Getting your hormonal balance back
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of losing weight?
I鈥檒l bet it is belly fat. I鈥檒l bet for many people a close second is cutting out 鈥渏unk鈥� foods and extra calories. These are understandable associations borne of experience, and media/cultural influence. No doubt, drastically reducing junk food such as refined sugar will have a noticeable impact on how you look and feel.
But did you know that both men and women are tremendously affected by the natural balance of hormones, particularly estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone? There is increasingly convincing and well-documented evidence that a significant imbalance of these telltale hormones can and will have devastating effects on our bodies, our mood, our energy level, and our overall health.
Allow me to introduce my acquaintances Xenoestrogens and Phytoestrogens. These are known as estrogen-mimickers, meaning that although they are, in fact, not hormones, they disrupt the body蘑菇视频 hormonal balance just the same as if they were. If that is not enough to get your attention, it turns out that they are virtually everywhere: they exist in both organic and inorganic forms. That is why there are two distinct names. Xenoestrogens are chemicals, and Phytoestrogens are plants. These foreign substances harm us by attaching to our hormonal receptors, and fooling our bodies into thinking they are real, thereby wreaking havoc on our hormonal balance. One of the most commonly resulting condition is estrogen dominance.
This is where the estrogen/progesterone balance is off. Usually the estrogen is in excessive quantity. This condition has been found statistically associated with reduced sperm count in men, and breast cancer in women. These compounds also disrupt what is called the endocrine system, which includes the adrenals and thyroid.
These disruptions of balance and organs result in numerous negative effects, most notably including excess belly fat in men and women, which is repeatedly associated with nearly all the most common fatal conditions such as cancer and heart disease. What this says is that while it is desirable and necessary to eat well, and get an adequate amount of physical activity, those measures alone will not fix a body that is out of balance hormonally. Moreover, these chemicals are found in an alarmingly long list of places all around us. It is therefore prudent to take note of the most prevalent offenders.
Byproducts of the plastic and pesticide industries鈥揷alled organochlorines鈥揳re one of the largest sources of xenoestrogens. These substances accumulate in fatty human tissue and fluid such as breasts and breast milk. In fact, it has been known for many years that plastic-bottled water is a major source of these leached chemicals鈥specially if the bottle has been exposed to sunlight and/or heat. NEVER microwave plastic for that reason alone!
For that reason alone, I recommend avoiding bottled water, or any other beverage in plastic whenever possible. I personally load up a cooler with glass jars full of water filtered in my house. By doing so I am saving money on the cost of water (which is astronomical if you consider how much we pay for a typical bottle of commercial water per gallon), and I am protecting myself from a top source of fake estrogen. Just to give a very basic idea of the many places these types of chemicals exist, consider this short list, which is only the proverbial tip of the iceberg:
n Any plastic storage container: use and buy food in glass containers where possible;
n Fabric softeners;
n Most laundry detergents (buy chemical and fragrance free);
n Nail polish and remover;
n Most perfumes;
n New carpet 鈥� always open the windows and allow it to off-gas when possible;
n Fiberboard (particle board) used in many new homes; and
n Copier and printer toner.
You can easily find longer and more comprehensive lists of these with an internet search.
As far as the phytoestrogens in food, at the top of the list are the following: Soy, caffeine, red clover, alfalfa and hormones injected into non-organic animal meat and dairy.
However, I have come across very convincing evidence that clover and alfalfa are no longer harmful when sprouted; in fact most seeds are more healthy and bio-available when soaked and sprouted. FYI: the part about soaking also goes for nuts, especially almonds.
There are also serious sources that suggest non-GMO fermented soy is alright. However, to my knowledge research is conflicting, so for now I advocate eating soy in moderation, if at all. It is my understanding that the steamed edamame form of soy beans commonly offered at Japanese restaurants is okay (non-GMO version only).
By now you are perhaps feeling overwhelmed, hoping for some 鈥済ood news鈥� in all of this. Well here it is: there are a number of natural dietary ways to protect against, and neutralize these hormone-disruptors. As stated above elimination of the offending substances is the indisputable first step. After that, consider adding foods from the following list. These are known to either neutralize the effects of the harmful chemicals, or in some cases actually remove excess estrogen to restore balance:
n Cruciferous veggies including kale, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts
n Flax (seeds are best used fresh soaked for about an hour and then dried and ground);
n Lentils (I cook a container full, and put them on my salads all week);
n Pomegranate;
n Turmeric (found in curry spice); and
n Apples (organic).
As with most topics I write about, a world of further knowledge is available via books and internet. Please feel free to follow up on your own if you desire more information.
Meantime, I hope this was a helpful beginning toward your reclaiming your hormonal balance.
Until next time, be well, and be patient with yourself.