57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent book for all women, November 22, 2007
With over 25 years of experience using bio-identical hormones in his practice, Dr. Uzzi Reiss has published a outstanding plan to help women regain their natural power through the individualized use of hormones, diet, exercise, supplements, and mind-body techniques. The book was co-written with his daughter Yfat Reiss Gendell, who is an author in her own right.
For some years I have recommended his earlier book, Natural Hormone Balance, to all my female patients using bio-identical hormones to support their estrogen, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone levels. His new book will now become my standard recommendation, because it offers a more comprehensive approach to optimizing all hormone levels for women. The book is organized into four parts. Part I deals with diet, exercise and lifestyle issues. Part II is everything you need to know about bioidentical hormones from symptom evaluation and testing to how to take hormones. Part III adds a very important dimension about brain chemistry issues with extensive information about neurotransmitters, which are affected by your hormone levels. Part Four is about living disease-free and includes a detailed examination of the issue of breast cancer and hormone use.
There are many new ideas in this book compared to to his earlier work. For example, there are more extensive lists of hormone deficiency symptoms and more information on all the benefits of bioidentical hormones compared to the typical synthetic pharmaceutical agents like Premarin and Provera. Also Dr. Reiss includes information on assessing and supporting both the adrenal and thyroid glands, since these must be at optimal levels also for the ovarian hormones to function optimally.
The third part focusing on brain issues is a major addition and adds a dimension that I have found to be very important to address. Here he writes about how using his plan can help you with depression, anxiety, stress, sleep, and memory.
In the fourth part Dr. Reiss gives a detailed critique of the cancer fears that spiked worldwide after the WHI studies of Premarin in 2002 and he provides a series of ideas on reducing cancer risk using various natural agents, many of which I recommend to my patients on a regular basis. In this section he also includes studies that support the safe use of topical bio-identical hormones.
I found new information in this book which I will incorporate in my recommendations to my patients. I liked his references back to his web site where he updates information and keeps a current list of references to support everything he has written. I admit I do not particularly like the title reference to Superwoman although I know that Suzanne Somers, who helped popularize the use of bioidentical hormomes became a "super" woman again after being treated by Dr. Reiss. My patients following his ideas are just happy to feel "naturally normal" again for the first time often in many years.
The presentation is clear, concise and very readable. I liked the layout much more than in his first book and commend the publisher for the overall design of the pages. I have read many of the current books on this topic and would easily pick this book as being a major new resource for all women.
Bob Sager MD
Diplomate American Board of Family Medicine
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read for Women over 40, February 9, 2008
An excellent book full of useful information for any woman over 40 who wants to live her life at an optimal level. I wish I had had this information available when I was in my 40s. Dr. Reiss discusses the various aspects of hormone deficiency / excess, and how to remedy the situation if one chooses to. He emphasizes the need to discuss all these decisions with a qualified doctor. Many of the symptoms of hormone deficiency many women may not recognize as treatable, but in fact, they are. He provides the benefits and risks of various hormones/supplements and allows the reader to make her own decision. He carefully discusses the research on hormone therapy in order to give the reader the best available information to make a decision. Excellent background before seeing a qualified doctor and during the course of treatment.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most authorative/experienced source of information on HRT and Supplements, January 12, 2008
Dr. Reiss has written an easily understood book based on years of experience as an OB-GYN and anti-aging specialist. Whether or not a woman is interested in taking HRT, she can educated choices as to what natural supplements (exa. DHEA, COQ10, melatonin,etc.) and actions she might take to enhance the total quality of her life based on the book's content. Actions that may certainly have the effect of a happier, healthier and more active life. I focus on the word action because Dr. Reiss gives specifics rather than generalities. Personally, I am not interested in celebrity seals of approval, I honor years of medical practice and patient interaction as a validating source of information. A must-read book if a woman is seeking to do the best she can for herself!
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