Endocrinologist Featured on ‘Larry King Live’ Takes Stance on Bioidentical Hormones and Responds to Controversy Over Suzanne Somer’s New Book

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ — Dr. Diana Schwarzbein, a Santa Barbara-based endocrinologist who specializes in metabolic healing and menopause responded to a discussion that took place on CNN’s Larry King Live on Wednesday night, November 15. As part of the televised panel, and former physician of Suzanne Somers, Dr. Schwarzbein spoke out about the need for medical supervision in the administration of hormone replacement therapy using what is known as “Bioidentical Hormones.”

Dr. Schwarzbein’s statement reads:

“I am a strong advocate of bioidentical HRT if done correctly. I have spent the last 16 years of my clinical career following and studying the effects of bioidentical hormones in menopausal women. I have found that bioidentical hormones are better solutions than the man-made drug hormones. I want women to know that there are options out there and I thank Suzanne Somers for helping me get the message out these past few years. Unfortunately, even bioidentical hormones are not a panacea for all that ails women in menopause. The doses need to be adjusted individually to the lowest amounts that ameliorate the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and mood swings and also decrease the risk for chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, heart attacks and diabetes and to keep cholesterol levels normal. All hormone imbalances whether found within the body due to illness or taken incorrectly due to bad protocols put a woman at risk. To minimize risk and improve quality of life a woman needs to also work on: good nutrition, stress management and moderate forms of exercise, all which help women balance out remaining hormones.”

“Women deserve to understand menopause, what the loss of hormones means to her own risk for diseases and that there are safer alternatives to HRT than the pharmaceutical drugs used for decades. But with the knowledge that taking HRT must be accompanied with a healthy nutrition and lifestyle program to minimize any potential risks. There is no magic. Again, I applaud Suzanne Somers for creating positive awareness of bioidentical HRT, I just ask that women make sure that all hormone protocols are approved and administered by an accredited physician.”

Diana Schwarzbein, M.D., is a leading authority on metabolic healing. She founded The Schwarzbein Institute of Santa Barbara in 1993, where she specializes in diabetes, osteoporosis, menopause, and thyroid conditions. She is the author of The Schwarzbein Principle series which includes: The Schwarzbein Principle, The Schwarzbein Principle: The Transition; The Schwarzbein Principle: The Program and two cookbooks. For more information, contact: Kim Weiss/HCI Books at (800) 851-9100 ext. 212 or [email protected]

Health Communications, Inc.

CONTACT: Kim Weiss, +1-800-851-9100, ext. 212, or [email protected], forHealth Communications, Inc.