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Hormones are
biological chemicals produced primarily by the endocrine glands.
These are the pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus,
pancreas, adrenals, and ovaries. The
endocrine glands and the hormones they produce interact with each other
in very complex manners to regulate, control, and coordinate a variety
of bodily functions and systems.
The best
known female hormones are estrogen and progesterone.
These are part of the steroid hormone family.
Steroid hormones are made from cholesterol and synthesized in
the ovaries, adrenals, and various tissues such as fat, skin, brain,
liver, and uterus. The
steroid hormones are responsible for sexual development, fertility,
reproduction, and stress management.
Thus, they play a central role in energy levels, stress levels,
blood sugar levels, and overall emotional functioning. |
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As
mentioned, all the hormones work together in the body.
In an ideal situation they are at specific levels and
relationships with each other. When
hormones get out of balance, the body gets out of balance, and various
symptoms are presented. The
endocrine system is usually the first bodily system affected by
nutritional deficiencies. A variety of vitamins and minerals are required to make
hormones. When these are
lacking, the body suffers.
Estrogen is
made primarily in the ovaries and in fat cells.
The fat cells become the primary site in menopausal women. There
are actually three types of estrogen – estrone, estrodial, and
estriol. So, it is
important to understand these levels and relationships as well.
Progesterone is made in the ovaries, adrenal glands, brain, and
peripheral nerves. One of
its main missions is to balance estrogen.
Sometimes a
woman will be deficient in estrogen.
She may experience hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood
swings, poor memory, vaginal dryness, bladder and urinary irritations
or infections, headaches, migraines, decreased sexual response,
depression, or lack of stamina. Her risk for osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease is
increased. Women may also
have too much estrogen in relationship to progesterone.
This condition is called estrogen dominance. In this case she may experience heavy bleeding, clotting,
cramping, water retention, breast issues (tenderness, lumpiness, cystic
breasts, enlarged breasts, or fibrocystic breasts), weight gain,
headaches, migraines, emotional instability, depression, anxiety,
anger, decreased sexual response, thyroid dysfunction, cold hands and
feet, blood sugar instability, sweet cravings, insomnia, gall bladder
dysfunction, or acne.
Sometimes a
woman will be deficient in progesterone.
Note many of these symptoms are similar to estrogen dominance.
She may experience PMS, heavy bleeding, clotting, cramping,
memory problems, muscle tension, fibromyalgia, water retention,
insomnia, breast issues (tenderness, lumpiness, cystic breasts), weight
gain, thyroid dysfunction, acne, headaches, migraines, anxiety,
moodiness, hot flashes, depression, decreased sexual response,
irregular periods, or spotting. A
situation of excess progesterone is less common, so will not be
discussed here.
Progesterone
only functions correctly when it is in the correct proportion with
estrogen. They work
together. While a woman is
cycling, the proportions change throughout the cycle.
When menopausal, the proportion should stay fairly constant.
This
discussion is only scratching the surface of female hormones, but is
intended to provide a basic understanding and serve as a starting point
for your personal exploration of what may be happening in your body.
If you currently suffer from any of the symptoms described above
please be aware that this does not have to be the case.
As mentioned, the endocrine system is one of the first to be
impacted by nutrient deficiencies.
Once specific hormone levels and relationships are determined a
nutritional program can be developed to provide what the body needs to
once again produce and manage hormones and have you feeling youthful
and energetic.
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