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