Balancing Hormones Naturally

The Balancing Hormones Naturally blog is meant to break down the essentials of the endocrine system and how it functions.

It is purposefully written in bullet point format to make it as basic as possible and so that it can be used as a reference. This blog is meant to breakdown the essentials of the endocrine system and how it functions. It is purposefully written in bullet point format to make it as basic as possible and so that it can be used as a reference.

What is the Endocrine System?

This is a basic picture of the endocrine system and all the different organs that are involved in signaling hormones. All of these organs receive signals from the brain and also communicate to the brain in a feedback system.

In a nutshell, the hypothalamus (in the brain) regulates the Pituitary Gland (in the brain) to the Endocrine Organs (thyroid, thymus, adrenals, testes, ovaries, pancreas)

The Endocrine System is the system that is responsible for regulating hormones. These chemical messengers have various effects on the body.

Here is a list of the endocrine glands, what they do, and the hormones that they release.

What are Hormones?

Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers.  They communicate important messages within the body and give feedback to the brain.

Here are the different functions of hormones:

• Responsible for growth and development, reproduction, metabolism, sexual function and mood

The main sex hormones have different functions in the body.  Here is a breakdown of those hormones.

Estrogen	There are three estrogens: Estrone (E1), Estriol (E3), Estradiol (E2) Proliferative Hormone (cell-growing) Female sex characteristics
Progesterone	Balances out estrogen Anti-estrogen Relaxing
Testosterone	Anabolic (building) hormone Male sex characteristics
DHEA	Precursor to other hormones (especially testosterone) Essential for energy production and blood sugar balance Consider an anti-aging hormone
Cortisol	Energy production, blood sugar metabolism, anti-inflammatory and stress response Highest in the am and drops during the day Manages long-term stress

Let’s Talk Estrogen Dominance:

Too much estrogen or too little estrogen in relation to progesterone. We can measure this through a progesterone to estrogen ratio (Pg/E2 ratio). This can happen either because your estrogen is high due to foreign estrogen exposure and improper estrogen breakdown or because your progesterone levels are low.

Can cause: fibrocystic breasts, foggy thinking, migraines, bone/mineral loss, ovarian cysts, water retention, low thyroid symptoms, heavy/irregular menses, belly weight gain, tearfulness

What is the difference between HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) and BHRT (Bio-identical Hormone Therapy)?

• HRT (ex. Premarin, Prempro) – often in the form of concentrated pregnant mare’s urine and larger molecules
• BHRT – natural hormones that are similar to the hormones we naturally make

Here is a picture of the difference in chemical makeup of HRT (Provera) to bioidentical and human progesterone:

How can you test hormones?

• Blood
• Salivary (Saliva)
• Urine

Why do I utilize salivary testing?

The majority of hormones exist in two forms:

• 5% Free
• 95% Protein Bound

Only the free hormones are biologically active and available to the receptors in the body. Protein-bound hormones do not fit the receptors and are considered non-bioavailable.

Urine hormones also portray a good picture of free hormone levels over bound. This is the testing that is warranted if someone is on topical hormones.

Ways to Naturally Balance Hormones:

• Decrease foreign estrogen exposure
  • BPA/Phthalates/PCBs
  • Plastics, Water, Food Sources (Meats), Skin Care
• Hormone Detoxification
  • Liver/gallbladder support to clean pathways
  • Breakdown of hormones (especially estrogen)
    • DIM, Indole-3-carbinol
  • Regulate insulin and stress hormones
    • Cinnamon and Chromium- blood sugar
    • B vitamins, ashwagandha, and holy basil
    • Waking between 1 and 3 many times is low blood sugar and poor cortisol regulation
    • Avoid sugar during stressful times (if you don’t take it out all the time)
  • Hormone Support
    • Chaste Berry/Vitex
      • Relieve PMS, irregular periods and menopausal symptoms
    • Dong Quai
      • Helps balance levels of estrogen
      • Great for menopausal problems
    • Black Cohosh
      • Plant source of estrogen
      • Increases levels in brain, reduces hot flashes
      • With St. John’s Wort can treat depression and other menopausal symptoms
    • L-theanine
      • Lowers elevated stress hormones
      • Supports brain function

NEVER EVER FORGET DIET, LIFESTYLE, AND STRESS REDUCTION

• Avoid any food allergies
• EAT REAL FOOD
• Avoid trans fats and man-made fats (vegetable, canola, soybean, peanut oil, shortening, margarine)
• Increase Omega-3 fats and good oils (Coconut oil, avocados, olive oil, ghee, real butter, flaxseed, grass-fed beef)
• Vitamin D3
• Limit caffeine
• Heal your gut
• Sleep well
• Exercise – interval training and light cardio, weight lifting
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Acupuncture

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