Primo Health Blog

A portal for functional health topics and news.

Posts about endocrine health:

Reflexology for Thyroid Health

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Reflexology for Thyroid Health
endocrine health thyroid complimentary therapies

Reflexology is a gentle, complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapy in which pressure is placed along reflex points on the feet, lower leg, hands, face, or ears. A Reflex Map identifies various reflex points and corresponding regions or systems throughout the body. A certified reflexologist uses specific patterns of touch and pressure to stimulate these points.

The theory that underlies reflexology is that stimulation of the reflex points opens the flow of energy (referred to as Life Force or Chi) and nutrients throughout the body. It is believed that reflexology taps into the body's natural healing process by enhancing the functioning of the lymphatic system (a major part of the immune system), which helps move fluids and waste products from within the tissues into the circulatory system, ultimately for excretion from the body.

Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health DHEA

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health DHEA
anti-aging endocrine health

Quick Overview

DHEA 5 mg capsules supply 5 mg of DHEA for the synthesis of important hormones and for a variety of potential physiological responses such as healthy aging, ongoing energy and vitality, a balanced stress response as well as muscle integrity and fat reduction.* This low dose DHEA can be slowly titrated upwards as needed.

Product Description

Brought to you by popular demand…this lower dose DHEA can be slowly titrated upwards if needed.

Health Benefits of DHEA

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Health Benefits of DHEA
cardiovascular health anti-aging immune health degenerative disease endocrine health smart supplementation lifestyle

DHEA

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Over 2500 medical articles have reported the benefits of dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, a hormone secreted from the adrenal glands. As a dietary supplement, DHEA has many applications to human health. Following is a discussion of some of these applications.

How DHEA works

Aging is a gradual deterioration of our various organs and systems. It is not just "getting older." People don't simply die because they are older. Death results from failure of an organ or system.

Supplement of the week: Designs for Health 7-Keto 60 capsules

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Supplement of the week: Designs for Health 7-Keto 60 capsules
weight management endocrine health emotional health smart supplementation

Quick Overview

7-Keto® is a registered trade name for the compound 3-acetyl-7- oxo DHEA, a stabilized form of 7-oxo DHEA. Once ingested, acetyl-7-oxo DHEA is cleaved to 7-oxo DHEA, a DHEA metabolite naturally found in the body. Although 7-oxo DHEA is similar to DHEA, it does not convert into estrogenic or androgenic hormones.

Common Triggers of Depression

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Common Triggers of Depression
micronutrients endocrine health detoxification emotional health

Depression: Functional Medicine Approach

By Ronald Grisanti, DC, DABCO, DACBN, MS

Depression is considered the most dreaded condition of mankind. What makes depression so awful is the sad fact that it is the one disease devoid of hope in the minds of many who suffer with this global epidemic.

Unlike debilitating diseases like arthritis, which shows it's ugly face by causing pain, depression is a silent enemy afflicting millions every year.

My goal in this article is to prepare and educate you on a few of the common triggers of depression.

These are not original thoughts on the subject of depression but are in fact documented peer-reviewed research proving the existence of a world of information kept under "lock and key" contributing to a sea of suffering and mental anguish.

Natural Breast Enlargement

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Natural Breast Enlargement
herbs & botanicals female health endocrine health smart supplementation

Breast Enlargement Botanicals

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Nowadays, many women who desire larger breasts are opting for surgical breast implants. These implants are controversial, with some scientists saying they’re dangerous, and others saying they cause no harm. This gives rise to the question, “What other methods exist for increasing breast size?” In answering this question, the first place to begin is with a discussion of female hormones.

Female hormones

Natural Androgen Alternatives

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Natural Androgen Alternatives
herbs & botanicals endocrine health smart supplementation

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences 

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician. 

For better of for worse (depending upon your viewpoint), as of January 2005 androgen or “andro” products are no longer available. For some athletes, this represents a significant loss in their dietary supplement arsenal. After all, whatever else you might say about andro it did have some established benefits: 

  • Some androgens increased testosterone levels

  • Some androgens increased performance

  • Some androgens increased strength

  • Some androgens promoted muscle growth  

So now that andro is gone, what viable alternatives currently exist? Following is a discussion of dietary supplement ingredients that offer similar benefits to those of andro, or perhaps better. 

Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health DIM-Avail

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health DIM-Avail
weight management female health endocrine health smart supplementation

Quick Overview

Due to its crystalline structure, absorption of DIM is minimal when given orally (similar to CoQ10). DIM absorption can be greatly enhanced by emulsifying it with lecithin in rice bran oil, including with it compounds that hold it in solution such as beeswax, and finally adding fat-soluble nutrients that aid absorption through the gut wall. DIM-Avail™, which gets its name from its high bioavalability, is a unique combination of such ingredients. 

Research tells us that a low level of the 2-hydroxyestrone and a high level of 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone are not desired. DIM works by helping to increase 2-hydroxyestrone and therefore improves the 2/16 hydroxyestrone ratio.*

Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health Adrenotone

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health Adrenotone
endocrine health smart supplementation

Quick Overview

Adrenotone™ is a combination of standardized herbs and nutrients which are known for rejuvenating the adrenals. This product is designed to promote healthy cortisol levels, hypothalamic and pituitary function (HPTA axis), and catecholamine production (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine).* Adrenotone™ does not contain glandulars.