Hormones are chemicals that are produced by glands in the endocrine system. Hormones travel through the bloodstream to the tissues and organs, delivering messages that tell the organs what to do and when to do it.
Hormonal imbalances occur when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream. Even small hormonal imbalances can cause side effects throughout the body. Women may experience imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels, while men are more likely to experience imbalances in testosterone levels. Because hormones are important for regulating most major bodily processes, a hormonal imbalance can affect a wide range of bodily functions, such as:
- metabolism and appetite
- heart rate
- sleep cycles
- reproductive cycles and sexual function
- general growth and development
- mood and stress levels
- body temperature
Symptoms of a Hormonal Imbalance
Hormone imbalance symptoms vary greatly depending on the hormone, but can include:
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Hot flashes
- Sleep issues
- Sensitivities to cold and heat
- Changes in blood pressure or heart rate
- Mood disorders including irritability, depression, and anxiety
- Fatigue
- Appetite changes
- Changes in sex drive
Causes of Hormonal Imbalances
While everyone experiences hormonal imbalances or fluctuations at some point, they can also occur when endocrine glands are not functioning properly. Numerous culprits contribute to these hormonal imbalances, and sometimes they overlap. Included are the following:
- Chronic stress
- Nutrient deficiencies
- An underactive or overactive gland (such as the thyroid gland)
- Overweight or obesity
- Poor diet and nutrition
- Toxins and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals including pesticides
Natural Treatments
The good news is while hormonal imbalances sometimes require working with a physician, there are effective ways to balance your hormones naturally. One of the very first places to start is with your eating habits.. A hormone-balancing diet includes the right foods to keep your blood sugar levels steady and optimize insulin levels. When you support a healthy diet with the right nutrients and lifestyle factors, you can dramatically improve hormone levels. Here are some suggestions…
1. Cut down on or eliminate sugar and other food sensitivities
Sugar keeps insulin elevated, knocking other hormones out of balance and paving the way for insulin resistance. Food sensitivities, such as gluten-intolerance, can also increase inflammation and contribute to hormonal imbalances, including elevated cortisol levels. Research shows that a healthy gluten-free diet can reduce inflammation and insulin resistance. Consider working with a Board Certified Nutrition Expert or other healthcare professional to develop an elimination diet to see if your symptoms improve.
2. De-stress
Chronic stress is bad news for hormonal balance. Research has shown that six-months of practicing meditation 2 times per week can improve stress levels. Other effective methods to de-stress could include yoga, deep breathing, or taking your dog for a walk. Find something you enjoy and that works best for you. If you need some extra help taking the edge off, try NeuroCalm – natural support for relaxation and mental calm…
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904-834-2337
3. Eliminate heavy metals toxicity
Contamination of our environment is, unfortunately, a common by-product of modern society. Toxic elements called heavy metals are known to accumulate in our soil, water, air and food. Examples of heavy metals are lead, arsenic, uranium, cadmium, mercury, and aluminum.
Repeated exposure to these toxins can result in significant health risks. Heavy metal toxicity may cause or contribute to a number of unwanted symptoms including: hormone imbalance, anemia, learning deficits, behavior changes, tremors and many more.
At Science Based Wellness we can perform the appropriate diagnostic testing to detect the presence of heavy metals in your body. Then we will design a plan that may include specialized testing and safe, oral chelation to decrease the toxic burden of these substances on your body and help you identify the source of your exposure to those element.
Natural detox products like Liposomal Glutathione can help. Learn more about our heavy metals testing here.
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904-834-2337
4. Lower inflammation
Hormonal imbalances can increase inflammation, which can further disrupt hormone production. When your adrenals over-secrete cortisol, other hormones, including insulin, become disrupted, leading to chronic inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet is your best bet to lower inflammation. If you aren’t regularly eating fish that contain healthy omega 3s, consider a high quality fish oil to get those crucial anti-inflammatory fatty acids.
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904-834-2337
5. Get better sleep
Sleep disturbances can contribute to numerous problems including hormonal imbalances. Optimal sleep levels can be a challenge in today’s plugged-in society. Try turning off electronics an hour or two before bed, unwind with an Epsom salt bath, and consider a natural supplement like GABA that helps you fall and stay asleep…
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904-834-2337
6. Exercise regularly
The right amount and kind of exercise can positively impact nearly every hormone, including positively influencing insulin levels. Exercise can also boost growth hormone, your “fountain of youth” hormone that keeps you lean and energetic. Low impact exercises like walking, riding bikes, stretches, and swimming work well and create less havoc on your joints.
7. Natural supplements
No one should have to live with the unpleasant symptoms of hormonal balances like fatigue, mood disorders, and low sex drive. At the same time, the right diet, nutrients, and lifestyle factors, along with working with a board certified nutritionist can go a long way towards balancing hormones naturally.
We have selected an array of natural supplements below to help combat the symptoms of hormone imbalance.
All supplements are available by calling our office at 904-834-2337. Shipping is available.
Balance helps to maintain a healthy menstrual cycle and promotes progesterone to
estrogen balance
is formulated for women in order to ease any potential unpleasant effects of hormone imbalances
DIM Enhanced
DIM Enhanced with curcumin, green tea and wasabia,
is designed to support healthy estrogen
hormone balance and immune health.
Learn more about natural help for hormone imbalance in the video below
For questions on any of our products or services please call 904-834-2337 or visit our website at www.sciencewellness.net
Yours in health,
Dr. Steven M Nickels, DC, NMD, DACBN, DCBCN