  All of the Bioron line can be purchased without a prescription and are available at most major drug stores and other retail outlets.  Click HERE to find a retail location near you.

Because Bioron is a pharmaceutical company, they strive to maintain the highest standards in manufacturing and other areas of quality.  If you would like to learn more about homeopathic medicine, Bioron has a host of resources by clicking HERE.

For a $1 off coupon, click HERE.

After all, happy kids make happy parents!

*I was not paid nor compensated for this entry.