We often talk about balancing hormones. Some automatically think of sex hormones, or maybe thyroid hormones, but there are over 50 main hormones that regulate our health. The main categories of hormones include: Sex Hormones, Stress Hormones, Metabolic Hormones, Growth Hormones, Thyroid Hormones, Neurotransmitter Hormones, Gut Hormones, Reproductive Hormones, Cardiovascular Hormones, Immune Hormones, Mineralocorticoids, and Glucocorticoids.
These hormones regulate mood, digestion, immunity, inflammation, cardiovascular function, reproduction, nervous system, blood sugar regulation, stress response and more. Many organs/glands are responsible for the production, regulation and maintenance of the various hormones in the body. They include the adrenals, thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary, hypothalamus, pancreas, small intestines, gonads (testes, ovaries), pineal, kidneys, liver, adipose tissue, brain and nervous system, thymus, and stomach. Having balance in each of these hormones is critical to our health and wellbeing.
Hormones are not released in exacting amounts and certain times of the day. They are a self-regulating, dynamic system that is always in motion and interact with each other in dynamic ways. By dynamic, I mean constantly changing according to what is happening with other hormones. Too much of one hormone stimulates any number of other hormones, or suppresses other hormones. It, therefore, is of utmost importance that the whole system gets regulated together and not just one isolated hormone (such as melatonin, thyroid hormones, DHEA, estrogen or testosterone, for instance).
As important, is if one hormone isn’t being released in the proper amount, regulated properly or eliminated properly, you have to find out WHY! Once you address the WHY, you can bring balance back to not only that hormone, but because they are so interdependent, you also bring balance back to the entire hormonal system!
Diet, environment, and lifestyle are key to hormonal balance. Different hormones need different amino acids, essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins, so broad-based nutrient supplementation via diet and supplements are important. Amino acids are very key in neurotransmitter and hormonal balance, so eating quality protein, especially animal proteins is important. While chicken, fish and beef are tops for the proper amino acids, have a variety of other meats and plant proteins as well.
B-Vitamins are key in many hormones. However, most B-Vitamins found in bottles are inadequate – not because of quantity, but because most are synthetic. Make sure what you get is from foods, not chemicals – you should see foods listed on the label.
Most hormones are made out of fat, so if you’re consuming a fat-free or low-fat diet, your body is going to have a hard time making something (hormones) out of nothing. Include quality essential fatty acids in your diet. Avoid junk foods and hormone mimickers.
Acupuncture along with nutritional guidance is one of the most effective means of straightening out hormones that I know of. They stimulate production of many hormones, assist in regulating them, and of utmost importance, acupuncture helps balance your hormones. Top of Form
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©2024 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.
