Your hormones play a critical role in the way you think, feel, act and look. I admit, I’m in the lotions and potions stage of life and balancing my hormones are at the center of feeling great in my early fifties. It also keeps me sane and keeps me from driving my family crazy.
Did you know that hormones have a huge impact on brain function for both men and women? Hormones affect sleep, memory, focus, motivation, mood, sex drive and so much more. Hormones are different for everyone and you should work with a qualified hormone specialist to help you develop a personalized hormone program tailored to you.
The 5 Hormones You Should Be An Expert On
Vitamin D: Your body is designed to get the vitamin D it needs when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Those UVB rays are healthy for your vitamin D production; just don’t stay in the sun more than 15 minutes each day. Unfortunately, our food doesn’t contain enough vitamin D so I recommend you supplement with a vitamin.
When Balanced:
- Improved overall health.
- Regulates immune system.
- Builds strong cells and bones.
When Unbalanced:
- Weight gain.
- Restless sleep.
- Poor concentration.
- Fatigue
- Depression
Testosterone: This is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands in everyone’s body but specifically made in the gonads in men and the ovaries in women. For women in midlife, testosterone helps improve your sex life, give you more energy, clears skin and helps you have strong muscles.
When Balanced:
- More energy.
- Improved relationships.
- Healthy bones.
When Unbalanced:
- Low libido.
- Increased body fat.
- Depression.
- Memory problems.
- Low energy.
Thyroid: This is the small butterfly shaped gland in your neck that wraps around your windpipe below the area near your Adam’s apple. It produces several hormones like T3 & T4 that help regulate your metabolism. This hormone controls many activities in your body, including how fast your heart beats and how well you burn calories. Understanding the role that the thyroid plays in the body and the symptoms that can occur when something is unbalanced is important to your health. Many women experience changes to their thyroid after pregnancy and some after menopause.
When Balanced:
- More energy.
- Better brain function.
- Improved sex life.
- Better relationships.
When Unbalanced:
- Decreased brain activity.
- Depressed.
- Irritability.
- Fatigue and exhaustion.
- Clammy skin.
- Feeling hot and sweaty.
Progesterone: This is the female sex hormone produced by the ovaries and the adrenal glands. This hormone is extremely important for woman’s health and it plays a crucial role in the female reproductive system.
When Balanced:
- More energy.
- Deep sense of calm and peace.
- Clear sharp thinking.
- Better sleep.
When Unbalanced:
- Higher risk for obesity.
- Depression.
- Low libido.
- Poor sleep.
- Thyroid dysfunction.
- Increased PMS symptoms.
- Foggy thinking.
Estrogen: Is a critical hormone that needs to be balanced for women and should be checked in men. However, this is a lesson all on its own. Estrogen is complicated and varies based on age. There are different types of estrogen some more health-promoting than others.
When Balanced:
- Improved sexual function.
- Improved mood.
- Memory and cognitive function.
- Younger looking skin.
- More energy.
When Unbalanced:
- Irregular menstrual cycles.
- Fibroid tumors.
- Terrible PMS.
- Poor memory.
- Depression.
- Dry skin.
- Higher risk for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Again, this is why I strongly suggest working with a qualified hormone specialist. Everyone can benefit from an individual hormone strategy that addresses your personal needs.
Working with a hormone specialist completely changed my life for the better.
Click here to find out more about our functional medicine doctor who specializes in hormone balancing (he even does Skype appointments), or go to A4m.com for a list of doctors in your area.
To this day, I know that many of my personal and professional achievements are directly related to having my hormones balanced. It has changed the way I feel and think and that has enabled me to be the best version of myself.
