Hormone imbalance is often an upstream root cause of many of the health problems my clients face. Yet so much of what we hear oversimplifies hormone dynamics. Sure, distilling information down to its core pearls is a worthy goal. But often, educators simplify information to the point of losing the truth and end up promoting misleading myths or, worse, counterproductive remedies.
This week, I invite you to check out one of the most interesting and pearl-packed videos I’ve ever seen on the interconnected dynamics of hormones. Plus, there’s no fluff. This is crisp, succinct detail sans oversimplification! In this video, Dr. Carrie Jones ND, medical director of Precision Analytical, shares the most powerful pearls she’s learned after viewing thousands of tests and supporting patients with hormone imbalance.
To whet your appetite, did you know…
- Body fat makes its own hormones-–including cortisol and estrogen. Yes, fat is endocrine tissue! (For the geeks out there like me, check this out!).
- The phrase “adrenal fatigue” is really a misnomer. Sure, you can be (and often are) exhausted due to low cortisol. But that’s not because your adrenal gland is “broken,” “tired,” or unable to perform. Your body is actually trying to *help you* by limiting your access to cortisol.
- A low cortisol level in lab work often does not mean low adrenal output. It’s just that the body is converting most of its cortisol to cortisone.
- For women, a high insulin-producing diet can increase the level of enzymes that produce dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the most potent androgen. In turn, these higher enzyme levels can promote Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), hair loss, and other dynamics. That same enzyme (5-alpha-reductase) will also accelerate the breakdown of both progesterone and cortisol, thus reducing their levels.
- There are many lifestyle choices that can suppress the brain’s ability to trigger to our glands to produce hormones such as cortisol and sex hormones, among others. A surprising lifestyle choice is the use of Accutane, and the effect can last a long time after one stops the drug!
- What you do in the hour before bedtime matters more than you ever may have realized! I call this “sleep hygiene,” and it is by far one of the most powerful concepts you can take in.
I hope this serves you well!
By Shanti Pappas
Certified Holistic Health Coach and Functional Medicine Nutritionist.
Happy Belly Health®
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