Our body produces potent bio-chemicals that communicate messages to various cells, maintaining a balance. These are hormones that are released by different glands located in the body to regulate blood sugar, sleep, energy, metabolism, mood, and fertility among others. Several factors influence our hormonal production. Nutrient deficiency, extreme stress, infections, and autoimmune diseases can cause glandular damage, which results in hormonal dysfunction.
A damaged pancreas stops secreting insulin that takes up glucose from the blood, resulting in insulin insufficiency, or diabetes type 1. Malfunctioning thyroid glands either produce too much of the hormone thyroxine leading to overactive metabolism, weight loss, mood swings and increased heart rate, whereas too little of the hormone can result in slow metabolism, weight gain, constipation, lethargy, mental confusion and high cholesterol. Such thyroid imbalances can be detected through blood tests. Low levels of the amino acid tyrosine or iodine can wreak havoc in the body. Another function of the thyroid glands is producing the hormone calcitonin to balance calcium in the body. With the help of parathormone (PTH) from parathyroid glands, vitamin D is converted into a hormone that makes calcium readily available for bone structure and nerve and muscle responses.
Ovarian and testicular dysfunctions can throw sex hormones off balance. Decreased estrogen levels in women can lead to insomnia, early aging, infertility, depressive moods, body aches, brittle bones, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. On the other hand, excess estrogen can augment the possibility of fibroids, ovarian cysts and breast cancer. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), decreased sex drive, sweet cravings, heavy menstruation, weight gain, water retention, tender breasts and depression are usually indicators of estrogen dominance. This can be due to the use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), exposure to estrogenic substances found in hormone-fed meat, dairy products, soft plastic, pesticides, or insufficient progesterone uptake, or both occurring simultaneously. Both sexes with low testosterone levels can lose their sex drive, develop depression and become more susceptible to diabetes and heart disease. Such hormonal imbalances can be corrected by dietary supplements.
Growth hormone, also called the “fountain of youth hormone”, normally decreases with age, giving way to age-related symptoms. It is responsible for the repair of different body tissues and proper insulin sensitivity; both of which contribute to keeping us young. Adequate sleep induces the production of the growth hormone and that is when tissue repair occurs. Eight to nine hours of restful sleep can result in higher levels of this hormone. Stress, on the other hand, can diminish the hours of deep sleep. Some herbal teas, such as chamomile, valerian and passionflower, enhance sleep. Moderate activity, too, promotes the production of the growth hormone as well as sleep. Some studies have indicated that those who have sex three times weekly can have a higher elevation of this hormone than those who do not.
The stress hormones adrenalin, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are produced by the body in response to emergencies to provide oxygen and glucose to the muscles, to enhance mental and physical reactions and to increase the blood’s ability to clot faster in case of injury. The continuous stimulation of these hormones can destabilize the sex hormone balance or the thyroid glands, thereby affecting the metabolism and the calcium balance, leading to arthritis. With prolonged stress, stress hormones get depleted and need to be replenished with vitamin supplements.
The following recommendations can help maintain hormones at desired levels.
• Review your diet and make it as nutritious as possible. Essential fatty acids, nuts, seeds and their cold-pressed oils should become part of your diet. On the other hand, avoid saturated and animal fats.
• Buy organically grown vegetables and fruit and free-range chicken, eggs and meat. Beware of dairy products of hormone-fed cattle as well.
• Avoid using soft plastic containers or plastic cling directly on soft, acid or fatty foods; they get contaminated by the chemical (dioxin) components in plastic.
• Reduce the intake of stimulants such as coffee and tea to a minimum.
• When you are under continuous stress, make sure you eat enough fresh organic vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds. If you are unable to reach the optimal levels of vitamins and minerals through diet, take supplements of vitamins C and B complex and the minerals magnesium, zinc and biotin along with essential fatty acids.
• Moderate regular exercise is essential to enhance hormone production. Activity is recommended for general health at all times.
• Sleep is a critical factor in generating the growth hormone for tissue repair and adequate insulin sensitivity.
(Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to [email protected].)
