Women hoping to cool their hot flashes with pomegranate seed oil, a so-called natural menopause treatment, should think twice before investing in this over-the-counter supplement.

According to new research conducted by makers of the pomegranate seed oil, women who took this supplement were no more likely to reduce the symptoms of menopause than those who took a placebo pill containing sunflower oil.

“In postmenopausal women, pomegranate seed oil does not significantly reduce hot flashes within a 12-week observation period,” wrote lead researcher Leo Auerback at the Medical University of Vienna, who also noted that further research studies may help better understand the long-term effect.

“Like most herbal remedies, there is no clear evidence that it is effective at reducing menopause symptoms,” said Silvina Levis, who specializes in geriatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida to Fox News. Other similar studies have looked at soy supplements and red clover as a natural ways to reduce menopause symptoms – but so far none have been proven to work.

Currently, the only proven menopause treatment is through the use of natural hormone therapy Houston, or bio-identical hormone therapy, which contain estrogens.

For more information about our natural hormone therapy Houston program or about menopause treatment Houston please give us a call at  855-IMC-DOCS.

A well-meaning New Year’s resolution for weight loss often gets a cold snap back to reality as freezing cold temps, snow, and the urge to nestle by the fire overpowers the desire to get movin’. However, just because its cold, doesn’t mean you cant enjoy a good workout in the middle of winter! Here are a few tips from your weight loss clinic Houston center:

Think Outside the Box

There is nothing more un-motivating (aside from the cold) than a stale gym routine. Try thinking outside of your normal routine and explore new ways to get your daily exercise. Bikram yoga, a type of yoga which is practiced in a warm studio, indoor swimming, work-out DVDs, and WiiFit are great ways to stay indoors (and warm) while working on your weight loss.

Winter Sports

You don’t have to be an avid winter sportsman to participate in some of the best cold-weather workouts. Snowshoeing, skiing, and ice skating are just a few examples of weight loss promoting activities that are friendly for all athletic capabilities and ages.

Walk or Run Through the Snow and Ice
Put on some winter snow boots and pave your own way through the powder. This added resistance is a great way to burn calories and speed up your metabolism for weight loss. If you prefer to run but are worried about slipping on the ice, you can actually buy special devices for your shoes which will allow you plenty of traction and grip on slick surfaces.

For more information about our weight loss program Houston please contact our office at 855-IMC-DOCS.

Researchers at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle report that several studies reveal a link between low testosterone and the likelihood of metabolic troubles, such as decreased insulin sensitivity.

The findings may have important implications for men at risk for diabetes and who also have experienced decreased levels of testosterone. In such cases, low testosterone treatment may help prevent serious metabolic troubles and even the onset of diabetes.

Researchers made this connection based on a number of studies that found links between low serum testosterone levels and men with metabolic syndrome and low levels of testosterone in men with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The researchers report that it is particularly important that men with diabetes and low levels of testosterone work to improve their metabolism through healthy lifestyle changes such as exercise and weight loss.

According to an article published on Medpage Today, Mathis Grossmann, MD, PhD, of the University of Melbourne in Australia, who studies testosterone and its metabolic effects, the connection between low levels of testosterone and insulin sensitivity is related to this hormones’ effects on the body, such as increasing muscle mass and decreasing fat mass.

In order to treat low testosterone, hormone replacement therapy Houston specialists recommend that individuals seek a professional’s advice on the right treatment for their individual symptoms and clinical profile.

The holidays are notorious for leading even the healthiest astray which is why your family doctor Houston is providing you with the 5 worst foods to avoid during the holiday festivities.

Eggnog – With a single 8oz glass of egg nog you are tossing back a whopping 400 calories. That’s nearly as much as a double cheeseburger from McDonnalds. Add a shot of rum and you’re consuming as many calories as a Big Mac. If you can’t resist this holiday favorite – try cutting it in half with non-fat milk.

Canned Biscuits – This yummy dough comes in a can and can be turned into croissants and many other naughty treats. This, however, is loaded with heart-clogging trans fat which not only packs on pounds but increases your risk for cardiovascular disease.

Bucket Gift Popcorn – The famous tin cans of caramel, cheese, and butter popcorn is a huge diet flop. Popcorn by itself is actually a very healthy snack – full of weight-reducing fiber. However, the kind that comes in the holiday cans have been processed with loads of sugar and salt. Avoid these at all cost and substitute for the old-fashioned kind.

Cheese Ball – Your family practice Victoria TX doctor strongly advises that you stay away from this dense mix of cream cheese, nuts, butter and shredded cheese. This classic holiday spread is loaded with cholesterol and fat, making it extremely hard on your arteries and waistlines. Substitute the cheese ball for a low-fat mozzarella or high-protein goat cheese instead.

Mashed Potatoes – An essential for most holiday feasts, mashed potatoes are typically made with a whole stick of butter, a pint of cream, and a heaping of salt. If you didn’t prepare the potatoes be sure to limit your serving. If you are the chef then try whipping these up with chicken broth instead of cream and a low-fat butter or only a portion of what the recipe calls for. Usually it is enough to give the same holiday flavor.

Patients who are a part of our weight loss program Houston know that diet is a key part of the long-term solution for maintaining a trim and healthy waistline. What many patients don’t know, however, is that there are several different types of food which actually work to help you burn fat and calories – just by eating them! Below is a list of 5 foods which should be essentials in every dieters meal plan:

Low-fat yogurt – Yogurt is high in calcium, which according to a study from the University of Tennessee, tells your body to burn fat rather than store it. Three servings of yogurt per day provides enough calcium to have this affect. However, be sure to choose low-sugar or plain versions to which you can add a handful of berries, almonds or a dash of honey for more flavor.

Blueberries – Aside from being full of disease-fighting antioxidants, blueberries have also been found in some scientific studies to burn belly fat. Researchers from the University of Michigan found that obese rats who were fed blueberry powder had less abdominal fat, lower body weight , and low body fat percentage.

Grapefruit – According to a study from Scripps Clinic, participants who at a half grapefruit before each meal benefit from lower insulin levels. Low insulin levels allow the body to quickly process food, rather than store it as fat – leading to quick weight loss.

Skim Milk – From the same researchers who found that yogurt fights fat came a study which showed that mice who were given half of their caloric intake from skim milk had nearly a 40% decrease in body fat compared to those who didn’t consume dairy.

Whole Grains – Beans, quinoa and oatmeal are three powerful whole grains which should be an essential in every diet. Not only do these pack serious heart benefits, but they also make you feel fuller faster – leading you to consume less calories overall. Try substituting quinoa for rice on every occasion and swap our your meat for beans at least 3 times per week.

For more diet tips contact our healthcare professionals at the weight loss center Houston clinic by calling 855-IMC-DOCS

A new study found that younger women who have hysterectomies and preserve the ovaries during the procedure almost double their risk for early menopause.

Currently, in efforts to prevent early menopause treatment and complications, standard protocol instructs doctors to preserve ovaries during hysterectomies.

Hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, is a well-known cause of premature menopause. However, prior to this study, a partial hysterectomy, the removal of the uterine body while leaving the cervix intact, was believed to be less damaging and have a lower associated risk for early menopause when compared to a full hysterectomy.

Published in the December 2011 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, this study suggests that hysterectomy may induce early menopause even when the ovaries are left intact.

Menopause, the natural aging process in which a woman’s ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, begins before the age of 40, in other words prematurely, for a number of reasons. In addition to hysterectomy, adrenal fatigue, thyroid disorders, hypopituitarism, and certain types of medications are all factors that can cause women to stop producing these hormones at an earlier age.

Treatment options include many forms of hormone replacement therapy.  Hormone replacement therapy Houston specialists at Internet Medical Clinics™ offer Natural bio-identical progesterone and estrogen replacement in the form of pills or tables, topical cream of gel, or an implanted time-release pellet under the skin. If you are suffering from menopausal symptom and are seeking treatment options, an IMC healthcare provider can help you decide which therapy is right for you.

According to a study published in the November issue of the B.C. Medical Journal, forty percent of men over age 45 suffer from testosterone deficiency but few are actually treated for it.

 
Dr. Richard Bebb, an endocrinologist in Vancouver, reports in this study that less than 5 percent are diagnosed and receive low testosterone treatment.
It is natural that after the age of 30, testosterone levels decrease in men about 1 to 2 percent a year. However, the amount of testosterone that is “normal” for each man depends on many factors, such as age, and levels will differ greatly across patients. In fact, medical professionals have not agreed at what exact level a man may be considered to have low t.

 
Instead, a number of unpleasant symptoms that are associated with a low level of this hormone are what doctors look for when determining if low testosterone is an issue. Symptoms include loss of interest in sex, loss of muscle and bone strength, sexual dysfunction, decreased exercise tolerance, decreased mental sharpness and memory, poor recovery from injury, depression, loss of motivation, decreased body hair, and weight gain.

 
Once diagnosed, doctors can treat low testosterone with male hormone replacement therapy. Doctors consider each patient’s symptoms and profile before undergoing hormone treatment. A preferred treatment method is with a time-released pellet under the skin three times a year. Other options include a cream that is applied twice a day or an intramuscular injection every 7-10 days.

Parents of student athletes should bring their children into their family practice Houston doctor for a heart screening in order to avoid traumatic health incidences set off by undiagnosed cardiac conditions.

A new study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011 found that surprisingly few student athletes are receiving any type of heart screening during their high school sports physical exams. While the risk of sudden cardiac arrest while playing sports is minimal – most of these types of deaths could be prevented through simple screenings.

“Although sudden death in a young person is extremely uncommon, every effort should be made to prevent this type of tragic death,” said Dr. Hugh Calkins, professor of cardiology and medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine told ABC news. “It is especially important for physicians to be aware of the importance of a family history of sudden death and also the importance of a history of a syncopal episode.”

Dr. Robert Myerburg, director of Cardiology at the University of Miami School of Medicine told ABC news that in most cases unless there is a specific form for doctors to fill out, cardiac screening gets missed by family doctors and parents.

According to national guidelines the screening for cardiac issues in young athletes should consist of a physical exam, listening to the heart, a blood pressure check and a medial history questionnaire. EKG’s are currently not recommended for routine screening, however this may change in the future.

If you have a child who is participating in athletic activities and have not yet received a comprehensive heart screening please contact your primary care doctor Houston at  our family practice Houston office for an appointment today by calling 855-IMC-DOCS.

During the holiday season it can be extra challenging to achieve your weight loss goals. Our IMC family doctor Houston clinic offers three tips on what to do in order to avoid weight gain and even drop a few extra pounds.

 
1. Eat fewer carbohydrates

Many holiday goodies, such frosted sugar cookies, ginger bread house, pies, biscuits, stuffing, mashed potatoes, are loaded with carbohydrates. Since these foods are plentiful and abundant during the holidays, it’s important to moderate your intake because if your body does not have an excess of carbohydrates to burn energy, your body instead burns fat. Just by avoiding heavy consumption of high carbohydrate foods “is enough to lead to significant weight loss,” says IMC family practice Victoria TX.

2.  Know if You Are Allergic

Many people have food allegories and don’t know it. As a result they eat foods that their bodies cannot properly process and digest. According to the IMC Houston Family Doctor Weight Management Program eating foods that you are allergic to can result in weight gain along with fatigue, nasal congestion, swelling, gastrointestinal discomfort, acne, problems with concentration and memory, and mood swings. Food allergies to yeast, dairy products, wheat and eggs, are most common. Allergy testing can be done in order to determine if there are foods that need to be removed from your diet.

3. Tune into Your Emotions

The holiday season is meant to be a very joyous time of year, but it can be difficult and stressful as well. Some people eat as a way to deal with emotional distress, stress, or depression so it’s important to pay attention to how you are feeling in order to see if you are eating for other reasons and when you are not even hungry.

While it is natural for testosterone levels in men to decrease with age, very low levels can cause a number of unfavorable symptoms in men. A healthy level of this hormone is crucial to male health, and in the case that men cannot maintain normal production, doctors may recommend low testosterone treatment.

 
Much of what characterizes a man, such as development and maturation of reproductive organs, sexual drive and function, muscle and body hair, is regulated by testosterone.

 
Low levels of this hormone can result in decreased libido, loss of muscle and bone strength, sexual dysfunction, decreased exercise tolerance, poor recovery from injury, depression, loss of motivation, decreased body hair, and weight gain.

 
Medical professionals have not reached a consensus about what a “normal” level of testosterone is for a man, so it is important that doctors consider each patient’s individual case based on their symptoms and health conditions.

 
Women, on the other hand, suffer from similar discomforts during menopause. While it is a natural process and happens to all women, menopause treatment is sought to help ease the symptoms, especially among women with very low estrogen and progesterone levels, the hormones primarily responsible for female reproductive function.

 
Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, mood swings, and vaginal dryness, loss of libido, joint pain, bloating, headaches, fatigue, and depression.

 
Hysterectomy, adrenal fatigue, thyroid disorders, hypopituitarism, and certain medications are all factors that infer with women’s estrogen and progesterone levels.

 
Hormone replacement therapy should be considered carefully with your doctor as maintaining normal hormone levels can be delicate balance. By seeking an expert’s assessment of their current condition, patients can best determine if menopause treatment and low testosterone treatment are right for them.