May/June 2006
Journeys in Health
When we hear the term “hormone balancing,” we automatically
think of menopausal women. And while it's true that the hormonal changes
that occur during menopause are more dramatic, even life-altering, hormonal
imbalances can affect anyone at any time in their lives.
And while menopausal women may use herbs or supplements to ward off the
effects of hormones gone awry, in most cases the answer isn't that simple.
Balancing hormones is about as complicated as tuning an orchestra. The
complex layers and interrelations between organs, hormones and a myriad
of internal and external factors can yield anything from a sweet symphony
of health to a cacophony of symptoms. Often, the result is something in
between the two.
Some of the issues that influence hormone levels and their proper balance
in our bodies are beyond our control. The total effects of aging, including
menopause, as well as chronic or degenerative diseases are inevitable.
However, that being said, a 30- or 40-year-old shouldn't be chronically
fatigued, stressed out, depressed or totally uninterested in sex. Likewise,
while a 70- or 80-year-old may not enjoy the bloom of youth, he or she
needn't to be confined to a recliner and a bedpan.
When it comes to hormones and health, there's a spectrum of possibilities
ranging from unrealistic expectations to futile resignation. Using human
growth hormone when you're 75 in an attempt to take up Olympic ski jumping
may lean towards the unrealistic side. On the other hand, struggling through
menopause or midlife weight gain isn't necessary either. Sometimes the
smallest changes in lifestyle can balance hormones and create harmony
in the body. In other words, put a world-class violinist in a middle school
orchestra and you won't have the Berlin Philharmonic, but you will get
a better performance.
To understand what's happening in the body, let's first have a quick review
of hormones. Hormones are chemicals that are secreted by certain organs
in the body. Hundreds of these chemicals influence thousands of internal
actions in the body. Hormones essentially moderate and control cellular
behavior and activity. Some familiar examples are serotonin (not enough
and you're depressed); progesterone (diminishing levels cause the symptoms
of menopause); and testosterone, which influences overall strength and
muscle tone in both men and women.
Neurotransmitters like adrenaline and dopamine are also hormones, and
affect our feelings and ability to react physically and focus mentally.
Then there are insulin and cortisol, hormones that directly relate to
body fat and blood sugar regulation. The list goes on. Additionally, everything
we do and are—from our genetic coding to the air we breathe while
shopping at Whole Foods—affects the production and balance of our
hormones, which in turn affects our overall disposition and well-being.
So while there's no silver bullet for hormone balancing, there are some
steps we can take to ensure greater harmony in our bodies.
Finding the balance
First, how do you diagnose a hormone imbalance? Unfortunately, few definitive
scientific tests are available. With the exception of thyroid and perhaps
testosterone testing, most hormone tests deal with symptoms and not actual
hormone levels. The quickest method to determine if your hormones are
balanced is simply to notice how you feel.
“When your hormones are in balance, you feel well,” says Erika
Schwartz, M.D., author of The 30-Day Natural Hormone Plan (Warner Books,
2005). “And typically, you have energy and don't crave salty or
sweet foods. Your weight is stable, and your sleep pattern is consistent
and uninterrupted. When you wake up in the morning, you are well rested
and raring to start another day. You feel and look young and healthy.”
Conversely, when our hormones are out of balance, “We have difficulty
focusing, we get tired and stay tired, we can't catch up on sleep,”
says Schwartz. “We become insomniacs, lose interest in sex, get
bloated and gain weight. We develop aches and pains in our joints; our
skin gets wrinkled and dry; and we develop heart disease, digestive problems,
arthritis and osteoporosis.”
While there's no silver bullet that can address hormonal imbalance, simple
lifestyle changes can work wonders. For starters, get enough sleep. Many
hormones are only reproduced during sleep cycles, so enough sleep is crucial
to proper balance. Another firm recommendation is exercise. Where sleep
is needed for production of hormones, exercise is critical for regulation.
In part, regular movement brings the metabolism into balance, which helps
with everything from shedding a few extra pounds to improving heart, lung
and organ health, blood pressure and brain chemistry.
Diet is equally important. The body builds hormones out of fats, so eating
enough healthy fats is important. Fish, walnuts, flax seeds and pumpkin
seeds are good sources of essential fatty acids, especially omega-3s.
And eating right in general will help you feel better. Stick to a whole-foods
diet that's high in fruits, vegetables, legumes and lean protein, and
low in sugar and processed foods.
Going deeper, you may want to check out some web-based resources. But
be wary: browsing for advice on your particular concern—be it sleep
troubles, menopause, weight gain or post-partum depression—can yield
all kinds of results, from blogging pundits to unreadable scientific studies.
Look for sites that feature doctors, researchers or published authors;
check and see if they have a physical address and telephone, and can be
contacted for help and advice. And don't order supplements, herbs or medications
online without first consulting with your health care practitioner.
Some situations, like menopause, thyroid problems and other hormonal imbalances,
may benefit from medications though, of course, they have their downsides.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to relieve menopause symptoms, for example,
has met with much controversy, and some studies have found that it increases
the risk of breast cancer. With any medication or mainstream medical treatment
for hormone rebalancing, ask your health care practitioner for referrals
and information. Sometimes, in addition to sleep, exercise and food, all
it takes is an integrated regimen of supplements, herbs and complementary
treatments, like acupuncture, to get back on track. An experienced herbalist
or holistic practitioner may be able to help. Be sure to check their credentials
and history with hormone balancing. Word of mouth is a great way to find
a practitioner.
In most cases, just the simplest of self-care measures, like getting a
little more sleep, brings some harmony to dissonance. The more you can
live the healthy lifestyle, the sweeter the melody your hormones will
orchestrate. Don't be afraid to get help or professional advice if needed.
In the end, the more you can commit to the actions that lead to balancing
hormones, the more your bio-orchestra will come back into tune and play
a resounding symphony of health and wellness.
Chris O'Brien is a freelance writer and consultant in the areas of
health, wellness and personal success.
Natural Hormone Balancing Resources, local and beyond
For more information, visit these sites:
• The 30-Day Natural Hormone Plan, by Erika Schwartz,
MD, (Warner Books, 2005)
• www.drerika.com/EN/index.html;
Erika Schwartz, MD's site. Books, articles, links, resources, support
• www.hotzehealth-wellness.com/about_us.htm
Steven F. Hotze, MD's founda tion's site. Tons of info on treatment options
and regimens.
• www.drjudithorloff.com/;
Judith Orlof, MD's site. Focus on intuitive healing, self assessment and
awareness in rebalancing.
• www.drnorthrup.com/about.php;
Christiane Northrup, MD's site focused on women's health and hormone balacing.
• www.johnleemd.com/
John R. Lee, MD's site. Pioneer in natural progesterone creams as well
as other natural hormone balancing techniques.
• www.natural-hormone-balance.net/;
Margaret Gedde, MD, PhD's site. Practitioner in Salida, CO. Resources,
FAQ.
The following Nexus advertisers work with hormone balancing. See the
page numbers after their names for more information about the services
they offer. Also see the Nexus Calendar and Classifieds for more practitioners.
• Nita Desai, MD, 303-669-2385; page 37
• Kate Dykema, CNM, 303-788-6297; page 37
• Dr. Shanwen Gao, MS, OMD, L.Ac, Divine Physics, 303-221-0106;
page 36
• Yu Li Gao, OMD, L.Ac, Chinese Medical Clinic, 720-890-8001; page
36
• Tara Skye Goldin, ND, 303-443-2206; page 42
• Brenna Hatami, ND, 303-320-1174; page 16
• Lucia Johnson, MS, L.Ac, 303-545-5873; page 36
• Madhu Christine O’Toole, CMT, 303-430-4938; page 7
• Dr. Liu and Dr. Piefen Yan, Chi Sheng Acupuncture, 303-939-9732;
page 36
