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The first alarm bells started ringing a couple of years ago. In spite of regular exercise, and a strict and calculated diet, my waist started to disappear, the sparkle was gone from my eyes, and my overall vitality was non-existent.

The fear of the unknown, and of growing old, drives all women under 47 to ignore any thoughts of menopause. This fear creeps into your life and ruins it from within. Many of my clients recall how their beautiful, gentle, slim mums turned into restless, grumpy, plump women who shocked everyone with their sudden mood swings. In fact, their mothers just had “bugs in their software”, or to be more precise, in their endocrine systems: ovaries, pituitary glands, thyroid glands and other glands responsible for the production of hormones have simply stopped being as active, becoming the cause of health issues, memory deterioration, hot flashes, weight gain and, sadly, lack of libido.

What Sex and the City teaches us about anti-ageing

Source: GIPHY

“It’s official: the oestrogens have left the building!”

Remember Samantha from Sex and the City complaining that when looking at a half-naked national rugby team, not a single muscle twitched? In her mother’s time, people believed that you should just brace yourself and accept becoming older. Samantha was different. She lost her hormones only temporarily after her toiletry bag was confiscated at customs. For the past thirty years, with the help of anti-ageing medicine, American and European doctors have been helping women to get through menopause without significant negative impact and disappointment.

Why hormones are the key to women staying young

I am very lucky. My doctor is the expert in anti-ageing medicine, President of the International Hormone Society Thierry Hertoghe. Thierry also consults our clients in Brussels and Barcelona. His standard approach is to establish the patient’s hormonal status.

“There are only two hormones that increase with age: leptin, causing obesity, and insulin, leading to diabetes, while levels of all other hormones go down. Due to the lack of oestrogen, the skin has less collagen and elastin. It becomes dry, causing wrinkles to appear and facial contours to lose shape. Reduction in testosterone leads to cellulite formation and loss of muscle mass, causing cheeks, buttocks, and inner arms to start to sag. So beware: a woman’s body begins to age long before the menopause. Time to act!”

Over the course of 30 years, Dr Hertoghe has collected strong evidence confirming that it makes sense for every woman over 35 to control her hormone levels and correct them at the first signs of imbalance. After 40 everyone could do with micro-doses of bioidentical hormones. Dr Hertoghe claims this is the way to stay healthy and continue to enjoy a life that previous generations could not.

Misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy

Of course, you may have heard otherwise. In 2002 the Women’s Health Initiative published some frightening data: women who have been using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for extended periods of time to prevent the unpleasant effects of menopause were diagnosed with breast cancer more frequently. However, very soon scientists found out that this research was not accurate. It was performed on women who were taking medicines that were not identical to human hormones. Moreover, every woman in the study was over 60 years old and all of them were prescribed the same doses, which is unacceptable!

“European and American traditions with regards to hormonal treatment for mature women are significantly different. Even when looking at the test results, some old-school doctors miss the signs of the early hormonal disbalance and delay beginning a compensatory treatment. That is why it is very important to start HRT with an experienced doctor.”

For two months I followed the recommendations of Dr Thierry Hertoghe, and all my troubles were left behind. I got back into shape, both physically and mentally. When menopause comes I will adjust the dose of hormones I take, and I do believe that I will avoid the associated unpleasantness which most women of that age experience.

Conclusion

These days, there is no need for women to be worried or scared about menopause or ageing. Anti-ageing medicine is continuously evolving and by a running hormone level test and trusting an experienced doctor, HRT can be adjusted to each person’s specific health profile. If you’re looking for an anti-ageing tip for women that really works, get started with an advanced health check to gain insights into your hormone levels.

As we’ve long known, we are what we eat!

Every time we design our menu, we programme our mood and health. After all, the intestine is our second brain, and its population – the microbiota – has a very strong influence on many processes associated with our health and emotional disposition.

Healthy metabolism, maximum absorption of nutrients, vitamins and microelements, effective elimination of waste, building immunity and protection from inflammatory processes, all these are controlled by the microbiota – a large and friendly family of microorganisms that live in our intestines.

How can we make sure that the state of our microbiota is normal? I suggest to start with getting acquainted with its main assistants – probiotics.

Probiotics are useful bacteria working hard for the benefit of your body, while Prebiotics (indigestible fibres) simply serve as food for Probiotics.

Here are ten products that nourish microbiota and neutralize the negative effects of modern lifestyle stress from the bad environment of large cities. Your brain, skin, and other organs will thank you if you include in your menu the following:

10 Types Of Probiotics Foods

1. Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut provides the body with a large number of useful bacteria. High fibre content in cabbage subdues bloating and facilitates faultless functioning of the digestive system.

Look for fresh sauerkraut, not canned.

2. Asparagus

Asparagus works as a prebiotic. It contains a lot of inulin – indigestible fibre, which nourishes healthy bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (components of our microbiota).

Asparagus is rich in vitamin B and antioxidants that can actively fight inflammation.

Eat it raw or just slightly stewed, so you keep most of its benefits, enjoy the taste and make your microflora happy.

3. Pineapple

Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain which acts as a digestive aid, helping to break down protein from large food molecules into smaller peptides.

Studies have shown that bromelain can conquer inflammation and relieve pain.

Add pineapple to your salads, smoothies, or serve as a dessert.

Enjoy this delicious fruit and remember that pineapple will always work for the benefit of your digestion.

4. Onions

Raw onions are an excellent source of prebiotics and contain quercetin – a strong antioxidant. Quercetin fights harmful free radicals in our cells. Onions also contain chromium, which increases production of insulin and vitamin C necessary for the immune system.

Add onions to salads, dressings and sauces, or slice them and put in your favourite snacks.

5. Garlic

Raw garlic is another great prebiotic with a high level of inulin, which nourishes the good bacteria in the intestine. Garlic is incredibly rich in nutrients. In this spice you will find manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, selenium, allicin and many other active substances.  Allicin, for example, is a powerful tool that fights diseases. It activates when a garlic clove is being chopped.

Don’t forget to add raw garlic to guacamole, hummus, sauces and dressings.

6. Bone broth

Rich beef bone broth helps to heal the intestinal mucosa, which, in turn, support the immune system and fight inflammation. Bone broth contains many minerals and healing compounds, such as gelatin, collagen and amino acids, proline, glutamine and arginine.

Flavourful, highly nutritious, and very easy to make.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps us break down and digest food by increasing the production of stomach acid. It also has antiviral and antimicrobial properties. This fights unwanted microflora in the intestines and helps the body get rid of excess yeast. These important qualities are a great support for a healthy microbiome and immune system.

Try adding apple cider vinegar to salad dressings or vegetables before stewing.

8. Kimchi

The fermentation process used for Korean kimchi not only enhances cabbage taste, but also produces live and active probiotic cultures that strengthen the intestinal walls. These salads and side dishes contain large amounts of fibre and serve as powerful antioxidants. They naturally eliminate toxins from the body.

Rice, vegetables and kimchi – a great healthy and hearty lunch.

9. Ginger

Ginger helps to calm and relax the stomach, relieve nausea and fight intestinal diseases. It provides a natural source of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese. Ginger prevents and eliminates bloating.

Adding shredded ginger to tea and smoothies gives them an extra exotic taste.

10. Dandelion Greens

Dandelion greens are rich in nutrients, fibre, antioxidants and prebiotics that help us to stay strong and healthy. Vitamins A and K, calcium and iron in the leaves have anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties.

They are pure detox!

Conclusion

Start incorporating some of these probiotics foods into your daily diet, and remember, a healthy body and sharp mind start with a strong intestine!

Blockbusters portray for us a contemporary man. He is often in his forties, successful, muscular, quick-witted and fearless. He easily conquers new peaks in business, is the object of desire for attractive women, and his life is full of meaning. But how does it work in real life?

It is tough to admit that as time goes by our resources deplete and problems begin to surface. However, it is inevitable that every man over the age of 35 starts to experience the wear and tear on his body.  

Why Hormone Balance Is Key To Midlife Happiness & Health

It is due to the normal course of biological processes, and to be more precise the reduction of hormone production. There are over 100 hormones and each one is responsible for a particular function in our body. Hormonal balance is the key to our good health and mood.

A Real-Life Case:

The most important and well known male hormone is testosterone. If an obese man over 45 is talking about his exciting sex life, it may be hard to believe. Fatty deposits are a clear sign of low testosterone. As testosterone levels go down, fat goes up, and goodbye libido! High testosterone is associated with strong muscles, desire and high potency. Low testosterone means depression, low vitality and minus 30 years of life.

Alas, after the age of 40 we start accumulating a variety of nasty consequences, or in simple terms we begin to age. At best we turn to exhausting and useless workouts in the gym and start looking for inspiration embodied in a new lady friend. In the worst case we turn to alcohol, which provides elusive sensations of happiness, but leads to dependency and kills men’s health.

As one of my clients put it:

“I used to be the General Manager of a large American company in Moscow. It was a successful business, associated with all the usual trials and tribulations of a multinational company in Russia. The stress was unbearable. After work, I used to sit down at the dinner table and eat my troubles away. Every month, like clockwork, I had a cold. Doctors at expensive medical centres prescribed antibiotics. I was simply a ruin. Overweight, suffering from insomnia, always mad at someone or something, and heavy breathing and high blood pressure had become a constant issue.”

“This is how I felt when I went to see a doctor in Europe. After a number of tests and a detailed study of my medical history the doctor prescribed vitamins and hormonal therapy. Distinct improvement was noticeable in just a week’s time. I began to lose weight, calmed down and became more relaxed, and started to sleep properly. In 2-3 weeks I recovered my sex drive and performed like a 25-year-old.”

“Now every morning I run 15km. I work hard and efficiently. I see my friends frequently, meet lots of interesting people and enjoy other’s company. I notice the shining eyes of the woman I love and realise how much her happy smile means to me and the kids.”

Conclusion

Invest in your health and quality of life after 40. Thanks to the best experts in preventive medicine we are able to preserve ourselves and be sure that we shall live 30-40 years longer, in good health and high spirits.

I invite everyone to get rid of unpleasant age-related changes by taking a diagnostic test and following a recommended course of anti-ageing treatment in order to achieve midlife happiness.