Suzanne Somers on 20/20: Enough Already

Last night ABC's 20/20 had a program that was entitled "Promises Promises".  Another show warning the public to be careful.  They love to keep telling us there are lots of bad bad people out there just living to take advantage of us poor schnooks.  They covered everything from buying fake handbags online to our old favorite Suzanne Somers and bioidentical hormones. 

Somers who is now 60 looked pretty darned good.  She said she has not had plastic surgery but admits to getting Botox injections.  Somers said "if I was not on bioidentical hormones, I would not look like this."

Of course the program had to interview doctors who don't agree with Suzanne.  Dr. Lauren Streicher, an obstetrician and assistant professor at Northwestern University, points out that something that is natural doesn't necessarily mean it's safe.  She was talking about the soybeans and yams used to make bioidentical hormones.

Somers believes that bioidentical hormones provide protection against cancer.  She said, "so is it a cure for cancer? No. But is it a protective? Absolutely."  Dr. Adriane Fugh-Berman, an alternative medicine expert at Georgetown University, points out that there's no scientific data to prove Somers' disease-fighting claims.    

The question is, what do women do?  ABC asked Suzanne how she would feel if it turns out, in the long run, that she was wrong.  She replied "How will you feel if, in five years, I'm right and these doctors are right, and I'm living this incredible life at 65, at 70 at 75?" 

Until there is scientific proof that bioidenticals do more harm than good, I'm sticking with mine.  I feel great, and that's what most important to me.  Every time I read an article or watch some TV program that talks only about the potential harm and nothing about the potential benefits, I get nervous.  I'm not going to buy into the fear factor.  I trust myself to make the best decisions regarding my health, and I trust my doctor to guide me along that path.

Personally, I tired of hearing so much negative publicity on Hormone Replacement Therapy.  All the experts agree that there hasn't been enough long term testing to come up with any definitive answers.  Until that time, would everybody please SHUT UP.

If you want to read more of the 20/20 interview click here http://abcnews.go.com/Health/print?id=2698729

Comments

[Jordan J. Smith]

Before people make nasty remarks or claims about suzanne, they should do RESEARCH. I am so sick about people making comments because of a little botox. WHO CARES. The main point is, that she is living prove of bioidentical hormones, and a healthy life style.

Botox and so-called "facelifts", are in my mind irrelevant. Lets look a little deeper.

Has it ever crossed anyones mind that 20/20 is funded by MAJOR companies, that make Pharmaceuticals, and crappy disease causing foods?

Wake up people. This is a new era for organics, medicine, and holistic health. The more people who are aware of the CHOICES we have, the better.

"standard of care" medicine really doesn't care about your well being. They just shove you full of pills and drugs that do little or no help, AND they get hefty perks (no pun intended) from the drug companies who's main objective is MONEY.

[Patti Edwards]

I am 52 and once I go through the change will definitely check out Suzanne's hormone information. I have been using the FaceMaster though, and it is unbelievable how much it has improved my face, especially my eyes. I use good products on my face, but they have not been able to do what the FaceMaster has done in just a month. No none believes that I am 52. As far as what Suzanne does, it is her life, I am just thankful in the truth of what she states about her products.

[Preesi]

Suzanne is a fake.
Its obvious she had at least 6 rounds of plastic surgery on her face and body.

She was caught coming out of the plastic surgery clinic, so she made up the breast cancer LIE...

Before you think Im nasty for saying that, let me explain to you what happens in the celebrity gossip world...

She runs a multimillion dollar DIET FITNESS empire BUT her diet ALONE cannot save her from aging and gaining age related weight.. So she had to get lipo and a face lift, to keep the fans and her empire thinking her diet and fitness books work to sell more and more...

Nurses in plastic surgery clinics regularly call their family members or friends and tell them to call the tabloids when celebs get plastic surgery, cause they cant call the tabloids themselves.. So when Suzanne was wheeled out of the Plastic Surgeons clinic after getting lipo and a facelift the Paparazzi were all waiting with cameras...
Because Suzannes reputation is all about her diet and fitness she cannot admit that she got lipo on her tummy or butt she HAD to make up some story as to why she was there that day... So her sister had just had breast cancer and I guess to get more press for breast cancer awareness Suzanne made up the breast cancer lipo LIE!
Then to account for the reason why she wouldnt be losing hair during "fake cancer treatment" she said she was doing Mistletoe/Iscadore therapy instead...

Suzanne is a FAKE and a LIAR!

The most telling thing is that she didnt write a book on cancer...
Youd think with all the other books shed have a cancer one by now...

Things that make you go HHHHMMM!

[Sherry Newman]

I did not see the 20/20 show but I did recently see Suzanne at a talk for the Menopause Clinics of America and I think it is great what she is doing for women to educate them about natural alternatives to synthetic treatments. She has been so generous with her time being involved in pioneering this new era for the health of women and men. I agree there are times when you need a prescription for a drug and they absolutely save lives, but for the drug companies to try to convince us the only way we can manage our health is by taking a drug for every little thing is just wrong and it has to stop! Thank you Suzanne for having the courage and the voice to get out there and say to people to take charge of your own health. Think for yourself, do research for yourself and find out if what you are being told is good for you or not. Don't accept anything blindly just because someone with "authority" said it. There is much conflicting information out there. Stick to the basics, real food, moderate exercise and balance in life.

[Valerie Hack]

Suzanne has been a life-saver for me ever since I read her book Keeping Secrets. I have read all her books and others on menopause. Her research is impecable and the work that she has gone to, not only to help us understand how hormones work but where to go to for help leaves me forever grateful. I started on bio-identical hormones this March after suffering with hotflashes and night sweats since Jan/02. I am telling you that after 2 days of starting I was free of it all. I have never felt this good. I understand how fear makes one cautious, but why attack someone? She does not deserve any of that!!Have any of these people really read the information in her books or interviewed women who have been living this for many years now. I am so thankful for all her time-consuming research and the fact that she takes the heat for all men and women who individually do not have the voice she does. Her research has made our lives much happier and healthier.

[maureen hudson]

i think suanne is a remarkable woman her books are wonderful, most people that are negative on her wish they were her.

[Denise Trujillo]

I thank God for Suzanne. I was sitting one night this week watching Ellen Degeneres show and heard Suzanne mention the consultant opportunity to join her team. I was interested because she looks so healthy and beautiful someone's steps I want to follow in so I joined and if it weren't for her caring and sharing I wouldn't have made such a positive change. Thanks Suzanne!!!

[Arliemarie Beach]

I never saw the interview. I have worked in television and it sounds very biased.

They, apparently had their minds already made up. I would agree with what I just read above!

Don't listen to them Suzanne-you have been always an encouragement to me [I am a quadriplegic] but I always want to be in condition and well toned, as well as healthy!

Maybe because you are married to a Canadian, I have looked up to you-but I don't think so. I remember you being on the Johnny Carson show with a book of poetry's that you wrote and that was quite a bit before Threes Company. That was right after my accident and I had to watch television because it could not get out of bed except for only two hours at a time [not great days] but my parents were so awesome and so are all my friends. So don't feel sorry for me-I just mentioned it because I wanted you to know why I was watching so much TV-I had a light but I tell you it was certainly changed in a second! But life goes on and we make it great or we have a pity party and a pity party is very lonely, so great is best!
Keep on Suzanne; you truly are awesome
sincerely-longtime fan arliemarie (-:

[Michael & Jeanette]

Suzanne is a beautiful woman with alot of integrity and intelligence. I believe that one day we will really come to understand natural medicine and the medical benefits so often not fully understood.

[Barbara Downs]

I watched the 20/20 report and was also upset at the attitude shown to Suzanne. I had to laugh when they showed the horse and said that the synthetic hormones had the urine of female horses in it vs. extracts from yams and plants in the bioidentical hormones, I thought what a no-brainer that is. Who would want to put a waste product into their body even if it went through a purification or not? My husband and I started using bioidentical hormones about 3 years ago thanks to Suzanne's first book The Sexy Years. Right away my night sweats went away and I could sleep again. It has also helped with anxiety and depression that both my husband and I had frequently. My husband had been using synthetic for several years because we didn't know about the natural ones. He ran out of the natural and got a shot of the synthetic type and it actually made him sick. His body totally rejected it and he never did that again! We are very grateful to Suzanne for being so brave and bringing this type of treatment to the public. She has taken the heat from doctors who don't want us to think about our own health. We're just supposed to do what they tell us and then when they find out they were wrong down the road---oh well, sorry. I did this many years ago and took a synthetic hormone for a short time. I didn't feel better, I felt worse so although my doctor said not to stop, I did it anyway and was I ever glad when I found out the product I was prescribed had caused cancer! As for my husband and I, we are with Suzanne. As she said she's in it with us all the way and we're in it all the way with her.

[Charlene Wallace]

If it wasn't for Suzanne's celebrity status I would never have found out about the power to make your own health decisions, been moved to make better life changes. Sometimes it does take someone who happens to be a celebrity to make things known... Look at Erin Brockovich and what we know from her story.
Thank you Suzanne for sharing your knowledge about BHRT and the right way to eat and live.

Charlene
http://www.suzanne24.com/alaskacharlene3

[Rita McVicar]

I don't appriciate how 20/20 tried to embarass Suzanne Somers. I too am having hormone issues and I don't believe that traditional hormone replacement therapy is safe. There is a lot of proof that traditional hormone therapy is unsafe so why doesn't 20/20 interview the pharmaceutical companies who are producing and selling the unsafe hormones that cause cancer, blood clots and many many other problems. This unnessary 20/20 episode makes me very angry because Suzanne Somers along with other alternative Doctors are helping women with hormone deficiencies and it seems to me that 20/20 just sensationalized bioidentical hormones and Suzanne Somers for their (20/20) own benefit. Now many women will continue to suffer from hormonal issues because they will be too afraid to try bioidenticals after this extremely biased 20/20 episode. 20/20 you look bad not Suzanne Somers!
Rita

[Tonya Parker]

I totally agree with your comments, and was happy to find your website. Suzanne is sharing what is working for her. She should be commended for her efforts. It is one thing to present both sides of the issue, but 20/20 did not do this. They only talked about the potential harmful effects. It was a very biased story and I felt like Suzanne was unjustifiably attacked. She has every right to do what she wants with her body. I thought the question about Botox use and the insinuating tone that it was so bad was ridiculous. Suzanne has found a way to look great from the inside out and does a couple things on the outside to stay fresh. I think it's great that she shares this with those of us who want to age gracefully and avoid the extremely invasive "facelift". That's my goal anyway. So if a little Botox is going to make me look great when I'm 60, I'm all for it. I also have recently purchased Suzanne Somers Facemaster. It is a little machine that "plumps" up your facial muscles. I was sceptical about the "claims". I also wondered how I would ever master its use to be able to easily work it into my morning routine, which is already full. Turns out, by the third time I used it with the instructions provided on DVD with the unit, I pretty well had it down--and the effects were awesome. I did half of my face the first time to see if there was any significant change. My jowls are where I saw the biggest difference, that and my laugh "creases", lips turning inward. I was amazed and so was my husband, who is now using it for a drooping eyelid he was starting to notice. He is 50 years old, and I am 41 years old and need to lose about 40 pounds. I am Somersizing as well which is working great for me, too. I eat great and while doing so have lost 7 pounds so far. I am completely off of caffeine, and sugar. I never thought I would see that happen. I am energetic enough to exercise again, which makes me feel great. I am going to sleep by 10PM which is in Suzanne's book "Ageless" and problems I was having that I know are a result of declining hormones, are improving, like depression at certain times of the month, cravings, itching, bloating, and more. I have just learned so much by Suzanne's books and she should have been praised for some of her efforts, even if they needed to put down BHRT (which, don't be confused, I am not against).

[Ageless Diva]

Hi there,
I am in full agreement. Suzanne is a dynamic woman who is doing her best to help other American women. Why can't people appreciate her hard work and efforts?

Ageless Diva
http://www.ageless-diva.com