(Dr. Stephen Holt's 4th visit to Power Surge)


Dearest:  My guest tonight 
is Stephen Holt, M.D. Dr. Holt has practiced 
medicine since 1972. A Professor of Medicine, Scientist, Board 
certified 
gastroenterologist and internist in three countries, the U.S., 
U.K. and 
Canada, with higher training in nutrition, clinical 
pharmacology and 
medicine of addictions. 

Most of Dr. Holt's referred patients have been seen by several 
physicians 
previously and they often have complex disorders. Dr. Holt is 
the author of 
12 books including the Random House bestseller, The Soy Revolution and 
Combat Syndrome X, Y & Z. His newest 
book, The 
MenoPlan: Natural Ways 
to Healthy Menstruation and Menopause will be out soon. 

It's a pleasure to welcome you back to Power Surge, Dr. Holt. 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  It's great 
to be back. 


Dearest:  Let's start with 
why women be cautious of the conventional 
prescription hormone replacement therapy, HRT, typically 
prescribed for 
menopause symptoms by their doctors?


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  The news is 
not completely out on the dangers of 
conventional hormone replacement therapy. There is not doubt 
that the
news is bad and, in some cases, shocking.  I need to tell you 
about
studies in the major scientific medical journals in the last 
couple of 
years.  Please let the information register. 

In England medical studies report 25,000 new cases of fatal 
breast cancer 
as a consequence of taking conventional HRT in the form of 
estrogen and 
synthetic progesterone.  This combination is often used in the 
form of 
PremPro. 

Studies in the US show that this kind of conventional HRT 
causes breast 
cancer.  Doctors used to think that conventional HRT prevented 
heart 
disease.  This is no longer known to be the case and some 
studies show up 
to an 81% increase in risk of heart attack in users of 
conventional HRT.  

Studies in the last year show certain types of conventional HRT 
may 
predispose to dementia in women following menopause, a 
condition rather 
like Alzheimer's disease.  Conventional HRT is associated with 
other types 
of cancer such as cancer of the womb and ovary.  Conventional 
HRT has not 
even improved the quality of life in women following the 
menopause.   

Many doctors and their patients are considering other options 
in a very 
serious way.  People must realize that conventional HRT will 
help melt 
symptoms of menopause but the cost of help is too high.  It is 
a fact that 
the cost in side effects and poor health from conventional HRT 
in a 
combined form may far outweigh the benefits.  These matters are 
discussed 
in great detail in my upcoming book The MenoPlan and these 
studies are 
referenced. 

Because of these serious risks to health, many women are 
seeking safe, 
simple and gentle options to deal with the transitions of 
menopause.
These are serious issues which I invite you to ask about and 
discuss with 
your physicians and this evening I will speak with you about 
what I believe 
are natural viable options to help promote health and relieve 
symptoms. 


Dearest:  Dr. Holt, why, 
knowing this - and that conventional HRT can cause 
stroke, gall bladder disease, cancer, heart issues, and even 
dementia - are 
women STILL using them?


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  There is no 
doubt that the estrogen components of 
conventional HRT has benefits in symptom reduction and some 
benefits 
psychologically.  Some women like the idea that they still 
menstruate.  
Some doctors are saying that they do not completely understand 
whether
or not estrogen alone is acceptable, but it is my experience 
that estrogen 
alone does cause problems.  There are many other symptoms such 
as weight 
gain, blood clots, bloating and even serious blood clots that 
can block
the lung.  Again, my forthcoming book stresses all these issues 
and why 
many doctors are looking for alternatives for their patients. 
Many 
doctors are trying to take many women off conventional HRT.   

As the evidence becomes clear about the risk to health, it has 
been stated 
that HRT given in a conventional setting is a massive 
experiment on mature 
women in an uncontrolled manner.  Some scientists are 
questioning why this 
could have gone on for 25-30 years.  Lawyers are sharpening 
their pencils 
as I speak.  This is a very serious public health issue, which 
for reasons 
unknown to me, has not been adequately covered in the media.  
There are more 
than 40 million women who are candidates for conventional HRT 
and they have 
not been told about the risks in an honest way, in my opinion.  
These are 
strong words, but I will stand by my opinion. 


Dearest:  One last question 
- a thought that just occurred to me - is it 
possible that there's such a great increase in heart disease 
and cancer 
among the baby boomer generation that took birth control pills 
back in
the 60's and thereafter?  


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  When the 
birth control pills were first introduced, 
the dosages of the pills was high and there was a gross 
underreporting
of the side effects.  Recent information is about low dose 
birth control 
pills.  These older pills could have caused some of the 
problems in today's 
baby boomers but there are other problems including other 
factors such as 
Syndrome X.  I believe that conventional HRT may be 
particularly 
problematic in people with obesity and Syndrome X who already 
have
symptoms of heart disease. 

Women must look at their lifestyle, nutrition, behavior and 
other factors 
that all contribute to poor health in their mature years.  In 
brief, I do 
believe that old-fashioned birth control pills were quite 
dangerous in some 
cases. 


SelectedDee:  What about a transition from Premarin to natural 
hormones?  
Is cold turkey okay? I am perimenopausal.


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  Before I 
answer this question, let's get some general 
principles understood.  Stopping conventional HRT cold turkey 
can be like 
having a second menopause.  Nobody should stop HRT suddenly 
unless there
is a clear medical reason to do so.  Most medications should be 
stopped 
slowly when they have been used with continuity. 

Before I answer this question, let's look at what natural 
solutions exist.  
The options include: herbs or botanicals, dietary supplements.  
Some people 
favor natural hormones that are identical body hormones.  Other 
popular 
natural options include soy isoflavones and black cohosh.  
These are some 
of the components of the product MenoPlan which I shall 
describe in detail 
later.  I do not believe that there is solid evidence that bio-
identical 
hormones are any safer than conventional HRT.  This opinion is 
not 
necessarily shared by everyone. 


Dearest: SelectedDee, 
there's a comprehensive article in
Power Surge's,  Educate Your Body 
Library on weaning off synthetic HRT.
You'll find it at  www.power-
surge.com/educate/weanoffhrt.htm. 

Dr. Holt, would you please tell us about the other ingredients 
in the MenoPlan, 
and how it differs from other menopause formulas on the market? 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  I believe 
that MenoPlan has a formula that is better 
than any other product for menopause.  The ingredients are all 
evidence-
based and more complete than any other product, to my 
knowledge.  It 
contains black cohosh in a standardized dose, similar to that 
found in 
Remifemin.  Black cohosh is now regarded as having scientific 
support for 
controlling the symptoms of menopause.  It also contains a 40% 
concentrate 
of isoflavones in a balanced amount with the black cohosh.  The 
concept of 
the formula is additive.  I believe that high doses of 
isoflavones aren't 
safe when used alone.  

MenoPlan also has red clover which has the same properties as 
isoflavones.  
One can now see that MenoPlan has started to give the same 
benefits of both 
Remifemin and Estroven. MenoPlan also includes L-theanine which 
is a 
natural but very mild sedative and will help with anxiety.  L-
theanine is a 
special extract from green tea.  MenoPlan also includes evening 
primrose 
oil which as a long history of breast health and the female 
reproductive 
system. Also, a balanced dose of dong quai which has been used 
for 
centuries in Chinese health during menopause. 

There are 3 other beneficial herbs. These include ginkgo 
biloba, which 
helps memory and blood flow;  also chasteberry is included.  
Chasteberry 
has balancing effects and is believed to assist in sexual 
function.  Other 
dietary supplements have not considered the benefits of healthy 
sexual 
function in menopause.  Another female-specific called angelica 
which has 
versatile benefit is included. 


Everyone becomes confused by the different ingredients, but 
MenoPlan is 
designed to promote menopause symptoms, promote general health 
and goes
as far as settling anxiety and maintenance of healthy sexual 
function which 
I believe is very important for women going through the 
transition. This 
formula is very important for women in menopause, and for women 
with PMS.  
There is nothing else like this formula on the market.  I was 
the first 
person to develop a product using soy when I wrote a book 
called The Soy
Revolution.  The formula of MenoPlan is very 
current and reflects current 
thinking given new scientific studies. 

xxxxxxx


Kataneena:  Can you have GERD and have a negative EGD and upper 
GI?
What is the definitive test?


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  The 
definitive test for GERD is 24-hour Ph monitoring.  
Yes, you can have a negative endoscopy, but your doctor would 
not know 
without a biopsy. 


MaryJ:  Does the MenoPlan help control emotional outbursts such 
as crying? 
And should you take it if you are still having periods? 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  Many women 
who have taken components of MenoPlan
have received a natural calming benefit.  It was formulated 
with calming 
features in mind.  I do not recommend any of these supplements 
when 
pregnant or nursing.   Make sure that you are not depressed. 


Dearest:  As a 
gastroenterologist, do women have more digestion problems 
due to their hormonal makeup?


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  There is a 
link between hormonal balance and digestive 
problems but this area is not well researched.  Some studies 
show increased 
bowel problems after hysterectomy and other female surgical 
procedures.  
General symptoms included diarrhea, constipation, nausea.  
Take, for 
example, one hormone such as progesterone.  That can be very 
constipating 
for many women because it relaxes the muscles.  Many women take 
medications, fiber, enzymes during menopause to help.  Please 
look at 

www.naturesbenefit.com to read more.  Also please do not 
forget to go to 

www.Menoplan.com for more information about that. Dearest 
will explain 
more. 


Dearest:  A special offer 
for Power Surge visitors. Call Andrea at Natures 
Benefit at 877-765-1099 and if to buy 2 bottles of Menoplan for 
treating 
your menopause symptoms, you'll receive a FREE copy of Dr. 
Holt's book, 
"MenoPlan: Women's Wellness. Natural Ways to Healthy 
Menstruation and 
Menopause." which will be out in six weeks.  Call between 9 and 
5 eastern 
time. 


CW:  Have 2 questions: hot flashes and MenoPlan after breast 
cancer... What 
do you recommend for treating hot flashes (I'm 52 and going 
through 
menopause)? I'm a breast cancer survivor (DCIS diagnosis, 
surgery, no chemo 
or radiation or Tamoxifen needed). Note: I have not taken HRT, 
but did take 
birth control pills in the 70's for a few years) and know that 
HRT is not 
recommended now. Also, may be syndrome x. Second question: Is 
Menoplan 
(Black cohosh, red clover, dong quai, etc.) safe for breast 
cancer 
survivor?


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  I see no 
contraindications of the components of 
MenoPlan in anyone with breast cancer but check with your own 
doctor 
because I don't have complete information about your case.  I 
believe
that you will benefit from MenoPlan but under the circumstances 
and
given the treatment you may have had, share your decision with 
your
doctor.  Some people argue that soy is bad for breast cancer 
but
I see no evidence that this is true in humans. 


CW:  what about treatment for hot flashes? 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  CW, the 
MenoPlan will help hot flashes. 


Pursie:  Isn't Climara soy based vs. animal? Can I take 
MenoPlan with it?
I am on Climara .375. I have had total hysterectomy age 47. 


Dearest:  CW and others, you 
can also ask your questions of Dr. Holt at 

www.power-surge.com/asktheexperts/holt.shtml 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  You are on 
conventional HRT estrogen therapy and I 
believe that the MenoPlan is compatible but you must share this 
with your 
doctor.  You raise a good questions because the studies on 
conventional HRT 
have been done with oral HRT.  Some doctors think that a patch 
may be safer 
than a tablet, but I don't see that they would be.  Your health 
belongs to 
you. 

Please tell me what benefits you are deriving from the estrogen 
patch.
If you need additional supplements, clearly the patch isn't 
working
for you. 


Pursie:  I'm not sure. I was put on immediately after surgery 
1/14/04 


Dearest:  How do you feel? 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  How do you 
feel now? 


Pursie:  OK, somewhat depressed, angry.  I also take 25mg. 
Elavil 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  Estrogen is 
not treatment for depression and anger.  
Menopause is not some kind of psychological condition.  It's 
not just a 
simple estrogen deficiency.  Elavil is obviously not helping 
you.  You must 
talk to your doctor about trying something different. Remember 
- you own 
your own health.


Dearest:  Dr. Holt, what 
about natural remedies for depression? 



Stephen Holt, M.D.:  We have a 
number of natural options but I'm not a 
great supporter of self-medicating for depression.  Good 
options include 
fish oil in large doses and herbs such as St. Johns Wort.  
Depression is 
common but can be serious. It must be controlled.  60% of all 
doctors 
suffer from major depression in their life - you are not alone.  
It's a 
quality of life issue. Please talk to your doctor. 


CathyC:  I want if menoplan is good for thyroid? 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  I see no 
problem occurring with MenoPlan and thyroid 
medications.   There is some minor interaction between soy and 
thyroid 
medications and it has been inflated in people's minds by 
people who have 
been paid by the meat and dairy lobby to scare people.  They 
are attempting 
to push fast food down everyone's throat.  These are powerful 
people who 
are trying to control.   Remember Oprah Winfrey and the Texas 
cattlemen?  
There is no problem with soy and thyroid. 


Cotten:  will I be able to get this in Canada? 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  People in 
Canada have ordered it and it is mailed 
without problem for individual use.  You can order it online if 
the 800 
number doesn't work for you.  973-824-8800 will work for you, 
too. 


Dearest:  Dr. Holt, isn't it 
a fact that HRT really "postpones" menopause 
and that when most women go off HRT, they will experience 
menopause 
symptoms? 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  Good 
question!  Conventional HRT postpones the 
symptoms but strictly speaking it does not delay menopause 
because
the ovaries have already quit.  Ovarian function is not 
restored by
the hormones. 


Happy:  I had a complete hysterectomy 30 years ago. I took HRT 
for many 
years and BHT (Biodentical hormones) for a year. Is MenoPlan a 
better 
alternative?


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  In my 
opinion, you should consider coming off HRT 
completely and change to the more natural products. I recommend 
my
upcoming book.  You will not find it easy to come off the HRT, 
though.
I have seen no evidence that bio-identical hormones are any 
safer than 
other types of hormones.  The notion of bio-identical hormones 
is 
conjecture, not scientific fact. 


Dearest:  If bio-identical 
hormones are supposed to be natural, why do you 
feel they're dangerous? 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  Well, the 
answer is very simple.  Estrogen and 
progesterone, whether or not they are natural, give a signal to 
body 
tissues that is the same.  It is not enough for somebody to say 
that 
something that is natural is necessarily safer.  I defy any 
manufacturer
of a bio-identical hormone to display any more safety than 
conventional 
hormones.  The studies just aren't there which show that bio-
identicals
are any safer.  If you are taking bio-identicals, challenge the 
company
to show you that they're safer. 


Dearest:  Following your 
suggestion about lifestyle, I've read where you 
say, "Dietary supplements are best applied with positive 
lifestyle 
changes." What specific type of lifestyle changes do you 
recommend for
pre and postmenopausal women for optimal health? 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  I would 
always prefer herbs, nutrients and botanicals 
as first line options.  This question demands a long answer so 
I must 
recommend to you my upcoming book.  In brief, exercise, good 
nutrition, 
good social support and smart lifestyle choices.  Stop abusing 
substances 
such as smoking, alcohol and drugs.  There are well-documented 
scientific 
studies that show that women with good lifestyle and support 
are generally 
much healthier and have an easier time of menopause.  These are 
more 
important than any prescription or supplement.  Women must 
understand that 
they need a very good reason to take HRT other than the 
transient symptoms 
of menopause.  

Why some many women are putting themselves at risk with 
conventional HRT
is a mystery. I believe that many women just don't know the 
risks.  Some 
doctors, not necessarily myself, that there is a conspiracy to 
not tell 
women about the dangers of conventional HRT.  Certainly there 
is a 
responsibility for the medical profession to tell their 
patients about the 
relative benefits as well as risks.  If they do not do this, 
they are not 
practicing good medicine.  There is a patient Bill of Rights 
that finally 
has brought us to a good doctor-client relationship.  Good 
medicine 
involves good communication between doctor and patient.  In 
fact, in my 
recent writings, I state that more public information will do 
more for the 
health of the nation than anything else we can do.  You need 
not accept any 
medicine without knowing the upside as well as the downside of 
the 
medicine.  The decision rests with the patient, not the doctor.  
If your 
doctor will not disclose all the options, find another doctor 
who will. 
This is your right. 


Dearest:  You can read many 
of Dr. Holt's articles on various subjects on 
Power Surge at www.power-
surge.com/bestyou/bestyou_holt.htm



CathyC:  I want to know if flaxseed is ok while taking 
MenoPlan? 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  Flaxseed 
can be taken quite safely with MenoPlan.
Make sure that the flaxseed is fresh because the power is in 
the oil.
I prefer that people take fresh flaxseeds, not capsules. You 
can grind
them yourself. 


Pursie:  What do you think of Suzanne Somers being a breast 
cancer survivor 
and her book recommending bioidentical hormones? And if we 
don't take 
hormones, what can be done about low libido and vaginal 
dryness? 


Dearest:  You can read an 
article at www.power-
surge.com/educate/sexuality.htm 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  I want to 
be very polite but have you considered 
examining the source of the information in popular health care 
books?
A lot of popular healthcare books are written by people with no 
medical
or healthcare training.  This does not necessarily mean that 
they are
wrong but Suzanne Somers would be well advised to examine the 
medical 
literature, if she can understand it.  These are not harsh 
words.

There are many people out there who are self-proclaimed medical 
experts
and some offer excellent advice and some offer terrible advice.
I still believe that you need a qualified medical person such 
as an MD
or pharmacist.  If we believed that everyone who wrote a book 
on weight 
loss was an expert, then we would suffer from national 
schizophrenia.
I think we should just stand back and realize that alternative 
medical 
advice is not perfect in the same way in the same way that many 
people
feel that conventional medicine is not perfect.  

Let's look at the science rather than mere opinion. Let the 
science speak.  
If alternative medicine is to be successful, it must provide 
benefit or at 
least precedence of benefit.  The notion of bioidentical 
hormones is not 
based in science and I question whether some of the hormones 
sold as bio-
identical are truly bio-identical.  The simpler treatments are 
to be 
preferred.  I issue a word of caution. Anyone who recommends 
estrogen to 
someone who had breast cancer may be giving very dangerous 
advice.


Dearest:  What I don't 
understand is why someone like Suzanne Somers, who 
made a POINT NOT to treat her own breast cancer in the 
conventional way,
is now recommending hormone therapy of any kind. What are your 
thoughts? 
Isn't that somewhat hypocritical? 


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  Without any 
attempt to cast any aspersion, I find the 
position as you describe it, to be completely incongruous, and 
completely 
nonsensical.  How many popular authors really write their own 
books without 
a little or a lot help? 


Precious:  I have been taking ACTIVE WOMEN MULTI for about 3 
weeks and I 
can honestly say I think I have more energy and therefore my 
frame of mind 
is better. What about MenoPlan with the Active Woman's Multi? 
Is that OK?


Stephen Holt, M.D.:  Precious, 
MenoPlan is completely compatible with a 
good vitamin.   It will do things that the vitamin will not and 
I'm glad 
that you're taking good care of your health. 


I enjoyed the participation this evening. Thank you very much 
for listening 
and it is my sincere desire that you all be healthy. 


Dearest:  Dr. Holt, thank 
you for an excellent chat. Dr. Holt will return 
to chat with us at the end of April.  I strongly recommend 
everyone get a 
copy of Dr. Holt's upcoming book as soon as it hits the 
bookstands in six 
weeks, "The 
MenoPlan: Women's Wellness - Natural Ways to Healthy
Menstruation and Menopause".  You can order it from www.menoplan.com

and Dr. Holt's other products at 
www.naturesbenefit.com 

You can read more about Dr. Holt at www.Stephen Holt, M.D.com 
and 

www.NaturesBenefit.com.  Dr. Holt has joined Power Surge's 
"Ask The 
Experts" as "Ask Dr. Holt" - feel free to ask him any questions 
you wish at 

www.power-surge.com/asktheexperts.htm  



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