Melatonin Receptor-Based Antidepressant Therapy in USA?

Self-medication is not the best way of dealing with a severe form of depression. Various psychoactive natural compounds are typically used in this potentially harmful practice. These compounds range from alcohol to over-the-counter products including the hormone melatonin. Hormonal therapies are best suited for the replacement of pathologically low or missing levels of endogenous hormones; using insulin to treat diabetes is a good example. It's difficult to make a simple and convincing case for the use of melatonin replacement therapy - too many miracle cures have already been associated with melatonin. Possibly the best use of this hormone would be to regulate sleep patterns or to prevent jet lag. But could melatonin be therapeutic for conditions such as severe depression? No clinical data are available to conclusively support the use of melatonin in antidepressant therapy. However, clinical results suggest that melatonin receptors may be involved.

A search for clinical trials with melatonin in the U.S. Government-sponsored database called ClinicalTrials.gov on June 7, 2011 revealed 128 studies. Most of these trials have been designed to explore the effects of melatonin supplementation on sleep. None of them investigated melatonin supplementation in the treatment of depression. One study measured melatonin levels in the blood of patients with major depressive disorder, and a couple of studies investigated the effects of light therapy in depression and measured melatonin levels in treated subjects. This is in a stark contrast to the number of clinical trials with a drug that stimulates melatonin receptors, a target considered to be specific for the cellular actions of melatonin. The compound in case, agomelatine, has been approved in Europe for treatment of depression and is now being investigated in the U.S.

How would melatonin receptors work to alleviate symptoms of severe depression? Imagine for a moment you've just won a huge Mega Millions jackpot and you've bought yourself a mansion. It's a huge castle with lots of doors, each with at least one lock and some with several. These locks are the melatonin receptors. There are two main types of these receptors, MT1 and MT2. You've also got the master key, melatonin, which opens both types of locks. To the in-laws who poured in to visit as soon as they'd heard of your fortune you only give keys to certain locks, the MT1 or the MT2, so you can keep some privacy. For the special room in which you keep your most valued possessions, you have an additional layer of security, a door equipped not only with both MT1 and MT2 locks, but also with an unusual lock, the serotonin receptor called 5-HT2C. To open this door, the 5-HT2C lock must be locked at the same time you are using the master key to unlock the MT1 and MT2 locks. Quite a task!

Apparently, you can do the same to your brain 5-HT2C, MT1, and MT2 receptors by taking agomelatine, a drug that acts simultaneously on the MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors (as their agonist) and on the 5-HT2C serotonin receptors (as their antagonist). Scientists believed that this simultaneous manipulation of brain melatonin and 5-HT2C serotonin receptors reduces the symptoms of major depression. According to this concept, using melatonin only would not produce the same effect.

In their article The Pattern of Melatonin Receptor Expression in the Brain may Influence Antidepressant Treatment, Dr. Eric Hirsch-Rodriguez and colleagues from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago described how the presence of melatonin receptors such as MT1 and MT2 in different brain areas changes over time and can be affected by illness and drug treatment. For example, prolonged treatment with classical antidepressants changes the content of the MT1 and MT receptors. These investigators suggested that melatonin or drugs based on melatonin would produce antidepressant effects only if an optimal amount and brain distribution of melatonin receptors are available for drug action and that clinical trials with such drugs would need to take into consideration the characterization of patients' melatonin receptors.

Agomelatine, the first melatonin receptor-based antidepressant, is currently being clinically evaluated for approval for use in U.S. On June 7, 2011, ClinicalTrials.gov listed 9 clinical trials (one has been withdrawn) with agomelatine. Seven of these trials are investigating the use of agomelatine in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Their outcome along with the experience from the ongoing use of agomelatine in Europe may decide the future of melatonin receptor-based therapy on health improvement for U.S. patients with major depression.

Why Choose Sermorelin Acetate Therapy?

With increasing life expectancies and more technology at our fingertips it is only expectedly natural that people everywhere are searching for a healthy but effective way to feel and live better. Sermorelin acetate is a safe avenue in an emerging world of natural age remedies. The purpose of Sermorelin Acetate Therapy is to cause the pituitary gland to increase growth hormone production in humans. The purpose of adult Sermorelin growth hormone therapy is to reverse the effects of aging. This revolutionary hormone therapy is a biological active analog of growth hormone releasing factor (GRF 1-44) which is a growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) that is naturally produced by the human brain to stimulate production and secretion of human growth hormone (HGH) by the pituitary gland. Sermorelin stimulates the pituitary gland by binding to specific receptors to increase the production and secretion of HGH. With GHRH therapy, the pituitary gland increases its growth hormone production which is converted by the liver into IGF-1 and released into the blood stream. This means increased metabolism and the growth of new cells within the body's organs and bones. New cells equal healthy young tissue and chance to greatly improve your quality of life.

As a youth, ample amounts of GHRH are produced so that the pituitary gland is able to provide the body with sufficient growth hormone to sustain health, vitality and otherwise normal aspects of human form and function. In some people, GHRH stops working and does not release the signal like it should. When this happens, premature aging sets in. During aging, a decline in GHRH causes reduced production of pituitary HGH and thereby increasing growth hormone insufficiencies that erode health, stamina and vitality during later life.

Sermorelin acetate is approved for use in children and is considered safe for use in adults with deficient growth hormone. The FDA has recently approved Sermorelin treatment in adults who experience premature aging. Typically injected at bedtime, Sermorelin dosing is based on gender and the severity of the hormone deficiency. As always, it is imperative that adults seeking this (keyword) first have their blood test results reviewed by the supervising physician working with the organization offering the treatment.

What are the benefits?

Sermorelin has been proven to increase energy and endurance, break down body fat, improve heart function, increase lean muscle mass, enhance the immune system, accelerate healing from surgery or wounds, promote non-REM restful slow wave sleep, and increase calcium retention which strengthens and increases bone density. It has also been shown to reduce liver uptake of glucose, play a role in fuel homeostasis, increase protein synthesis and stimulate the growth of internal organs (except the brain) and contribute to the maintenance and function of pancreatic islets.

Memory and kidney function is often improved during Sermorelin therapy. Anyone who has had high blood pressure in the past can expect to find blood pressure at a more accepted level. The immune system is often enhanced and balding patients can expect to grow some hair back. Other benefits include fewer wrinkles and more elasticity to the skin. Improvements to the sexual drive and the renewed ability to have intercourse are touted as some of the more fantastic benefits.

Along with the benefits are several side effects that may or may not occur they vary in nature and are rare. The most common side effects are pain or swelling where the injection was given, it is a small shot so you can expect an experience similar to a vaccine. More severe effects are itching or slight discomfort when swallowing; should this occur your physician should be called immediately. Other side effects that should be reported to a doctor, but that tend to be rare, are dizziness, headache, hyperactivity, and vomiting and again can be quickly addressed by contacting your supervising physician.

Those on Sermorelin therapy are expected to be under a doctor's direction and care. There are several choices with clinics that provide the therapy and many doctors who are certified to use Sermorelin in treating patients with Adult Onset Hormone Deficiency. These clinics and doctors' monitor the effects of the therapy by way of testing blood and reviewing your lab results. Prescriptions must be written in order to get Sermorelin and costs can run into the thousands if patients do not give their diligence to seek out the most trusted sources for these revolutionary youthful solutions.

Sermorelin is the synthetic version of the Human Growth Hormone. GHRH, or growth hormone releasing hormone, is produced in the brain and gives a signal to the pituitary gland to release the growth hormone. In some people, GHRH stops working or malfunctions and does not release the signal as it should. A malfunctioning GHRH can cause an adult to start to age prematurely. Injections of Sermorelin will help them to keep a more youthful look longer thus giving this treatment a reputation for being the fountain of youth. This therapy has been long touted as a viable solution to stunted growth in children and young adults. Recently the FDA allowed Sermorelin to be given to people who are experiencing the aging process prematurely. It also is given to those that have HIV as it alleviates some of the symptoms of that disease.

With all the added benefits and few negative side effects there is little left to decide but there may still be questions. Find the physician or clinic nearest you that you can trust and do your homework to make sure that you are choosing the one that's right for you. The Sermorelin Hormone treatment protocol is only as effective as the one administering it. Once you find the clinic that's right for you, you will soon learn for yourself how much better and alive you can look and feel.

Hair Replacement For Women - Positive Effects of Hormone Therapy and Surgical Treatment

Hormone therapy is definitely a good hair replacement treatment for all kinds of women, especially women who have reached and surpassed the age of menopause. At this point, their bodies may start to secrete a lot more testosterone than is needed, which often leads to hair loss. With the hormone therapy, you can keep the testosterone levels within limits and prevent the formation of DHT - dihydrtestosterone - that causes skin cell death and loss of hair.

Most kinds of hair replacement surgeries are wonderful treatments for women who are suffering from hair loss. Often, most females prefer to go for the more common type of hair-replacement surgery, which is hair transplantation.

It is a simple but protracted process of conscientiously removing skin with live follicles from the back of the head and grafting it over the infected area. It could take months before the results are seen, but they are most often remarkable. Other forms of hair replacement surgery that a woman may opt for, or may be advised to undergo, are balloon inflation, scalp reduction, and tissue expansion.

If the hair loss is not too severe, most women can actually achieve replacement by the right use of several hair care products. Before embarking on this, though, permission should be sought and obtained from a licensed dermatologist. As a matter of fact, the woman is better off if this treatment is prescribed by the specialist. Then she can go into some cosmetic store and pick out a cream or lotion that has specific ingredients for her hair type, and nutrients that can nurture her scalp back to soundness to stimulate hair re growth.

The Best Way to Come Off HRT (Hormonal Replacement Therapy)

Question:
I've been taking HRT- Prempak-C -for ten years. In view of the recent research, I've decided to come off it. I tried just stopping taking it but have felt dreadful, with hot flushes after only a few weeks. Have you any advice to help me come off HRT?

Answer:
Firstly, it's vital that - unless you have a severe complication, which it doesn't sound as if you do - you come off HRT slowly, over several months. I do advise you to talk to your doctor about this.

Now a little about hormone replacement therapy in general... As women come to the end of their reproductive life, the activity in their ovaries declines because the eggs they are born with run our As this happens, the levels of the female hormone oestrogen drop. (There is always some oestrogen in the body because the ovaries go on producing a little; even if the ovaries are removed, the adrenal gland produces a hormone called androstenedione, which is converted to a form of oestrogen.)

HRT was developed in the 1940s as a method of replacing the lost oestrogen. In the mid-1970s, research confirmed that using oestrogen alone significantly increased the risk of cancer of the uterus (womb), so progestogen, a synthetic version of the other main reproductive hormone progesterone, was added to protect the womb. HRT was then relaunched as a 'wonder drug'. However, there was still very little hard scientific evidence to show either that HRT was safe or that it had the multiple benefits that were claimed. Since then many studies have confirmed that the risks outweigh the benefits in most cases.

A consensus statement put out by the Royal College of Physicians now says that the use of HRT in menopausal or postmenopausal women is controversial. They recommend that it should only be used for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, in the lowest possible effective dose for the shortest possible time. This is because of the significantly increased risks of breast cancer, heart disease, strokes and blood clots in the leg or lung. In November last year, the European Expert Working Group, which consists of experts from 28 countries, agreed that doctors should not recommend it as the first line of treatment for osteoporosis.

The lack of oestrogen has a range of effects, including irregular periods, aches and pains, low blood pressure, poor circulation, dry skin and mouth insomnia, fatigue and low mood. If the ovaries release even a small amount of oestrogen, urgent messages are sent to the entire body that the missing hormone is on its way and all hell breaks loose: the woman's heart rate goes up, she starts to sweat, her face gets flushed, her body warms up and she feels agitated. Then, as soon as the body realises that it's only a tiny amount the symptoms subside.

Remember, menopause is a natural transition. It will come no matter what if you did not go through it naturally because you were taking HRT, you will go through it now. A good number of women don't, in fact, experience uncomfortable symptoms, but you want to be sure to avoid them if you can. The key is to keep your stress levels down.The less anxious you are and the more harmonious your life, physically, mentally and emotionally, the better your threshold of tolerance to symptoms. In many countries, women go through menopause without bother. If they do get symptoms, they accept them as part of this change.

Here are some simple tips

* Take regular exercise in the fresh air.
* Practise Yoga, particularly the cobra and semi-bridge poses.
* If you have hot flushes, do retention breathing the second you feel the tide rising. Breathe in through your nose to a slow count of three, hold the breath for three, then exhale slowly through your mouth to a count of six. Practise this twice a day for five minutes, so you can do it easily when the need arises.
* Eat fresh, wholesome food, preferably organic; avoid coffee, excess salt, spicy food and alcohol.
* Drink two litres of fresh, still water daily between meals.
* Take vitamin B complex,: one daily for two months.
* Take Shatavari: one twice daily for three months. This Ayurvedic supplement helps to balance hormones.
* Take Dong Quai: one daily for three months. This Chinese supplement helps alleviate hot flushes.
* Massage the neck and shoulders twice a week to improve blood flow to the brain; this will help sleep and improve hormonal balance. (There are full instructions on my website). Also have professional massages twice a month, if you can.

A Natural PCOS Remedy - Can You Cure Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Naturally?

If you are living with the awful symptoms of PCOS then discovering techniques to cure this condition is essential which is where PCOS Natural Cures come in.

Natural remedies are the most effective ways to reverse PCOS because they treat the root cause of PCOS. natural cures also have a number of benefits compared to traditional ways of managing the condition.

Hormone Therapy - Some doctors get the wrong impression and believe that PCOS can be managed with hormone therapy. This is not only wrong but it also can destroy a woman's health! Hormone therapy basically tries to normalize hormone levels espeially estrogen because the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome are caused by unbalanced hormones. This is not as good as it sounds however as the hormonal imbalance is just a symptom of a deeper problem. Also, HRT has been known to increase risks of stroke, blood clots and breast cancer.

Drugs - Like hormone therapy other drug based solutions miss the point because they try to stop PCOS symptoms not the root cause of PCOS. Some drugs do recognize that the base problems need to be addressed but do not end the problem but instead only temporarily relieve the problem... this means it is STILL THERE! As soon as you stop taking the drugs the menstrual pain, infertility, hair, weight gain and all the other PCOS problems will return. Not to mentaion many women suffer terrible side effects when on certain drugs.

So what is the root cause of PCOS you are probably wondering and how do you fix it.

The answer is Insulin Resistance. This is a condition where insulin, which the body produces is used to take glucose in your blood stream to feed to the body for various functions - In this case only some insulin does its job. As such, the body makes massive amounts of insulin in the hopes that more insulin will equal more energy as a small percentage of a lot might be enough.

What this means is that your body is flooded with the hormone insulin

This is the start of serious hormone imbalance which results in fluctuations of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones which throws your body and menstrual systems in chaos and thus... PCOS happens.

So to fix PCOS you must cure insulin resistance which requires a combination of dietary changes, lifestyle changes and even changing the way you think which can bring your hormones back in line and cater for your insulin resistance so it does not happen again.

Human Growth Hormone Helps Slow Down and Reverse the Process of Cachexia

Cachexia is a wasting condition that may have terrible repercussions if not detected and treated early in its development. Cachexia is a deadly cocktail of involuntary rapid weight loss, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness and significant loss of appetite. Not quite a "permanent" medical condition, Cachexia is rather a very prominent sign of various underlying disorders that the person may be undergoing. Some known causes of this wasting condition includes: AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, and a host of autoimmune disorders - one of which is severe rheumatoid arthritis. If not treated in its earliest stage, Cachexia will inevitably lead to a state of immobility, anemia and multiple organ failure due to malnutrition. This is often exhibited with patients who undergo full body wasting, wherein skeletal muscles are made useless resulting in muscle atrophy. Patients with severe conditions finally succumb to death.

Often, doctors detect this wasting condition in the end-stage of cancer; in which case, it is classified as cancer Cachexia. It is also prevalent in AIDS patients, especially those who do not have access to the AIDS triple therapy treatment. It can also be seen in other types of medical conditions like COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure.

Fasting, to the point of being skeletal looking should not be mistaken as Cachexia. Fasting or excessive dieting is voluntary, with the person involved knowingly controls his calorie intake. This condition can easily be reversed or stopped by eating again. Cachexia, though, is involuntary. It is a classic sign of terminal illness, of which reversal or the outright stoppage of the condition cannot be solved by merely regaining the consumption of a balanced diet.

Many medical practitioners are now setting their sights unto non-conventional means to help slow down (and ultimately, reverse) the process of Cachexia. Although the primary concern would have to be the treatment of the actual underlying disease or medical condition, any aid to ease the suffering of the disease-stricken patient and aid in the said patient's recovery is more than welcomed. Human growth hormone treatment offers a way of building up or re-building muscles and bones. It is particularly helpful in the development of skeletal muscles: the one type of muscle group that Cachexia actually destroys.

Although human growth hormone treatment is not considered as the end-all medication for Cachexia, it offers patients the time and needed energy to regain a foothold on their strength by slowing down the wasting process. By re-introducing a healthy supply of growth hormones in the system, skeletal muscles are healed, rebuilt and strengthened, making mobility possible.

Also, this hormonal treatment helps burn more calories in the food intake by making the body speed up glucose utilization. In healthy bodies, the process of burning glucose in the body results to fat loss and added energy. Although severely afflicted patients usually have little body fat to start with, they can still benefit from the added energy that the hormonal treatment may give.

Midlife and Menopause - What You Need to Know About Hormonal Migraines

Midlife, Perimenopause, and Menopause

The transition from midlife to menopause is especially difficult for the migraine sufferer. No one knows for sure why migraines start to increase in frequency and severity as one approaches midlife. Perhaps it is simply due to increased stress and responsibility. Be sure to take time for yourself and take your own medical concerns seriously (meaning treat your condition according to whatever method you feel is right for you be that a western medicine approach, alternative therapies, or wellness - or any blend of the three.)

Perimenopause

Many women start to experience the transition towards menopause in their 40's. During this time periods become very unpredictable due to the fact that your hormone levels are dropping but are still prone to unpredictable surges. This can result in periods that last longer than usual (sometimes weeks or months) or periods that are simply skipped. Likewise, the erratic hormone fluctuation can also increase migraine frequency and severity.

Treating Hormone-Related Migraines

The safest approach is to use prescription medication to prevent migraines.(See Chapter 5 for a complete explanation of migraine medications.) Some studies have shown that calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, and anticonvulsants are not as effective at treating migraines brought on by fluctuating hormones. However the advantage of these particular drugs could be their relatively low side effects.

Hormone Replacement Therapy and Migraines

If you decide to pursue hormone replacement therapy to treat the symptoms of perimenopause (including migraines) know that this method can carry certain health risks (such as a potential increased risk of breast and uterine cancer) that should be discussed by your doctor. It is also useful to know that this therapy could aggravate migraines - progesterone is sometimes a migraine aggravator (but is needed in HRT to keep a healthy hormone balance and prevent the development of caner due to treatment.) In many cases there can be a delayed reaction of a few months before there is a noticeable increase in migraine frequency or severity. For this reason, it is not always immediately obvious that the medication is a problem.

If your course of hormone replacement therapy makes your migraines worse, be sure to notify your doctor as he or she may be able to give you a different estrogen preparation (different blends, or a transdermal estrogen patch) that you could react more favorably to. Also, some women report more success using hormone replacement therapies that they take daily (meaning, you may do better taking the pill daily and skipping the seven day break) - much like oral contraceptives, avoiding hormonal fluctuations appears to be key.

If you are using hormone replacement therapy to deal with other menopause-related issues such as osteoporosis know that there are nonhormonal treatments available such as Fosamax.