Hormones are the chemical communicators between all cells. All hormones depend on each other to do their job. For the body to function in a balanced manner, we must strive to keep all hormones at a normal level. Our bodies are comprised of three hormonal systems that are all interconnected and influence one another in countless ways.
Blood Sugar Hormones: Insulin, Glucagon, Testosterone
Adrenal Hormones: Stress Hormones, Sex Hormones
Ovarian Hormones: Estrogen, Progesterone
The master gland or pituitary, secretes chemical messengers (hormones) that act on the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, ovaries and testes, which in turn produce other hormones. Through production of its hormones, the pituitary gland controls your metabolism, growth, sexual maturation, reproduction, blood pressure and many other vital physical functions and processes. Thus if the desire is to create homeostasis within our chemical messenger system, it makes sense to create the focal point within the blood sugar hormones: insulin and glucagon. Read more>>
The following tidbits of information are offered for relief of hormonal imbalance symptoms.
*High-Lignan Flaxseed Oil & Ground Flaxseeds ~ Known as the #1 all-around hormonal balancer – especially for skin conditions, depression and fatigue – nothing beats a daily tablespoonful of flaxseed oil that is high in lignans. Swallow as is or use as a salad dressing or topping once your recipe has been prepared.
*Black Currant Seed Oil ~ This is great for mood changes, anxiety, hair loss, irritability, headaches, water retention and particularly useful for female breast tenderness. Suggest two capsules (500 mg) of black currant seed oil twice daily after food.
*Multivitamins and Magnesium ~ the following combination of supplements offer relief for symptoms such as mood swings, insomnia, anxiety, tissue dryness and water retention. Magnesium in particular is great for ‘cravings’. When folks tell me they crave chocolate.. it is not really the chocolate they are craving but magnesium the body needs and wants:
-Vitamin B complex, including 50 – 100 mg of B6
-Vitamin C, 1000 mg three times a day
-Vitamin E, 400-1200 IU
-Magnesium, 500-1000 mg before sleeping
*Zinc ~ (15-50 mg a day) promotes immune function to fight illness, supports healthy cell growth and development, and ensures a proper sense of taste and smell. It is especially important for men in maintaining prostate health, testosterone levels and overall sexual health. For women, zinc helps to lower estrogen and increase progesterone levels, as well as to build strong bones. A must for vegetarians, whose diet is often lacking in this vital mineral.
Ladies: Natural Progesterone Cream ~ Progesterone cream balances estrogen dominance symptoms, such as decreased sex drive, depression, abnormal blood sugar levels, fatigue, fuzzy thinking, irritability, thyroid dysfunction, water retention, bone loss, fat gain, and low adrenal function. Massage a high-quality progesterone cream into the soft, capillary-rich skin of your face, neck, upper chest, breasts, inner arms, palms and backs of hands, and soles.
*Exercise ~ oh the things I can say about moving your body!!!! Be vigorously active for a minimum of a half hour five days a week. Do different things each day—and do what you ENJOY.
*Destress Your Stress ~ Remember that you perceive a stressor as such and that stress is a three-step process:
-Stressor
-Distress
-Consequence
The process can be interrupted at any time
*Adrenal Refresher ~ At times of a lot of stress, replacing lost minerals and vitamins can help the adrenal glands secrete stress hormones. The following are offered for your trial:
B Complex vitamins
Vitamin C, 500 mg every three hours
Adrenal gland extract
Schizandria root (suggest 2 caps three times a day)
StressCare
GABA
Green and Yellow-Orange vegetables
Sea Vegetables (nori, hishiki, arame, dulse, kelp etc)
*Saw Palmetto berries ~ boosts prostate health in men, and contributes to regulating sexual health/development and normalizing the reproductive health activity of the those glands and organs for both men and women. So yeah for the promotion of healthy libidos!! Saw Palmetto is great for hair growth, its effects on general health and disposition (tranquility), appetite stimulation as well as digestion and nutrient assimilation.
From a holistic approach I teach to take only the absolute minimum that you need to alleviate your symptoms. As a Nutrition Specialist, you know I will always start with: clean up your food! Focusing on protein plus healthy fats + veggies + a small portion of complex carbs (around 25-35g) per feeding. Eating 5-6 times a day.
Should you be up for further exploration, I highly recommend the following books loaded with key information regarding balancing your hormones.
•·Before the Change: Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause by Ann Louise Gittleman
•·Eating Wisely for Hormonal Balance. The Woman’s Guide to Good Health, High Energy & Ideal Weight by Sonia Gaemi
•·The Schwarzbein Principle ~ The Truth About Losing Weight, Being Healthy and Feeling Younger by Diana Schwarzbein and Nancy Deville
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