Inner Realm

Bio-Dentical Hormones & Health

Bio-Dentical Hormones & Health con’t...

by Barbara DeGraw

    I turned 45 this past summer. For the first time I started thinking about estrogen levels and dare I say the word, menopause.

    Although I feel years away from going through menopause, I feel as though something is a little off. I feel changes in my body and my overall demeanor. Nothing major just some small and subtle changes, such as a little less energy, less motivated, craving sweets, weight shifting to different places in my body. I couldn't tell if I was just tired after years of living or something was truly off.

    As luck would have it, Drs. James and MaryAnn Cowan called me at Inner Realm to discuss some new breakthroughs they were working on concerning overall health and wellbeing. Drs. James and Maryann Cowan are long time friends, advertisers and writers for Inner Realm Magazine. I met with them at their office to

explore what they were so excited about.

    Dr. MaryAnn Cowan tested me on her new GDV computer. By inserting fingers into a device hooked up to her computer. She was able to get readings on my body and organ system, energy system, emotional system, and my chakras. She was able to read the

results and determine that I had a low energy level, my heart chakra was slightly closed, and my blood circulation was a little low and a few other minor things. After she read the results, then Dr. Cowan decides what treatments are needed which could range from acupuncture to an energy balancing session.

    Dr. James Cowan started to explain how he treats women for depression and started to realize that there may be an underlying cause, low estrogen levels! He explored many different options for Hormone replacement and started working with Sotto Pelle

Therapy, a bio-dentical hormone replacement treatment. Briefly, bio-dentical hormones are natural hormones for both men and women. It consists of getting blood tests to determine different levels in your body including, estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, etc. Then a customized formula of hormones is produced in the form of pellets. They are injected subcutaneously where they last for

approximately six months.

     I signed up immediately to work with both Drs. James and MaryAnn Cowan and decided to share my experience with the readers of Inner Realm Magazine. Over the next 6 months, I will share what and how I feel with the bio-dentical hormone treatment and with the GDV treatments. As of the writing of this article I

have had the blood tests and I am waiting for the customized formula to be created. My thyroid levels were good but my estrogen and other hormone levels were low.

    Over the next six months I will explore the controversy surrounding bio-dentical hormones. I have already ordered Suzanne Somers book, Ageless. I am reaching out to experts in the holistic and scientific fields. I also want you to share with me any experiences you may have had with natural and/ or pharmaceutical hormone replacement therapies. Next month I will share with you my first reactions, and explain in depth what bio-dentical hormones are and why they may or may not be better. I will share with you my experiences with the GDV analysis and treatments. Make sure you tune in next month to read more about exploring the controversy and the truth about achieving overall well-being through bio-dentical hormones and holistic health treatments.

Bio-Dentical Hormones &

Health con’t...

by Barbara DeGraw

    It's been three weeks and I have to say that the changes have been great. The exhaustion that I have been feeling for years has left. I feel tired when it is appropriate, but it is a tired feeling not exhaustion. It dawned on me that I haven't felt that way in years and I mean years. I have a ton more energy. I no longer hit the couch after dinner or fall asleep in front of the TV by 9pm. I also see changes in my skin. It looks more clear and taught. Another big change I have noticed is that I no longer crave carbs.

    Bio-identicals hormones are in the news these days with Suzanne Somers' new book, Ageless in the bookstores now. Thinking about my own hormone levels recently, I decided to do some research and find out if they were right for me. Sotto Pelle is one of the leading companies producing bio-identical hormonal therapy. The Sotto Pelle bio-identical hormonal therapy is a

treatment process that involves the painless insertion of a

biodentical hormone pellet under the skin. These pellets are identical to the hormones produced by the human body. Bio-identical hormones are not synthetic, simulations or replicas. They are created from botanicals and are identical to your body's hormones. Sotto Pelle, who produces them, claims that you will feel like you're in your 30's again.

    Last month I decided I would try Sotto Pelle Bio-identical hormones. Dr. James Cowan in Ridgewood is one of the few doctors in the area that offers Sotto Pelle. As of last month's writing I was waiting for my blood test results to see how my hormone levels were. Dr. James  Cowan called me to briefly let me know that my estrogen levels were great but my testosterone levels were low. We made an appointment and to fully go over the results and get the pellets inserted.

    Before, I went to my appointment though; I did some research on what testosterone does for my body. It turns out for women; it's the hormone that makes us feel alive. It is responsible for sex drive, mental sharpness, energy levels, bone density and muscle growth. Symptoms of low testosterone include decrease in sex drive, orgasms less strong, lack of energy, decrease in strength or endurance, lost height, decreased 'enjoyment of life', sad and/or grumpy, deterioration in sports ability, falling asleep after dinner and decreased work performance you may be suffering from low testosterone levels. Since I suffer from most of these symptoms I couldn't get to Dr. Cowan's office fast enough.

    When I arrived at the office Dr. Cowan went over my blood test results thoroughly. Everything looked great, estrogen levels, cholesterol, triglyceride, and thyroid. The only level that was low was the testosterone. He then explained that he applies a local anesthetic in the right hip and slips in the pellets. I have to admit I was a little nervous when I was getting on the table. But I have to tell you the whole procedure was over in minutes and I didn't feel a thing. I hugged him and I left excitedly.

    It's been three weeks and I have to say that the changes have been great. The exhaustion that I have been feeling for years has left. I feel tired when it is appropriate, but it is a tired feeling not exhaustion. It dawned on me that I haven't felt that way in years and I mean years. I have a ton more energy. I no longer hit the

couch after dinner or fall asleep in front of the TV by 9pm. I also see changes in my skin. It looks more clear and taught. Another big change I have noticed is that I no longer crave carbs. I can walk by the donuts at work without even thinking about it. I lost 3 pounds as of today. The hormone therapy pellets last for pproximately six months and the effects increase daily for the first

few months and then stabilize to the point when you were in your 30's. I am excited to experience the full effect. I feel like hitting the gym!

    This month I am going to work with Dr. Maryann Cowan and the GDV computer and healing sessions. Check in next month to find out my progress.

Bio-Dentical Hormones,

GDV & Health con’t...

    This is my second month on the bio-dentical ormones. I had a low testosterone level, which I didn't know was important for women. After doing research on the importance of testosterone, I had the treatment done. It's been seven weeks and I have seen some subtle yet significant changes.

    The first major improvement is my energy level. I didn't realize how long I had been suffering from exhaustion. That has left me now. It has been replaced with tons more energy and deeper sleeps. My appetite has decreased and I don't crave carbs and sugary foods as much. I feel my moods have evened out and I am

much more awake or mentally clearer during the day. I just joined the gym, because I actually feel like I need to do something with the extra energy.

    The second major improvement is my sex drive. The last month or so, I feel more vibrant and alive than I have in a long time. My skin is much clearer and my PMS was almost nil this last cycle. Also my cycle returned to its 28-day cycle, which I have not experienced in years. It's been around 21-25 days. I feel better and better everyday.

    The effects of restoring hormone balance build on itself on a daily basis. The less I eat sugar, the more my endocrine system gets healthier. The more energy I have, the more I can exercise and my cardiovascular system will improve, which effects the blood flow and oxygen flow to my nervous system, lungs, organs, and the rest

of my body, , and so on.

    This month I am adding GDV and I am looking into de-toxing my body. I recently added a liver detox drink to my A.M. and P.M. routine.

    Dr. Maryanne Cowan has a psychotherapy practice in

Ridgewood. She combines holistic and spiritual modalities with traditional therapies to help adults and married couples attain optimum health of mind and spirit. As part of her practice, she offers GDV, Gas Discharge Visualization Technique.

    The GDV is a state of the Art Computer Software program.  A computer-generated photograph is taken of each of the ten fingertips and the software computes an analysis. The computer displays a color reading of the person's energy field, chakra levels and organ system.  This non- invasive technique allows for early

diagnosis for possible disease states and energy imbalances.  Wellness programs are designed based on your readings. The GDV takes a reading of the physical and emotional system.  Once a reading is taken with the GDV the doctor can assess the results and make recommendations for appropriate treatment nterventions. All of this is based on Chinese medicine and the meridian system in the body.

    My appointment with Dr. Maryanne Cowan, is in the next few days. She will measure my physical and emotional systems and then we will determine if I need any additional treatments. One of the possible treatments that she also offers is Bioresonance. Bioresonance Therapy is based on the principle of physics called

wave interference. Wave interference is what happens when two or more waves of energy coincide. Their energies add together and produce a composite resulting waveform. If the energies are similar they add together and the energy of the wave increases. If the energies are opposed, i.e. in a mirror image relationship to

each other, they cancel out each other's energy.

    All of the treatments or necessary lifestyle adjustments will be determined after the GDV readings have been taken. Over the next few months I will read Suzanne Somers book, share my experience with GDV and Bioresonance and write about the importance of detoxing. I also have reached out to several experts

about bio-dentical hormones and will share their expert advice with you. Make sure you tune in to find out how to return to and maintain optimum health.

Bio-Dentical Hormones &

Health con’t...

by Barbara DeGraw

I have been on the Sotto Pelle bio-dentical hormones since Dec 1, 2006. I am 3 months into the 6 month treatment. The treatment consists of taking a blood test to see where your hormone levels are and then Dr. James Cowan has pellets made that are tailored exactly to your hormone levels. This is one of many important advantages over synthetic hormones. When my pellets are made they are tailored to my hormone levels exactly. I don't get anything more that I need. Then the pellets are inserted just under the skin in my hip. They last for approximately six months.

    I can feel the effects are leveling off, meaning I am stabilizing. I feel good. I asked myself if I would go for the next six months or just leave it here. I recalled how I felt before the treatment, tired, exhausted, foggy, low energy sexually and physically. Now I have joined the gym, I have tons of energy, my skin looks great, my sex

drive is through the roof and I am out of that fog. So, the answer is easy, yes I will continue the treatment. I have reached out to two experts in the field who are currently writing articles for Inner Realm about the long term effects of bio-dentical hormones. Look for them in the coming months.

    This month I also saw Dr. Maryanne Cowan for GDV and bio-resonance. The GDV is a state of the Art Computer Software program.  A computer-generated photograph is taken of each of the ten fingertips and an analysis is computed by the software. The computer displays a color reading of the person's energy field,

chakra levels and organ system.  This non- invasive technique allows for early diagnosis for possible disease states and energy imbalances.  wellness programs are designed based on your readings.  The GDV takes a reading of the physical and emotional system.  Once a reading is taken with the GDV the doctor can assess the results and make recommendations for appropriate

treatment interventions.  The calculation is based on the Chinese Medical System.

    Bioresonance Therapy is based on the principle of physics called wave interference. Wave interference is what happens when two or more waves of energy coincide. Their energies add together and produce a composite resulting waveform. If the energies are

similar they add together and the energy of the wave increases. If the energies are opposed, i.e. in a mirror image relationship to each other, they cancel out each other's energy.

    I went to Dr. Maryanne Cowan's office and she hooked me up to the GDV computer. Really it is just a matter of inserting all ten of my fingers, one at a time, into a small device. Dr. Cowan then takes the readings and the computer generates a full profile. My energy level was good, my chakras were aligned and opened and my energy field was full and fairly even. Physically my liver showed signs of distress and my blood circulation was low and my ovaries were active. I told Dr. Cowan I had my period and I just started a

liver detox. As far as the circulation we discussed exercising and diet.Then based on the reading I did a bio-resonance session which consisted of laying on a silver mat which is connected to a computer that has a menu of programs. We chose circulation and overall energy balancing. Within minutes I felt warm and relaxed. Dr. Cowan said it was energy moving around. It was a very relaxing session. The next few days I had more energy and joined the gym!

    I feel so good on so many levels. I am excited again about moving forward in life. When I look back to just a mere three months ago, I was really very unaware how depressed my energy was. I am moving forward to reclaiming my health and will continue to discuss the hormone treatments, GDV, bioresonace and next

month I will write about the importance of detoxing. Have a good energy filled month.

Bio-Dentical Hormones &

Health con’t...

by Barbara DeGraw

I went to Dr. Maryanne Cowan's office for another GDV and Bioresonance session. This time Dr. Cowan decided to do a little experiment. We did the GDV readings to see where my energy level, chakras, and energy

field was on an emotional and physical level.

    My physical energy field was good and very even. My emotional field though was jagged and a little spiky. It wasn't anything that was off the charts but it wasn't as smooth and full as it could be. It also showed congestion in my head and my heart. It was slight on the physical level but much more so on the emotional level.

Dr. Cowan spent a little time with me asking about any issues in my life that could be causing confusion, doubt, heartache, etc. (Issues that would cause congestion in the head and heart.) I am sending my second child off to college. My first one left last year and now my second is leaving. My third one is leaving the year after that which is on my mind. I am at a time in my life when the kids are leaving and I am faced with my next role in life. A

good friend, who is about ten years ahead of me, told me they will always need you, but it is time to create your next life without them. That saddens me and excites me at the same time.

    So yes I am dealing with issues that confuse me. What am I going to do without the mom role? Who am I going to be? All those questions come up. Is there heartache? Of course. I love them and want them to stay. I want everything to stay just the way it is. But not that is not healthy for any of us. It's not healthy for my children

or for me. But it is still sad.  Dr. Cowan is in the same point in life as me. We discussed kids going off to school and all of the mixed emotions involved.

    Then Dr. Cowan hooked me up to the Bioresonance pad; a silver body length pad hooked up to a small computer. She plugged in a 37-minute session for heart chakra. She also hooked me up to the mobile cell machine. It consists of three straps, two for the wrist

and one for the neck. It is hooked up to another computer and is much more direct at what it treats. She programmed in three treatments; heart, energy balancing and lymph drainage. For 37 minutes I relaxed, explored the feelings we discussed and slept a little. It was extremely relaxing.

    Then when I was able to get up and walk due to being extremely relaxed, Dr. Cowan hooked me up to the GDV for another reading to see what changed.

    It showed my energy level went up, my heart chakra was now open and not shut down. It was open and experiencing feelings as opposed to shutting down. It wasn't balanced yet, but Dr. Cowan said to take the next few days and release all that would come up. Also my emotional body was much more rounded, not as jagged

and spiky.

    The effects of a treatment as with any healing continue for days after, it's up to me to drink plenty of water to keep the energy moving and to release any emotions that comes up. I journaled, meditated and just let the emotions surface instead of pushing them

down. It's been easier and I feel lighter and more energetic. We'll see what comes up at the next session. See you next month!

Bio-Dentical Hormones &

Health con’t...

by Barbara DeGraw

It has been almost six months since I have been working with Drs. James and Maryanne Cowan. I have come to admire two very intelligent people who are so genuinely curious about health and healing. They are so dedicated from a very deep level to what makes people healthy and whole that it is refreshing in the most human and hopeful way. I feel better and look better than I have in years and I am grateful that there are still people who are dedicated to what makes a person happy, healthy and care about

life.

    I will continue to work with both Drs. James and Maryanne Cowan, probably as long as they are still in business. I am due soon for my second round of the Biodentical treatment, I am continuing with the bio-resonance to balance my energy and now Dr. Maryanne Cowan just e-mailed about a new treatment to detox. I share both Dr. Cowans' curiosity for healing and staying

healthy in the most natural way. Who knows you may hear from me again from time to time about what they are up to next. Until then, be happy, stay healthy and have the time of your life.