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Questions and Answers Segment
Your questions answered
every 2 weeks. If you have a question for Dr Elstein,
click here.
QUESTION 1:I
am interested in proper nutrients re hair loss and the
beginnings of saggy skin. I am not yet in menopause but
my sleep is restless.
Answer:
It would be a good idea to have your hormones and
nutrients assessed, as it is highly likely that you are
suffering from an imbalance of these.
You may be suffering from an excess of
testosterone, which is converted to an even stronger
hormone called dihydrotestosterone in addition to which
your body might not be producing enough thyroid hormone.
A gluten intolerance can also precipitate hair
loss. Nutrients
like the mineral zinc and the amino acids cysteine and
methionine are important. In times of stress you may be depleted of the B group
vitamins with biotin and para-aminobenzoic acid being
especially relevant.
Saggy skin can be
helped by hormones such as oestrogen and possibly growth
hormone and it would be a good idea to find a physician
who is skilled in this area.
Restless sleep also suggests hormone problems and
low B vitamin levels.
QUESTION 2: I do not have a moustache or
beard although I am 27 now.
I would like to know if any kind of treatment is
available for this problem. If it needs a kind of
hormone treatment, is such treatment safe?
Answer: You should have your hormone levels
assessed. There is no evidence that proper testosterone
therapy when appropriate and when monitored by regular
blood checks with regard to blood count and haemoglobin
levels and in older males prostate surveillance leads to
any problems.
QUESTION 3: I would like to know your opinion
re a good face and eye cream for myself. I am a gym
instructor with a European skin complexion. I cannot use
exfoliating creams.
Answer: Using vitamins C and E
would be useful. Guerlain
have a good range of skin care products.
Make sure that you take antioxidants such as
grape seed and green tea.
Essential fatty acids found in flaxseed and fish
oil are also important.
If you refer to a question that I answered two
weeks ago you will find more information.
QUESTION 3: My mum recently had infectious
bronchitis and was even hospitalised. She has week lungs
and she is 81yrs-old and takes voltaren. I wonder if any
supplements or vitamins can boost her immune system to
stop her getting constant infections.
Are there alternatives to voltaren?
Answer: Make sure that
your mother eats lots of fruit and vegetables especially
blueberries, strawberries, grapes, cherries, apples,
avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, onions and garlic.
Vitamins A, C and E together with zinc, selenium,
coenzyme Q10 and magnesium will boost the immune system.
Natural alternatives to the anti-inflammatory
voltaren include ginger, fish oil and curcumin.
Archives
Bondi
Family Health Centre
Phone 02 9365 1333
Int: 612 9365 1333
260a Bondi Road
Bondi NSW 2066
AUSTRALIA
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