Hormones

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One of the many things that I do is balance out hormones. I have a saying, “hormones rule.” There are more than 150 hormones working in the body every day. Hormones are secreted by the pituitary gland, thyroid, hypothalamus, ovaries, testes, kidneys, heart, small intestines and even tissue fat. The pituitary gland is the master controller of hormones and that is located in the brain.  There are many things that can throw off hormones including sleep problems, a lack of nutrients, diseases, alcohol and drugs, toxins, and physical and/or emotional stress.

When the hormones are out of balance, numerous health problems can arise. It can cause symptoms like hair loss, acne, aches and pains, crashing fatigue, weight gain, and excess fat storage. Other issues include diabetes, PCOS, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and possibly Alzheimer's disease.

First let's talk about 3 primary hormones that affect the other more well-known hormones.

Insulin

When a person excessively eats simple carbohydrates (like bread, pasta, cookies and even fruit), the body responds by making more insulin.  Insulin is the chaperone that escorts sugar into cells to be used for energy.  Over time, excessive carbohydrate consumption will cause the cells in the body to become resistant to the signal insulin is sending to the cells.  This insulin resistance causes the pancreas to produce more and more insulin hoping to get the sugar out of the blood stream.  With excessive insulin production, the body then responds by signaling the sugar to be turned into fat.  That's right, too much insulin is also the signal to make fat.  So, insulin resistance and excessive carbohydrate consumption will eventually lead to fat storage.

In women, insulin takes cholesterol and makes testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. It goes down 21 enzymatic steps to make testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. Insulin is the gatekeeper as to which of these 3 hormones that you produce in excess. There is an aromatase enzyme involved but this is complicated. When insulin levels are high in women, they produce estrogen and reduce testosterone and progesterone production. But depending on the age when this starts, some women produce more testosterone and reduce estrogen and progesterone. This is PCOS. Many women are put on long term birth control to address this, but decades of birth control use can lead to serious health issues. I am seeing this in women who come to me. And even if everything is balanced, many of the women have gained excess fat. This fat stores estrogen and reduces progesterone and testosterone at some point in time, causing the hormone imbalance. 

As there are many causes of insulin resistance, I deal with each on a case by case basis.

Cortisol

Cortisol is the fight or flight hormone produced by the adrenal glands.  It's what has kept us alive since the beginning of time by raising blood sugar and allowing us to fight or flee from danger such as a wild animal.  It also raises the heart rate in the process. After we deal with the threat, the cortisol actually helps clean up the inflammation and other damaging effects of the stress response.

Unfortunately, in today's society, cortisol stays elevated in the body and becomes chronic unresolved stress. This chronic condition damages the body and can cause rapid aging, depression, adrenal fatigue, loneliness and burnout, weight gain, joint pain, muscle aches, and even impairs immunity. Most of the damage is caused by the increased inflammation.

Progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, are negatively affected by this high cortisol. The high cortisol increases weight by triggering fat storing enzymes in the fat cells usually in the belly area.  It also raises blood sugar levels and keeps them high. This is one way that creates insulin resistance. Lastly it affects food cravings especially for carbs and sweets when you are feeling sad or moody, and crunchy salty things when you're feeling stressed and irritated. 

For women in menopause it causes insomnia, mood swings, anxiety, weight gain, night sweats, hot flashes, and more. 

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is one of the feel-good hormones, the hormone of love, bonding, and connection. It's also an anti-aging hormone. Oxytocin and cortisol are polar opposites. When cortisol is high oxytocin is low and when oxytocin is high cortisol is low. Burn out, PTSD and chronic stress are from high cortisol and low oxytocin, causing feelings of withdrawal and disconnecting. Besides feeling happier with elevated oxytocin, research has shown that when oxytocin is high people feel full and satisfied after a meal. People will notice that they are less hungry when oxytocin is higher. 

Take a look at the hormone symptoms and make a note of what you feel is going on.

Symptoms #1

Mood swings, irritability, depression, irregular periods, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, water retention, weight gain in the hips thighs and tummy, poor sleep quality, decreased libido, headaches, fatigue, short-term memory loss, poor concentration, thinning of scalp hair, dry thin wrinkly skin, increased facial hair, bone & mineral loss, osteoporosis, aches and pains.

 Symptoms #2

Mental fogginess or forgetfulness, depression, anxiety, moodiness, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, decreased libido, dry eyes skin and vagina, loss of skin radiance, sagging breasts, pain during intercourse, weight gain, increased back and joint pain, heart palpitations, headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort, poor sleep quality.

 Symptoms #3

 Increased insulin resistance, increase activity of lipoprotein lipase- an enzyme that increases fat storage, loss of muscle tissue and muscle strength, decreased production of growth hormone, high cortisol levels in the blood, sugar cravings, lower calorie expenditure, weight gain, 21-hydroxylase deficiency- a short supply of an enzyme needed to convert cholesterol into cortisol, estrogen deficiency symptoms (see above).

 Symptoms #4

Luteal phase defects - Abnormal endometrial development, infertility and ovulation problems,  breast tenderness, depression, anxiety, fatigue, poor concentration, endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts, PMS and mood swings, PCOS, headaches, fibroids, water retention and bloating, weight gain, breast and uterine cancer, cold body temperature, menstrual flow changes.

 Symptoms #5

Acne, hair growth, aggression, temporary hair loss, PCOS, infertility, diabetes, heart disease risk, breast cancer risk.

 Symptoms #6

 Decreased libido, early senility, memory problems, reduced mental power, poor concentration, moodiness, depression, fatigue and weakness, passive attitude, irritability, less interest in normal activities, hypochondria.

Neurotransmitters are the next consideration. Read on to see if some of the symptoms of an imbalance of neurotransmitters might resonate with you.

Neurotransmitters are powerful chemical messengers, just like hormones, and the levels are affected by hormonal imbalances. So when neurotransmitters are out of balance this affects mood, cognition, attitude, coping skills, energy, sleep, overall health, and more.

Neuro #1

Serotonin is the relaxing and calming neurotransmitter. It makes us feel good. When estrogen levels lower, levels of serotonin drop. As a result, we tend to feel moodier, easily irritated, and our appetite increases. What you eat can and will help this imbalance.

 Neuro #2

 Dopamine is a powerful neurotransmitter that affects pleasure and motivation. High levels of dopamine give you enthusiasm and drive. Falling levels are linked to a sense of emptiness, sadness, irritation, and boredom. When dopamine is released, it triggers the production of testosterone which is critical for sex drive in both men and women.

Neuro #3

 Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) gives your brain the peace and calm it needs. Progesterone acts on GABA receptors in the brain, but as progesterone declines with 

age, so does GABA. You're then prone to anxiety, depression, and poor sleep. Do not supplement with GABA, it does not cross the blood brain barrier and can have negative effects on blood sugar. There are much better ways to address this.

Most of these issues can be rectified with a proper specific nutrition and supplementation plan. To get a better understanding of what's going on with hormones, I use blood tests and questionnaires. Reach out for any questions so we can help you improve your health! 

 

Michael Padula- Human Performance Authority. www.HPA.Coach Michael@HPA.Coach

201.248.2014