Getting Customized Prescriptions
Compounding Pharmacies & Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
By Dr. Steven Russell

Where do bioidentical hormonescome from? Are they safe? Are the doses accurate? How do I know what I am getting?

Suffering from the symptoms of hormonal imbalance can be debilitating. Once a BodyLogicMD patient is properly diagnosed using comprehensive blood, saliva, symptoms and medical history – a customized hormone therapy plan is designed based on individual needs. This customized plan typically includes bioidentical hormones (directed to a qualified compounding pharmacy) integrated with a nutrition and fitness plan.

“We employ a great deal of criteria and screening before referring a patient to a compounding pharmacy,” said Patrick Savage, BodyLogicMD President. “All compounding pharmacies are not the same, and we only recommend pharmacies that are experienced, reliable, reputable and cost effective for our patients.”

With an estimated 3,000 compounding pharmacies, filling 30 million prescriptions a year in the United States, consumers have a wide range of choices. The decision in choosing a compounding pharmacy should not be based on proximity, but on industry reputation.

“The key to successful bioidentical hormone therapy is that it is individualized to each patient’s symptoms and needs,” said Steve Russell, founder of Medaus, one of the largest compounding pharmacies in the nation. “There are not general rules of one-size-fits-all but based on the experience and knowledge of the pharmacist. A qualified compounding pharmacy needs to have the best products – that are tested – with the most knowledgeable pharmacists and a staff that provides superior customer service.”

What is a compounding pharmacy?
A compounding pharmacy is a long-established tradition in pharmacy practice that enables physicians to prescribe – and patients to take – medicines that are specially prepared by pharmacists to meet patients’ individual needs. Since patients and their needs differ, customized, compounded medications are a vital part of quality medical care. Also, a growing number of people have unique health needs that over-the-counter prescription medicines cannot meet. For them, customized, compounded medications prescribed by licensed physicians and mixed safely by trained, licensed compounding pharmacists are the only way to better health.

What are bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are substances with the exact same molecular structure as those made in the human body, which produce the same physiologic responses as the body’s natural hormones. The US Patent Office considers bioidentical hormones natural, regardless of their source and as a result, they cannot be patented. Bioidentical hormones that are plant derived have been available for over 20 years.

The most common bioidentical hormones are estrogens and progesterones designed to relieve the symptoms of menopause and hormonal imbalances and compounding pharmacies are the source. Compounding pharmacies make these hormones from ingredients that come from plants such as yams.

Cholesterol is "Good" for You?!
By Dr. Alicia Stanton l Manchester, CT

Cholesterol naturally rises with age and is a leading contributor to heart disease – the number one killer in the United States. While you may have heard the importance of watching your cholesterol levels for a healthy heart, many people do not realize the connection between cholesterol levels and hormones. Cholesterol is the building material for the following hormones:

• Pregnenolone
• DHEA
• Progesterone
• Testosterone
• Cortisol
• Estradiol
• Aldosterone

These hormones are important in many aspects of our lives, including:

• Mineral balance
• Blood pressure regulation
• Sex hormone balance
• Blood sugar regulation

“If adequate cholesterol levels are not maintained and balanced, these hormones cannot be made in good quantities and symptoms of hormone deficiency may occur,” notes Stanton.

What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and is a soft, waxy and fatlike substance. But unlike general thinking, cholesterol is not all bad; it is necessary by the body to strengthen cell membranes, digest fats, make hormones and insulate nerves.

There are two types of cholesterol: LDL (bad) and HDL (good). LDL cholesterol causes build-up of plaque in arteries that blocks blood flow to the heart and brain. HDL, on the other hand, appears to have the ability to help prevent heart disease by carrying LDL cholesterol away from arteries — making high levels of HDL cholesterol a good thing.

The many benefits of cholesterol include:

• Keeping your cell membranes intact
• Boosting mental performance
• Aiding digestion
• Building strong bones and muscle
• Maintaining your energy, vitality, libido, and fertility
• Regulating your blood sugar
• Repairing damaged tissue
• Protecting against infectious diseases

The American Heart Association says that total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL are most desirable; 200-239 mg/dL are borderline high risk for heart disease and strokes. One out of every two Americans have high cholesterol, in fact, more than 106 million Americans have cholesterol levels above 200 and another 46 million have levels above 239.

“These statistics indicate that a number of Americans are suffering from imbalances due to improper diet and ability to handle insulin. This can, in turn, affect many other hormones in the body including the sex hormones.” said Dr. Alicia Stanton, Chief Medical Officer of BodyLogicMD. “At BodyLogicMD, we believe in naturally treating these symptoms using a combination of lifestyle changes including diet and fitness integrated with bioidentical hormone therapy when necessary.”

Get Your Sexy Back With Fitness
Research proves that better physical fitness can lead to a better sex life.

• Exercise in general is good for erectile dysfunction because it improves blood circulation and cholesterol, which are crucial to both sexual and cardiovascular health. Studies found that men who exercised vigorously at least three hours a week had a 30 percent lower risk of erectile dysfunction compared to men who rarely or never exercised.
• More exercise equals better sex. Exercise reduces tension, anxiety and depression. It increases positive attitude, self-esteem and opportunity for joy. During exercise the body produces endorphins – the feel good chemicals that increase arousal and orgasm intensity.
• The sexy effect reportedly lasts one hour longer or more after just 10 minutes of activity.

“The better we feel, the more likely we are to engage in sexual activity, and exercise improves physical endurance and even encourages the flow of blood to the genital region,” said BodyLogicMD Physician and Hormone Therapy Expert Dr. Eric Honing.

Lost or misplaced your sex drive? Contact a BodyLogicMD physician and schedule a consultation at: www.bodylogicmd.com . We can help you get your sexy back.

What it Takes to be a BodyLogicMD Physician
Ever wonder what it takes to be a BodyLogicMD physician?

BodyLogicMD wants its patients to “live better, longer” and with that in mind, we set the bar in the anti-aging industry. Many doctors are adding bioidentical hormone therapy services to their list of patient services, but do they have the requirements to say they “specialize” in bioidentical hormone therapy?

Joining the BodyLogicMD network means being one of the best of the best at practicing anti-aging medicine and specializing in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

BodyLogicMD physician credentials at a glance:

1. Medical Doctor/ Board Certified
2. Fellowship for Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine Certification
3. Extensive continuing education in the area of anti-aging and regenerative medicine
4. Member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine
5. Pass boards for the American Board of Anti-Aging Physicians
6. Overall verification of Personal Interview with BodyLogicMD Chief Medical Officer

Once the doctor completes his or her medical license, BodyLogicMD requires certification from the Fellowship for Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. This certification contains more than180 hours of coursework in anti-aging medicine, bioidentical hormone therapy, thyroid disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, gastroenterology, neurology, fatty acid metabolism and advanced functional medicine.

BodyLogicMD certified physicians are also required to become a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (www.worldhealth.net), which provides access to over a decade of established anti-aging expertise. Members are the first to learn of the latest breakthroughs in preventive techniques that help patients achieve their personal best in wellness and maximum longevity.

In addition, with the ever changing and rapid growth of preventative medicine, BodyLogicMD requires its physician network to complete at least 150 credits of continuing medical education in the area of anti-aging and functional medicine.

Ultimately, as a patient, you can be certain not only that you are working with a highly qualified physician, but that each one of your visits will be handled professionally, allowing for as much time necessary to answer all of your questions and concerns.

News Briefs

BodyLogicMD Launches Blog http://bodylogicmd.wordpress.com/
BodyLogicMD has a new way of communicating to women and men about treating hormonal imbalances including menopause and andropause (the male menopause). Through its new bioidentical hormone therapy blog, BodyLogicMD’s anti-aging physicians will discuss topics with those turning to the Internet as a source about the benefits of bioidentical hormone therapy, fitness and nutrition.

Introducing Pellet Therapy
Pellet therapy, for women and men, helps sliding sex drives, thickening waistlines, depleted energy, and other symptoms of menopause and andropause. Patients find the long-lasting pellets easy and convenient, especially since there is no need to remember a daily pill schedule or to use messy creams or injections for relief.

“Pellet therapy provides consistent secretions of bioidentical hormones that can more closely mimic the hormone function of a healthy 30-something year old woman or man,” says BodyLogicMD’s Dr. Jeff Thackery. “The pellets react to the needs of the body, so they actually secrete additional hormones – just as the body would if it could. My patients don’t have extreme highs and lows because the delivery is constantly maintained.”