Dear Friends, www.majesticearth-minerals.com

So, would you rather put yourself at risk for heart disease and osteoporosis, or breast and uterine cancer? That is the question women contemplating hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have had to ask themselves for years. When women go through menopause, sex hormone levels decline. Since the primary sex hormone for women is estrogen and since estrogen affords a certain amount of protection against osteoporosis, doctors have encouraged their female patients to go on synthetic estrogen pills once perimenopause and menopause hit. Estrogen has the effect of impeding the work of the specialized "osteoclast" cells. Osteoclast cells are multinucleated cells whose job it is to dissolve old bone cells for resorption into the blood. So, to forego HRT at a time when natural estrogen production is waning, means saying 'no' to the check on osteoclast activity that estrogen dominance affords. On the other hand, studies have shown that to rely on synthetic estrogen pills to maintain estrogen levels once the ovaries cease production, means subjecting oneself to an ever increasing risk of breast and uterine cancer as well as to a higher risk of abnormal blood clotting (stroke / thrombosis), gallbladder disease and inflammation of the pancreas. Now, to the dismay of the drug companies no doubt, (female hormones are the top selling prescription drugs in the US and around the world), the latest literature expresses a deepening concern for health risks associate with HRT and a simultaneous lessening to abandonment of concern regarding heart disease and osteoporosis as consequences of forgoing HRT. What is emerging now, in fact, is the beginning of a consensus in support of those who advocate for employing common sense, low tech, all natural strategies in coping with perimenopause and menopause.

The most recent and most alarming shot across the bow for producers of synthetic hormones for women, rang off just a few short months ago when a massive, long term study on HRT was ordered to a screeching halt. The study was halted when it became glaringly obvious to officials that non-placebo participants (HRT recipients) were being subjected to an unacceptably high a level of risk. ABC News Anchor, Peter Jennings, gives us the details (PLEASE LINK HERE). Next, the pre 1990 findings of the positive effects of HRT on heart disease risk were rejected by several longer term and, arguably, more accurate studies. Here, the findings (the HERS study -- Heart and Estrogen Replacement Study) came in showing an increase of risk for heart disease particularly in the first year of HRT. Then in May 2003 a "final nail in the coffin for HRT," according to St. Louis gynecologist, Dr. Robert Blaskiewicz, came in the form of a JAMA article reporting that HRT women run a higher risk for Alzheimer's and dementia (before it was thought to lower risk for Alzheimer's!).

On the other side of the coin, many have taken a closer look at the role of natural progesterone versus synthetic estrogen and synthetic progestins (HRT) when it comes to maintaining a strong musculo skeletal profile. While it is true that estrogen dominance inhibits osteoclast activity (bone loss) it is the decrease in natural progesterone, beginning about 15 years prior to menopause, which seems to pose the gravest threat. The fact is, the progesterone hormone stimulates osteoblast activity. While osteoclasts are responsible for removing old, damaged, spent bone cells, osteoblasts work to replace spent cells with fresh, new, strong ones, actually building bone mass, given the right nutrient environment. As progesterone levels decline, however, the trick is to supply the body with enough of the raw material, the progesterone precursors, it needs to manufacture sufficient natural progesterone. While natural progesterone will prevent breast cancer and normalizes blood clotting, synthetic progestins do just the opposite. A glance through the "side effects" section of a Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) for Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (Provera -- a commonly prescribed, synthetic progestin) underscores the nightmarish consequences the drug can have for some ("sudden or partial loss of vision; may contribute to thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolism and cerebral thrombosis; may cause fluid retention, epilepsy, migraine, asthma, cardiac and renal dysfunction, breakthrough bleeding or menstrual irregularities and depression," etc, ETC. � the list continues for another 15 lines)

When women enter perimenopause, the time preceding the complete cessation of sex hormone production, signals between the pituitary (the part of the brain that releases follicle stimulating hormones) and the ovaries (where estrogen is produced) is erratic at best. This means wildly fluctuating estrogen levels and is thought to be the cause of all the symptoms associated with perimenopause: night sweats; hot flashes; vaginal dryness; painful and erratic menses; irritability; anxiety; depression; headaches; mood swings; etc. Some women have it so bad they can literally heat up a room with the temperature spikes they experience and soak a pillow right through with perspiration! It's a scary time for the women involved as well as for those close to them.

What Dr. Wallach and Youngevity have come up with in response to all this is to offer a group of products designed to encompass the entire gamut of health challenges for women. Years of research, years of common sense application, offer women an alternative to the suicidal dive into the world of pharmacopoeia many have thought to be their only choice. The products I refer to, here, are the all new, liquid, Majestic Earth Women'sFx as well as Invision Balance Cream and Ultimate BalanceFx.

The most striking thing about Majestic Earth WomensFx is its brilliant purple color. This is accounted for by the fact that it contains high levels of blueberry as well as pomegranate concentrate. We have all heard about the marvelous anti-oxidant qualities of red wine and grape seed extract and green tea. Pomegranate concentrate packs in two to three times the anti-oxidant power of the above! Blueberry concentrate contains significant bioflavinoids which work as anti-virals, anti-fungals, anti-inflammatories and inhibit platelet aggregation. As with all of Dr. Wallach's liquid products, the Majestic Earth WomensFx is formulated in a base of liquid, organic, plant derived minerals, trace minerals and rare earths. These life giving minerals are prerequisites to certain, vital, enzymatic reactions, permit the body to make use of vitamins and act as a catalyst or spark plug in literally tens of thousands biochemical processes. In short, they help the Majestic Earth WomensFx and the other liquid products Dr. Wallach has formulated to work as well as they do. Besides providing an intense array of polyphenols and flavinoids and anti-oxidants to help a woman's body stand firm against cardiovascular disease, cancer, aging, etc., the WomensFx contains a mix of herbs, used for years to gently escort women through their time of transition.

Top on the list is Black Cohosh. In spite of its cost, Majestic Earth WomensFx does not skimp on this valuable herb including a full 75 mg per one fluid ounce serving. Recent studies of Black Cohosh have isolated chemicals in the herb that actually mimic estrogen, thus allowing it to act as a totally safe bridge between estrogen levels associated with the childbearing years and diminished levels associated with post child bearing years. Black Cohosh helps with communication between the pituitary and the ovaries, again, allowing for a gradual rather than erratic transition. It is also an anti-spasmodic useful for relief of muscle cramps and menstrual pain. It is also a mild sedative which helps with the anxiety and nervousness and mood swings associated with perimenopause.

Another herb contained in the Majestic Earth WomensFx is Wild Yam Root. Wild Yam contains a multitude of hormone like "hormone precursors," essentially the master chemical construct from which the body can manufacture natural progesterone as it needs it. This is enormously important in that by keeping natural progesterone levels up the body can balance estrogen levels, metabolize fat, prevent endometrial cancer, normalize blood sugar levels, facilitate thyroid secretion, build bones and restore sex drive. Majestic Earth WomensFx also has the soy isoflavinoids well known for their ability to protect against breast cancer by blocking the activity of cancer promoting estrogen. Also, for good measure, the product includes green tea extract for even greater capillary and cardiovascular health. And, finally, the polyphenols from the gamma oryzanol (from red rice bran oil), in the Majestic Earth WomensFx helps to modulate pituitary secretions, scavenge free radicals, reduce platelet aggregation, lower high blood pressure and achieve proper LDL / LDH cholesterol levels. The Majestic Earth WomensFx is delicious, it mixes up beautifully in a tall glass of ice water and is probably the best friend a woman can have during her time of need.

Ultimate BalanceFX is a capsule form product containing smaller amounts of the Wild Yam and Black Cohosh as well as the herbs Dandelion Root, Dong Quai Root and Burdock Root. It compliments the Majestic Earth WomensFx yet also lends an emphasis on challenges faced by women who are still cycling (PMS, cramps, mood swings, etc.).

Dong Quai Root has been used for thousands of years to address almost every gynecological complaint: everything from regulating the menstrual cycle; easing menstrual pain and cramping; absence of menstruation; PMS; weakness during menstrual period; relieving hot flashes during menopause and headaches associated with menstrual disorders. Burdock Root acts as a diuretic, is an excellent blood purifier and is good for diseases of the skin. Dandelion is a diuretic and a tonic used throughout the ages for urinary, kidney and liver disorders.

The Invision Balance Cream is an especially rich source of the Wild Yam, containing almost two times as much as our old "Progesterone Cream" product. When a woman wants to get really aggressive about supplying her body with natural progesterone, or rather with what the body requires to make natural progesterone, she can use the cream, topically, in addition to taking the Majestic Earth WomensFx. The tiny (colloidal) trace minerals and MSN in the formula help to suck the cream right in, deep, making the Wild Yam immediately available to the body.

Hormones regulate so many functions in the body. When they are out of balance life can be unpleasant in the extreme. Synthetic hormones can, like many drugs, produce an immediate, desired, result (relief of symptoms). But, at what cost? More and more the literature suggests that the cost in terms of health and longevity just isn't worth it. Especially, as long as there are less aggressive, less expensive and time proven alternatives. Youngevity is proud to weigh in, in the field of alternatives for women struggling with these concerns, with the product threesome of Majestic Earth WomensFx, Ultimate BalanceFx and Invision Balance Cream. All are available for order on Dr. Wallach's Online Shopping Cart Store at www.majesticearth-minerals.com. Give them a try for a month or two and send us your comments.

Also, as a reminder to women (and men!) concerned about osteoporosis and musculo skeletal decline in later years, and in the same spirit of offering a safe, common sense, low tech, lower cost, alternative to the prescription drug route, Dr. Wallach and Youngevity offer the Osteoporosis Pack. The Osteoporosis Pack contains the raw materials the body requires to reclaim musculo skeletal health the natural way.

Best of Health,
Stu Hunt
Don Ellis