All Posts Tagged With: "bloating"

Since I like topical Progesterone, I thought this rather balanced review might be interesting to all. 

Garry F. Gordon MD,DO,MD(H) 
President, Gordon Research Institute 
www.gordonresearch.com 

Excerpt:

Can Progesterone Cream Work? 

By ROBERT J. DAVIS 
Special to THE WALL STREET JOURNAL 
August 30, 2005; Page D5 

Concerns about the safety of hormone-replacement therapy have prompted many women to seek alternatives. One option, “natural” progesterone cream sold over the counter, is gaining in popularity among women looking for relief from symptoms of menopause or PMS. While some doctors recommend the creams, many others question their effectiveness and worry that unsupervised use could pose long-term risks. 
Most of the creams contain progesterone derived from soybeans or Mexican yams. In contrast, the most commonly prescribed hormone-replacement medications, which are taken orally, contain synthetic progesterone, known as progestin. Because progesterone in creams comes from plants and is structurally identical to the human hormone, it is often called “natural.” But like progestin, it is synthesized in a lab. 
The creams, which are sold in health-food stores and over the Internet, are classified by the Food and Drug Administration as cosmetics, not drugs. Therefore, manufacturers aren’t permitted to claim their products can treat or prevent conditions. But some do anyway. Most, however, make vague promises to promote “healthy hormone balance” or “balance and harmony within the female body.” 

The leading proponent of natural progesterone, the late physician John Lee, argued that in premenopausal women, too much estrogen relative to progesterone can lead to weight gain, bloating, irritability, fatigue, uterine fibroids, endometriosis and lumpy and tender breasts. Correcting the imbalance with progesterone cream, he said, can alleviate such problems. Likewise, he claimed creams reduce symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings, memory loss and decreased bone density. 

Full article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196744.php

Excerpt:

A possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome has been traced to a small piece of RNA that blocks a substance protecting the colon membrane, leading to hostile conditions that can produce diarrhea, bloating and chronic abdominal pain.

New research shows that this RNA segment sends signals that stop the activity of the gene that produces glutamine, an amino acid. Previous research has linked a shortage of glutamine in the gut with the seepage of toxins and bacteria through the intestinal wall, irritating nerves and creating disease symptoms.

Scientists say that trying to generate glutamine in the disordered bowel by silencing this RNA segment could open up a whole new way of thinking about treating the diarrhea-predominant type of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In the meantime, they are making plans to conduct a clinical trial to see if glutamine supplements could also reduce common IBS symptoms

This form of the disorder is characterized by diarrhea and bloating as well as chronic abdominal pain that is difficult to treat. About a third of IBS patients have the diarrhea-predominant type, another third experience consistent constipation, and the rest experience alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation.