BHRT Benefits
Bioidentical hormones are one form of therapy for menopausal symptoms. Oprah Winfrey wrote in O, The Oprah Magazine, that she felt "out of kilter" and had "issues" for two years that she suspected were hormonal. Upon a friend's recommendation, Winfrey went to a doctor who specializes in hormones.
Winfrey writes that the hormone specialist told her that her "hormonal tank was empty" and gave her a prescription for bioidentical estrogen.
"After one day on bioidentical estrogen, I felt the veil lift," Winfrey writes. "After three days, the sky was bluer, my brain was no longer fuzzy, my memory was sharper. I was literally singing and had a skip in my step."
Winfrey isn't recommending bioidentical hormones for every menopausal woman. Instead, she urges women to "take charge of your health" and says it's time to "start the conversation" about menopause and bioidentical hormones.
The Oprah Magazine delved into the root of this problem and possible fixes, and Oprah is taking the discussion even farther. "We're opening a national conversation about hormone replacement therapy," she says. "This is about your hormones being out of whack, and you don't even know—we haven't had a language to talk about it yet."
Winfrey writes that the hormone specialist told her that her "hormonal tank was empty" and gave her a prescription for bioidentical estrogen.
"After one day on bioidentical estrogen, I felt the veil lift," Winfrey writes. "After three days, the sky was bluer, my brain was no longer fuzzy, my memory was sharper. I was literally singing and had a skip in my step."
Winfrey isn't recommending bioidentical hormones for every menopausal woman. Instead, she urges women to "take charge of your health" and says it's time to "start the conversation" about menopause and bioidentical hormones.
The Oprah Magazine delved into the root of this problem and possible fixes, and Oprah is taking the discussion even farther. "We're opening a national conversation about hormone replacement therapy," she says. "This is about your hormones being out of whack, and you don't even know—we haven't had a language to talk about it yet."
What are bioidentical or natural hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are an exact chemical match to hormones naturally occurring in the human body. These chemicals are extracted from the yam and soy plants. They are synthesized to be identical to the molecules of the hormones naturally produced by women and men. The body recognizes the bioidentical hormones from these plants exactly like it would the hormones produced from the testes or ovaries. It is important to know that the absorption pathway can make a difference in the effectiveness and the side effects depending on whether the hormones are taken by pill or topically, as a cream or patch. The body does a better job if the bioidentical hormones are taken topically
Are they FDA approved?
Custom made mixtures of bioidentical hormones are not approved by the FDA because they are chemically synthesized from a natural plant source and the molecules have not been altered. The pharmaceutical companies cannot patent natural plant chemicals, but chemicals that are altered in molecular structure can be patented. Chemists must first alter the hormones in order for a patent to be obtained and profits made by the drug companies. These synthetic hormones, which are purposefully different from the yam or soy plant chemicals, are known as Premarin, Provera and Prempro. They are approved by the FDA because they are fixed, not individually tailored. Bioidentical hormones offer people the opportunity to have their hormones balanced for them specifically.
How do bioidentical hormones differ from synthetic hormones?
The human body can metabolize bioidentical hormones naturally because once the chemical has been taken from the yam or soy plant it is processed in a way that its molecular structure is completely identical to that of the androgen hormones; estrogen and progesterone. Bioidentical hormones provide people with the option to have their hormone supplements individually tailored to fit their unique biological system. Synthetic hormones are mass-produced and have stronger side effects than those of a bioidentical nature. Since they are mass-produced there is no way to individually tailor the amounts. Synthetic hormones are made from the progesterone of plants or the estrogens of animals and are not identical to the hormones found within the human body. What distinguishes synthetic hormones from bioidentical hormones is the molecular structure. The synthetic hormones have an extra covalent bond. The body doesn't recognize or metabolize the synthetic hormones normally and the body may treat them as toxins.
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormones
Benefits for Women
Benefits for Men
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormones
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormones in General:
- Restores optimal hormonal balance to the body
- May help regain vitality
- More effective for some than synthetic hormone replacement therapy
- Able to be used optimally and safely
- Absorbed through the skin slowly
- Fewer interactive problems when taking other medications
- Restorative sleep
- Less dangerous than synthetic hormone replacement therapy which is known to cause cancers
- Custom compounded: Option to have your hormones individually matched and tailored to your blood chemistry and hormones levels
- Body is able to recognize the hormones as its own and uses them as nature intended
- Slows down the aging process!
Benefits for Women
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormones in Women:
- Helps restore optimal hormonal balance to the body
- Menopause symptoms may go away
- Helps restore bone density and reduce the risk of Osteoporosis
- Reduces vaginal dryness
- Helps eliminate hot flashes
- May help improve sleep patterns
- May help reduce the risk of heart disease
- Supports muscle strength and maintenance
- May help improve memory and concentration
- May help slow down the aging process overall
- May help improve healthy cholesterol levels
- May help enhance sex drive and libido
- Can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s
- Helps reduce night sweats
- Helps restore normal sleep patterns
- Creates state for healthy fat-burning due to increased lean muscle
- May increases stamina, energy and endurance
- May help protect against fibrocystic breasts
- May help reduce endometrial and breast cancer
- May help with depression
- Helps improve blood flow
- May help decrease inflammation and joint pain
- May help improve skin elasticity
- May help normalize blood sugar levels
- Supports immune function
- May help increase productivity and creativity in personal life
Benefits for Men
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormones in Men:
- Helps restore optimal hormonal balance to the body
- May help men regain vitality
- May help improve blood flow
- May help increase lean muscle mass and tone
- May help improve libido and sexual performance
- May more effectively treat hypogonadism
- May stimulate sperm production
- May help increase energy levels
- May help improve concentration and memory
- May help reduce Depression
- Nourishes all tissues of urinary and reproductive system
- May help protect against heart disease
- May improve skin elasticity
- Encourages bone growth and improves bone density
- Helps accelerate fat burning
- Helps improve natural sleep cycles
- Helps maintain muscle mass
Hormones Throughout the Human Life Cycle
During the process of fertilization and implantation of the ovum, the body prepares for bringing forth new life. There is a symphony of hormones that work together in providing the best possible environment for proper reproduction. And we see the intricacy of this symphony in every stage of life from conception up until death.
There are ten very important hormones that are on the team to help maintain and regulate our endocrine system. They are: Estrogen, Testosterone, Progesterone, DHEA, Thyroid, Cortisol, Adrenaline, Insulin, Melatonin and the Human Growth Hormone.
During their 40s men and women start to notice signs of decreasing levels of these essential hormones that keep our bodies, minds and spirits in top condition. The balance is complex, with each hormone responsible for specific functions that usually act in relation to the others. When one hormone is out of balance or is low all others become affected causing great disharmony in more than just the body.
Hormones are the chemicals that regulate, guide, start, stop, and maintain most of our body’s functions and levels of vitality. Some hormones related to excessive stress can be the cause of cell death and major disharmony in the body. As we age and become aware of these important chemicals that run our body it is essential that we educate ourselves about what each one does and how they affect us in every area of our life.
Estrogen, Testosterone, Progesterone, DHEA, Thyroid, Cortisol, Adrenaline, Insulin, Melatonin and Human Growth Hormone along with oxygen, water and blood seem to be the vital components that make us tick. Bioidentical hormones allow us to tick-tock with zest for as long as we can. There is no reason why we as men and women need to suffer the inconvenient and life disturbing symptoms caused by low levels of essential hormones.
1. Conception- Progesterone prepares the uterine wall to accept a fertilized egg and support it during its growth during pregnancy. This hormone also helps prevent contraction, which would cause the pregnancy to abort.
When the ovum is implanted it secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which extends the life of the corpus luteum. This allows for estrogen and progesterone to be continually produced and provides an inviting environment in the endometrium lining. This hCG hormone is seen in the blood and is what is found in the urine to determine pregnancy. The placenta produces a hormone called human placental lactogen, which helps with cell growth of the fetus and the lactation of the breasts. Estrogen helps aid the growth of the breasts and progesterone helps with the lobule-alveolar development.
2. Gestation: This is the period of Inter-uterine development from conception until birth, which lasts 9 months, 37-42 weeks. Estrone (E3) is the form of estrogen most abundant during pregnancy and is produced by the placenta. The pituitary gland enlarges producing oxytocin, which stimulates the muscles of the uterus and lactation. Estrogen affects the metabolism of cortisol during pregnancy and the activity of the adrenal cortex, which is found on top of the kidneys. Kidneys also produce aldosterone, which is responsible for the balance of salt and water. During pregnancy it is more difficult to handle salt and therefore symptoms of edema are common. Relaxin is the hormone that helps the muscles and ligaments relax and stretch as well as the spreading of the pelvis during pregnancy preparing for a baby to move through birth canal. The “fight or flight” hormones affect the level of oxygen sent to the placenta. Consuming caffeine or being under high stress causes the blood vessels to constrict. Feelings of anxiety and fear stimulate adrenaline and noradrenalin, which can affect the natural flow of labor.
3. Birth: The mother and the baby each have specific hormones that are stimulated and released to be in synch and prepare the body to naturally contract. First the placenta releases CRH, corticotrophim-releasing hormone stimulating the pituitary glands to release ACTH, adrenocorticotropic-hormone, which sends signals to the adrenal cortex to release DHEA-S which is an estrogen precursor, preparing for birth. Estrogen does more than you might realize in the uterus. The smooth muscles create a communication between the gap junctions so that the cells all get in synch and contract together to begin labor. Oxytocin and prostaglandins work together to make the uterus contract. Oxytocin is also secreted by the pituitary gland and the uterus stimulating the contractions and milk production. Milk production is produced from Prolactin in the pituitary gland and is released in the breasts from the chemical oxytocin. There are receptors in the milk that send messages for milk production to be put on pause until the breasts have fully emptied.
4. Infancy: Cortisol levels in infancy are extremely important for proper brain development. High levels of cortisol impair proper brain function affecting the intellectual, emotional and behavioral skills for the remainder of one's life. High cortisol levels occur when the child is separated from mother for a period of time, dramatic events and any continual high stress situation where the child feels abandoned, alone or threatened. The experiences during infancy can really shape a person and have a permanent negative effect on brain development and on hormone regulation as an adult related to behavior responding to stress. When there is a chronic elevated cortisol level in children or infants, it can produce elevated responses to stressors for the rest of their life. When infants receive consistent and nurturing touch the cortisol levels in the brain are low providing an environment where the brain can develop properly and the infant receives positive doses of oxytocin, known as the bonding chemical. Breast-feeding for the mothers also helps lower their stress hormone level as well.
5. Childhood: The human growth hormone is a very important hormone during the growing years of childhood. Human growth hormone is responsible for more than just height in children. This hormone is naturally produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and is produced in greater amounts during the night while sleeping. The human growth hormone helps with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins and all cell growth in the body. Children with high Cortisol levels in the blood show lower motor and cognitive test scores.
6. Puberty: In women progesterone is the hormone that prepares the lining of the uterus to accept the fertilized egg and prepare for pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized progesterone levels drop and the uterine wall, which was preparing for pregnancy breaks down. This allows menstruation to occur as usual. Estrogen is responsible for the growth and development of breasts as well as the color of the pigmentation of the nipples, and the proper development of the vagina and uterus. Estrogens are also the hormones that influence the formation of bone and bone structure.
In women: Estrogen influences the narrower shoulders, broader hips, shorter bones and softer contour of tissue around the muscles and breasts giving women a distinctive form. Estrogen also affects the pitch of the voice, in women the voice box being smaller and hair being finer and more prominent on the head and less on the body than men. Women during this time have a greater amount of estrogen then testosterone.
In men: Estrogen also helps with the development of the male reproductive system, and specific characteristics being a deeper voice, greater amount of body hair, longer and stronger bones, growth and maturation of sperm as well as muscle development. Estrogen also influences the regulation of the heart rate and the function and development of the brain. Men during this time have the greatest amounts of testosterone with low levels of estrogen. Testosterone is responsible for sperm maturation during puberty.
7. Reproduction: After a woman becomes pregnant the hormone progesterone allows the glands in the breasts to start producing milk. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for halting the flow of milk after pregnancy. The estrogen found in the ovaries helps to stimulate the pituitary gland, which sends a signal to the brain to release hormones to aid in follicle development. The egg then travels down the fallopian tubes by way of muscular contractions. Estrogen is responsible for safely transporting the egg into the uterus. Estrogens provide the adequate amount of mucosal secretions lining the uterine wall as well as the cervix in the vagina to aid in ease of transport of the sperm.
8. Menopause: Estrogen levels decrease during menopause and ovulation eventually stops. The body goes through some major changes and there are some very irritating symptoms that women experience when their hormones are not regulated or maintained. The main reason is estrogens play a big part in cell to cell communication and when there isn’t as much estrogen the chemical messages either aren't sent or the wrong messages do get sent. For example the body thinks it is overheating and thus creating perspiration to cool the body down. This symptom is known as night sweats. Testosterone declines by 50% in women during menopause. Women with a lower testosterone level than needed can experience urinary incontinence due to the loss of muscle tone in the bladder. Women who have had their ovaries or uterus removed have greater drops in levels of testosterone affecting sexual desire.
9. Andropause: As men age their testosterone levels decrease and therefore the estrogen levels rise. During andropause men experience symptoms of weight gain, depression, loss of muscle mass, brittle bones, hot flashes, decrease in sexual performance and desire as well as hair loss.
10. Old Age: Estrogen produced in the ovaries helps build and maintain bone and works closely with vitamin D and calcium. When these estrogen levels drop, bone formation begins to decline and osteoporosis can develop.
Cortisol: Cortisol inhibits lean muscles mass, impairs the immune system and causes the brain and the organs to shrink. It even causes the skin to become thin showing the blood vessels. Cortisol is linked to symptoms of senility.
Human Growth Hormone: This hormone is a protein that is produced in the pituitary gland, a pea sized gland within the brain. It does its work at night after we are asleep sending surges of growth hormone into the blood that travels to the liver where it is converted into insulin. From the liver the insulin called IGF-1 acts as a messenger to initiate our body to grow cells, muscles, organs, and bones and it also aids in how the body metabolizes the food we eat. Human growth hormone drastically drops by the age of 60 and some of the symptoms of HGH deficiency are fatigue, thinning bones, skin that thins, sags and begins to wrinkle, lowered immunity, decrease in libido, stamina and heart function as well as muscle and hair loss. A decrease in HGH also adds to symptoms of depression, anxiety and increased body fat percentage. When people with low levels of Human Growth Hormone supplement their deficiency they can experience a magnificent full body change. Muscle mass increases, fat seems to melt away, the skin gets thicker and more elastic, bone density increases and there is a greater sense of vitality and zest for life. For maintaining the youthful luster and healthy, vibrant glow becoming aware or our Human Growth Hormone levels seems to be vital.
11. Death: Cortisol is the stress hormone and has been known to be the link in causing brain cell death. Cortisol inhibits lean muscle mass, impairs the immune system and causes the brain and the organs to shrink. It even causes the skin to become thin showing the blood vessels. Cortisol is linked to symptoms of senility.
There are ten very important hormones that are on the team to help maintain and regulate our endocrine system. They are: Estrogen, Testosterone, Progesterone, DHEA, Thyroid, Cortisol, Adrenaline, Insulin, Melatonin and the Human Growth Hormone.
During their 40s men and women start to notice signs of decreasing levels of these essential hormones that keep our bodies, minds and spirits in top condition. The balance is complex, with each hormone responsible for specific functions that usually act in relation to the others. When one hormone is out of balance or is low all others become affected causing great disharmony in more than just the body.
Hormones are the chemicals that regulate, guide, start, stop, and maintain most of our body’s functions and levels of vitality. Some hormones related to excessive stress can be the cause of cell death and major disharmony in the body. As we age and become aware of these important chemicals that run our body it is essential that we educate ourselves about what each one does and how they affect us in every area of our life.
Estrogen, Testosterone, Progesterone, DHEA, Thyroid, Cortisol, Adrenaline, Insulin, Melatonin and Human Growth Hormone along with oxygen, water and blood seem to be the vital components that make us tick. Bioidentical hormones allow us to tick-tock with zest for as long as we can. There is no reason why we as men and women need to suffer the inconvenient and life disturbing symptoms caused by low levels of essential hormones.
1. Conception- Progesterone prepares the uterine wall to accept a fertilized egg and support it during its growth during pregnancy. This hormone also helps prevent contraction, which would cause the pregnancy to abort.
When the ovum is implanted it secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which extends the life of the corpus luteum. This allows for estrogen and progesterone to be continually produced and provides an inviting environment in the endometrium lining. This hCG hormone is seen in the blood and is what is found in the urine to determine pregnancy. The placenta produces a hormone called human placental lactogen, which helps with cell growth of the fetus and the lactation of the breasts. Estrogen helps aid the growth of the breasts and progesterone helps with the lobule-alveolar development.
2. Gestation: This is the period of Inter-uterine development from conception until birth, which lasts 9 months, 37-42 weeks. Estrone (E3) is the form of estrogen most abundant during pregnancy and is produced by the placenta. The pituitary gland enlarges producing oxytocin, which stimulates the muscles of the uterus and lactation. Estrogen affects the metabolism of cortisol during pregnancy and the activity of the adrenal cortex, which is found on top of the kidneys. Kidneys also produce aldosterone, which is responsible for the balance of salt and water. During pregnancy it is more difficult to handle salt and therefore symptoms of edema are common. Relaxin is the hormone that helps the muscles and ligaments relax and stretch as well as the spreading of the pelvis during pregnancy preparing for a baby to move through birth canal. The “fight or flight” hormones affect the level of oxygen sent to the placenta. Consuming caffeine or being under high stress causes the blood vessels to constrict. Feelings of anxiety and fear stimulate adrenaline and noradrenalin, which can affect the natural flow of labor.
3. Birth: The mother and the baby each have specific hormones that are stimulated and released to be in synch and prepare the body to naturally contract. First the placenta releases CRH, corticotrophim-releasing hormone stimulating the pituitary glands to release ACTH, adrenocorticotropic-hormone, which sends signals to the adrenal cortex to release DHEA-S which is an estrogen precursor, preparing for birth. Estrogen does more than you might realize in the uterus. The smooth muscles create a communication between the gap junctions so that the cells all get in synch and contract together to begin labor. Oxytocin and prostaglandins work together to make the uterus contract. Oxytocin is also secreted by the pituitary gland and the uterus stimulating the contractions and milk production. Milk production is produced from Prolactin in the pituitary gland and is released in the breasts from the chemical oxytocin. There are receptors in the milk that send messages for milk production to be put on pause until the breasts have fully emptied.
4. Infancy: Cortisol levels in infancy are extremely important for proper brain development. High levels of cortisol impair proper brain function affecting the intellectual, emotional and behavioral skills for the remainder of one's life. High cortisol levels occur when the child is separated from mother for a period of time, dramatic events and any continual high stress situation where the child feels abandoned, alone or threatened. The experiences during infancy can really shape a person and have a permanent negative effect on brain development and on hormone regulation as an adult related to behavior responding to stress. When there is a chronic elevated cortisol level in children or infants, it can produce elevated responses to stressors for the rest of their life. When infants receive consistent and nurturing touch the cortisol levels in the brain are low providing an environment where the brain can develop properly and the infant receives positive doses of oxytocin, known as the bonding chemical. Breast-feeding for the mothers also helps lower their stress hormone level as well.
5. Childhood: The human growth hormone is a very important hormone during the growing years of childhood. Human growth hormone is responsible for more than just height in children. This hormone is naturally produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and is produced in greater amounts during the night while sleeping. The human growth hormone helps with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins and all cell growth in the body. Children with high Cortisol levels in the blood show lower motor and cognitive test scores.
6. Puberty: In women progesterone is the hormone that prepares the lining of the uterus to accept the fertilized egg and prepare for pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized progesterone levels drop and the uterine wall, which was preparing for pregnancy breaks down. This allows menstruation to occur as usual. Estrogen is responsible for the growth and development of breasts as well as the color of the pigmentation of the nipples, and the proper development of the vagina and uterus. Estrogens are also the hormones that influence the formation of bone and bone structure.
In women: Estrogen influences the narrower shoulders, broader hips, shorter bones and softer contour of tissue around the muscles and breasts giving women a distinctive form. Estrogen also affects the pitch of the voice, in women the voice box being smaller and hair being finer and more prominent on the head and less on the body than men. Women during this time have a greater amount of estrogen then testosterone.
In men: Estrogen also helps with the development of the male reproductive system, and specific characteristics being a deeper voice, greater amount of body hair, longer and stronger bones, growth and maturation of sperm as well as muscle development. Estrogen also influences the regulation of the heart rate and the function and development of the brain. Men during this time have the greatest amounts of testosterone with low levels of estrogen. Testosterone is responsible for sperm maturation during puberty.
7. Reproduction: After a woman becomes pregnant the hormone progesterone allows the glands in the breasts to start producing milk. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for halting the flow of milk after pregnancy. The estrogen found in the ovaries helps to stimulate the pituitary gland, which sends a signal to the brain to release hormones to aid in follicle development. The egg then travels down the fallopian tubes by way of muscular contractions. Estrogen is responsible for safely transporting the egg into the uterus. Estrogens provide the adequate amount of mucosal secretions lining the uterine wall as well as the cervix in the vagina to aid in ease of transport of the sperm.
8. Menopause: Estrogen levels decrease during menopause and ovulation eventually stops. The body goes through some major changes and there are some very irritating symptoms that women experience when their hormones are not regulated or maintained. The main reason is estrogens play a big part in cell to cell communication and when there isn’t as much estrogen the chemical messages either aren't sent or the wrong messages do get sent. For example the body thinks it is overheating and thus creating perspiration to cool the body down. This symptom is known as night sweats. Testosterone declines by 50% in women during menopause. Women with a lower testosterone level than needed can experience urinary incontinence due to the loss of muscle tone in the bladder. Women who have had their ovaries or uterus removed have greater drops in levels of testosterone affecting sexual desire.
9. Andropause: As men age their testosterone levels decrease and therefore the estrogen levels rise. During andropause men experience symptoms of weight gain, depression, loss of muscle mass, brittle bones, hot flashes, decrease in sexual performance and desire as well as hair loss.
10. Old Age: Estrogen produced in the ovaries helps build and maintain bone and works closely with vitamin D and calcium. When these estrogen levels drop, bone formation begins to decline and osteoporosis can develop.
Cortisol: Cortisol inhibits lean muscles mass, impairs the immune system and causes the brain and the organs to shrink. It even causes the skin to become thin showing the blood vessels. Cortisol is linked to symptoms of senility.
Human Growth Hormone: This hormone is a protein that is produced in the pituitary gland, a pea sized gland within the brain. It does its work at night after we are asleep sending surges of growth hormone into the blood that travels to the liver where it is converted into insulin. From the liver the insulin called IGF-1 acts as a messenger to initiate our body to grow cells, muscles, organs, and bones and it also aids in how the body metabolizes the food we eat. Human growth hormone drastically drops by the age of 60 and some of the symptoms of HGH deficiency are fatigue, thinning bones, skin that thins, sags and begins to wrinkle, lowered immunity, decrease in libido, stamina and heart function as well as muscle and hair loss. A decrease in HGH also adds to symptoms of depression, anxiety and increased body fat percentage. When people with low levels of Human Growth Hormone supplement their deficiency they can experience a magnificent full body change. Muscle mass increases, fat seems to melt away, the skin gets thicker and more elastic, bone density increases and there is a greater sense of vitality and zest for life. For maintaining the youthful luster and healthy, vibrant glow becoming aware or our Human Growth Hormone levels seems to be vital.
11. Death: Cortisol is the stress hormone and has been known to be the link in causing brain cell death. Cortisol inhibits lean muscle mass, impairs the immune system and causes the brain and the organs to shrink. It even causes the skin to become thin showing the blood vessels. Cortisol is linked to symptoms of senility.
Major Hormones of the Body and What They Do
Progesterone:
Progesterone is a key steroid hormone that is essential for production of the sex hormones in both men and women. Progesterone isn’t a sex hormone in itself, but is required for the ovaries to secrete estrogen and for the testes to secrete testosterone. Progesterone is also produced in the adrenal glands of both men and women. You might be surprised that in order to produce progesterone cholesterol is essential. Cholesterol is a fat, which is a precursor for progesterone, and progesterone is a precursor for Estrogen, Testosterone, DHEA and Cortisol. Cholesterol in the body is converted into Pregnenolone, which gets converted into Progesterone. It is very important that one has a healthy amount of the proper fats in order for our body to produce the hormones needed for the endocrine system to function optimally and for men and woman to grow into their full capacity.
Progesterone isn’t the hormone that causes the breast to develop or the testes to produce sperm, but is the hormone required for testosterone and estrogen to do their job. Progesterone is very influential in the functionality of the human body at all ages in respect to building bones, converting fat into energy, regulating blood sugar, maintaining and supporting a healthy libido and enhancing intelligence. It also plays an important role in the strength of the immune system and is a natural anti-depressant.
Maintaining a proper balance of progesterone is important for both men and women. When progesterone is too low women experience symptoms of sleepiness, breast tenderness, weight gain and headaches all affected by the thyroid gland not being able to perform optimally because of the low levels of progesterone. Men with low levels of progesterone can experience fatigue, hair loss, decrease in sex drive, weight gain, bone and muscle loss, depression, erectile dysfunction and even man boobs, technically termed Gynecomastia.
When we are consistently over stressed our adrenal glands can become fatigued, because cortisol levels are at a steady “fight or flight” response, which they are reserved for in times of serious emergency. When we over activate the adrenal system we drain the progesterone levels, which is the precursor to cortisol. Managing our stress so that we have a balanced and stable life does more for us than we might realize. Our endocrine system is an entire ecological world in and of its self and cultivating harmony within this internal system is essential for a healthy body, mind and spirit.
Estrogen:
When we think of Estrogen we usually reference this hormone to the female reproductive system. But in fact estrogen is produced in both men and women just at different amounts.
There are three different varieties of estrogens: Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2) and Estriol (E3). Estrone (E1) is produced in small amounts in men and women in the adrenal glands and adipose tissue, which is fat, where it is also stored. Estradiol (E2) is the hormone specifically responsible for most of the estrogen activity. In men it is produced in the testes and adrenal glands and in women it is produced in the ovaries. This form of estrogen is synthesized from the androgen testosterone. Estriol (E3) is the form of estrogen most abundant during pregnancy and is produced by the placenta.
Estrogens play a key role in the communication of cells and the formation of genes. If the levels of estrogen are out of balance the receptors are not able to successfully receive or process the message to perform very important functions.
In women Estrogen has a great responsibility in tending to the reproductive organs including vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and utter and mammary glands found in the breasts. The estrogen found in the ovaries helps to stimulate the pituitary gland, which sends a signal to the brain to release hormones to aid in follicle development. The egg then travels down the fallopian tubes by way of muscular contractions, which estrogen is responsible for safely transporting the egg into the uterus. Estrogens provide the adequate amount of mucosal secretions lining the uterine wall as well as the cervix in the vagina to aid in ease of transport of the sperm.
Estrogens are the hormones that influence the formation and bone structure in women. Estrogen influences the narrower shoulders, broader hips, shorter bones and softer contour of tissue around the muscles and in the breasts giving women a distinctive form. Estrogen also affects the pitch of the voice in women. The voice box is smaller and hair is finer and more prominent on the head and less on the body than men.
In men estrogen also helps with the development of the male reproductive system. Specific characteristics being a deeper voice, greater amount of body hair, longer and stronger bones, growth and maturation of sperm as well as muscle development. Estrogen also influences the regulation of the heart rate and the function and development of the brain. If the levels of estrogen in men are too high they can experience a wide array of negative symptoms; increased weight gain, male boobs, loss of muscle mass and sex drive just to name a few. The more fat a man has accumulated around the mid- section,the more it will create an environment where greater levels of Aromatase are present and therefore a man will have greater levels of estrogen in the body.
Estrogen is a very specialized fat that plays an important part in the development of the physical and sexual characteristics of men and women as well as reproduction. It is important to maintain the delicate balance of estrogen levels to ensure a system that is harmonious in its function. As we age estrogen increases in men due to the drop in testosterone and estrogen decreases in women causing the gradual cessation of ovulation, which comes with symptoms of great discomfort. These don’t have to be endured, and can be managed with wisdom and attention to our unique hormonal levels.
Awareness of the importance of these hormones within your body and knowing their purpose and function are the first steps to consciously taking charge of your health at a cellular level. This will have a lasting impact on your ability to thrive physically and enhance your emotional well -being.
Testosterone:
Like Estrogen, Testosterone is a very important hormone in the development, growth, and maintenance of both men and women. Women have lower levels than men, yet the delicate balance of testosterone in relationship to estrogen and progesterone is crucial for harmonious syncopation within the body’s systems allowing for a fully functioning person at all levels of health.
Testosterone is made possible because of its precursor cholesterol that is an androgen or sex hormone. Testosterone is the hormone most abundantly produced in the male testes and is the dominant male sex hormone responsible for the development of the sexual traits, organs and production of sperm. Hair follicles, prostate gland, and testes are some areas of the anatomy that are in greater relationship to testosterone. Testosterone gives men a distinct body frame, deeper voice, and course facial hair. It is also produced in women’s ovaries and adrenal glands and plays a role in lean muscle and bone strength, energy level, stability of mood, and desire for sex as well as sensitivity to pleasure. An important note, testosterone affects the level of arousal and sensitivity to stimulation of the nipples and clitoris.
Testosterone declines by 50% in women during menopause.It also decreases in men but at a much more gradual rate of 2% per year and is called andropause. Women with lower testosterone levels can experience urinary incontinence due to the loss of muscle tone in the bladder. Women who have had their ovaries or uterus removed have greater drops in levels of testosterone affecting sexual desire. During andropause men experience symptoms of weight gain, depression, loss of muscle mass, brittle bones, hot flashes, decrease in sexual performance and desire as well as hair loss, all of which are directly related to the level and supply of testosterone in the body. All men need a balanced level of testosterone for their body to perform its natural functions and allow men to continue enjoying being men.
There is a flip side to andropause, which is an issue of too much testosterone rather than a shortage. Symptoms of an overabundance of testosterone, which can be due to steroid use in athletes are liver disease, low sperm count, aggressive behavior, impotence, insomnia, heart muscle damage, and acne. High levels of testosterone increase the cholesterol level of the good HDL and bad LDL, which can cause heart disease and stroke. We can see how important individually tailoring your hormone levels can be to maintaining a balanced whole body system. Testosterone plays an important role intricately working with estrogen in most of the body functions, each with its unique rhythm and beat.
DHEA-Adrenal Glands:
On top of each kidney are these little triangular structures known as the adrenal glands. The adrenal gland has an outer region called the adrenal cortex that surrounds the inner region called the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex with the essential precursor of cholesterol secretes three types of hormones; cortisol, aldosterone, and testosterone.
DHEA stands for Dehydroisoandroosterone. What is that you might ask? Well, it is just this very important precursor to androgen hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone produced in the Adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for regulation of water, salt, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. DHEA is a steroid that is found in women and men, but is the ingredient that gives men their unique masculinity and is also secreted in the testes. In woman DHEA is secreted by the adrenal cortex.
The adrenals not only produce DHEA, but cortisol, which is the ‘fight or flight’ hormone. When we are too stressed the adrenals get fatigued and have a harder time producing DHEA so the levels start to drop. It is common during the natural aging process for the levels to begin naturally dropping around the the age of 30, but proper levels help improve memory, restore lean muscles mass, build greater endurance, decrease fat percentage, boost immunity, supports flexibility and helps increase testosterone levels. When DHEA is below the body’s proper levels symptoms such as depression, lack of libido, weakened immune system, fatigue, aching joints and a loss of muscle can occur.
DHEA is known to help age related issues such as improving memory, and preventing the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
This tiny hormone plays a very powerful role in the regulation and maintenance of our bodies system, functions and overall health and well-being. Living a life that is balanced means more than just taking a vacation once a year. It requires a daily attention and care to the way we are in the world. When we are able to be calm and relaxed this state of being supports the adrenal glands in performing their proper function, which is to produce DHEA so that our testosterone, estrogen and progesterone levels are also in harmony.
Thyroid-Thyroid Gland:
What does your Thyroid have to do with your hormonal health? Your Thyroid health affects every organ in your body. It regulates metabolism of fat and carbohydrates as well as body temperature and heart rate. The Thyroid is a gland located just below your Adams’ Apple and is in the shape of a butterfly. The Thyroid secretes T3 and T4 which are hormones containing iron.
Since your metabolism and heart rate and body temperature are some pretty major body functions that are vital to you being alive, it is important to know how to manage and maintain your thyroid balance. The pituitary and hypothalamus send messages to the thyroid telling it where the thyroxine levels are in the blood. When your thyroid levels get too low the pituitary gland produces TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) to produce more thyroxine. This delicate dance between the thyroid and the pituitary gland is known as a feedback loop, which keep each other in check, as one decreases the other increases, just like testosterone and estrogen do in the body.
In a normal functioning thyroid T4 is converted to T3 and everything works great. When T4 is not converted to T3, which occurs with the natural aging process due to the decrease in the production of T4, we get an underactive thyroid known as hypothyroidism. Selenium is the mineral responsible for T4 not being converted to T3. Some other issues that affect thyroid health are: mercury toxicity, adrenal fatigue and over exposure to stress and estrogen mimics like plastics and parabens, which suppress the thyroid function.
This little thyroid of ours can sure wreak havoc when out of balance. It is important to pay attention to your Adrenal Function when monitoring your thyroid, for treating thyroid without looking at the entire pathology of the endocrine system is like looking at a map through a pin-hole. Hypothyroidism is one of the most misdiagnosed and under treated disorders and is usually found in people over 40. A few of the symptoms that occur when the balance is disrupted include; depression, weakened muscles, infertility, elevated cholesterol, poor memory, fatigue and increased risk of cancer. Other symptoms are decreased sex drive, light sensitivity, head-aches, insomnia, brittle hair and nails, dry skin, constipation, intense periods, bruising easily and recurrent infections.
Cortisol-Adrenal Gland:
When was the last time you were scared out of your wits? Was it the time you jumped out of a plane, or were only inches from being hit by that speeding car at an intersection? Perhaps your child almost ran out into the street or fell and got hurt. What do all these events have in common? Heart pounding, “fight or flight” responses. And cortisol is the hormone activated by the Adrenal Glands and is a stress hormone that protects you in times of danger.
We are in a constant state of stress due to high pressure jobs, overloaded schedules, trying to be and do all. This high stress life style leaves little time for unwinding, relaxing, breathing and just being. This can really take a toll on our mental functioning and relationships, but even more importantly our physical health.
With a consistent elevated level of cortisol the adrenals go into fatigue and overdrive burning up the reserves that are left for major life threatening situations. The more stress the higher the cortisol levels, which create insulin resistance. The body isn’t able to burn the carbohydrates as usual and stores them as fat instead. It seems pretty simple that the more stressed one is the easier it might be to gain excess weight. Just because of being in a constant state of “flight or fight”. The elevated cortisol levels also contribute to diabetes, stroke, obesity, weakened immune system and, heart disease as well as an impaired cognitive ability. How many people can think clearly when they are in “survival mode”? Our brain is programed to shift gears and preserve life, not attend to focusing on biochemistry or mathematics or normal body functions like digestion.
A nation of freedom seems to be enslaved to constantly go, do more, and be more. What are we doing to support lasting health and vitality and what can we do to decrease the stressors in our life? And what is the type of life we want long term? One in which we are always in a state of worrying about our limited health that prevents us from having lasting relationships and lives we all desire? Now that we know about the importance of hormonal balance in our body and its intricate relationship to our lifestyle and overall wellbeing we can be aware of the health of our adrenal glands and take note if we are living in constant “fight or flight”.
Adrenaline-Adrenal Gland:
Do you know the meaning of EMERGENCY? When under stress the Adrenal Glands produce Adrenaline. It is the chemical that gets our heart rate up, our blood pumping and provides higher levels of glucose and lipids in the blood to be used for emergency situations. There are two types of chemicals secreted during this emergency situation, Norepinephrine and Epinephrine. Norepinephrine constricts the majority of the blood vessels in the body while Epinephrine dilates the blood vessels in the liver and skeletal muscles each being prime movers for the contraction and speed of the heart.
There are certain people who experience this rush of adrenaline on a daily basis. They might be known as the busiest, get it done type of people who love the challenge, the deadline, accomplishing the impossible. This type of “adrenaline junky” would be the type of person with Adrenal Fatigue. But other factors such as diet, drugs, alcohol, over exercising, birth control pills, not eating regularly, insomnia, stress, eating high sugar foods, hormone imbalances and just being overworked also have a great impact on the health of the Adrenals and the over production of Adrenaline.
So what’s the big deal about being an “adrenaline junky”? The important catch is that when we are in this fast paced, intense life style we can become addicted to the secretion of adrenaline. Adrenaline has a relationship with the serotonin levels in the brain. We get a type of high feeling from the serotonin, which helps us feel calm, but when that adrenaline rush is over there is a type of let down and a desire to get it again. This can be with work, food, sex, drugs and even getting into situations that create drama and ultimately stimulating that fight or flight response.
Many people end up going on antidepressants, which help with stabilizing the mood, but like any addiction there is a craving because something is insufficient or low. It is important to take inventory of your life and to see that your hormones and life style have a very intricate relationship. When one hormone is low another compensates. The endocrine system is a system of communicating highly classified information and when there is a break down in one area the messages are not sent and the entire body experiences symptoms of disharmony. What can we do to cultivate this harmony? We can get adequate sleep and regular exercise. Eat a diet of fresh organic produce free of toxins and additives. We can manage our schedules and take time to just be, relax, do yoga, walk, meditate, play with your children, walk your dog, or just watch the sun set. Laughing is always good too! To think these tiny hormones could have such a great impact on our health is quiet mysterious, but our lifestyle has a great impact on our hormonal balance. Let’s learn how to fluidly dance with the hormones and create balance in every area of our life!
Insulin-Pancreas:
The Pancreas produces two hormones that work closely together, glucagon and insulin. Insulin is the master of regulating carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism. If we don’t have enough insulin we experience diabetes, which is characterized by high blood sugar levels and symptoms of dehydration and weakness. If we have an over production of insulin the blood sugar levels are too low, which creates convulsions, anxiety and weakness. Glucagon raises the level of sugar in the blood and works very closely with insulin in its job of maintaining proper blood sugar levels in the body.
It is a very important hormone in the body that affects weight, mood, and blood sugar levels. Insulin is the hormone responsible for glucose metabolism and is the catalyst for the uptake of glucose. It controls how fat is either stored or used as fuel. People who are insulin resistant are in a sense starved at the cellular level. The glucose isn’t able to enter the cells as readily as it should. The pancreas gets the signal that not enough insulin is produced and an overproduction of glucose and insulin accumulates in the blood.
The cells in our body have receptor sites on them, specifically for insulin. When the insulin attaches to the cell it activates other receptors on the cell to absorb glucose-yes, sugar-from the blood. There are people who don’t make insulin naturally in the body. Without it one can be starving to death even thought they eat adequate amounts of food because the cells can’t ingest the glucose used for energy in the brain and the body. People who experience Type 1 diabetes don’t make insulin and need to get it through a pump or shots.
Craving carbohydrates is related to the level of insulin in our blood. When our insulin is low we crave carbohydrates. Women especially before their periods crave carbs even more because of the drop in estrogen levels. Lower estrogen levels create craving for carbs and the usual one is chocolate.
Melatonin-Pineal Gland:
Did you ever wonder what causes you to fall asleep, stay asleep each night and awake in the morning? Did you ever think that it had to do with a hormone produced by a very tiny gland in the brain called the Pineal Gland? The more we discover about the power these hormones have the more we realize how important they are to supporting a healthy balance inside and outside of our body.
Melatonin may be more important than we might know. Melatonin is produced in the Pineal Gland found in the brain, as well as tiny amounts in the intestines and the retina. But what affects how much melatonin is produced? Light and dark which is detected by the retina in the eye. Light from the sun or daylight inhibits production of melatonin increasing feelings of alertness and wakefulness. Melatonin is stimulated when it is dark, which in turn decreases heart rate and body temperature preparing one to feel sleepy.
There are receptors for melatonin in the pituitary gland, intestinal tract, ovaries and blood vessels and they have an effect on our biological rhythms. Melatonin stimulates the release of female hormones and plays a big role in the onset, duration and intensity of the menstrual cycle. Melatonin also helps with mating and breeding responses in animals.
When you get regular restful sleep do you notice how calm and relaxed you are? Melatonin has a relationship with serotonin. Melatonin is synthesized from Tryptophan and is then converted into serotonin, which we know helps stabilize our moods. Getting to sleep before midnight has an important effect on the strength of your immune system and prolactin production. It is suggested that getting to bed by 9p.m. allowing 3 hours of sleep before midnight greatly improves your immunity and can add years to your life. Melatonin can do wonders for longevity because of its ability to counteract free radicals with its antioxidants.
When we are not sleeping well, are over stressed, traveling and working long hours, we canexperiencea drop in melatonin levels. The Pineal gland is very aware of the age of our body and as we do age it stops producing the same amounts of melatonin in preparation for death and decay. We can see how developing a healthy sleep pattern and life style along with balanced melatonin levels can enhance and support our immune system, rev up our vitality and help keep us feeling and looking young as we age and grow in wisdom.
Human Growth Hormone-Pituitary Gland:
What does the human growth hormone do? Help you grow right? Did you know that if you have too much growth hormone as a child you would experience gigantism and if you have too little dwarfism is a result. The balance of the Human Growth Hormone in our body seems to be very important. Factors that affect the levels of the growth hormone in the blood are diet, exercise, emotional stress and sleep.
This hormone is a protein that is produced in the Pituitary gland, a pea sized gland within the brain and does its work at night after we are asleep sending surges of growth hormone into the blood that travels to the liver where it is converted into insulin. From the liver the insulin called IGF-1 acts as a messenger to initiate our body to grow cells, muscles, organs, and bones and it also aids how the body metabolizes the food we eat.
Human growth hormone drastically drops by the age of 60 and some of the symptoms of HGH deficiency are fatigue, thinning bones, skin that thins, sags and begins to wrinkle, lowered immunity, decrease in libido, stamina and heart function as well as muscle and hair loss. A decrease in HGH also adds to symptoms of depression, anxiety and increased body fat percentage.
When people with low levels of Human Growth Hormone supplement their deficiency they can experience a magnificent full body change. The biggest being a leaner body shape. Their muscle mass increases, fat seems to melt away, the skin gets thicker and more elastic and bone density increases. And many feel that they have an overall greater sense of vitality and zest for life.
Progesterone is a key steroid hormone that is essential for production of the sex hormones in both men and women. Progesterone isn’t a sex hormone in itself, but is required for the ovaries to secrete estrogen and for the testes to secrete testosterone. Progesterone is also produced in the adrenal glands of both men and women. You might be surprised that in order to produce progesterone cholesterol is essential. Cholesterol is a fat, which is a precursor for progesterone, and progesterone is a precursor for Estrogen, Testosterone, DHEA and Cortisol. Cholesterol in the body is converted into Pregnenolone, which gets converted into Progesterone. It is very important that one has a healthy amount of the proper fats in order for our body to produce the hormones needed for the endocrine system to function optimally and for men and woman to grow into their full capacity.
Progesterone isn’t the hormone that causes the breast to develop or the testes to produce sperm, but is the hormone required for testosterone and estrogen to do their job. Progesterone is very influential in the functionality of the human body at all ages in respect to building bones, converting fat into energy, regulating blood sugar, maintaining and supporting a healthy libido and enhancing intelligence. It also plays an important role in the strength of the immune system and is a natural anti-depressant.
Maintaining a proper balance of progesterone is important for both men and women. When progesterone is too low women experience symptoms of sleepiness, breast tenderness, weight gain and headaches all affected by the thyroid gland not being able to perform optimally because of the low levels of progesterone. Men with low levels of progesterone can experience fatigue, hair loss, decrease in sex drive, weight gain, bone and muscle loss, depression, erectile dysfunction and even man boobs, technically termed Gynecomastia.
When we are consistently over stressed our adrenal glands can become fatigued, because cortisol levels are at a steady “fight or flight” response, which they are reserved for in times of serious emergency. When we over activate the adrenal system we drain the progesterone levels, which is the precursor to cortisol. Managing our stress so that we have a balanced and stable life does more for us than we might realize. Our endocrine system is an entire ecological world in and of its self and cultivating harmony within this internal system is essential for a healthy body, mind and spirit.
Estrogen:
When we think of Estrogen we usually reference this hormone to the female reproductive system. But in fact estrogen is produced in both men and women just at different amounts.
There are three different varieties of estrogens: Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2) and Estriol (E3). Estrone (E1) is produced in small amounts in men and women in the adrenal glands and adipose tissue, which is fat, where it is also stored. Estradiol (E2) is the hormone specifically responsible for most of the estrogen activity. In men it is produced in the testes and adrenal glands and in women it is produced in the ovaries. This form of estrogen is synthesized from the androgen testosterone. Estriol (E3) is the form of estrogen most abundant during pregnancy and is produced by the placenta.
Estrogens play a key role in the communication of cells and the formation of genes. If the levels of estrogen are out of balance the receptors are not able to successfully receive or process the message to perform very important functions.
In women Estrogen has a great responsibility in tending to the reproductive organs including vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and utter and mammary glands found in the breasts. The estrogen found in the ovaries helps to stimulate the pituitary gland, which sends a signal to the brain to release hormones to aid in follicle development. The egg then travels down the fallopian tubes by way of muscular contractions, which estrogen is responsible for safely transporting the egg into the uterus. Estrogens provide the adequate amount of mucosal secretions lining the uterine wall as well as the cervix in the vagina to aid in ease of transport of the sperm.
Estrogens are the hormones that influence the formation and bone structure in women. Estrogen influences the narrower shoulders, broader hips, shorter bones and softer contour of tissue around the muscles and in the breasts giving women a distinctive form. Estrogen also affects the pitch of the voice in women. The voice box is smaller and hair is finer and more prominent on the head and less on the body than men.
In men estrogen also helps with the development of the male reproductive system. Specific characteristics being a deeper voice, greater amount of body hair, longer and stronger bones, growth and maturation of sperm as well as muscle development. Estrogen also influences the regulation of the heart rate and the function and development of the brain. If the levels of estrogen in men are too high they can experience a wide array of negative symptoms; increased weight gain, male boobs, loss of muscle mass and sex drive just to name a few. The more fat a man has accumulated around the mid- section,the more it will create an environment where greater levels of Aromatase are present and therefore a man will have greater levels of estrogen in the body.
Estrogen is a very specialized fat that plays an important part in the development of the physical and sexual characteristics of men and women as well as reproduction. It is important to maintain the delicate balance of estrogen levels to ensure a system that is harmonious in its function. As we age estrogen increases in men due to the drop in testosterone and estrogen decreases in women causing the gradual cessation of ovulation, which comes with symptoms of great discomfort. These don’t have to be endured, and can be managed with wisdom and attention to our unique hormonal levels.
Awareness of the importance of these hormones within your body and knowing their purpose and function are the first steps to consciously taking charge of your health at a cellular level. This will have a lasting impact on your ability to thrive physically and enhance your emotional well -being.
Testosterone:
Like Estrogen, Testosterone is a very important hormone in the development, growth, and maintenance of both men and women. Women have lower levels than men, yet the delicate balance of testosterone in relationship to estrogen and progesterone is crucial for harmonious syncopation within the body’s systems allowing for a fully functioning person at all levels of health.
Testosterone is made possible because of its precursor cholesterol that is an androgen or sex hormone. Testosterone is the hormone most abundantly produced in the male testes and is the dominant male sex hormone responsible for the development of the sexual traits, organs and production of sperm. Hair follicles, prostate gland, and testes are some areas of the anatomy that are in greater relationship to testosterone. Testosterone gives men a distinct body frame, deeper voice, and course facial hair. It is also produced in women’s ovaries and adrenal glands and plays a role in lean muscle and bone strength, energy level, stability of mood, and desire for sex as well as sensitivity to pleasure. An important note, testosterone affects the level of arousal and sensitivity to stimulation of the nipples and clitoris.
Testosterone declines by 50% in women during menopause.It also decreases in men but at a much more gradual rate of 2% per year and is called andropause. Women with lower testosterone levels can experience urinary incontinence due to the loss of muscle tone in the bladder. Women who have had their ovaries or uterus removed have greater drops in levels of testosterone affecting sexual desire. During andropause men experience symptoms of weight gain, depression, loss of muscle mass, brittle bones, hot flashes, decrease in sexual performance and desire as well as hair loss, all of which are directly related to the level and supply of testosterone in the body. All men need a balanced level of testosterone for their body to perform its natural functions and allow men to continue enjoying being men.
There is a flip side to andropause, which is an issue of too much testosterone rather than a shortage. Symptoms of an overabundance of testosterone, which can be due to steroid use in athletes are liver disease, low sperm count, aggressive behavior, impotence, insomnia, heart muscle damage, and acne. High levels of testosterone increase the cholesterol level of the good HDL and bad LDL, which can cause heart disease and stroke. We can see how important individually tailoring your hormone levels can be to maintaining a balanced whole body system. Testosterone plays an important role intricately working with estrogen in most of the body functions, each with its unique rhythm and beat.
DHEA-Adrenal Glands:
On top of each kidney are these little triangular structures known as the adrenal glands. The adrenal gland has an outer region called the adrenal cortex that surrounds the inner region called the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex with the essential precursor of cholesterol secretes three types of hormones; cortisol, aldosterone, and testosterone.
DHEA stands for Dehydroisoandroosterone. What is that you might ask? Well, it is just this very important precursor to androgen hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone produced in the Adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for regulation of water, salt, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. DHEA is a steroid that is found in women and men, but is the ingredient that gives men their unique masculinity and is also secreted in the testes. In woman DHEA is secreted by the adrenal cortex.
The adrenals not only produce DHEA, but cortisol, which is the ‘fight or flight’ hormone. When we are too stressed the adrenals get fatigued and have a harder time producing DHEA so the levels start to drop. It is common during the natural aging process for the levels to begin naturally dropping around the the age of 30, but proper levels help improve memory, restore lean muscles mass, build greater endurance, decrease fat percentage, boost immunity, supports flexibility and helps increase testosterone levels. When DHEA is below the body’s proper levels symptoms such as depression, lack of libido, weakened immune system, fatigue, aching joints and a loss of muscle can occur.
DHEA is known to help age related issues such as improving memory, and preventing the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
This tiny hormone plays a very powerful role in the regulation and maintenance of our bodies system, functions and overall health and well-being. Living a life that is balanced means more than just taking a vacation once a year. It requires a daily attention and care to the way we are in the world. When we are able to be calm and relaxed this state of being supports the adrenal glands in performing their proper function, which is to produce DHEA so that our testosterone, estrogen and progesterone levels are also in harmony.
Thyroid-Thyroid Gland:
What does your Thyroid have to do with your hormonal health? Your Thyroid health affects every organ in your body. It regulates metabolism of fat and carbohydrates as well as body temperature and heart rate. The Thyroid is a gland located just below your Adams’ Apple and is in the shape of a butterfly. The Thyroid secretes T3 and T4 which are hormones containing iron.
Since your metabolism and heart rate and body temperature are some pretty major body functions that are vital to you being alive, it is important to know how to manage and maintain your thyroid balance. The pituitary and hypothalamus send messages to the thyroid telling it where the thyroxine levels are in the blood. When your thyroid levels get too low the pituitary gland produces TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) to produce more thyroxine. This delicate dance between the thyroid and the pituitary gland is known as a feedback loop, which keep each other in check, as one decreases the other increases, just like testosterone and estrogen do in the body.
In a normal functioning thyroid T4 is converted to T3 and everything works great. When T4 is not converted to T3, which occurs with the natural aging process due to the decrease in the production of T4, we get an underactive thyroid known as hypothyroidism. Selenium is the mineral responsible for T4 not being converted to T3. Some other issues that affect thyroid health are: mercury toxicity, adrenal fatigue and over exposure to stress and estrogen mimics like plastics and parabens, which suppress the thyroid function.
This little thyroid of ours can sure wreak havoc when out of balance. It is important to pay attention to your Adrenal Function when monitoring your thyroid, for treating thyroid without looking at the entire pathology of the endocrine system is like looking at a map through a pin-hole. Hypothyroidism is one of the most misdiagnosed and under treated disorders and is usually found in people over 40. A few of the symptoms that occur when the balance is disrupted include; depression, weakened muscles, infertility, elevated cholesterol, poor memory, fatigue and increased risk of cancer. Other symptoms are decreased sex drive, light sensitivity, head-aches, insomnia, brittle hair and nails, dry skin, constipation, intense periods, bruising easily and recurrent infections.
Cortisol-Adrenal Gland:
When was the last time you were scared out of your wits? Was it the time you jumped out of a plane, or were only inches from being hit by that speeding car at an intersection? Perhaps your child almost ran out into the street or fell and got hurt. What do all these events have in common? Heart pounding, “fight or flight” responses. And cortisol is the hormone activated by the Adrenal Glands and is a stress hormone that protects you in times of danger.
We are in a constant state of stress due to high pressure jobs, overloaded schedules, trying to be and do all. This high stress life style leaves little time for unwinding, relaxing, breathing and just being. This can really take a toll on our mental functioning and relationships, but even more importantly our physical health.
With a consistent elevated level of cortisol the adrenals go into fatigue and overdrive burning up the reserves that are left for major life threatening situations. The more stress the higher the cortisol levels, which create insulin resistance. The body isn’t able to burn the carbohydrates as usual and stores them as fat instead. It seems pretty simple that the more stressed one is the easier it might be to gain excess weight. Just because of being in a constant state of “flight or fight”. The elevated cortisol levels also contribute to diabetes, stroke, obesity, weakened immune system and, heart disease as well as an impaired cognitive ability. How many people can think clearly when they are in “survival mode”? Our brain is programed to shift gears and preserve life, not attend to focusing on biochemistry or mathematics or normal body functions like digestion.
A nation of freedom seems to be enslaved to constantly go, do more, and be more. What are we doing to support lasting health and vitality and what can we do to decrease the stressors in our life? And what is the type of life we want long term? One in which we are always in a state of worrying about our limited health that prevents us from having lasting relationships and lives we all desire? Now that we know about the importance of hormonal balance in our body and its intricate relationship to our lifestyle and overall wellbeing we can be aware of the health of our adrenal glands and take note if we are living in constant “fight or flight”.
Adrenaline-Adrenal Gland:
Do you know the meaning of EMERGENCY? When under stress the Adrenal Glands produce Adrenaline. It is the chemical that gets our heart rate up, our blood pumping and provides higher levels of glucose and lipids in the blood to be used for emergency situations. There are two types of chemicals secreted during this emergency situation, Norepinephrine and Epinephrine. Norepinephrine constricts the majority of the blood vessels in the body while Epinephrine dilates the blood vessels in the liver and skeletal muscles each being prime movers for the contraction and speed of the heart.
There are certain people who experience this rush of adrenaline on a daily basis. They might be known as the busiest, get it done type of people who love the challenge, the deadline, accomplishing the impossible. This type of “adrenaline junky” would be the type of person with Adrenal Fatigue. But other factors such as diet, drugs, alcohol, over exercising, birth control pills, not eating regularly, insomnia, stress, eating high sugar foods, hormone imbalances and just being overworked also have a great impact on the health of the Adrenals and the over production of Adrenaline.
So what’s the big deal about being an “adrenaline junky”? The important catch is that when we are in this fast paced, intense life style we can become addicted to the secretion of adrenaline. Adrenaline has a relationship with the serotonin levels in the brain. We get a type of high feeling from the serotonin, which helps us feel calm, but when that adrenaline rush is over there is a type of let down and a desire to get it again. This can be with work, food, sex, drugs and even getting into situations that create drama and ultimately stimulating that fight or flight response.
Many people end up going on antidepressants, which help with stabilizing the mood, but like any addiction there is a craving because something is insufficient or low. It is important to take inventory of your life and to see that your hormones and life style have a very intricate relationship. When one hormone is low another compensates. The endocrine system is a system of communicating highly classified information and when there is a break down in one area the messages are not sent and the entire body experiences symptoms of disharmony. What can we do to cultivate this harmony? We can get adequate sleep and regular exercise. Eat a diet of fresh organic produce free of toxins and additives. We can manage our schedules and take time to just be, relax, do yoga, walk, meditate, play with your children, walk your dog, or just watch the sun set. Laughing is always good too! To think these tiny hormones could have such a great impact on our health is quiet mysterious, but our lifestyle has a great impact on our hormonal balance. Let’s learn how to fluidly dance with the hormones and create balance in every area of our life!
Insulin-Pancreas:
The Pancreas produces two hormones that work closely together, glucagon and insulin. Insulin is the master of regulating carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism. If we don’t have enough insulin we experience diabetes, which is characterized by high blood sugar levels and symptoms of dehydration and weakness. If we have an over production of insulin the blood sugar levels are too low, which creates convulsions, anxiety and weakness. Glucagon raises the level of sugar in the blood and works very closely with insulin in its job of maintaining proper blood sugar levels in the body.
It is a very important hormone in the body that affects weight, mood, and blood sugar levels. Insulin is the hormone responsible for glucose metabolism and is the catalyst for the uptake of glucose. It controls how fat is either stored or used as fuel. People who are insulin resistant are in a sense starved at the cellular level. The glucose isn’t able to enter the cells as readily as it should. The pancreas gets the signal that not enough insulin is produced and an overproduction of glucose and insulin accumulates in the blood.
The cells in our body have receptor sites on them, specifically for insulin. When the insulin attaches to the cell it activates other receptors on the cell to absorb glucose-yes, sugar-from the blood. There are people who don’t make insulin naturally in the body. Without it one can be starving to death even thought they eat adequate amounts of food because the cells can’t ingest the glucose used for energy in the brain and the body. People who experience Type 1 diabetes don’t make insulin and need to get it through a pump or shots.
Craving carbohydrates is related to the level of insulin in our blood. When our insulin is low we crave carbohydrates. Women especially before their periods crave carbs even more because of the drop in estrogen levels. Lower estrogen levels create craving for carbs and the usual one is chocolate.
Melatonin-Pineal Gland:
Did you ever wonder what causes you to fall asleep, stay asleep each night and awake in the morning? Did you ever think that it had to do with a hormone produced by a very tiny gland in the brain called the Pineal Gland? The more we discover about the power these hormones have the more we realize how important they are to supporting a healthy balance inside and outside of our body.
Melatonin may be more important than we might know. Melatonin is produced in the Pineal Gland found in the brain, as well as tiny amounts in the intestines and the retina. But what affects how much melatonin is produced? Light and dark which is detected by the retina in the eye. Light from the sun or daylight inhibits production of melatonin increasing feelings of alertness and wakefulness. Melatonin is stimulated when it is dark, which in turn decreases heart rate and body temperature preparing one to feel sleepy.
There are receptors for melatonin in the pituitary gland, intestinal tract, ovaries and blood vessels and they have an effect on our biological rhythms. Melatonin stimulates the release of female hormones and plays a big role in the onset, duration and intensity of the menstrual cycle. Melatonin also helps with mating and breeding responses in animals.
When you get regular restful sleep do you notice how calm and relaxed you are? Melatonin has a relationship with serotonin. Melatonin is synthesized from Tryptophan and is then converted into serotonin, which we know helps stabilize our moods. Getting to sleep before midnight has an important effect on the strength of your immune system and prolactin production. It is suggested that getting to bed by 9p.m. allowing 3 hours of sleep before midnight greatly improves your immunity and can add years to your life. Melatonin can do wonders for longevity because of its ability to counteract free radicals with its antioxidants.
When we are not sleeping well, are over stressed, traveling and working long hours, we canexperiencea drop in melatonin levels. The Pineal gland is very aware of the age of our body and as we do age it stops producing the same amounts of melatonin in preparation for death and decay. We can see how developing a healthy sleep pattern and life style along with balanced melatonin levels can enhance and support our immune system, rev up our vitality and help keep us feeling and looking young as we age and grow in wisdom.
Human Growth Hormone-Pituitary Gland:
What does the human growth hormone do? Help you grow right? Did you know that if you have too much growth hormone as a child you would experience gigantism and if you have too little dwarfism is a result. The balance of the Human Growth Hormone in our body seems to be very important. Factors that affect the levels of the growth hormone in the blood are diet, exercise, emotional stress and sleep.
This hormone is a protein that is produced in the Pituitary gland, a pea sized gland within the brain and does its work at night after we are asleep sending surges of growth hormone into the blood that travels to the liver where it is converted into insulin. From the liver the insulin called IGF-1 acts as a messenger to initiate our body to grow cells, muscles, organs, and bones and it also aids how the body metabolizes the food we eat.
Human growth hormone drastically drops by the age of 60 and some of the symptoms of HGH deficiency are fatigue, thinning bones, skin that thins, sags and begins to wrinkle, lowered immunity, decrease in libido, stamina and heart function as well as muscle and hair loss. A decrease in HGH also adds to symptoms of depression, anxiety and increased body fat percentage.
When people with low levels of Human Growth Hormone supplement their deficiency they can experience a magnificent full body change. The biggest being a leaner body shape. Their muscle mass increases, fat seems to melt away, the skin gets thicker and more elastic and bone density increases. And many feel that they have an overall greater sense of vitality and zest for life.
Our directory of specialists concentrate on a preventive medical approach that helps put an end to suffering and effects caused by stress induced adrenal fatigue, signs of early menopause, menopause, perimenopause and andropause (the male menopause).
Bioidentical hormone doctors can provide you with all of the safety information, answer all your questions, clear up all of your doubts, inform you about symptoms, hormone testing and provide the general guidance you need. You need to be fully informed before making the final decision.
A qualified doctor can provide the possibility of enjoying an active, happy and healthy life, by fighting all of the uncomfortable effects of menopause and hormone imbalance.
Bioidentical hormone doctors can provide you with all of the safety information, answer all your questions, clear up all of your doubts, inform you about symptoms, hormone testing and provide the general guidance you need. You need to be fully informed before making the final decision.
A qualified doctor can provide the possibility of enjoying an active, happy and healthy life, by fighting all of the uncomfortable effects of menopause and hormone imbalance.
