Happy Hormones

What are Hormones?

Hormones are the chemical messengers of the body. They help to keep all our physiological systems in balance. The messages are relayed in the form of chemical reactions. For these reactions to work properly many different vitamins and minerals are needed. If we are low in some of these vitamins and minerals the hormones may not work properly and the messages will be slower and less clear. The poor function of some hormones can affect the function of other hormones. They are all interconnected and rely upon each other to maintain good health and balance. Good nutrition is vital to the function of hormones because food provides the nutrients that are the building blocks for the hormone and just as importantly provide the vitamins and minerals that help the hormones work effectively and quickly!

The Liver and Gut

The liver is important because the liver makes cholesterol and many hormones are made from cholesterol. Oestrogen and testosterone (oe-STERO-gen & testo-STERO-ne) are made from the same chemical structure of chole-STERO-l). The liver is also responsible for breaking down the hormones when the message has been sent and received. Therefore a poorly functioning liver can cause hormonal imbalances.

The gut also plays an important role is excreting the hormones from the body. Thus constipation and other issues can cause sluggish removal of hormones, further adding to the problem.

The Need for Balance

There is an intimate relationship between the levels of oestrogen, progesterone, cortisol and thyroid hormone. When there is too little or too much of one, it can lead to imbalances in the others.

Progesterone and oestrogen are two hormones made in the ovary that balance each other in menstruating women. They balance each other a bit like a see-saw. One goes up and the other goes down in a cyclical fashion. Progesterone is also a major precursor for other hormones such as cortisol, testosterone and oestrogen. If progesterone is low it can lead to imbalances in many other hormones.

When hormones are in balance they have a protective effect on our health. Progesterone for example helps to balance our weight, control our blood sugar levels, stimulate bone growth, increases sex drive, brings oxygen to our cells and helps to protect us from some cancers.

Oestrogen is like a growth hormone and is essential to a little foetus, it helps prepare the womb for fertility, it increases body fat, it retains fluid and helps our bones to grow. However in excess it can interfere with sex drive, cause headaches, depression, sugar cravings and fatigue.

Pre-Menstrual Tension (PMT)

PMT affects 90% of women. It occurs 2-14 days before menstruation begins. Over 100 different symptoms are named. The most common ones are breast tenderness, tiredness, irritability, sleep disturbance, moodiness, depression, bloating, fluid retention, spotting, low self-esteem, constipation and headaches. The severity of these symptoms can range from mild to severe. PMT is thought to be due to either an excess oestrogen or low progesterone or both.