Reset Your Hormones for Improved Health

Hormones affect everything, from blood sugar to blood pressure, growth/fertility, sex drive, metabolism, and even sleep. Their influence goes as far as changing the way we think and act day to day.

At least 80% of us will struggle with a hormone problem in our lifetime, significant enough to cause disruption in our life quality, career, and overall health. A field of science called exposome science shows us how this interconnectedness shapes our neurobiology, endocrinology, immunology, microbiology and more. This approach allows for individualized and personalized medicine.

At Empowered Health, we strive to uncover the root cause for imbalances that can prevent the potential long-term consequences of improperly treated health imbalances. 

What are hormones?

Hormones are chemical messengers. We have hormone receptors all over the body. We need to balance and address all systems because they all communicate with one another. One of the most common misconceptions about hormones is that there is nothing we can do to improve them.

In fact, there are many lifestyle components that can be tailored to the individual’s unique condition. The important part is to determine root cause by checking these in lab work to be able to balance all the key areas. In turn, this will improve energy, metabolism and overall health.

In considering the hormones, we are talking about the sex hormones, thyroid hormones, insulin, and cortisol secreted by the adrenal glands. There are many things that can contribute to hormone imbalance, such as imbalances in the gut microbiome, altered nutrition, insulin resistance and nutrient levels.

How do we balance our hormones for improved energy and maintaining a healthy weight?

• Food first. It is so important to remove all processed sugars and starches from your diet along with adding 5-7 servings of phytonutrients (plant based colorful foods) daily. These super foods maximize the detoxification process in every cell. Foods that are rich in B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants (phytonutrients) help boost these detox pathways. Alcohol is just sugar in a different form, moderation and limitation is important. The important part is to feed your gut microbiome while removing the foods that can destroy or alter it. Increasing fiber, eating whole, real foods is key for improving gut function and optimizing hormones. 

• Avoid/remove toxins like plastics, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, electronic waste, and food additives can play in disrupting the gut microbiome. These are called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) for a reason, they disrupt the hormonal systems in place. Also, ensuring your water is filtered. 

• Improve sleep. Strive for 7-9 restorative hours (for adults). Sleep is the time that the body is cleaning up and repairing itself. The levels of several hormones fluctuate according to light and dark cycles. Sleep disturbance negatively impacts hormonal rhythms and metabolism. Under poor sleep conditions, you are at risk for becoming insulin resistant, imbalances of hunger/satiety chemicals that can lead to overindulging and weight gain, increased risk of high blood pressure, higher levels of inflammatory chemicals increasing risk for heart disease, changes in mood that can lead to anxiety and/or depression, lowered libido, and a weakened immune system. 

• Stress reduction. Stress can lead to changes in the levels of many hormones that can lead to thyroid disorders, imbalanced sex hormones for men and women, increased levels of cortisol (fight or flight stress chemical), increased insulin and glucose levels, strain on the cardiovascular system. Increasing yoga or meditation/breath work daily can reset these imbalances paired with other improved lifestyle factors. 

• Intermittent fasting. The idea of eating dinner 2-3 hours prior to sleep and then not eating again until the morning and “fasting” for 12 hours is the simple concept of intermittent fasting. This is the time that the body is repairing itself, regenerating new cells while cleaning up old cells. This drives down insulin and glucose levels, while improving the sex hormones, weight loss, and improving stamina/energy.

To get started on your path to improved wellness learn more about memberships at Empowered Health or sign up for an inquiry call here.

References

Romm, A. (2021). Hormone intelligence: The complete guide to calming hormone chaos and restoring your body’s natural blueprint for well-being. Harper Collins Publisher. 

Singh, M. (2021). Rescue your health. How new advances in science can help you feel better, boost performance, and live longer. MCBW Wellness LLC.