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the Big Trial, the Coronary Drug Project of 1973 that included two Considering that it is non-patentable and inexpensive, it not sur- oestrogen regimens, was conducted in men. As part of the Big prising that this is so. It is important, however, to have a much Trial design, oestrogen doses extravagantly in excess of physio- greater understanding and appreciation for this remarkable hor- logical levels were deliberately administered to men in order to mone. induce gynaecomastia [enlargement of male breasts] as an indica- As was previously mentioned, it is progesterone that is responsi- tor of successful feminisation. This resulted in thrombosis and ble for maintaining the secretory endometrium which is necessary impotence and ultimately led to research failure because of treat- for the survival of the embryo as well as the developing foetus ment discontinuations amongst the study's participants."”” throughout gestation. It is little realised, however, that pro- According to medical practitioner, independent researcher and _gesterone is the mother of all hormones. Progesterone is the author Dr John Lee, the one notable study (known as the Boston _ important precursor in the biosynthesis of adrenal corticosteroids Health Study, conducted with a large sampling of nurses) which (hormones that protect against stress) and of all sex hormones formed the entire basis of the positive oestrogen-cardiovascular (testosterone and oestrogen). This means that progesterone has link, was radically flawed. Although there is ample evidence from _ the capacity to be turned into other hormones further down the numerous other studies showing that, indeed, the opposite is | pathways as and when the body needs them. The point needs to true—i.e., oestrogen is a significant factor in creating heart dis- | be emphasised that oestrogen and testosterone are end metabolic ease—these findings have been virtually ignored in the frenzy for products made from progesterone. Without adequate proges- profits. He goes on to say that the pharmaceutical advertisements _terone, oestrogen and testosterone will not be sufficiently avail- also neglected to mention the fact that stroke death incidence from able to the body. Besides being a precursor to sex hormones, that study was 50 per cent higher among the oestrogen users. progesterone also facilitates many other important, intrinsic physi- Dr Lee has compiled a list of side-effects and physiological ological functions (which will be discussed later). impairments which result from taking oestrogen. They include increased risk of endometrial cancer, increased body fat, salt and The Oestrogen Dominance Effect fluid retention, depression and Female problems seem to be on headaches, impaired blood-sugar the rise. Between 40 and 60 per control (hypoglycaemia), loss of cent of all women in the West zine and retention of copper, Natural progesterone seems. to have | suffer from PMS. In addition, reduced oxygen levels in all cells, been totally overlooked by medical women also suffer from a thickened bile and promoted gall plethora of symptoms, some bladder disease, increased likeli- | SClence while the erroneous focus a sioaspeusel aed others ant. hood of breast fibrocysts and uter- been on oestrogen. Something quite alarming cer- ine fibroids, interference with thy- tainly seems to be happening to roid activity, decreased sex drive, Considering that it is non-patentable _ women. There is indication that excessive blood-clotting, reduced and i inexpensive, it not surprising that proper hormonal balance neces- vascular tone, endometriosis, uter- sary for a woman's body to ine cramping, infertility, and this is $0. function healthily is being inter- restraint of osteoclast function. fered with by a number of fac- With so many side-effects and tors. Research has revealed that dangerous complications, a woman a good portion of women in must think very carefully about the HRT decision. Unfortunately, their 30s (and some even younger), long before the onset of most doctors will tell her that there is no other alternative. While menopause, on occasion will not ovulate during their menstrual certainly most doctors are well-meaning and sincerely concerned month."' Without ovulation, no corpus luteum results and no prog- about their patients, their primary source of education and product _—_esterone is made. A progesterone deficiency ensues. information comes directly from the pharmaccutical companies. Several problems can result from this deficiency. One is the Since most women also lack essential education and understand- month-long presence of unopposed oestrogen with all its attendant ing about their options, menopause can be perceived as a rather _ side-effects, as already mentioned. Another is the generally frightening and perilous time. unrecognised problem of progesterone’s role in osteoporosis. Contemporary medicine is still unaware that progesterone stimu- Enter Natural Progesterone lates osteoblast-mediated new bone formation. Actually, it is For the past 15 years, Dr Lee has conducted independent progesterone that stimulates new bone tissue and is capable of research into a natural, plant-derived form of progesterone. His reversing osteoporosis at any age. Lack of progesterone means non-pharmaceutically-funded research presents a much broader _ that new osteoblasts are not created and osteoporosis can arise." understanding of a woman's hormonal options and offers a totally A third major problem results from the interrelationship between safe, effective alternative that is free of all side-effects. He has _ progesterone loss and stress, Stress combined with a bad diet can found that this natural hormone—used in conjunction with a good _ induce anovulatory cycles. The consequent lack of progesterone diet and lifestyle changes—is capable of eliminating much of the __ interferes with the production of the stress-combating hormones, suffering associated both with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and __ exacerbating stress conditions that give rise to further anovulatory menopause. Thousands of women in the Western world now use _ cycles. And so the vicious cycle continues. natural progesterone—generally in the form of a non-prescription Another major factor contributing to this imbalance between cream which is rubbed into the body. They claim that they not oestrogen and progesterone is environmental! in nature. We in the only have relief from female symptoms but experience increased _industrialised world now live immersed in a rising sea of petro- vitality, better skin and renewed emotional balance. chemical derivatives. They are in our air, food and water. These Natural progesterone seems to have been totally overlooked by _ chemicals include pesticides and herbicides (such as DDT, dield- medical science while the erroneous focus has been on oestrogen. _ rin, heptachlor, etc.) as well as various plastics (polycarbonated Considering that it is non-patentable and inexpensive, it not sur- prising that this is so. It is important, however, to have a much greater understanding and appreciation for this remarkable hor- mone. As was previously mentioned, it is progesterone that is responsi- ble for maintaining the secretory endometrium which is necessary for the survival of the embryo as well as the developing foetus throughout gestation. It is little realised, however, that pro- gesterone is the mother of all hormones. Progesterone is the important precursor in the biosynthesis of adrenal corticosteroids (hormones that protect against stress) and of all sex hormones (testosterone and oestrogen). This means that progesterone has the capacity to be turned into other hormones further down the pathways as and when the body needs them. The point needs to be emphasised that oestrogen and testosterone are end metabolic products made from progesterone. Without adequate proges- terone, oestrogen and testosterone will not be sufficiently avail- able to the body. Besides being a precursor to sex hormones, progesterone also facilitates many other important, intrinsic physi- ological functions (which will be discussed later). Enter Natural Progesterone For the past 15 years, Dr Lee has conducted independent research into a natural, plant-derived form of progesterone. His non-pharmaceutically-funded research presents a much broader understanding of a woman's hormonal options and offers a totally safe, effective alternative that is free of all side-effects. He has found that this natural hormone—used in conjunction with a good diet and lifestyle changes—is capable of eliminating much of the suffering associated both with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause. Thousands of women in the Western world now use natural progesterone—generally in the form of a non-prescription cream which is rubbed into the body. They claim that they not only have relief from female symptoms but experience increased vitality, better skin and renewed emotional balance. Natural progesterone seems to have been totally overlooked by medical science while the erroneous focus has been on oestrogen. 18 * NEXUS JUNE-JULY 1996