Blog — 5HTP

Acne, a pervasive skin condition, arises when hair follicles—tiny skin holes—become obstructed. Understanding the intricate mechanisms behind this condition unveils the complex interplay of hormones, genetics, and lifestyle factors.  The Role of Sebaceous Glands: Sebaceous glands near the skin surface produce sebum, an oily substance that moisturises hair and skin. However, these glands begin overproducing sebum in acne, combining it with dead skin cells to create a plug within the follicle. This plug's emergence on the skin's surface leads to either a whitehead or blackhead. Bacterial Infection and Inflammation: When plugged, follicles encounter bacteria that usually reside harmlessly on the...

  Skin cancer, an unwelcome diagnosis that upended my world, forced me to confront my negligence toward sun protection. The wake-up call arrived when a diligent physician pointed out an ominous mole during a routine meeting. In that moment, my reality shifted, and I became a living testament to the repercussions of sun overexposure. As someone prone to skin cancer due to a genetic predisposition—green eyes, fair skin, and a history of sunburns—I was a ticking time bomb. Despite growing up in a family deeply rooted in the medical field, I turned a blind eye to the warnings. Unprotected under...

While menopause is a well-known phenomenon in women, many people are unaware that men also experience a similar hormonal decline known as andropause or the male menopause. Andropause is characterized by a decrease in testosterone levels as men age, leading to a range of physical and psychological changes. In this blog, we will explore the impact of andropause on men's health, the symptoms associated with this condition, and the potential imbalances that contribute to it.The Hormonal Changes of AndropauseAs a man ages, his body naturally produces less testosterone, the primary male sex hormone responsible for maintaining various aspects of physical...

By Dr. Allison Smith, ZRT Laboratory I would like to thank everyone who joined in our webinar on the Role of Hormones in Sleep Disturbances!  There were a number of questions I wasn’t able to address due to time constraints but they were all excellent questions. I thought at least someone would be interested in a follow-up as I speak to the rest of the questions just as a little wrap-up. Q: Wouldn't it be nice to include Dried Urine Melatonin in your ZRT Comprehensive Profile, to be able to evaluate Morning Cortisol when low? Maybe it is low while Melatonin...