Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal Imbalance

• Our health is determined by the flexibility of our metabolism. As humans, we have survived having to face periods of severe environmental changes, from famine, infection and war to periods of excess.

  Our metabolism is controlled by the release of various hormones (chemical messengers) from our endocrine and nervous systems.  In understanding the “dance” that all these hormones have in our bodies enables us to balance our metabolism and respond to our ever-changing environments so that we can restore health or continue to remain in good health and continue in longevity and wellness.

  We have about 50 hormones that we secrete and circulate throughout our bodies.  Many of these hormones are produced by endocrine cells, most occurring in endocrine glands.  Once secreted the hormones enter into the bloodstream and make their way to their target cells. The endocrine system, intimately linked with the nervous system assists in controlling many of the body’s function such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, contraction of smooth and cardiac muscles.  Hormones play an important function in assisting the body to maintain homoeostasis.

  Biologically we respond to our environment is one of two ways:

  1. If we perceive positive sensory information, for example, we feel happy, interested, we meet someone charming, we feel love, affection or fondness, hormonally this will encourage growth and reproduction and this is represented by the hormone insulin, allowing for growth and storage of energy. Insulin is also known to have an interplay with oestrogen, testosterone, DHEA (short for dehydroepiandrosterone) and thyroid hormones which have a balancing effect on our stress hormones – adrenaline and cortisol.  Insulin receives environmental signals by the food in our digestive system as well as internal signalling by the amount of glucose in our bloodstream.

  1. If we perceive negative sensory information, for example, we feel fearful, we anticipate danger or an angry boss, we suspect something very bad is about to happen, hormonally this will encourage avoidance and withdrawal and certainly abandon growth and reproduction, this is represented by the hormones, adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenalin you will commonly know as the hormone responsible for the fright -or-flight reaction in a severely stressful situation, our short term stress response and cortisol our long term stress response hormone that is responsible for suppressing our immune systems, suppressing our brains resulting in depression, suppressing our growth resulting in osteoporosis.

Possible imbalances that need addressing

• To restore balance there are three organ and glands that need assessment and balancing to restore health:

  1. Balancing Adrenal Hormone Levels – this will assist in treating chronic stress symptoms such as cravings, low energy, poor memory and insomnia.
  2. Balancing Blood Sugar levels – this will help to treat or prevent insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease and belly fat
  3. Balancing Thyroid Hormone Levels – this will help in overcoming fatigue and burning fat.

Nutraceuticals, vitamins and minerals that need consideration

• Our goal is to get our hormones to “dance” together synergistically creating homoeostasis in our bodies.

  Nutrition and lifestyle changes have made significant changes to the lives of many patients that we have seen over the years, yet there is a caution here, some patients let their health deteriorate to a point that they will need medical intervention as nutrition and lifestyle will not be able to assist them. Other patients arrive at our offices already on medication with poor quality of life and here again, we have successfully improved their quality of life with the correct nutrients and lifestyle changes.

  Below are some recommendations that need exploration in dealing with hormonal imbalances, these lists are by no means complete and it is always advised that you seek correct advice from a professional before attempting to self medicate.

  Supplements and nutrients needing consideration to balance the adrenal glands:

  • Rhodiola Rosea
  • Holy Basil
  • L-Theanine
  • Magnesium and calcium
  • Vitamin B complex
  • Vitamin C

  Supplements and nutrients needing consideration to balance blood sugar and insulin levels:

  • Alpha-lipoic acid
  • Omega 3
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Chromium
  • Vanadium
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc
  • Bitter melon
  • Cinnamon extract
  • Gymnema Sylvestre

  Supplements and nutrients needing consideration to balance thyroid levels:

  • Fucus vesiculosus
  • Coleus forskohlii
  • Cordyceps Sinensis
  • Omega 3
  • Iodine
  • L-tyrosine
  • Trace minerals

  Supplements and nutrients needing consideration to balance female hormones:

  • Actaea racemosa
  • Diindolylmethane
  • Kudzu
  • Vitex agnus-castus
  • Progesterone
• Natural remedies