Dearest:    My guest tonight is Larrian Gillespie, M.D., a physician and author of 
"The Menopause Diet." Dr. Gillespie's medical practice, research and books focus on 
women's health as they relate to diet. She has designed nutritional programs for 
numerous performers. Dr. Gillespie's newest books, the subject of tonight's guest 
chat, "The Goddess Diet" and "The Menopause Diet" are just two of a string of 
bestselling books for women.

Welcome to Power Surge, Larrian. Have you found that many women seem to stop 
caring about their weight and appearance in general because they're coping with so 
many difficulties during menopause?  I hope it's okay if we call you Larrian :)  


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Absolutely fine with me. Re the question. Yes, I found myself 
excusing the weight gain during menopause because I was following all the advice 
from the ADA,  etc., only to realize it was based on male metabolism and NOT female.  
When I started to investigate the literature, I found a WHOLE OTHER WORLD of info 
on women that showed how significantly different our digestive system was.


Dearest:    Different from men? Different during and after menopause? Different 
exactly how? 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   All metabolism studies are done in men with women excluded 
because of fear of pregnancy and fetal toxicity etc. Women's stomachs are very 
sensitive to the ratio of estrogen to progesterone and when the levels of estradiol, 
the active estrogen start to lower, as with menopause or thyroid conditions, our 
stomachs slow down such that we hold food an hour longer than men. This makes us 
super efficient at sucking out carbohydrates and storing them as FAT, not using 
them for energy.  That's because women have a thrifty gene that allows us to 
procreate in the face of starvation which explains how those calories from a 
chocolate chip cookie we sniffed ended up on our hips. 


Dearest:    Thanks, Larrian. Excellent answer. Let's go to the queue now.  


Oldkid:   How can I tackle this horrible craving for Chocolate?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Ahh, the chocolate diva speaks! A craving for chocolate is due 
to loss of pyridoxal-5-phosphate, the active form of B6.  Women lose 6 times the 
amount of B6 compared to men, making us naturally deficient in certain amino 
transferences that help to stabilize our blood sugar and neural transmitters.  The 
answer is to eat more protein and take pyridoxal-5-phosphate coated so as to be 
absorbed from the small intestine and NOT the stomach. 


Dearest:    Larrian, can you give us some of the basic tips to maintaining a healthy 
weight or losing weight during menopause when our hormones are all out of whack? 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   There are several things women need to know about maintaining 
a healthy weight:

1) You need to know what your body mass index is because healthy is less than 25
2) Women can't lose weight without exercise unlike men
3) Studies show that women need more protein to shift the metabolism of estrogen 
   to the inactive, less carcinogenic form
4) Women need to select low glycemic carbs so there is a more stable blood sugar 
   level, which also affects hormone production
5) Get stress under control in your life, because cortisol, which already goes up 
   with menopause, causes us to store fat deep inside our abdomens creating the 
   dreaded Buddha belly.



StephanieinSF:   I have been on a weight loss plateau for over 1 yr., despite a 
low-carb eating plan + exercise.  Is there hope of losing the 30+ lbs. I still need 
to lose? (I ordered your books today from Amazon, by the way!)


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Thanks for ordering the books! Now, your situation stresses 
how strongly our hormones regulate weight and we need to eat in SMALLER portions, 
250-300 calories at a time, to speed up the CP450 enzyme system in our livers and 
keep glucose levels down. Then you need to have your thyroid checked, as women 50+ 
become hypothyroid due to the loss of estrogen. Then, you need a blood estradiol 
level done if you are still menstruating  the value should be above 200pg/ml at 
day 14-15, if post menopausal and on estradiol should be between 70-114 pg/ml. Without 
estrogen levels in the right zone, you won't lose weight.


Dearest:    Larrian, when you say 250-300 calories at a time, I assume you're suggesting 
eating more frequent, smaller meals? 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Yes. Studies show women maintain an even blood sugar and keep 
insulin levels stable at that range and NOT at 100 or 500 (which actually is seen with 
anorexics and bulimics) who are estrogen deficient.


bubbagirl73:   You have answered some questions on another site for me.   Because I had 
a large tumor It scares me to see my stomach growing again and  the more I try to diet, 
the more weight I gain.  It seems that everything is the wrong thing to eat.


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   You don't say which  kind of tumor. Ovarian? Uterine fibroid?


bubbagirl73:   Ovarian


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Oh, now that is different, so you need to exercise more, still 
use low glycemic carbs and watch your thyroid function. If your stomach is getting 
bigger, I presume you have been checked to be certain it is not fluid in your abdomen.


Dearest:    Larrian, your thoughts on the various popular diets, Weight Watchers, 
Atkins Diet, The Zone, Sugar Busters?  And another is, I believe, The Carbohydrate's 
Addicts Diet. 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   All of them have their benefits but are not designed for women's 
gastric metabolism. However, Weight Watchers seems to come the closest with their new 
changes. Acidosis is NOT a good thing, as it causes intracellular aging -- too high a 
fat content pushes estrogen metabolism in the wrong direction, and there is no 
scientific validity to the idea of special combinations of ratios counterbalancing blood 
sugar response. 


Dearest:    Thanks, Larrian.  


sanlyn:   I have been on HRT for over 12 months, but started to dramatically gain weight, 
like 2 stone since March this year when I became really depressed, was it the depression 
and lack of exercise or the HRT that caused this?


Dearest:    2 stone = 28 pounds. 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Progestins are notorious for causing depression and you wrote 
HRT, which means you are taking a progestin.  Progestins are drugs that were developed 
to treat cancer, and didn't do a very good job, so they found a new use, feed them to 
women even though it was known their responses were very negative in women's bodies, 
and affected so many other neurotransmitters and could even cause another type of cancer. 
Oh, forgot, they are the prime reason for weight gain.


Dearest:    Larrian, what about naturally compounded hormones?  Your thoughts?  In general 
and in weight gain.


sanlyn:   So should I talk to the doctor about going off HRT and then what do I do about 
the hot flashes?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Natural progesterone is better, but a new drug was just approved in 
Europe (naturally) that doesn't affect insulin levels and actually lets blood estradiol 
levels stay in the above stated range without affecting the endometrium.

On my website, in the newsletter section, you can read about the articles on progestins 
and why women shouldn't take them on my Web site at http://www.menopausediet.com. 


ed1claudia:   Dr. Gillespie, I have several Questions.  What types of protein are best 
for this diet?  Also, would you give an example of low glycemic carbs?  I seem to have 
problems with hypo glycemia.  Would the smaller meals help here?  Or what I think is 
hypoglycemia -- a sinking feeling.


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:  Protein is protein. It's the fat associated with it that matters. 
Soy, however, has another problem in that it contains isoflavones that affect the 
thyroid in menopausal women. Soy protein is great, but you don't find it alone. 

Low glycemic carbs usually have a lot more fiber/beans, sprouted wheat berry, broccoli, 
yams. In my upcoming book The Gladiator Diet I have a list you can put on the 
refrigerator and use for shopping. Smaller meals let you eat ANYTHING (low or high 
glycemic) but you will find the amounts vary greatly.


Menobud:   I just ordered your books today, so I'm sorry, I don't know the answer to 
this, but how do you feel about HRT?  I just began taking it two weeks ago, along with 
Lipitor, Dyazide and Prilosec, and I have an increased amount of acid.  Does HRT affect 
the digestion?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Hypoglycemia is the result of sudden gastric emptying brought 
about by the fundus of the stomach suddenly moving food to the antrum for digestion. 
The type of hormone replacement therapy DOES affect digestion with progestins DELAYING 
gastric emptying even further, which leads to heartburn, higher insulin and glucose 
levels.  I found Prilosec very unhelpful for women...works better in men.


Menobud:   Thank you so much!


Dearest:    Larrian, no matter what method of treatment we investigate, it seems we're 
damned if we do and damned if we don't. 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   That's the problem with life. Someday we're going to die, so relax 
about a lot of stuff. Hot flashes can be treated with arginine 500mg twice a day, low 
dose estradiol in the right range is ideal combined with diet and exercise. It's all 
individual, but you can't go haphazardly through menopause when we can live to be over 
100 according to today's stats.


Dearest:    Thank you, Larrian.  


Oldkid:   All the weight I have gained is in my stomach. Why is this where it goes?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Our bodies have fat receptors that preferentially start to stuff 
fat in our deep pelvis, outer stomach, hips and thighs, in that order. the Buddha 
Belly is the one associated with the metabolic X syndrome that puts women at risk 
for heart disease, diabetes, strokes, which is why we can't allow ourselves to look 
like a spider body thin arms and legs and fat, round stomach. 


Cyri:   I have been hearing about Phytoestrogens. How many apples would I have to eat 
a day to help my low estrogen? From low estrogen.  


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   I'm not sure what you are asking. Do you want to lower or raise 
your estrogen, nd if it's lower, are you taking estrogen or perimenopausal?


Cyri:   I have low estogen. What is boron and isoflavones?  I am pre-menopausal.


Dearest:    You'll find information on boron and isoflavones  by clicking here.


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   I think you are trying to say raise your low estrogen. If so, 
phytoestrogens don't do that. They are really anti-estrogens that attach to the estrogen 
receptor but have different activity. That is why they are NOT a substitute for estrogen. 
Boron is a chemical found in soil that helps bones to lay down calcium, but so does 
potassium carbonate and a diet with a lot of fruit. Phytoestrogens are important for women 
with endometriosis - which is a disease of estrogen excess - but perimenopausal women are 
losing estrogen and don't need to be further depressed. 


Dearest:    What about a lot of fruit? Aren't we getting a lot of sugar/carbs with large
amounts of fruit?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Fruit contains fructose, a different form of sugar that is absorbed 
slower when combined with the excess fiber in MOST fruits. Now this is where format make 
a  difference. Apricots dried are MUCH better than fresh apricots for that very reason.


Dearest:     Larrian, what happened to the "old rule" of waiting to put women on 
hormone replacement therapy until after their periods stopped?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   That's just what it should be, an OLD rule.. As research shows that 
estrogen receptors lose their responses when deprived of estrogen. I started using low 
dose estrogen support at age 45,  which was more than a few years ago (about 6) and I 
have kept excellent profiles because of that. Not to mention the difference in my teeth, 
gums, hearing, eyesight. 


Dearest:    What type of estrogen are you using, if I/we may ask?  :)


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   I use estrogel from France, which is transdermal estradiol, like 
in the patch, but can be spread over a wider surface area. It is absorbed through the 
lymphatic system which prevents a lot of the liver side effects and allows for 
individually tailored amounts of estradiol.


Dearest:    Thanks. One last question before getting back to the queue. Have you 
heard women complain of internal shaking, tremor-like feelings, during the various stages 
of menopause? To what would you attribute this type of shaking, which in my case, has, at 
times, been very intense. 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Shaking is due to rapid changes in blood insulin levels, which can 
alter the neurotransmittor serotonin. I suspect that is what you are experiencing.


Dearest:    Ahhh.. so it can be associated with sugar intake?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Not only that, but drops in estradiol, say 2 quarts low and 
women become agoraphobic (don't want to leave the house, think objects are moving into 
them on the road etc).


Dearest:   Interesting. Thank you so much, Larrian. 


bubbagirl73:   What about memory loss?  Mine is terrible. Brain fog.


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Memory loss is due to thyroid and estrogen changes. I keep three  
sets of phone books because at any one moment, 2 are lost. 


bubbagirl73:   I'm not alone 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   No, it is very common and also made worse by progestins.



jdcislander:   Due to Breast Cancer treatments - radiation twice and chemo. I put on 15  
pounds and cannot seem to lose the weight, I went into chemo. induced menopause. Do you  
have any suggestions? 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   You should consider asking your doctor for estriol supplementation,
the non-cancer related form of estradiol, since you may not be able to take estradiol, 
but check on that, because thoughts are changing in regards to estrogen  denial/support 
for breast cancer. Weight loss is important here...and can be accomplished very slowly 
with the Menopause Diet plan and exercise.


jdcislander:   Thanks


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Also, get your thyroid checked as radiation therapy can screw that 
up as well. Just discussed it in today's newsletter. 


lizzie:   What would you suggest for night sweats and insomnia?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   First of all, night sweats are a reaction to cortisol dropping your 
already poor estrogen levels even lower. Arginine 500mg twice a day helps. Going to 
bed by 9:30, so that melatonin levels can start to rise (do not take melatonin as it 
causes weight gain), if you don't take estradiol it's a bit tough. I use just a small 
amount of additional estradiol at night and sleep without a problem and don't get 
night sweats like I used to.


lizzie:   Thanks


Dearest:    I haven't heard you mention that you use progesterone. Do you only use ERT? 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   I only use ERT because I still have a natural period in that I 
bleed monthly. However, this month was the first skipped month and once I stop 
altogether, I would only use natural progesterone once every 4 months, as the 
endometrial lining no longer responds after about a year of low dose estradiol 
therapy. 


Dearest:    Excellent answer. Thanks, Larrian.


zippy:   What causes nightmares in menopause?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Nightmares are somewhat of a mystery, but again, due to abnormal 
neurotransmittor function caused by excessive adrenal cortisol levels.


Ute:   Could you please tell us more about the "new" progestrone  just approved in 
Europe.  Also, is estrogel available in the USA yet? Thanks!:)


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Estrogel is not available in the US., but can be obtained from 
Canada, France, Sweden, Mexico.*** The new pill is a combination birth control pill with 
Estradiol, 2mg and a new anti-androgen not available in solo format. I will be reporting 
more on this in my next newsletter. 


*** Dearest: UPDATE: Estrogel is currently available in the U.S.


zippy:   I had bad side affects on Evista. What is your opinion?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   I personally don't like that drug and, in fact, discussed the FDA 
warning letter to them in today's newsletter. Again, taking potassium carbonate did 
equally as well without the side effects.



CONNIE:   Omega 3 & 6 Fatty acids. Your opinion please? A good daily dose? Easiest form
to take?


Dearest:    Flaxseed contains omega 3 essential oils.


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   I eat salmon twice a week, take a flax cereal twice a week. When 
you take it more often than this, you actually increase your risk for a stroke as it 
prevents your platelets from clumping like girls at an N Sync concert!


Dearest:    Is that a fact?  I have never heard that before.


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Yes sirreedy bub! Study from Sweden. 


CONNIE:   Supplement not good then? Such as essential woman? Plus salmon?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Even Dr Dean Edell mentioned it on the Today show.


Dearest:    I would like to see a copy of that study if you have any info on it. Thanks :) 
I use much more flaxseed than that.


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Will pull it up and send on to you as I don't have my bibliography 
file in this laptop.


Dearest:    Thanks. 


Oldkid:   Can prozac be valuable during menopause to help with stress?


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Potassium carbonate helps you lay down calcium in bone.  I do not 
like Prozac for women as this drug and several like it have been shown to raise prolactin 
levels and increase the risk for breast cancer. During menopause, you are not serotonin 
deficient on its own it's due to low estrogen. So, why give that kind of medication which 
doesn't offer heart/brain/mood etc. protection when low dose estradiol does all the above? 


Dearest:    Larrian, one last question from me -- why are so many SSRI's (anti-
depressants) being prescribed to menopausal women for hot flashes and other symptoms? 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Something is TERRIBLY wrong. Again, when drugs start to lose 
their market share, pharmaceutical companies ALWAYS look for ways to convince doctors 
WOMEN need to take these meds! You sure don't see them hyping them for male menopause!


Dearest:    What on earth has happened to the medical profession. It seems to have become 
big business -- almost as though so many doctors have become drug pushers. Thanks for 
your feedback, Larrian. 


CONNIE:   I learned alot tonight. Thank you both for caring enough to educate us!!


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   You can get potassium carbonate by combining calcium carbonate and 
potassium citrate. Shameless plug, as I do in my female formula stress tabs available at 
the Store on my sites. 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   It's not doctors. It's the pharmaceutical industry and their 
stockholders who expect certain returns.  Medicine is business with a knife!


Dearest:    Yes, I know that about the pharmaceutical industry. Avarice and greed.


CONNIE:   Holistic approach needed so much in this area.


Dearest:    Larrian, it's getting late, but you must come back again to continue.


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   I would be happy to come back again and even discuss my new book,  
"The Gladiator Diet," available January 4. You can read about it on my website.


Dearest:    Be sure to read Dr. Gillespie's newest books, The Goddess Diet and 
The Menopause Diet, to learn how to maintain proper weight during menopause and lose 
weight as well. Larrian, thank you for a very informative and stimulating chat. We all 
look forward to your return very soon. 


Larrian Gillespie, M.D.:   Thank you very much for having me as your guest Dearest. I really 
enjoyed it. This is a terrific group of women.  Just name the date. Have computer, will 
be there!


Dearest:   Excellent. Thank you and goodnight. Goodnight, everyone!



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Power Surge
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