(Linda Ojeda's second visit to Power Surge) Dearest: My guest tonight, LINDA OJEDA. Ph.D., is noted for her work in women's health initiatives. She's a nutritionist, weight expert, naturalist, menopause expert and author of several books, one of which is among Power Surge's most recommended books -- "Menopause Without Medicine". The book is a wealth of information about natural sources of estrogen, including phytoestrogens; how mood swings are affected by diet and personality; the latest research on HRT, osteoporosis, breast cancer and heart disease. The latter is the subject of her newest book, "Her Healthy Heart: A Woman's Guide to Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease Naturally". Linda, it's been too long since you've been to Power Surge -- three years, but I'm so pleased you're here with us tonight :) After all your research and experience with women at mid-life, share with us -- what do you think is the greatest myth about menopause? Linda Ojeda.: That it is a disease and has to be treated with drugs. Dearest: Dr. Susan Love called it the "medicalization" of menopause. Do they do that in order to prescribe drugs? Linda Ojeda.: Yes, I do think that menopause is a big business and it is being prompted by business and drug companies. Dearest: And most of the studies done on menopause, drug therapy, etc., aren't they funded in big part by the large pharmaceutical companies? I mean, how can we get honest results when they're funding them? Linda Ojeda.: Not going to happen. Worse still are the reports on heart disease that are based only on studies done on men. Dearest: The last study on Premarin was funded by the manufacturer. The results weren't quite what they wanted and showed that HRT isn't as effective in protecting women on HRT from heart disease. I notice those test results have disappeared from the Internet. I mean, what's wrong with this picture? Linda Ojeda.: Isn't that strange? The HERS Study actually found that HRT is harmful to women who already have heart disease and the PEPI Study found mixed results, it increases good cholesterol but also increases triglycerides (not good for women), Dearest: Exactly, but if natural plant estrogens as uninvasive and effective as soy derivatives, such as Revival Soy Protein, result in good lipid levels (which helped to lower my menopause-related cholesterol tremendously), why not go the natural route? Why are they still pushing drugs? Linda Ojeda.: Because of the money. You're talking a multibillion dollar business. Dearest: Sad when greed comes before women's health :( Thanks, Linda. Wiscoduck, go ahead. WISCODUCK: I am in surgical menopause since July due to uterine cancer. What should I be doing for my heart aside from diet and exercise? Linda Ojeda.: How old are you Wiscoduck? WISCODUCK: 46 Linda Ojeda.: You are ready to enter natural menopause at that age, but you may consider HRT for a year if you have horrendous symptoms. WISCODUCK: I can't take HRT -- my doctor says due to uterine cancer -- no estrogen. Linda Ojeda.: Since you are close, and if you want to try soy, vitamin E plus a multi and herbs. OK. Definitely go natural. Dearest: Linda, what modality of HRT do you recommend? WISCODUCK: Is there anyplace there is a list of vitamins and herbs you should be taking? Dearest: The Power Surge Web site, Wisco and Linda Ojeda's book, "Menopause Without Medicine". WISCODUCK: Thank you, I will try that. Linda Ojeda.: If phytoestrogens and nutrients don't work, I'm in favor of natural hormones made at a compounding pharmacy. They are exactly like your own body hormones and offer fewer side effects and risks. If you need augmentation, go natural. Dearest: Linda, is that what they mean by "bio-identical" hormones? Linda Ojeda.: Yes, natural hormones are bio-identical to your own bodies chemical structure. Dearest: Go ahead, Java. JavaNutt44: Just found out I am in Menopause (44 yrs. old) not sure what to do? I am so confused. I had the blood work done already. I'm not sure what to do to help my symptoms. Linda Ojeda.: This is early. Get checked out first and then read up on all your options. Diet high in phytoestrogens, like tofu or soy drinks, vitamin E, multi vitamin, black cohosh (standardized is Remifemin), other herbs help as well. JavaNutt44: Have fatigue, headaches slight hot flashes. What about osteoporosis? Dearest: Java, E.mail me and I'll send you additional information. Linda is limited as to how much information she can provide in this short time. Linda Ojeda.: Everything I just mentioned is good. Also check your diet. Are you eating too much sugar, caffeine, you know the bad stuff? Osteoporosis is tough. Phytoestrogens will help some, so will progesterone cream, but the question is how much? Personally, I am dealing with this question myself since I have been determined to have very low bone density. I am taking a synthetic soy product called Ipriflavone for 6 months along with my soy and progesterone cream and then get retested before I make the natural hormone decision. I never thought I would take hormones, but I'm keeping an open mind when it comes to osteoporosis. Oh yes, I also take calcium, magnesium, boron, vitamin D and K. Dearest: Folic acid is also very important for the heart, yes? 400 mcg per day? Linda Ojeda.: Oh yes, and so are 2 other B's, B-6 and B-12 to lower homocysteine levels, just as important that cholesterol to the heart. Dearest: Excellent, Linda. Thank you :) Stat, go ahead. Stat101: When you talk about natural hormones what are you referring to? Linda Ojeda.: Natural hormones can give you the same benefit as Premarin and Provera but they do not have as many harmful side effects and possibly do not carry the risk of breast cancer. They are still prescription and you get them from a compounding pharmacy. Dearest has this info in her newsletters. Stat101: Can you take Premarin and also a soy pill as an aid to hot flashes? What is the name of the natural hormone that would replace Premarin? Linda Ojeda.: If you take Premarin, you shouldn't have hot flashes. There is no name. You need to contact one of these pharmacies and tell them what you want and they can make up a formula with the different types of estrogen (actually they use more estriol which is a safer form than estradiol). There are books that speak to these "formulas." Dearest: E-mail me for information about where to get naturally compounded HRT. Julia, go ahead now, please. Julia39121: Could you tell me when I can stop getting up at night to go to the bathroom 3-4 times a night disrupts sleep; am zombie during day, any suggestions Linda Ojeda.: I wish I had an answer to that. I still get up at night to "go" and I'm now 3 years post menopausal. Try not drinking too much after dinner, and watch the alcohol. There are herbs for sleep. Valerian is good. Dearest: Thank you, Linda. Petjoy, go ahead. Petjoy85: How does black cohosh compare to evening primrose oil for relieving symptoms? Symptoms such as terrible cramps. Linda Ojeda.: Both black cohosh and evening primrose work. Different things, however, work for different people. Petjoy85: Which one do you prefer? Dearest: I don't think it's which anyone prefers, but what works for you, Petjoy. Petjoy85: How much can I safely take per day? Linda Ojeda.: For cramps, cut down on red meat, and try evening primrose oil, calcium, magnesium, vitamin E. and C, and also cut down on dairy. Petjoy85: Thank you. Dearest: Sally, go ahead. Sally1019: What is your opinion of low carb diets for women during perimenopause? Dearest: Interesting question. Linda Ojeda.: All research shows that a high plant (carb) diet is best for menopause however, some women are sensitive to carbs and need more protein You need to play around with the mix and find out what your own body likes best. It will tell you if you listen. Dearest: Catalina, go ahead. Catalina5: How and/or where do you get Ipriflavone(s)? Linda Ojeda.: I got mine at the health food store. Dearest: MomaMia, go ahead. MomaMia7: I had complete hysterectomy in April, and am on Climara Patch. I feel great. What's your input on it? Linda Ojeda.: Glad you feel great and if you are in anyway premenopausal, you may need replacement until you reach that magic menopausal age. Also, I am not categorically against HRT. I like natural better, and I think we need to think why we are taking it, if we need it, and for how long. Dearest: Linda, how important and effective are hormone level tests and do you recommend saliva over blood tests? Linda Ojeda.: Yes, saliva over blood because you get a reading on the situation at hand, and can make a better decision. It's also so much easier. Dearest: Thank you. TKOVIA, go ahead with your question for Linda Ojeda. TKOVIA: Can you give an example of a breakfast, lunch, dinner and vitamins for a given day? Linda Ojeda.: I hate this but here goes. For breakfast, I eat a cereal mix of oats, wheat, and rice covered with soy milk plus a banana. Lunch it's tuna sandwich on wheat bread plus an apple. Dinner its usually chicken or fish and a large veggie plate or salad. This of course varies because I eat a lot of beans, tofu, other grains and heaps of veggies. Multi-vitamin/mineral table, plus calcium/magnesium, sometimes extra antioxidants, flaxseed. TKOVIA: Great example! thank-you. Dearest: Linda gave the vitamin protocol earlier. It will be on the transcript and can also be found on the Power Surge Recommend page. Pgtrac, go ahead please. Pgtrac: Any suggestions to lower cholesterol and relieve blotting? Linda Ojeda.: Yes, vitamin E, soluble fiber like oats, beans, apples, all antioxidants, garlic, onions, flaxseed, and soy. Dearest: All this information is in Linda Ojeda's wonderful book, "Menopause Without Medicine". Linda, which printing is the book in? I've recommended this book for about 3-4 years now, I think. Linda Ojeda.: I'm coming out with 4th printing in spring. Pgtrac: I eat a soy protein bar daily. Dearest: Which do you use, Pg? Pgtrac: Revival is the name. It's delicious. Dearest: Pgtrac, everyone can read about my experience with Revival soy protein. I've tried every soy shake/bar on the market. This one is loaded with soy isoflavones. Catalina, go ahead. Pgtrac: Thank you. Catalina5: What is your opinion of estrogen (like Climara) without progesterone, even with a hysterectomy? Linda Ojeda.: I think estrogen should always be accompanied by progesterone that's the way our body makes it. It's good to follow Mother Nature. Dearest: Sue, go ahead :) Sue: Several women have mentioned complete hysterectomies and hormones and you talked about going through menopause. A complete hysterectomy means removal of the ovaries and instant menopause. Do these women need estrogen supplements longer than the year you mentioned? Linda Ojeda.: It's personal, but I think they probably need replacement until the time they would go through natural menopause and then they can wean themselves off. Obviously no one know exactly when they would go though menopause, so it's their own feeling and decision, Dearest: Thanks for the wonderful answers, Linda :) Mary, go ahead :) Dearest: We can take one or two more questions. Go ahead with your question, Aida. AidaLola: I am 49, two small children, please what can I take for the constant fatigue? Linda Ojeda.: First, your probably need help with your kids. Then check and make sure your eating regularly and not going too long without good food. Take a multi vitamin. You especially need the B-s and vit C has been shown to reduce fatigue. Ginseng is good to boost fatigue, but I don't like to rely on herbs, it's too drug-like. Nap and exercise. AidaLola: Thanks! Dearest: Mary, go ahead. PianoMary: What kind of vitamin do you recommend? I understand that at menopause we're not supposed to take extra iron and most vitamin pills have that. Linda Ojeda.: No particular brand. I do get mine either at the health food store or at Trader Joes. I don't do the cheapie brands. Too important. PianoMary: Thanks Dearest: Catalina, go ahead. Catalina5: Can you tell us more about ipriflavones? Where do they come from?(before the health food store)? Linda Ojeda.: They are a synthetic concentration from soybeans and have been shown in studies to build bone. I was told about it and then checked the research and so that's what I'm doing to build my bones. Dearest: Linda, thanks for a stimulating visit to Power Surge. I hope you'll return again very soon. You can find copies of LINDA OJEDA'S books, "Menopause Without Medicine" and "Her Healthy Heart" in the Power Surge bookstore. Linda Ojeda.: It's always fun. I would love to come back. You're a great group. Dearest: Linda, maybe you can come back on a regular basis. Your answers are excellent. How many of you would like to see Linda visit us maybe once every two months <provided she agrees to it> Linda Ojeda.: Sure. Sounds good to me. Keeps my brain active. Dearest: That's great, Linda. We can't let three years go by again before you visit with us :( Linda Ojeda.: Agreed, :) Dearest: Thank you, again, Linda. Goodnight and nite everyone. Thanks for coming :) Read Linda Ojeda's first transcript Read Linda Ojeda's third transcript Disclaimer: Every guest in Power Surge is a highly respected professional whose opinions are his/her own. An appearance in Power Surge does not constitute an endorsement of a guest's views. None of these transcripts may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Power Surge™ and the respective guest. Read other transcripts by returning to the Library. Dearest aka Alice Stamm Power Surge Founder, Facilitator, Host Copyright©1994- by Power Surge. All Rights Reserved.