It is becoming more and more difficult to be a good hormone detoxifier, thanks to hormone-related issues, which are on the rise. We see many of these in our practice in clients of all ages and both genders, but more commonly in women.
Symptoms of these imbalances are as follows:
• Acne and amenorrhea in teenage girls
• PCOS and infertility in those of childbearing age
• Menopause-related symptoms like hot flashes and insomnia
• Hormone-mediated cancers in post-menopausal women
• Increased abdominal fat and loss of libido in middle-aged men
• Weight gain
All of these symptoms relate to our body’s ability to metabolize hormones and its interaction with our lifestyle and diet.
Genes Are Not Your Destiny
Many genes play a role in our body’s ability to metabolize hormones – make them, get them to the right place, detoxify them, and eliminate them from our bodies in safe ways.
For some of us, our bodies don’t make enough hormones, while others’ make too many or recycle them against our favor. Some of us are more prone to making more dangerous metabolites of hormone synthesis, while others cannot get rid of hormones after they are made.
The sciences of epigenetics and nutrigenomics – how our environment and the food we eat can influence gene expression – have clearly shown that we have much more control over our health than we previously thought. While hormone-related imbalances are rooted in our genetic predisposition, a proper diet and lifestyle can trump genetics.
Things You Can Do
Luckily, readily available, low-risk interventions can help us with a variety of hormone-related issues.
- Check for hormones in your food, personal care products and medications. We may be consuming hormone-like substances through our medications, the food we eat, the personal care products we use, or the synthetic chemicals we come in contact with, such as those found in plastic bottles.
- When choosing protein, opt for lower-fat wild game, especially if you suffer from one of the conditions mentioned above or are struggling with another hormone-related issue. Examples include buffalo/bison, elk,and wild boar. These types of meat, are much lower in cholesterol and fats and higher in minerals that support hormone balance.
- Get more apple pectin, psyllium or bran in your diet. These are all forms of soluble fiber that will actually help to escort hormone byproducts from our digestive tract. We all know that fiber helps to keep us “regular” and helps blunt blood glucose spikes from our meals, but this type of fiber can also play a huge role in clearing both endogenous and exogenous hormones out of the body. Avoid this if you have ulcerative colitis.
- Make sure your body’s hormone detoxification capacity is up to par, especially if you are considering hormone supplementation like birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. My favorite way to do this is by drinking cilantro cucumber juice.
Isn’t it great to know that hormone dysregulation doesn’t have to be something you’re stuck living with? Following a healthy diet and lifestyle and the tips above can go a long way in helping you enjoy optimal hormone health.
Photo from here, with thanks.
