The symptoms of hormone dysfunction include dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), infertility, lowered libido, uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breast disease, chronic headaches, fatigue, insomnia, menopausal problems, hot flashes, weight gain, etc.
Long-term when these dysfunctions are not corrected they lead to major cancers such as breast, uterine and ovarian for women and prostate and colon for men.
Typical medical treatments such as birth control pills for younger women dealing with menstrual problems and older women with excessive bleeding, infertility treatments and hormone replacement have all been shown to dramatically increase the risk of cancer.
Bio identical hormone replacement is a much better option; however you can help by also addressing the most important question that needs to be asked which is: why are my hormones unbalanced and what do I do to improve their function?
In my years of experience working with hundreds of individuals with these problems I have found the answer is a combination of toxicity and deficiency.
Environmental toxins wreak havoc upon our bodies’ hormones and deficiencies in critical fatty acids and key detoxifying nutrients result in an abundance of synthetic hormones masquerading as the real thing. Our body has challenges adjusting to this and the various symptoms are a result.
The following steps are extremely important and will dramatically benefit your health. However, some individuals have such damage to their hormonal systems they will need further testing and recommendations to correct the cause and balance their hormones naturally.
1. Change the Meat You Eat
Typical commercialized meat, dairy and poultry are loaded with antibiotics, synthetic hormones and pesticides and other toxic chemicals. They are also loaded with inflammatory omega 6 fats and are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids. The net accumulation is massively toxic and destructive to hormone function. The synthetic hormones act to mimic estrogen except they do not act the same in the body.
Expert Analysis: Stay away from grain-fed beef, all pork/pig products, processed chicken, turkey, eggs and farmed fish. Stick with 100% grass-fed beef, bison, buffalo, lamb, and venison. 100% grass-fed raw goat and cow cheese is great. Organic free-range chicken, turkey, eggs and duck are all great. Stay away from any processed meat (even if it says natural) that contains a bunch of chemicals and preservatives in the ingredient list.
Vital Info: Investing in healthy animal products is essential for you health and for the health of the entire world. Commercialized animal farms are highly destructive because they massively pollute the planet and are not sustainable. These farms also practice cruel and tortuous treatment. Good farms that feed animals grass and allow them free roaming are sustainable and healthy. Grass-fed animal products are extremely beneficial for overall health.
2. Eat More Cruciferous Veggies: Cruciferous veggies are loaded with indole-3 carbonyl (I3C) which binds and eliminates toxic xenoestrogenic chemicals that interfere with healthy hormone function. These veggies include kale, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard greens, watercress, and brussel sprouts among others
Expert Analysis: Be sure to lightly steam or marinate cruciferous veggies before eating. When you steam the veggies it binds to goitrogens (thyroid blocking nutrients) and it breaks down the tough outer cellulose that is challenging to digest. Lightly steaming maintains a very high percentage of original nutrients while making the veggie more digestible and bioavailable.
Vital Info: Cruciferous veggies also contain phenyl isothiocynates and sulfuraphane, which are extremely powerful anti-carcinogenic molecules. These vegetables are some of nature’s best defense against environmental toxicity.
3. Get Rid of Plastic
Plastic contains harmful xenoestrogenic chemicals such as BPA and many others. Plastic leaches these dangerous toxins into water and oil and anything you would cook in plastic.
Expert Analysis: Minimize exposure to plastic altogether. Try to use glass first or stainless steel second when looking for something to put water in. Buy all of your oils (coconut and olive oil) in a glass container. Get a clean glass carrying bottle and fill it up with clean, filtered water and bring it with you when you leave the house. Also, be sure to drink out of glasses in the house and never plastic.
Vital Info: When forced to use a plastic water bottle be sure to look for one that has minimal chemicals and is BPA free. Some of these bottles can even be reused if necessary.
Further information:
Dr. David Jockers owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia. He is a chiropractor, exercise physiologist and natural health specialist. His expertise is in weight loss, customized nutrition and exercise, and structural corrective chiropractic care. For more information on him and his work go to www.exodushc.com
To read more about natural hormones go to:
https://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2010/03/15/what-is-oestrogen-dominance/
https://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/04/17/hrt-or-bioidentical-hormones-heres-why/