More than 5000 years ago, Moses and Ramsees III both lived to be over 80 years of age when the average life expectancy was 17 years. Both had the learned knowledge of the ancestors; both knew the mystery of the pyramids. Could we live longer and better if we knew what were their secrets?

I imagine that the image of the sun over the pyramid is symbolic of the human endocrine system. As the endocrine system controls the function and response of every single cell in the body, so will modifying and balancing of each of these specific endocrine systems may prove most beneficial to the health and longevity of humankind.

And since aging is associated with the decline of each one of these endocrine systems, we start our Anti-Aging program with Hormonal Replacement as Anti-Aging Medicine.

Pineal gland-sun light
Pituitary-Master Gland
Thyroid- Temperature
Adrenal- Energy-Fatigue
Sex Glands- Fertility
Pancreas- Diabetes

The Six Endocrine Glands
PINEAL GLAND resides deep in the 'old brain' or hypothalamus. It is the first of all endocrine glands having developed more than 500 million years ago with the function to regulate sleep-wake cycles. The trigger for normal pineal function is the release of vitamin D, calciferol D3, from the melanocytes in the skin when exposed to adequate ultraviolet sunlight. The cycle of sunlight-vitamin D (daylight) and drop in sunlight-Vitamin D (night time) controls the sleep-wake cycles. Only during deep enough sleep cycles does the person reach REM sleep. REM sleep is associated with the reparative functions: release of human growth hormones, release of melatonin, ebb in cortisol release, movement of nutrients and magnesium into the cells of the body. Simply stated: No Sunlight--> No vitamin D--> No Quality Sleep --> No Anabolic Body Repair.

PITUITARY GLAND resides at the base of the brain behind the eyeballs. Envisioned as the master gland and central staging area for hormone release, the pituitary glands still relies on the pineal gland to 'organize its clocks' and tell it when to release its many hormones. The pineal does this through the release of releasing factors. Studies show that the release of human growth hormone, prolactin, oxytocin from the master gland are affected by sleep problems. Likewise, the release of the stimulatory hormones, those that incite the four glands at the base of the pyramid to react, are also affected by hypothalamic-pineal control. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Follicle (FSH) and Luteinzing stimulating hormone (LH), and Adrenal Cortico-Tropic Hormone ACTH are down-regulated (depressed) when there is inappropriate stimulation from the hypothalamus-pineal (old brain) system.

THYROID GLAND resides in the lower neck and is present on both sides of the trachea. The thyroid gland is important in regulating body temperature and as such, an increased function can result in weight loss while an under-function is often associated with weight gain. There are five laboratory tests we perform on thyroid function: TSH, T3free, T4 free, Thyroid antibodies, and Peroxidase antibodies to determine normal and appropriate function. Natural hormone replacement would include a combination of active T3 and T4 (armour thyroid). As the body stores thyroid hormone as T4 and the cells in the presence of the mineral selenium convert it into active T3, the necessity for the supporting minerals (iodine), vitamins, proteins (tyrosine) and fats becomes readily apparent.

ADRENAL GLAND resides over each kidney deep in the abdominal-back cavity. It has been called the "minor master gland" because it controls four hormones. Adrenaline (epinephrine) and nor-adrenaline (nor-epinephrine) are hormones that stimulate us to "fight-or-flight." The hormone Cortisol is useful in our ability to generate energy and keep awake. It is the potent anti-inflammatory agent that keeps arthritis at bay and us playing sports well into our 70's. And lastly, there is DHEA (dehydro-epiandosterone). This unheralded hormone is responsible for more than 6000 peer review articles in the last 15 years. It reduces arthritis, improves memory and immune function and is the natural menopausal precursor to estrogen for women who are reluctant to return to Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT).

SEX GLANDS are unique to the gender: men have testicles that reside outside the body while women have ovaries deep within the pelvis. Both respond to the stimulatory pituitary hormones, FSH and LH. But the results are different as men produce primarily testosterone while the women produce primarily estradiol during reproductive years. In the woman the testosterone production is actually two-thirds as high as the man, but 95% is converted by an aromatize enzyme to estradiol. Women produce progesterone in the second half of their reproductive cycle. For men, the aging process is typified by the conversion of testosterone to estradiol which has devastating effects on him. Women produce less estradiol with aging and the relative ratio of testosterone to estradiol increases in the aging female. That may explain why old men and old women look so much alike!