Cenegenics Complete Guide to Healthy Aging - (Page 36) Estrogen is also shown to be a powerful antioxidant, helping combat free radicals and their effects on the aging process. Like testosterone, the pituitary gland produces gonadotropic hormones to regulate estrogen and progesterone. In women, these are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin. There are three naturally occurring estrogens: estradiol, estrone and estriol. For men, estradiol begins in the testes as well as through extraglandular conversion of androgens. In women, the estrogens are produced primarily in the ovaries (90%). Smaller amounts are produced in the adrenals, liver and kidneys. • Estradiol: The primary and most active estrogen in a woman’s reproductive years. Produced in the ovaries, estradiol’s beneficial properties include protecting against osteoporosis and heart disease, enhancing cognitive functions, relieving menopausal maladies and increasing serotonin and endorphin levels for better emotional health and restful sleep. • Estrone: More prevalent in “post” menopausal women. Derived from stored hormones in body fat, estrone’s functions mirror estradiol with weaker effects. • Estriol: Seen as “weakest” of the three estrogens. Yet, it adds much to combating menopausal symptoms and aging effects, such as wrinkles and diminished skin texture. It also is beneficial in the vagina, cervix, vulva and urethra, as well as providing protective properties against cancerous cells. Sharing a similar chemical structure with estrogen, the hormone functions as a precursor for androgens and glucocorticoids. Progesterone delivers diverse benefits for women: • Progesterone uses fat for energy and normalizes blood sugar, influencing insulin/glucose metabolism. • Progesterone restores libido and cell oxygen levels. Balance is key. The right estrogen levels prove good for your health. Estrogen aids memory, promotes brain and nerve cells, protects the heart, increases HDL (the good cholesterol), stimulates skeletal growth and maintains healthy bones, among other benefits. A majority of scientists believe byproducts of estrogen dominance could influence health issues in both men and women, including prostate and breast cancers. An estrogen dominance can also accelerate the aging process and lead to weight gain and bloating, reduced libido, fibrocystic or sensitive breasts, migraines, foggy thinking, fatigue, mood swings, insomnia, fibroids and ovarian cysts. Also, it has been linked to autoimmune disorders and allergies, as well. Conversely, diminished estrogen levels could produce undesirable effects: vaginal dryness, urinary concerns, hot flashes, loss of skin elasticity and bone loss, as well as potentially hastening dementia. Progesterone, the feel-good hormone. Progesterone is a genderneutral gonadal steroid, produced in the ovaries, testes and adrenals. • Progesterone aids thyroid hormone activity, functions as a natural diuretic and normalizes zinc/copper levels. • Progesterone stimulates osteoblasts for bone strength. • Progesterone, when metabolized, binds with gamma-aminobutric acid (GABA) brain receptors. GABA, an amino acid acting as a neurotransmitter, produces a tranquil effect and generates feelings of well-being. Lower progesterone levels can augment anxiety and irritability. • Progesterone determines whether an abundance or scarcity of other hormones exists. As a regulator, it cascades into estrogen, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol. Reduced progesterone levels can result in more intense PMS or menopausal discomforts. • Progesterone augments the sensitivity of estrogen receptors, stabilizes estrogen-sensitive tissues and competes with cortisol at nuclear receptor levels. • Progesterone aids myelin sheath formation (the insulating envelope around nerve fibers). III. the science Behind Cenegenics 3 WWW.CENEGENICS.COM iii. th e s CienCe B ehind Cen egeniCs http://WWW.CENEGENICS.COM
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