Natural Hormone Balance

• Chronic inflammation: you may not associate your pain with hormone imbalances, but there is a direct link. Moods, chronic fatigue, and joint pain are likely related to underlying inflammation.  
• Blood sugar imbalance: balance your blood sugar levels is the most critical thing you can do for balancing your hormones long-term.
• Environmental toxins can be endocrine disrupting, this means that they can disrupt the normal functioning of our hormones and result in hormone imbalance. Toxins can be in our homes, workplaces, food, or general environment and cause havoc to our hormones without us even realizing them.
• Endogenous toxins are created in our bodies, usually by compromised digestion, inefficient metabolism, or poor detoxification. And this can negatively impact our hormones. 
• Stress. Reactions to stress are associated with enhanced secretion of a number of hormones, including glucocorticoids, catecholamines, growth hormone, and prolactin. 
• Genetic factors and aging. At some point in the aging process, both men and women will begin to stop hormone production in their endocrine systems, which will cause hormonal imbalances. Depending on a person’s bio-individuality, this may take place as early as 30’s and as late as 60’s. 
• Nutrient imbalances/precursors to hormone deficiency Low iodine and low levels of selenium, zinc, and iron, among other nutrients, have been noted to contribute to hormonal imbalance. Inadequate amounts of high-quality fatty acids, proteins, phytonutrients, and beneficial bacteria can all contribute to hormonal imbalances.

There are 3 main classes of hormones:

1. Polypeptide hormones are made up of chains of amino acids that are water-soluble. 
2. Steroid hormones from lipids which are fat soluble. 
3. Amine hormones are derived from water-soluble amino acids. 

Let’s explore some of these main hormones:

Cortisol: a glucocorticoid steroid hormone synthesized from progesterone in the adrenal glands. Essential for survival. increases blood glucose and blood pressure and regulates inflammatory response. 

DHEA: synthesized from pregnenolone primarily in the adrenal glands, brain, ovaries and testes.  Produces testosterone and estrogens. 

Thyroid hormones: as we age, our immune system changes and can cause ongoing chronic low-grade immune issues. 

Insulin: when our insulin and blood sugar are not communicating effectively, causing the build up of toxins in fat cells, and weight loss resistance. 

Progesterone: estrogen counterpart. Synthesized from pregnenolone. Produces testosterone, cortisol and estrogen. Prepares the uterus for pregnancy. Improves mood and reduces anxiety. 

Estrogen: synthesized from testosterone and androstenedione through aromatase. 3 forms of estrogen: E1, E2 and E3. Responsible for female sex characteristics.  

Testosterone: predominant androgen sex hormone. Produced by adrenals, adipose tissue, and ovaries.