BodyLogicMD Physicians Offer Tips on How to Keep Kids Hormone Levels in Check

MILWAUKEE, WI - August, 2010 - For today's baby boomers, hormone imbalance, often brought on by menopause and andropause (The male menopause), is widely accepted as a natural part of aging. However, today's youth faces a hormonal dilemma that isn't so natural, a condition known as premature puberty. The bioidentical hormone doctors at BodyLogicMD believe the dramatic increase in cases, particularly in young girls, can be blamed on a combination of lifestyle, non-organic diet and environmental toxins.

The medical condition has been coined Precocious Puberty and the term describes the early onset of pubescent development in children. Typically puberty begins between the ages of 10 and 13. However, in recent years studies have indicated that more and more children are developing prematurely, some as young as 7-years-old.

"Precocious puberty is of serious concern and is certainly not a matter to be taken lightly," stresses Kenneth Raskin, M.D., OB/GYN and bioidentical hormone expert with BodyLogicMD of Milwaukee. "Premature menstruation in young girls raises their risk of developing breast cancer later on in life. Additionally, girls who develop early are more prone to mental burdens, such as self-esteem issues, depression, eating disorders and even suicide attempts."

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic and with it, a wide range of health challenges are following suit, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome and heart disease. As if this weren't a good enough reason to watch what your kids are putting into their bodies, doctors have identified a link between children who are overweight and a higher prevalence of precocious puberty. Studies suggest that fat cells may trigger the production of estrogen. Estrogen is the hormone that controls female characteristics, such as breast development and also regulates the menstrual cycle.

In addition to lifestyle factors, a variety of environmental triggers have been linked to premature development. Many consumer-based products contain hormone-mimicking compounds that act as estrogens in the human body. Not only are these chemicals dangerous to adults, but they present a serious threat to children who are still developing. Even products approved for infants and newborns can wreak hormonal havoc on the body, such as plastic baby bottles and teething rings containing the toxic ingredient known as Bisphenol A (BPA).

"The bottom line is as parents, it's our responsibility to help guide our children to make more health conscious choices, and that doesn't just go for the foods they eat," shares Dr. Raskin. "It's also important to consider the chemicals that our kids come into contact with on a daily basis - be it at home or at school. Read product labels, avoid drinking from plastic water bottles, purchase vegetables that are either fresh or frozen - never from a can, and use household cleansers and scented products sparingly - this includes deodorants, perfumes, scented candles and air fresheners. All of these products have been linked to health complications in children and adults alike and should be used only in moderation, if at all."

More about Dr. Raskin

Dr. Kenneth Raskin received his undergraduate from the University of California in 1990. Dr. Raskin later graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1994. He completed his internship and fulfilled his Residency in Obstetrics/Gynecology at the University of Oklahoma Health Service Center in 1998.

More about BodyLogicMD

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