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Hormones, Health, and Happiness: A Natural Medical Formula for Rediscovering Youth with Bioidentical Hormones
You probably know that as you age, your hormone levels decline. But what you probably don't know is that hormone levels can be restored using natural, bioidentical hormones that eliminate associated
fatigue, weight gain, moodiness, memory loss, and a weakened
immune system. Too often, women are prescribed drugs
that treat these symptoms and not the core
hormonal imbalance. Now, in his acclaimed eight-point
program that has improved the lives of countless
patients at his Houston wellness clinic, Dr. Steven F.
Hotze reveals what women of all ages can do to get
relief and promote lifelong hormonal health through a
combination of lifestyle changes, good nutrition,
exercise, and natural hormone replacement. In clear,
nontechnical language, he - the important
differences between chemical hormones and bioidentical
hormones - common, related health problems,
including allergies, yeast overgrowth, and adrenal
fatigue - balanced nutrition - vitamin and mineral
supplements - and more.
fatigue, weight gain, moodiness, memory loss, and a weakened
immune system. Too often, women are prescribed drugs
that treat these symptoms and not the core
hormonal imbalance. Now, in his acclaimed eight-point
program that has improved the lives of countless
patients at his Houston wellness clinic, Dr. Steven F.
Hotze reveals what women of all ages can do to get
relief and promote lifelong hormonal health through a
combination of lifestyle changes, good nutrition,
exercise, and natural hormone replacement. In clear,
nontechnical language, he - the important
differences between chemical hormones and bioidentical
hormones - common, related health problems,
including allergies, yeast overgrowth, and adrenal
fatigue - balanced nutrition - vitamin and mineral
supplements - and more.
- GenresHealthNonfiction
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2005
32 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 18, 2013
I was happy to read a book written by an M.D. who actually listens to his patients and not so much to blood-tests. He recognizes that patient's symptoms and history should be the deciding factor, with blood-tests being secondary (although hopefully confirming his diagnosis). He doesn't go into extreme detail on each individual hormone, as much as you would get in a book dedicated to that (naturally), but he provides a lot of good info on physiology and treatments. Case histories are also used as examples throughout the book.
I only really have two complaints about the book: One, his explanation of iodine-deficiency in hypothyroidism. Like much of the medical community, he holds to the belief that you only have iodine-deficiency if you have a goiter, otherwise that isn't the cause of your problem. But a goiter is at the extreme range of iodine deficiency, and there is a lot of room for dysfunction before then. Other medical experts say that your thyroid alone needs 3mg consistently to be fully saturated and functional. There is no way you are getting that much in the standard American diet, even with iodized salt. Not even remotely. Contrast that with Japanese people who get about 13 mg a day! Iodine is not to be feared and treated like a trace mineral. It is absolutely vital to the whole body, not just the thyroid.
My second (smaller) complaint is about his "ideal diet." He does admit that Americans eat too many carbs and sugar, which is great (and true), but he still mentions eating lean meats and small amounts of healthy fats. Again, there is nothing inherently evil or unhealthy about most fats. Yes, some forms of saturated fat are bad for you, but some are absolutely healthy and should be eaten regularly. Also, eating fats with carbs causes problems of it's own, but it's not the fat alone that is causing the problem. This has been very well documented in various books (Good Calories, Bad Calories, Primal Body, Primal Mind, etc).
If you'd like further reading on the topics in his book, I recommend "Adrenal Fatigue" by James Wilson, and "Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It".
I only really have two complaints about the book: One, his explanation of iodine-deficiency in hypothyroidism. Like much of the medical community, he holds to the belief that you only have iodine-deficiency if you have a goiter, otherwise that isn't the cause of your problem. But a goiter is at the extreme range of iodine deficiency, and there is a lot of room for dysfunction before then. Other medical experts say that your thyroid alone needs 3mg consistently to be fully saturated and functional. There is no way you are getting that much in the standard American diet, even with iodized salt. Not even remotely. Contrast that with Japanese people who get about 13 mg a day! Iodine is not to be feared and treated like a trace mineral. It is absolutely vital to the whole body, not just the thyroid.
My second (smaller) complaint is about his "ideal diet." He does admit that Americans eat too many carbs and sugar, which is great (and true), but he still mentions eating lean meats and small amounts of healthy fats. Again, there is nothing inherently evil or unhealthy about most fats. Yes, some forms of saturated fat are bad for you, but some are absolutely healthy and should be eaten regularly. Also, eating fats with carbs causes problems of it's own, but it's not the fat alone that is causing the problem. This has been very well documented in various books (Good Calories, Bad Calories, Primal Body, Primal Mind, etc).
If you'd like further reading on the topics in his book, I recommend "Adrenal Fatigue" by James Wilson, and "Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It".
May 7, 2019
I have read this book 3 times now. It is full of valuable information.
May 21, 2021
This was a very helpful book! I began taking several supplements and paying better attention to my body after reading it.
December 29, 2012
When my sister-in-law handed me this book, she kept repeating, "It makes sense." And I am quite inclined to agree with her.
I've been pretty skeptical of alternative medicine, allergists, vitamin supplements, and the like, but because I have a lot of connections to Hotze's clinic within my own family, I was willing to give his book an open-minded shot. Final verdict: this guy knows what he's doing. His principles seem sound.
The book itself is sweet and honest and not entirely full of propaganda for Hotze's clinic, though it is definitely present. I love that he uses car and engine metaphors in a book that is heavily targeted to women. Just a little detail that adds genuine voice.
I also love that the book includes an amply-sized appendix of recipes. One of the book's greatest strengths is that is it so comprehensive of Hotze's philosophy, but still feels like a light read.** I finished in just a few days and now feel like I can live like a Hotze patient without really being a Hotze patient.
This does bring me to an interesting conversation that this book inadvertently enters but only begins to address: health and wellness from a socioeconmic/class standpoint. Why will I probably never be a Hotze patient? I don't have that kind of cash. From his website's FAQ (http://www.hotzehwc.com/en-US/Treatme...), your first appointment at the clinic will set you back anywhere from $3900 to $5550. Dr. Hotze is quick to point out the egregious flaws in America's mainstream healthcare model, from the near-religious indoctrination of prescription drugs in our society to the money-grubbing miscreants in the pharmaceutical and HMO industries. With this book, Dr. Hotze also presents a very attractive alternative model to that madness. And I'm all for his brand of preventative healthcare. I'm willing to drink his kool-aid, with only a couple reservations. But at prices like that? No way. Not anytime soon, at least. For now I will settle for a good multi-vitamin and some OTC progesterone cream. But the question that begs to be asked is this: should health and wellness be reserved for the rich and elite?
All of a sudden I'm much more interested in seeing how this whole health care reform turns out.
**Perhaps in part because he included no formal in-text citations for his research-based claims, even though all the books and articles he mentioned are listed in the back. Annoying.
I've been pretty skeptical of alternative medicine, allergists, vitamin supplements, and the like, but because I have a lot of connections to Hotze's clinic within my own family, I was willing to give his book an open-minded shot. Final verdict: this guy knows what he's doing. His principles seem sound.
The book itself is sweet and honest and not entirely full of propaganda for Hotze's clinic, though it is definitely present. I love that he uses car and engine metaphors in a book that is heavily targeted to women. Just a little detail that adds genuine voice.
I also love that the book includes an amply-sized appendix of recipes. One of the book's greatest strengths is that is it so comprehensive of Hotze's philosophy, but still feels like a light read.** I finished in just a few days and now feel like I can live like a Hotze patient without really being a Hotze patient.
This does bring me to an interesting conversation that this book inadvertently enters but only begins to address: health and wellness from a socioeconmic/class standpoint. Why will I probably never be a Hotze patient? I don't have that kind of cash. From his website's FAQ (http://www.hotzehwc.com/en-US/Treatme...), your first appointment at the clinic will set you back anywhere from $3900 to $5550. Dr. Hotze is quick to point out the egregious flaws in America's mainstream healthcare model, from the near-religious indoctrination of prescription drugs in our society to the money-grubbing miscreants in the pharmaceutical and HMO industries. With this book, Dr. Hotze also presents a very attractive alternative model to that madness. And I'm all for his brand of preventative healthcare. I'm willing to drink his kool-aid, with only a couple reservations. But at prices like that? No way. Not anytime soon, at least. For now I will settle for a good multi-vitamin and some OTC progesterone cream. But the question that begs to be asked is this: should health and wellness be reserved for the rich and elite?
All of a sudden I'm much more interested in seeing how this whole health care reform turns out.
**Perhaps in part because he included no formal in-text citations for his research-based claims, even though all the books and articles he mentioned are listed in the back. Annoying.
June 12, 2014
Finally a doctor who cares and is willing to go against the norm in order to give real help to patients rather than prescribe more drugs with side effects requiring drugs, etc. His methods make sense. After being ill for the past year and a half with unexplained symptoms including chronic fatigue, rashes, headaches and dizziness only to be told by numerous doctors that my lab results are within normal range and nothing can be done except to give me prescriptions for antibiotics, antidepressants and anti-inflammatory drugs, I cried reading the first few pages of Dr. Hotze's book. What a relief to have some answers to the questions. Not only that, but his staff spent hours on the phone with me listening to my medical history and offering advice. I can't get to his clinic soon enough.
June 19, 2008
This book helped me so much with many things I was dealing with but did not have any support for. It was a relief to find the words and definitions for my symptoms. I am currently working through the one month candida free diet and the recipes in this book are very good. I recommend this to all women who are feeling tired and old!!
March 8, 2008
This book was very informative and did wonders for me! I am a big believer in 'natural' medicine and balancing our body systems for optimal health. This book is essential for any woman who has had babies, and just not been the same ever since:)
March 28, 2009
An interesting read. I had really never heard some of the links drawn in this book before, such as the correlation of allergies to hormonal imbalances, or the overabundance of estrogen creating a simulated hypothyroidism.
July 22, 2011
Excellent read, with an abundance of Information about women's health, and the health of the entire family. A holistic approach to curing, not just treating many ailments including hormones through natural remedies. This book has lead me to greater Health. Huge applause to Dr. Hotze.
January 18, 2013
Getting ready to buy a plane ticket! I think Dr Hotze has figured out how to treat the seriously complicated chemical/hormonal issues that plague many women. I felt like his case studies were about me and the fact that he helped the women in them gave me.much hope. I am definitely sold.
February 4, 2009
I cannot recommend this book highly enough - to everyone.
September 15, 2008
When you get to be my age...certain things start going downhill. I found this book very informative.
Lots of input!!!!
Lots of facts about the body and what makes it tick.
Lots of input!!!!
Lots of facts about the body and what makes it tick.
January 19, 2014
I really appreciated Dr. Hotze's wellness perspective, but I still found him not quite "natural" enough for my taste. :)
August 29, 2008
Great read. Has food receipts. If you want to eat healthy, this is the book!
June 11, 2014
A book for every woman to read.
February 3, 2016
"All wealth is founded on health."
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews