By: Dr. Firuza R.Parikh & Ms. Maherra Khambaty In today’s world, man-made chemicals have become a part of our daily lives. Exposure to environmental chemicals and metals – in the air, water, soil, food, and consumer products is omnipresent. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003-2004 stated that virtually every pregnant woman in the United States is exposed to at least 43 different chemicals. Scientific evidence suggests that numerous chemicals, both natural and man-made, interfere with the endocrine or hormonal system which adversely impacts on human health and reproduction. These chemicals are often referred to as Endocrine Disruptors or EDs. They are present in toys, plastic bottles, food packaging, pesticides, detergents, and fragrances. They are in the food we eat, and the air we breathe. Some EDs persist in the environment for decades without being broken down and they bio-accumulate through the food chain. So why are Endocrine…

By: Dr. Abayomi Ajayi A woman has a so called fertile window or period when she is only able to naturally conceive in her month long menstrual cycle. This is how it works in humans. Every month a woman’s menstrual cycle begins with bleeding which is generally referred to as menses. It is the shedding of the thickened lining of the womb. This thickening had occurred in the previous menstrual cycle under the influence of hormones or chemical substances from the brain and ovaries to prepare to receive a pregnancy. In fact, some refer to menses as the tears of a disappointed womb. Despite this disappointment, the womb picks itself up again and starts to prepare in the hope that this time a pregnancy will occur. This preparation commences with the bleeding and another rise in production of these chemical substances (hormones) from the brain and ovaries. At the same…

Aging wrinkles can be so disturbing, you look in the mirror and see the first signs of fine lines and wrinkles. They’re around your eyes, your mouth, your forehead—and they’re starting to set in. Most times you try to ignore these changes—but all of a sudden, they become more pronounced. According to Paula’s choice skincare, the sun can be a great influencer of wrinkles. Your skin color can make you more vulnerable to serious sun damage when you aren’t wearing sunscreen. However, regardless of your skin color, unprotected sun exposure is still putting your skin at risk. Depending on how much unprotected sun exposure you’ve had, fine lines and wrinkles can start showing up as early as your mid-twenties! A sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater applied on a daily basis is one sure way to reduce the risk of early signs of aging. The Harvard medical school has proven…

Menopause which is also known as climacteric is a normal health condition that all women experience when they get to a certain age, although the ages differ. The term “menopause” can describe any of the changes a woman goes through either just before or after she stops menstruating, marking the end of her reproductive period. At this time, menstrual flow stops completely and the woman is unable to bear children. Menopause typically occurs between 49 and 52 years of age. What Causes Menopause? Every woman is born with a finite number of eggs, which are stored in the ovaries. The ovaries also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which is responsible for the monthly menstruation and ovulation. Menopause happens when the ovaries stop releasing eggs monthly in form of blood (menstruation). Menopause is said to be normal when it occurs after the age of 40 but abnormal when it happens before age 40. Early menopause can occur…

By: Eruke Ojuederie In developing nations, fertility among women has been perceived as one of the greatest gifts a husband can have. It has served as the basis for a healthy marriage on the one hand and broken marriages on the other. Whatever be the case, psychology experts have stated that once a woman starts aging she focuses more on family and loved ones which include children. Dr. Jordan B Peterson a Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto in one of his speeches pointed that when a woman clocks 30 she begins to feel the urgent need to have a child. Psychology, societal, and cultural beliefs all tilt towards the significance of fertility in women, however, in recent times, there has been a turn around with the inception of new medical discoveries. How it all began Freezing of eggs was introduced with the first cryopreservation of…

Alzheimer’s disease is a physical disease that affects the brain. It is the most common cause of dementia (memory loss). Alzheimer occurs when there is a protein build-up in the brain forming structures called plagues and tangle which leads to the loss of connection between nerve cells and to the loss of nerve cells which may eventually lead to loss of brain tissues. People with Alzheimer also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemical messengers help to transmit signals around the brain. When there is a shortage of them, the signals are not transmitted as effectively. Some of the symptoms of Alzheimer include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Alzheimer becomes more severe with time. This means that it is a progressive disease because over time, more parts of the brain become damaged and as this happens more symptoms develop. SYMPTOMS…