The Estrogen Alternative: Natural Hormone Therapy with Botanical Progesterone

Rating:
Summary: InnerSelf.com review
Review: As more and more people become aware of the dangers of synthetic hormone replacement therapy, they turn to alternative health and natural remedies for solutions. Raquel Martin's revised and expanded edition of her book "The Estrogen Alternative" takes these concerns to heart and offers practical solutions for women whether it be for menstrual cramps and PMS, menopause, or just plain feeling "sick and tired".

The author speaks from experience and years of being immersed in the findings of natural hormone research. The information she presents is based on studies by MD's, as well other noted authorities. She also lists resources to assist women in correcting deficiencies that occur before, during, and after menopause, using natural means and botanical hormone replacement therapy.

The book takes a look at circumventing osteoporosis, the risk of cancer, progesterone deficiency, estrogen, hormones from food sources, anemia, cholesterol, miscarriages, and more.

It's a woman's "mini-bible" as it addresses most of the concerns for the health of our body as women -- synthetic vs. natural; breast cancer; menopause; and various other "female-related" physical challenges.

The appendix section offers addresses for sources of natural progesterone, a recommended reading list, resources for cancer patients, and ways (and comparisons) in applying hormones.

The Estrogen Alternative is a very informative book, helping to give women back the power to make their own decisions without having to depend on a medical doctor to impose decisions that may not be in keeping with the woman's way of life. It's a great book for you as a woman, and it's a great book to give to the women in your life. Power is in knowledge and this book presents a lot of both.

Rating:
Summary: Every woman deserves this information!
Review: I've recently been using a progesterone cream and it changed my life! I had been using estrogen therapies for 2 years and couldn't get my body adjusted. It wasn't until I started with the cream and then read this book that I realized it wasn't just me, it's all of us out there, struggling with this issue. It's the doctors who don't or won't look at this alternative to synthetic hormones who really need to read this book!

Rating:
Summary: InnerSelf.com review
Review: My mother and I purchased this book and were sorely disappointed.

This book is *not* recommended ... and especially not for vegetarians. Martin and Gerstung (the authors) believe that "substituting soy for milk, cheese, and meat can block the absorption of important nutrients." As though that is not already absurd, the authors go on to state that soy milk is "lacking in needed natural vitamins and cholesterol." Needed cholesterol??? That statement is simply outrageous. The truth is that not only do most people have enough (or even too much) cholesterol in their bodies already, but the human body *manufactures* all the cholesterol it needs. Cholesterol is found in nearly all animal-derived foods, and is absent from all plant-based foods. The consumption of cholesterol is neither necessary nor beneficial for good health.

My recommendation? Try out a book by Dr. Andrew Weil or Dr. Dean Ornish for more accurate information.

Rating:
Summary: Not totally accurate
Review: My mother and I purchased this book and were sorely disappointed.

This book is *not* recommended ... and especially not for vegetarians. Martin and Gerstung (the authors) believe that "substituting soy for milk, cheese, and meat can block the absorption of important nutrients." As though that is not already absurd, the authors go on to state that soy milk is "lacking in needed natural vitamins and cholesterol." Needed cholesterol??? That statement is simply outrageous. The truth is that not only do most people have enough (or even too much) cholesterol in their bodies already, but the human body *manufactures* all the cholesterol it needs. Cholesterol is found in nearly all animal-derived foods, and is absent from all plant-based foods. The consumption of cholesterol is neither necessary nor beneficial for good health.

My recommendation? Try out a book by Dr. Andrew Weil or Dr. Dean Ornish for more accurate information.

Rating:
Summary: Not totally accurate
Review: My mother and I purchased this book and were sorely disappointed.

This book is *not* recommended ... and especially not for vegetarians. Martin and Gerstung (the authors) believe that "substituting soy for milk, cheese, and meat can block the absorption of important nutrients." As though that is not already absurd, the authors go on to state that soy milk is "lacking in needed natural vitamins and cholesterol." Needed cholesterol??? That statement is simply outrageous. The truth is that not only do most people have enough (or even too much) cholesterol in their bodies already, but the human body *manufactures* all the cholesterol it needs. Cholesterol is found in nearly all animal-derived foods, and is absent from all plant-based foods. The consumption of cholesterol is neither necessary nor beneficial for good health.

My recommendation? Try out a book by Dr. Andrew Weil or Dr. Dean Ornish for more accurate information.

Rating:
Summary: Every woman needs to read this book !
Review: She needs to read it not only for herself, but for her daughter(s), her sister(s), her mother, and all her friends. This book is an absolute must for any woman wondering if there are natural alternatives out there for treatment of menopausal symptoms. It really opened my eyes to hormone replacement therapy and the ramifications that are *NOT* mentioned very frequently by the medical establishment. Do youself a favor and get this book!

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Summary: Preventing & Reversing Arthritis Naturally: The Untold Story
Review: The Estrogen Alternative: Natural Hormone Therapy with Botanical Progesterone and Preventing & Reversing Arthritis Naturally: The Untold Story As an educator in the holistic health field who teaches 200-300 new students each year, I try to keep abreast of the vast number of new books that are constantly barraging the health arena. Every year my students ask me to recommend titles in various areas of holistic health and I need to know which select few in each field are the good ones. As both a Naturopath and Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist in private practice, I like to suggest books to my patients which are both informative, accurate, easy to read, and comprehensively cover their topic. Ever since I first discovered Raquel's book The Estrogen alternative , it has been my first choice for books to educate both students and patients on the topic of alternatives to prescription hormone replacement therapy. Well she's done it again. Her new book on natural therapies for arthritis is fantastic. Somehow, Raquel and her co-author, Dr. Karen Romano, have managed to supply the reader with a very useable amount of information in just about every single subject area related to arthritis. This book is an astounding encyclopedia of useable information and it succeeds in making every other book I have read on arthritis unnecessary. This one book has it all.

David Getoff, Naturopath Board certified clinical nutritionist and Educator San Diego California

Rating:
Summary: It's your hormones
Review: This book is one of my most shared title's to understanding your body and your hormone balance.

Martin included contributions by doctors, M.D. or PhD, who have done the research and clinical work to prove this book is on topic and more helpful than the majority of 'women's books' out there, including a popular female M.D. I get the feeling she doesn't know the difference between natural and synthetic progesterones...which don't have the same effects...and the synthetic has nasty side effects.

When your hormones are balanced you don't need meditation, and you discover your 'toxic' relationships that contribute to your hormone imbalance are easier to 'detoxify.' When you feel good, those around you feel better too.

A good starter book for someone who is now experiencing female 'problems' and wants a real answer instead of useless medicating and surgery. Don't miss checking out constributors, Dr. Peat and Dr. Lee's personal websites. In that order.

Rating:
Summary: The Third Edition of The Estrogen Alternative
Review: This book provides botanical answers to the appallingconsequences of misdiagnosis and mistreatment of hormone imbalance. Atlast, educational support that answers women's questions as to prevention and even reversal of PMS, infertility, menopause , osteoporosis, fibromyalgia as well as methods of opposing estrogens stimulatory effect on cell growth as found in endometriosis, fibroids and cancers of the breast, uterus and ovaries. The book includes hundreds of clinical studies that back up the natural way. END