Welcome to our 2nd newsletter for 2011. Our hope, with these newsletters, is to help further educate you on topics relating to your health and general wellbeing. This also gives us the opportunity to highlight different products and new information that can benefit and enhance your overall health. We received an overwhelming response to our first newsletter and are most appreciative of all feedback, comments and compliments received. Please keep them coming! Happy reading and best wishes from all the team at AMC!

Some key signs of a person with oxytocin deficiency may include: Poor communication - generally superficial discussions There is an element of irritability and inability to feel affectionate May have excessive anxieties and fears Sexual interactions are more mechanical and fulfill a basic need Orgasm may be difficult to achieve They generally have a big appetite for food especially sugar-rich foods Research has positively identified the strong impact that oxytocin can have on these characteristics.

Is your love life lacking drive and desire? Do you want to improve your mood and happiness? Oxytocin1 is a hormone mainly known for its effects on the cervix and the uterus during childbirth. However it is the effects of oxytocin on the human sexual response as well as its psychosocial benefit that is going to be described in more detail here. The hormone oxytocin is thought to be responsible in the body for giving an intense sense of joy and happiness. Of all the hormones in the body, oxytocin probably gives us the greatest happiness in life. Oxytocin is released by both men and women during intimacy, between a mother and her child and promotes the showing of affection. For this reason, it has been referred to as the "Love Hormone".

According to literature² the benefits of oxytocin may include:

Happy Full of emotional expressions Full of life Smiles and laughs often Relaxed muscles and relaxed behaviour Good sex drive and arousal Good vaginal lubrication (women) and mucous secretions of the glans penis (men) Intense and multiple orgasms (women), good sex drive, arousal and romantic love experience (men) Affectionate Extrovert, warm hearted Friendly Tendency for group work, cooperative Enjoys social contacts Full of interest in others

MetaPure EPA/DHA Capsule 240 Capsules High Potency Ultra Pure Fish Oil Capsules 20% stronger than Meta EPA/DHA capsules 60% concentrated omega-3 essential fatty acids Reduced fishy aftertaste so no need for enteric coating MetaPure's exclusive blend of highly purified fish oil and citrus/berry flavour reduces any fishy aftertaste associated with reflux Low reactive, purified oil in a soft gelatin capsule for the ultimate in encapsulated purity
	Oxidant Protection 60 tablets Resveratrol Antioxidant Complex Oxidant Protection combines antioxidant vitamins with naturally occurring phytonutrients to support the body's ability to reduce the risk of oxidative stress. This powerful combination of cellular antioxidants may help to regulate DNA repair enzymes and supports healthy ageing processes by quenching free radicals. Metagenic's Oxidant Protection contains Polygonum cuspidatum, a herbal extract that contains high levels of the antioxidant resveratrol, and grapeseed extract, which is high in oligomeric proanthocyanadins (OPC's). Resveratrol and OPC's may support a healthy cardiovascular system and may provide protection against oxidative cellular damage, thus promoting healthy ageing processes.
Osteo Plus 120 tablets Advanced Nutritional Support for the Bones Osteo Plus is a scientifically advanced formula designed to help manage osteoporosis. This formula contains ingredients designed to help strengthen bone structure in patients with reduced bone mineral density. Osteo Plus contains a highly bioavailable microcrystalline hydroxyapatite bone extract, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, boron and other cofactors, along with the herb epimedium sagittatum, to maximise bone health throughout life. Each tablet provides a total of 250 mg of elemental calcium and 105 mg of elemental magnesium for maintenance of peak bone mass, particularly in older adults and post-menopausal women.
	CalmX 540 g Lime flavour Magnesium Alkalising Combination for Stress Higher levels of magnesium, taurine and glutamine for stress: 350 mg elemental magnesium from Meta Mag™ to counteract urinary depletion. 3 g taurine and 2 g glutamine to help regulate neuronal activity. Regulates pH to reduce acidity in stressed patients: Potassium citrate and glutamine may help buffer blood and tissue acidity. Support for the Sympathetic Nervous System dominant patient: Stressed, irritable and prone to insomnia.

Progesterone vs Progestin

What is the difference between "natural" micronised progesterone and "synthetic" progestin (medroxyprogesterone)?

The most outstanding difference between the two is that "synthetic" progestin is an analog or a "look alike" of progesterone. That is, synthetic progestin is not truly progesterone at all, but rather a progestin.

The chemical structure of synthetic progestin is different to the chemical structure of progesterone as it is produced naturally in the human body. This difference in the molecular configuration of a compound can produce a totally different response from its natural counterpart. Unlike synthetic progestin, natural micronized progesterone is an exact chemical duplicate of the progesterone that is produced by the human body.

Human Hormonal Molecule

What's more, synthetic progestin can actually lower a patient's blood level of progesterone. Some women who take synthetic progestin to combat PMS or oppose estrogen in menopause report headaches, mood swings and fluid retention.

On the other hand, women who take natural micronized progesterone often say their mood swings diminish. Women who suffer from migraines as their main complaint with PMS also find that this situation may be corrected by natural progesterone. In its natural micronised form, progesterone acts as a diuretic, which means the women who take these supplements may have to go to the bathroom more frequently, but they are spared the fluid retention and weight gain that may be experienced by women on synthetic progestin.

Synthetic progestins were developed with the advent of the birth control pill. The half-life of natural progesterone was very short and researchers were looking for an agent that would give a longer half-life and yet produce or mimic the effects of progesterone. Birth control pills contain, in most cases, a synthetic progestin and a synthetic estrogen. The very potent synthetic progestins prevent ovulation in a very low dose and, therefore, accomplish their function of birth control.

Conversely, natural progesterone has been used for many years in pregnancy, luteal phase defects and postpartum depression. When a woman is pregnant, her progesterone levels are 30 to 50 times higher than normal. A nursing mother should not be concerned that taking natural progesterone for postpartum depression will affect the baby. After all, the baby has been exposed to tremendous levels of progesterone during its development.

AMC are proud to announce we are now able to provide Activance Shampoo along with the very popular and effective Activance Hair Stimulant spray.

Activance shampoo is designed especially to soothe and nurture your hair. It is suitable for general and everyday use, even for people with sensitivities, allergies, dermatitis, dandruff, and other skin irritations. Read on to find out more about this fantastic product we now have in stock.

Activance is a plant-derived, pH-balanced shampoo that cleanses without stripping your hair; it is enriched with pure and generous quantities of essential oils, soothing extracts of aloe vera, calendula and chamomile, the nourishing gentleness of MSM, and most importantly, the vital nutrient for hair - Rhodanide.

Rhodanide is a natural and essential molecule required in hair. When your hair is dry, damaged or thinning, your Rhodanide levels are low. The only patented, stabilised formula for Rhodanide for hair care, Activance, boosts your Rhodanide and moisture levels, revives hair follicles and lengthens your hair's growing cycle.

Our Activance Value Pack includes Activance Shampoo + Activance Hair Stimulant + delivery. Normally valued at $91, we are offering our subscribers a special offer of $85 for a limited time only. Make sure you mention this newsletter to get this special offer!

In our last newsletter, we gave our lucky readers the opportunity to go into the draw to win a 3 month supply of Activance Hair Stimulant just for letting us know what they thought of our very first newsletter.

We are pleased to announce the winner is...

It's getting colder and there is nothing nicer than a bowl of steaming, hot, nutritious soup in winter!
My personal favourite is a lentil, fresh basil and coconut milk soup with a touch of curry to warm you up!

Lentil, Coconut and Fresh Basil Soup

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 leek sliced thinly
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 2 cups red lentils (soak them overnight prior to cooking)
• 5-6 cups vegetable stock (make your own or buy a good quality stock free from additives and preservatives!)
• 1 tin of coconut milk (free from added sugars, additives and preservatives - I recommend AYAM brand)
• Fresh basil
• Salt and pepper or herbamare (natural alternative to salt - found in health food sections in the supermarket)

Method

• Heat a heavy based soup pot or deep pan, add coconut oil and saute sliced leek for a few minutes, until soft. Add curry powder, stirring.
• Add pre-soaked red lentils, stirring and coating with spices.
• Pour in the stock, stir and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat and let simmer for approximately 30 minutes.
• Before serving pour in coconut milk and garnish with fresh basil and freshly ground pepper. Puree the soup to get a nice, smooth consistency.

Lentils

Lentils are packed with essential nutrients, phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins - they are a part of the legume family and should be an important part of our healthy diet.

A few reasons why beans and pulses should be a big part of your weekly food intake!

• Legumes are a great source of carbohydrates, and an excellent source of fibre.
• Legumes are a very good source of protein, but most of them need to be eaten with grains to form complete proteins that the body can readily absorb.
• Legumes are low in fat but a good source of the good healthy fat that the body needs.
• Legumes have a low glycemic index and help with long lasting energy.
• Legumes are an excellent source of folate, Zinc, Calcium and phytoestrogens.
• Research has shown that regular consumption of legumes has a protective effect against cardiovascular disease, against some forms of cancer, diabetes, constipation and diverticular disease.

Many health funds do provide rebates on bio-identical hormones however, some health funds do not provide these rebates. Why is this the case?

It is important to remember that most funds are privately owned and are therefore responsible for returning profits to their shareholders. This is a simple fact. As witnessed in the recent Queensland floods, insurance companies often have some clause or other which enables them to somehow get out of paying on certain claims.

Health funds or medical insurance companies may also work in a similar fashion. Various reasons have been given by these health funds for not rebating bio-identical hormones (BHRT). One common misleading reason is that the BHRT medication is not TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) approved or not made by a recognised provider. This reason is simply NOT TRUE!

Australian Menopause Centre (AMC) doctors prescribe bio-identical hormones that are TGA approved. These include Oestrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone to name a few. The doctors at AMC are fully registered with the Australian Medical Board.

If a health fund does not allow a rebate on your bio-identical hormones, then it is simply a matter that these funds have chosen not to rebate for their own reasons. The choice is up to the individual patient whether to remain with that fund or to find another that does rebate. It is important that should you encounter problems with your fund, please speak with us. Communication with our patients is vital and we can often be of assistance.

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