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Progesterone is one of the most protective hormones on earth, yet it is often overlooked in medicine
Progesterone is one of the most protective hormones on earth, yet it is often overlooked in medicine. Part of the problem is that it has been lumped together with synthetic progestins, lab-made compounds that mimic some of progesterone’s effects but come with an entirely different risk profile. Unlike natural progesterone, progestins have been linked to an increased risk of blood clots, heart disease, and even cancer. The distinction could not be more important. While progestins can disrupt hormonal balance, true progesterone is deeply restorative. Progesterone is not just a reproductive hormone. It protects the brain, stabilizes mood, reduces inflammation, supports metabolic health, and directly opposes the harmful effects of excess estrogen, one of the most well-documented drivers of cancer and disease. It enhances mitochondrial function, making cells more resilient to stress, and has even been shown to slow tumor growth in several types of cancer. Researchers have never found a toxic dose, which is remarkable considering how tightly regulated most hormones are. Progesterone matters, not just for fertility or pregnancy, but for longevity and disease prevention. It is one of the most important and inexpensive tools we have in medicine.
The Metabolic Barriers to Sustainable Weight Loss
Discover how metabolic health, chronic inflammation, and disrupted cortisol rhythms may each contribute to stubborn weight gain and make conventional weight-loss strategies less effective. Understand how irregular sleep, prolonged stress, late-night eating, food quality, and nutrient deficiencies can influence cortisol, blood sugar, cravings, and fat storage. Learn practical ways to restore healthier daily rhythms, nourish your body more effectively, regulate stress, and build a consistent movement routine you can maintain.
Choosing a safer sunscreen
Not all sunscreens are created equal—here's what I look for to protect both your skin and our ocean reef.
The secret to health isn’t found in obscure foods we’ve only recently started eating
The secret to health isn’t found in obscure foods we’ve only recently started eating. Many of today’s “superfoods” weren’t part of the human diet until the last few decades. They became popular more through marketing than biology. For example, in the 1990s, Pizza Hut was the biggest buyer of kale. They used it as decoration for their food displays. Nuts and seeds, now consumed in large quantities thanks to industrial processing, were traditionally eaten in small, seasonal amounts, if at all. Today, we consume them in concentrated forms (milks, butters, oils), which are high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), estrogenic compounds, and anti-thyroid nutrients like phytic acid. Nutrient density and bioavailability matter more than anything. The best foods are the ones humans have eaten for generations, the ones your grandmother probably ate without thinking twice. What people think are superfoods:flaxseed, chia, kale, salmon, almond milk, nut butters, soy What actually are:milk, grass-fed meat, liver, oysters, eggs, ripe fruit, honey, gelatin, mushrooms, coconut oil These are the foods that support hormone production, thyroid health, and mitochondrial energy—all critical to how we feel, function, and heal. They’ve nourished human beings for generations.
One of my fav dinners! Always like to keep it simple after a long day at the clinic🥩🤍
One of my fav dinners! Always like to keep it simple after a long day at the clinic🥩🤍
It’s estimated that over 85% of breast cancers are driven by excess estrogen
It’s estimated that over 85% of breast cancers are driven by excess estrogen. Today, many women are estrogen dominant, and while breast cancer is more common in older women, signs of estrogen dominance can be seen decades before a cancer diagnosis. Estrogen is one of the biggest factors driving gynecological issues including PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts, etc. Estrogen is now ubiquitous in our environment: – xenoestrogens in personal care products – phytoestrogens in herbs, supplements, and foods like flax – seed oils and PUFAS which can mimic the effects of estrogen – birth control – estrogen only HRT Many women also have impaired detoxification pathways—especially in the liver—which makes it harder to break down and eliminate excess estrogen. Because of this, one of the best things we can do to prevent breast cancer is support healthy progesterone levels. Progesterone promotes cell differentiation and opposes the growth promoting effects of estrogen. It is one of the most protective, anticancer medicines we have. 💗 @raenahealth has a ton of info on how to optimize levels 🙂
PCOS was initially defined by the growth of multiple fluid-filled sacs, or cysts, on the ovaries
PCOS was initially defined by the growth of multiple fluid-filled sacs, or cysts, on the ovaries. Two key words: fluid and growth. One of estrogen’s functions is fluid regulation within cells. And estrogen is responsible for cell division or “growth” (the growth of cysts). Contrary to popular belief (that PCOS is caused by high insulin and androgens), it’s more accurately rooted in estrogen dominance—when estrogen is too high relative to progesterone. This imbalance disrupts the menstrual cycle, interferes with ovulation, and promotes the formation of ovarian cysts. Without ovulation, progesterone remains low, and estrogen goes unopposed. This is what sets off androgen excess. Elevated estrogen increases the ovaries’ sensitivity to luteinizing hormone (LH), which stimulates theca cells to produce androgens like testosterone. So while PCOS is often labeled as an androgen-driven condition, it’s often unopposed estrogen and failed ovulation that start the cascade. Other hormone imbalances are essentially downstream from estrogen: – Estrogen increases free fatty acids in the blood, which causes insulin resistance—blocks sugar uptake into cells. This increases cortisol, raising blood sugar, free fatty acids, depleting essential nutrients, lowering thyroid function, etc. – Estrogen sensitizes tissues to cortisol. The body then produces androgens to protect against the effects of cortisol (because progesterone isn’t present to do so). This leads to acne, male pattern hair growth, etc. Some strategies to manage: – Supplementing progesterone & supporting ovulation – Supplementing natural desiccated thyroid – Vitamin E – Magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium – Getting adequate sunlight – Niacinamide and thiamine – Lowering fat intake, especially seed oils – Aspirin to lower free fatty acids – Managing stress: Most of my patients with PCOS have undergone prolonged, intense emotional stress. To heal, many women need a more supportive external environment: more sleep, less daily pressure, and space to process unresolved emotions. 🩵
🌸Women can still have thousands of eggs after menopause, but those remaining follicles often no
🌸Women can still have thousands of eggs after menopause, but those remaining follicles often no longer respond to the brain’s hormonal signals. The transition happens because ovulation stops, leading to a drop in hormones like progesterone. Menopause is a shift in hormone communication between the brain and the ovaries, not a failure caused by egg depletion. 🌸The vaginal wall is made of mucosal tissue, which actually absorbs substances really efficiently — sometimes even better than oral routes. So yes, even low-dose vaginal estrogen can be absorbed into the bloodstream, especially with repeated use. It may not spike levels dramatically, but to say it “doesn’t get absorbed” at all just isn’t true. 🌸Progesterone isn’t just for the uterus: it supports the brain, sleep, bones, and nervous system. Women without a uterus still deserve hormonal balance. It’s not just about preventing endometrial cancer. 🌸Estrogen is stored in tissues and can be produced by other cells in the body, especially fat cells. This does not show up on a blood test. So, some women have estrogen that stays high, or fluctuates, for years. What many women do have is low progesterone, and that imbalance can cause the symptoms that many associate with low estrogen. 🌸Progestins are not the same as natural progesterone. They don’t activate the same receptors in the body and often come with side effects. Many are estrogenic or androgenic and can mimic the effects of cortisol. Not only that, but they are also linked to an increased risk of cancer. I only use bioidentical progesterone. 🌸Estrogen has its place, but calling it the anti-aging hormone is marketing. Aging well is complex. There’s no one magic hormone, and more estrogen isn’t always the answer.
🤍It’s not testosterone itself—it’s its conversion to estradiol via aromatase that contributes to
🤍It’s not testosterone itself—it’s its conversion to estradiol via aromatase that contributes to prostate cancer development. A 2019 study found that administration of estrogen along with testosterone induced a 100% tumor incidence. However, administration of testosterone alone only induced 37% incidence (we can safely assume aromatization was occurring in some of these cases) (PMID: 30877616). 🤍Many assume progesterone fuels PR+ cancers, but PR receptors are actually upregulated by estrogen. A PR+ tumor usually reflects chronic estrogen exposure, not progesterone-driven growth. Natural progesterone often protects against proliferation, unlike synthetic progestins, which are commonly confused in studies. 🤍Certain estrogen metabolites—like those generated through 16α-hydroxylation—can damage DNA and initiate cancer formation, not just cause tumors to grow after its already formed (PMID: 14630087). 🤍Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) suppresses systemic testosterone. However, aromatase expression often increases within prostate tissue under ADT, leading to sustained or elevated intratumoral estrogen. Testosterone also plays a crucial role in a man’s immune function and ability to withstand stress. Depriving a man of testosterone while he is undergoing harsh cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can cause significant negative effects. This increased vulnerability can lead to slower recovery, ultimately worsening cancer outcomes. 🤍Hormones can independently of their receptors. Even receptor-negative tumors exist within a hormone-influenced microenvironment. Estrogen produced via local aromatization still alters inflammation, blood vessel formation, and metabolism, affecting cancer progression indirectly. So, receptor-negative doesn’t mean hormones are irrelevant—it means the effects may be occurring through nontraditional or paracrine routes, which are harder to measure but still biologically significant.
Many people believe that eating too much sugar (or carbohydrates) causes diabetes
Many people believe that eating too much sugar (or carbohydrates) causes diabetes. But the real issue isn’t sugar itself. It’s actually the body’s inability to process it properly. When something interferes with glucose (sugar) uptake, it remains in the blood instead of entering the cells where it’s needed. Over time, this leads to chronically high blood sugar, increased insulin levels, and eventually, insulin resistance. Every cell in the body is designed to create energy from glucose. Losing the ability to use glucose efficiently is at the root of most health conditions. Cutting out carbohydrates or sugar doesn’t fix the real problem; it acts more like a band aid. It can lower blood sugar levels, but it doesn’t mean cells have restored their ability to produce energy. Real healing happens when the body regains its ability to use glucose efficiently. One of the biggest barriers to glucose absorption is excess fat in the bloodstream. When free fatty acids (FFAs) are high in the blood, they block sugar from entering cells. Excess fat in the blood can come from a high-fat diet or chronic stress. When stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are released, the body breaks down stored fat from tissues and floods the bloodstream with FFAs as a quick energy source. This is a protective mechanism under stress, but when it becomes chronic, it disrupts glucose metabolism and causes insulin resistance. What increases free fatty acids in the blood? – Cortisol and adrenaline – Low dietary carbohydrate intake – High dietary fat intake – Fasting & caloric restriction – High estrogen – Poor sleep What helps restore glucose metabolism? – Thiamine – Magnesium – Potassium – Aspirin (lowers free fatty acids) – Niacinamide (lowers free fatty acids) – Progesterone (lowers estrogen and cortisol) – Pregnenolone (lowers estrogen & cortisol) – Lowering stress – Removing all dietary PUFA – Optimizing Sleep
I am very grateful to live near the beach, so I make it a ritual to walk barefoot almost every day
I am very grateful to live near the beach, so I make it a ritual to walk barefoot almost every day. 🌊☀️ Grounding involves connecting with the Earth’s electrical energy by walking barefoot on natural surfaces like soil, grass, sand, or even through direct skin contact with natural bodies of water. Grounding has been shown to: – Reduce inflammation. Grounding has anti-inflammatory effects. It is believed that contact with the Earth’s surface may help neutralize excess free radicals and reduce chronic inflammation, which is linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and chronic pain. – Improve sleep. Grounding has been linked to improvements in sleep quality. This may be attributed to its ability to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm and reduce stress, thereby promoting more restful sleep patterns. – Reduce stress. Direct contact with the Earth helps regulate the body’s stress response and lower cortisol levels. – Protect against EMFs. Some proponents of grounding believe that it helps shield the body from the potentially harmful effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by electronic devices. It’s suggested that through grounding, the body can discharge excess EMFs and maintain a more balanced bioelectrical state. – Promote wound healing. There is some research indicating that grounding may accelerate wound healing by promoting blood flow, oxygenation, and immune responses at the site of injury. – Support the immune system. The anti-inflammatory effects of grounding indirectly support the immune system. By reducing chronic inflammation, the body’s immune resources could be better allocated to fight off infections and other health challenges. This week, touch grass! 🏝️🌱