Testosterone is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, testes, and ovaries. It contributes to muscle mass, strength and endurance, decreased fat, increased exercise tolerance, and an enhancement of well­-being and psychological status. Testosterone protects against cardiovascular disease, hypertension, body fa,t and arthritis. It leads to improved lean muscle mass, increased bone density, decrease in cholesterol, improved skin tone, improved healing capacity, and increased libido and sexual performance. Testosterone is the best hormone to increase collagen and elastin in the skin. It prolongs the quality of life by decreasing the diseases of aging, as does estrogen in the female. Testosterone is also present and extremely important in the female as well as the male, making supplementation absolutely recommended for both men and women. Testosterone is the second most important hormone for energy and well­-being.

Estrogen- Available in three different forms (estradiol, estrone, and estriol), estrogen is primarily secreted in the ovaries and is essential to healthy sexual function and to the development of secondary sex characteristics, including breasts, increased metabolism, uterine and endometrial growth, thickening of the vaginal wall, and decreased bone breakdown.  Estrogen promotes cardiovascular health and prevents signs and symptoms of menopause.  Various factors can lead to a decrease in estrogen; however, menopause is the number one cause of decreased estrogen production.  Estrogen deficiencies result in fatigue, depression, mood swings, decreased libido and sense of well-being.  Physical symptoms result in loss of bone density, skin elasticity, sagging breasts, vaginal atrophy, hot flashes, hair loss, and increased fat deposition. While some forms of synthetic estrogens may increase the risk for other disease states, it is important to understand that your body does need estrogen to function properly.  Natural estrogen replacement therapy along with a properly balanced natural progesterone replacement therapy is key in providing the body with these essential hormonal benefits without running the risks that synthetic estrogens can cause.

The thyroid gland affects virtually every organ system in the body.  It is responsible for regulating cerebral function, body temperature, and metabolism.  Increased thyroid hormones cause an increase in metabolism, energy and sense of well-being and decrease in brain fog.  Production of thyroid hormones starts with the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is released from the pituitary gland and acts on the thyroid gland to produce two types of thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).  T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone; whereas, T4 is the inactive form and must be converted to T3 in order to be active.  The thyroid gland secretes about 97% of the inactive T4 hormone, versus only about 7% of the active T3 hormone.   In thyroid disorders, TSH levels can be normal; therefore, additional tests are needed to properly diagnose thyroid dysfunction.
Many people suffer from hypothyroidism, a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone.  Left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to numerous health concerns, including obesity, joint pain, heart disease, neurological deficits, fatigue, and infertility.  Appropriate and accurate thyroid function tests can easily help diagnosis thyroid problems.  Because TSH levels can appear normal in hypothyroidism, T3 and T4 levels need to be tested in order to accurately determine thyroid function. Natural thyroid replacement hormone provides the body with a combination of both T3 and T4; whereas, synthetic thyroid replacement hormone only provides the body with the inactive T4 form which still has to be converted in the body to the active T3 form.

Progesterone-Progesterone production occurs in the ovaries and begins during puberty.  Prior to menopause, progesterone is essential in helping drive the menstrual cycle and for preparing the uterus for egg implantation.  However, once menopause occurs, progesterone production stops.  Progesterone has been found to play an important role in many vital processes of the body, including treatment of premenstrual symptoms (PMS), protection against uterine and breast cancers, fibrocystic disease, and ovarian cysts.  Studies have shown that progesterone plays an important role in both the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.  Progesterone is also a precursor to other hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, and when progesterone levels decrease, so do the levels of these other hormones.  Most physicians use a synthetic form of progesterone in hormone replacement therapy; however, use of synthetic progesterone has been linked to many side effects, including an increased risk of cancer, headaches, bloating, and fatigue.  Use of synthetic progesterone has also been shown to counteract the beneficial effects that estrogen has on the heart in preventing cardiovascular disease.  Natural progesterone has not been linked to any of these detrimental side effect. In fact, studies have shown that natural progesterone, combined with natural estrogen, protects the body from cancers and other diseases that synthetic progesterone can cause. Natural progesterone replacement therapy along with a properly balanced natural estrogen replacement therapy is key to providing the body with these essential hormonal benefits without running the risks that synthetic progesterone can cause.

Pregnenolone is a naturally occurring steroidal hormone that is made from cholesterol.  It is a precursor to many other significant hormones the body depends on for healthy functioning.  Pregnenolone is converted in the body to progesterone, mineralocorticoids, and glucocorticoids.  Pregnenolone is also required for the production of DHEA.  DHEA is a vital hormone that the body needs to make testosterone and estrogen.  Without it, the body doesn’t make these essential sex hormones.  Pregnenolone may also have a vast effect on the central nervous system, helping to increase and maintain healthy cognitive function.  Its potential neurological effects range from improved memory to decreased anxiety.  Beginning in early adulthood and increasing with age, endogenous pregnenolone production decreases.  As a precursor to some of the body’s most essential hormones, a loss in pregnenolone can have detrimental effects.

Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the pineal gland, a small pea-sized gland located in the brain. The body regulates melatonin production, “turning on” production during the mid-late evening hours, and causing a release of melatonin into the blood stream.  Normally, melatonin levels remain high throughout the night and then drop off in the early morning when the sun starts coming up.  This is because melatonin is responsible for keeping the body’s sleep wake cycle in balance.  Melatonin also allows for the body to go into a deeper REM state of sleep.  The REM phase of sleep is important for cell rejuvenation and repair, as well as for keeping the immune system functioning healthily. Natural melatonin levels decrease with age, and in some adults, production can stop completely.   In addition to keeping the immune system healthy, replacement of natural melatonin improves sleeping patterns, leaving the body feeling refreshed with increased energy and improved mood.

Glutathione, or GSH, is found in every cell in the body and is also available as a supplement.
Benefits include:

GSH supplements contain a high concentration of cysteine and have many of the same proteins found in breast milk which enhances immune system function. Throughout the stages of aging, cells begin to lose their ability to repair themselves and produce strong antioxidants. Benefiting your body with glutathione supplements increases levels of this naturally occurring antioxidant.