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| Hormonal Relief |
Symptoms as
Signs of Hormonal Imbalance
Are you feeling unwell or out of sorts? Have you been tired, depressed,
irritable, experiencing PMS, menstrual or menopause disorders, mood
swings, low libido, headaches, or trouble sleeping? Have you had
sugar or carbohydrate cravings or gained extra weight lately? These
are just a few of the common signs of hormonal imbalance, affecting
millions of women (and even some men). Chronic or prolonged hormone
imbalance can lead to more serious problems in women such as endometriosis,
PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), chronic infections (e.g. candida),
uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, infertility and breast or uterine
cancer.
Hormonal balance is critical to good physical, mental and emotional
health. Hormones are chemical communicators (e.g. estrogen or progesterone)
secreted by endocrine glands (e.g. ovaries, thyroid), carrying messages
via the blood to20and from body organs and glands, connecting functions
to balance the body (e.g. healthy menstruation). They operate under
a delicate feedback loop in which one hormone compensates for another
when out of balance. As an example, if the ovaries are under active
due to over consumption of caffeine, the liver and/or adrenals will
produce estrogens as a means of compensation. These estrogens are
inferior quality, and all three organs will be compromised, weakening
the system. Symptoms such as fatigue, menstrual cramps or headaches
may ensue.
Ovaries: Synthetic vs. Natural Hormones
Finally the truth has come out: horse estrogens (Premarin) are not
meant for humans! Many oral estrogen (cenestin, Estratab) and progesterone
(provera, Prempro) pills prescribed by medical doctors are synthetic.
These can disrupt steroid hormone pathways, leading to suppression
of the body’s own natural hormones, and create a host of side effects
including depression, anxiety, fatigue, fluid retention, migraines,
or menstrual irregularities. The birth control pill is composed
of synthetic estrogens or synthetic progesterone (progestins). These
suppress the pituitary production of leutinizing hormone (LH) and
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The liver becomes compromised
and overloaded, making it harder for it to convert estrogens to
be excreted from the body. Prolonged use of the birth control pill
can cause excess cell proliferation, possibly leading to uterine
fibroids or malignancies. Further, the Pill and HRT also rob the
body of vital nutrients including B-vitamins, vitamins E and C,
folic acid, magnesium, selenium and zinc which further comprises
physical and emotional health. There is good news: with correct
supplementation, these organs can be cleansed and rebalanced even
after many years of suppression.
Adrenals: The Stress Connection
A poor diet and busy lifestyle has lead to an epidemic of adrenal
related disorders. Many of us are in various stages of adrenal stress
syndrome as a respo nse to chemical, emotional or physical stress.
In adrenal stress syndrome, cortisol and DHEA, two important adrenal
cortex hormones, go through spikes and falls in a complex series
of mechanisms to regulate blood sugar metabolism. Common signs of
adrenal stress are hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), fatigue or exhaustion,
difficulty waking in the morning, sugar or caffeine cravings, mood
swings, and sleep difficulties. Adrenal stress can lead to insulin
resistance, which may cause problems such as diabetes and weight
gain. In menopausal women, the adrenals have a more important function
in producing sex hormones. If the adrenals are exhausted, women
will experience more intense menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes,
insomnia, poor memory, mood swings, etc.
Nutrition: the Foundation for Hormonal Balance
A healthy diet will set the stage for good hormone interactions.
Eat whole, unrefined, unprocessed foods: vegetables, fruits, lean
meats, eggs, and some whole grains such as ric e, millet or quinoa.
Minimize glutenous grains such as wheat, oats, rye; also allergenic
foods like soy, nuts, and cow dairy which are difficult to digest
and can cause protein toxin deposits. Avoid refined sugars completely,
as they spike blood sugar and compromise the adrenals. Low glycemic
substitutes such as agave nectar, stevia or xylitol are preferable.
Cut back on caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and eat healthy fats such
fish oils. Avoid foods high in pesticides (see our October 22nd,
2008 e-Newsletter), as pesticides can be hormone disruptors leading
to an imbalance known as estrogen dominance.
It is important to realize that liver health is extremely vital
when balancing hormones as excess estrogens and estrogen like substances
are broken down in the liver. By adding healthy portions of liver-friendly
foods such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots,
sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, pumpkin and kale, while reducing
liver-toxic foods such as sugar, refined carbohydrates, caffeine,
alcohol, preservatives and trans-fatty acids from margarine and
fried foods you can go a long way in assisting your body’s own innate
healing wisdom.
Conclusion
It is crucial to balance the endocrine system with correct nutritional
support. While diet is very important, often people need individualized
supplements to nourish the original compensating hormone, thereby
balancing the entire system. Common nutritional support such as
amino acids, minerals, glandular extracts or protomorphogens (nucleic
acids from cells of healthy animals), homeopathic remedies and herbal
support can often rapidly re-balance the delicate interaction between
endocrine glands. However, since each person responds differently
when hormones are deficient or excessive, individualized therapies
are preferred, as nutrition and supplements which work for one person
will often not help someone else. |
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