Smoking
May Worsen Psoriasis A new study shows people who smoked more than a pack of cigarettes per day
were twice as likely to have severe psoriasis as those who smoked 10 cigarettes
or less per day.
Heavy smokers may be putting their skin at risk.
Researchers say the
results suggest that cigarette smoking may exacerbate existing psoriasis, and
highlights the need for people with the skin condition to quit smoking. Smoking
is a risk factor for many other diseases, such as lung cancer and heart disease,
but little is known about its relationship to psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is not contagious or life-threatening, but it causes itchy and sometimes embarrassing red, scaly patches on the skin. Psoriasis can also affect the nails and joints
In the study, published in the Archives of Dermatology, researchers compared smoking history and severity of psoriasis in 818 adults with psoriasis. The results showed that people who smoked heavily had twice the risk of severe psoriasis compared with light smokers. In addition, an increasing number of cigarette-years (a measurement of both the intensity and duration of smoking) also raised the risk of severe psoriasis. Researchers found that the effect of cigarette-years on psoriasis severity was stronger for women than for men. This means that present women smokers and recent quitters had a higher risk (72%) for worse psoriasis.
In an editorial that accompanies the study, Mark G. Lebwohl, MD, of Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, says the study shows researchers still have a lot to learn about psoriasis. For example, the study does not answer whether psoriasis leads to smoking or smoking exacerbates psoriasis.
SOURCES: Forte, C. Archives
of Dermatology, December 2005; vol 141: pp 1580-1584. News release, American
Medical Association.
By Jennifer Warner, December 19, 2005
The brands we carry include corrective products and soothing therapeutics for a wide range of skin types and conditions. While the products cleanse, exfoliate, clarify, hydrate, and soften the skin, they also promote healing, nourishment, and regeneration. In the skin care industry for over 30 years, we have had ample opportunity to survey customers for product satisfaction and results, work with chemists and research dermatologists for the newest information and personally test ingredients and formulas ourselves in order to offer the highest quality, high performance, FDA approved natural cosmetics we can find. We do not sell or recommend prescription products to the public. If you are experiencing chronic complexion problems and have not found satisfaction in prescription or "drug store" cosmetic creams or salves, we offer alternatives that have served our facial salon clientele very well over the years!
To peruse our web catalog more thoroughly, we have brand names outlined with their products and there are pages for specific skin problems with new information and the products we recommend to treat them. If you are concerned with a skin lesion or rash or any other acute or on-going symptom, we always suggest you see a doctor or nurse for a diagnosis before you self-treat. In addition to a comprehensive range of products for normal and dry skin, Joie de Vie - Expert Skin Care also offers products for menopausal skin; acne-prone; skin with discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles; skin prone to Rosacea, broken capillaries and varicose veins, sensitivities, pigmentation issues and more. With a wide range of products for men and women of all ages, ethnicities, and skin types - our customers can have a specialized and customized treatment program of their own. Looking for environmentally responsible, certified organic, highly effective skin care products? See our newest brand by clicking here!
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
If you have polycystic ovary syndrome, you may already know that you have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. But did you know that if you have PCOS, your immediate family is also at increased risk? A recent study showed that 40% of mothers and 52% of fathers of PCOS women had some degree of glucose intolerance, which is a precursor to diabetes. Sisters of PCOS women also have increased risk.
Chronic inflammation plays an under-recognized but very important role in the progression of polycystic ovary syndrome, especially the symptom of weight gain. Fat cells are not inert. They are metabolically active and produce a variety of inflammatory biological factors that lead to a condition called "leptin resistance" (which is similar in some respects to insulin resistance). Related to inflammation, women with PCOS exhibit a high incidence of acne like skin problems on the face, chest and back due to the imbalance of hormones, as opposed to the female population without the syndrome. Remember that fat cells exist in the "sub-cutaneous" layer of the skin and effect the activity of the epidermis and the dermis layers, and vice-versa. A specialist knowledgeable in hormone issues and the skin should be able to advise you as to effective yet gentle skin care products (our choice is now online by clicking here and it's certified organic!) anti-inflammatory supplements and professional facials to control the complexion breakouts until the PCOS is under control.
It's easy for others to overlook how you feel about having the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome. However, the unhappiness that accompanies this condition is present nonetheless. The seriousness of the emotional aspect of PCOS was borne out by a study just released from the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. Some symptoms of PCOS were found to be emotionally distressing while others were not. Health care practitioners and family members need to be more sensitive to the emotional aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Women with PCOS typically do not have an isolated problem of dysfunctional ovaries. Dysfunction of the insulin system and thyroid are also commonly involved. A recent study shows that treatment of any one of these disorders helps with the other two disorders. A more comprehensive treatment approach to PCOS is recommended. The prescription drug Metformin proved no better than placebo in improving weight loss or menstrual frequency in obese patients with PCOS, according to a new study. However, weight loss alone through lifestyle changes improves menstrual frequency. Total reliance on drugs such as metformin is an incomplete approach to solving the problems of PCOS.
Many PCOS women have discovered it's hard to stay away from food, especially if overweight. In spite of tremendous willpower, they are driven to eat. There are several reasons for this, including a hormone called Ghrelin. It was discovered in 1999 and is commonly out of balance in women with PCOS.
Nutritional Supplements? Many of you ask us what brand or type of supplements you should take. The type of supplements you need will vary according to your specific health issues. But in general, most PCOS women will benefit from carefully selected supplementation. Choose an expert in your area for nutritional evaluation and product suggestions - it will save you much money and time rather than experimenting on your own in this matter. A naturopathic doctor or qualified nutritionist should be knowledgeable in this issue.
Over the past 30 years, numerous studies have established a role for calcium in egg maturation and normal follicular development. PCOS is characterized by hyperandrogenic chronic anovulation (lack of ovulation) due to excess androgens (masculinizing hormones), ovarian theca cell overgrowth, and arrested follicular development.
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium absorption and regulation. A study conducted at Columbia University investigated whether vitamin D and calcium dysregulation contribute to the development of follicular arrest in women with PCOS, resulting in reproductive and menstrual dysfunction. They studied 13 women who had chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism and vitamin D insufficiency. Nine had abnormal pelvic sonograms with multiple ovarian follicular cysts. All were hirsute, two had hair loss, and five had acanthosis nigricans. Vitamin D combined with calcium supplementation resulted in normalized menstrual cycles within 2 months for seven women. Two became pregnant and the others maintained normal menstrual cycles. These data suggest that abnormalities in calcium balance may be responsible, in part, for the arrested follicular development in women with PCOS and may contribute to the pathogenesis of PCOS.
Women with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) may also have varying degrees of insulin resistance and an increased incidence of diabetes.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome already have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A study just released has indicated that low-dose contraceptives may add to this risk.
Depression and PCOS
Depression is a prominent characteristic of women who have polycystic ovary syndrome. Part of the depression stems from the emotional difficulty of being infertile, overweight, too hairy, or having acne, hair loss or some other disturbing symptom. However, the primary cause of depression in PCOS appears to be hormonal in nature. A number of studies have shown a connection between a negative mood and elevated androgens, which are male hormones such as testosterone. In one interesting study, there was a correlation between the most intense depression and testosterone levels slightly above normal, but not when testosterone was low or extremely high.
Of course, depression is not limited to elevated testosterone. Depression has also been associated with insulin resistance and depressed thyroid function. Disturbed LH (luteinizing hormone) levels and rhythms have been found in depressed women compared to women who are not depressed. Disturbed LH is a primary reason why you don't ovulate. Abnormal estrogen and cortisol are additional hormonal factors connected to depression.
Women with mixed anxiety-depression disorder have high levels of homocysteine in the follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, and they have higher blood homocysteine levels as compared to healthy women. Women with PCOS commonly have elevated homocysteine, which is a byproduct of metabolic activity. Normally, homocysteine is broken down and made harmless. However, a poor diet that is deficient in calcium and B vitamins, and drugs such as Metformin (Glucophage) help to elevate homocysteine.
All of the above factors for depression are common in PCOS women. There are additional factors that we won't go into here. But you can see that if you have PCOS and depression, you have a complex situation on your hands, a situation that does not have a simple solution.
The good news is that you can favorably alter your hormones and thus lift your depression at least to some extent with a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, selected nutritional supplements, and possibly medications. The diet would include plenty of whole, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit in moderation, fish, poultry, some other meats, nuts and seeds in moderation, greatly reduced consumption of grain products, and possible reduction of some legumes. As for nutritional supplements, a high quality multi-vitamin/mineral would be a good place to start.
Sources
Dr. Nancy Dunne, our choice for the newest information on this subject and the site we refer our patients to!
Androgens and mood dysfunction in women: comparison of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome to healthy controls, Psychosom Med. 2004 May-Jun;66(3):356-62
Are Soft Drinks Endangering Your Health?
Which item in your diet contributes to diabetes, weight gain, inflammation and worsening of PCOS symptoms? If you answered "soft drinks", you're absolutely right! Which item in your diet is the single largest source of calories in your diet? If you answered "soft drinks", you're right again.
We sincerely hope you no longer consume any soft drinks, but if you do, please read further.
Another analysis of the Nurses Health Study revealed that soft drink consumption is directly related to diabetes and obesity (to say nothing of other health problems). The women who consumed the fewest sugar-sweetened soft drinks or who reduced their consumption were less likely to have weight trouble and develop diabetes. Part of the problem is the high level of calories in many beverages. In general, women who drink soft drinks and similar beverages do not reduce calories in other parts of their diet, so they end up taking in more total calories than they can handle. It's estimated that drinking one 12-ounce sugar-sweetened beverage per day could result in a weight gain as high as 15 lbs. per year.
In addition to calories, soft drinks contain nothing more than a brew of unhealthy ingredients and additives, which we describe in considerable detail in our book. For example, we cited a study of mice where those drinking cola instead of water developed DNA damage in eight weeks.
Many soft drinks are also very high in phosphorous, which binds magnesium and increases urinary loss of calcium. You need magnesium for many things, including reduction of diabetes risk. You need calcium for many things, including weight control. You definitely need these minerals to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis).
If you value your health, there is absolutely no reason to ever drink a soft drink or similar beverage.
Sources:
Shculze, MB et al, Sugar-sweetened
beverages, weight gain, and incidence of type 2 diabetes in young and
middle-aged women, JAMA. 2004 Aug 25;292(8):927-34.
Apovian, CM, Sugar-sweetened
soft drinks, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, JAMA. 2004 Aug 25;292(8):978-9
Hormonal Challenges Are A Major Issue
In 2007, over one third of American women (about 50 million!) were in 1 of the 3 stages of menopause (peri-menopause, cessation of menses and post menopause) - the largest group in our history. No longer shrouded in mystery, our generation speaks out and wants answers and many of us want natural, non-invasive remedies to relieve the discomfort as our bodies go through this cycle of life! With the decline of estrogen and other hormones, the skin goes through many changes, some of them can be very uncomfortable for many women. We find the cosmetics we have used for many years just don't seem to work as well, or perhaps they seem to irritate our skin. Dr. Howard Murad, dermatologist-researcher-pharmacist in Los Angeles, remarks " As a dermatologist, I frequently see patients concerned about maturing skin and the unwanted signs associated with the aging process. After careful evaluation, I discovered that there are 3 key components that affect the skin's aging process in women: Intrinsic Aging (genetics), Environmental Aging (sun damage, pollution, stress, poor diet, alcohol...) and Hormonal Aging (decline in estrogen). I've developed the first comprehensive skin care regimen targeted to the specific needs of the menopausal woman - featuring topical products using a combination of plant derived phyto-estrogens". (Scroll down for more information on these products.)
If you are over 35 and experiencing any of these symptoms, you may want to consult a specialist for hormone testing to see if you are peri-menopausal: dry, itching skin perhaps feeling like "ants are crawling under the skin!"; hair loss; rosacea; migraines; weight gain; mood swings and irritability; problems concentrating and "fuzzy" thinking; memory loss; PMS; irregular menses; heavier or lighter flow during or between menses; vaginal dryness and infections; urinary tract infections; incontinence; irritable bowel; heart palpitations; fatigue and insomnia.
If these symptoms are not related to menopause, but you have a history of them, research "Estrogen Dominance" and experiment with natural progesterone body creams, eat soy based foods, flax seeds, fish and try other dietary changes. Many women are voiding red meat, dairy, wheat and caffeine to see if there is any relief. Read Dr. John Lee's book: "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause", and Dr. Christiane Northrup's book "The Wisdom of Menopause". Ask your doctor about taking a blood test to determine if your hormone levels are out of balance because one new fact we've discovered: many doctors treat obese women as "estrogen dominant" based on a theory that fat cells produce estrogen. However, new findings show that these women may in fact have low levels of estrogen! Women we have talked to at Joie de Vie over the years confirm this.
Many women have been misdiagnosed so seek a second opinion if you feel your doctor "doesn't get it"! One doctor (a woman!) told me my symptoms were Angina, a serious heart problem, when in fact I was just having my first hot flashes - at 42!! She prescribed Nitro Glycerin to "take at onset of symptoms", after she sends me to a heart specialist for several expensive, time consuming tests - by the way, the heart specialist didn't get it either, even though he said "why did she send you here - you're in great health?!". Even Oprah Winfrey was misdiagnosed - 5 times! Get pro-active with your health care now! Get regular check ups and talk to your doctor about even the most innocent seeming symptoms you experience. Also, go to your appointments with no make up on: your face exhibits important clues to your health!
To view products for hormone issues related to PCOS To view products related to Menopause To read about pigment disorders like Melasma To read our Rosacea page... About our professional skin treatments Certified, Plant based Products for Your Skin Immuno Skin Therapy for sun damage
Expert Skin Care with Joy-Marie located in Clackamas Oregon (503)310-4649 by appointment only
