How To Balance Hormones Naturally

It seems like just when I have the hormonal pathways figured out I am gently reminded of how much I don’t know. To me, that is the beauty of trying to understand a system that continues to elude us. The learning is endless.

In my previous blogs, I have discussed the varying components to hormones. What are the different hormones? What are the functions of each one? Why do they become imbalanced? How do we check for them? What medications can we use?

This month is all about my two favorite topics: Hormones and anything natural!

The complexity of the hormonal pathways is similar to our highway system. One road may lead to multiple different avenues with multiple different ways to get there. Just so, there is no one correct way to bring things into alignment.

Let’s take a look at how we can naturally keep our hormones balanced and how to naturally bring them back into balance if an imbalance were to occur.

1. Maintain weight. With a higher body fat percentage, more adipose tissues are available to covert to Estrogen. This conversion results in worsening estrogen dominance, which leads to decreased metabolism, insulin resistance, increased weight gain, and subsequent imbalance.Solution:  Strength train 3-4x/wk. Increasing muscle mass helps maintain insulin regulation and metabolism resulting in lower body fat.
2. Adequate sleep. Without proper quality and quantity of sleep, cortisol levels may fluctuate greatly throughout the day in an effort to support basic daily functioning. When cortisol levels are unable to synchronize with our natural flow, it places the body into “stress mode.”  In anticipation of the stress, insulin, once again, is down-regulated and thyroid functioning slows. This leads to cravings, mental fogginess, slowed reaction times, and decreased metabolism. This can cause an increase in weight and therefore, worsening estrogen dominance.Solution: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Allow the body to rest in the full capacity it needs. Many people have told me, “Oh, I can function with just 4 hours of sleep.” Sure, maybe in the short-term. But in the long run, the body can’t sustain optimally under constant tension. Just like a car can’t run on empty, neither can you. Fuel up with sleep.
3. Limit supplements. Why take something if your body doesn’t need it just because some limited research claims it can prevent Disease X or Symptom Y, only to come back in a few years claiming it is not beneficial at all. Overloading with a garland of drugs in a hopeless promise to health is becoming one of the leading causes of imbalances. Supplements stimulate the adrenal glands in ways we don’t yet understand. So what is all of this REALLY doing to us a decade from now. Be picky with what goes in your body.Solution: Have an open discussion with your physician regarding any non-prescription medications, even if you think it is not significant. Blood work can be done to check certain vitamin levels. If you are depleted, taking a supplement maybe beneficial. But only after asking the question, why are the levels abnormal in the first place?
4. Meditate: Google “meditation” and you will find no shortage of studies proving meditation is ONE of the BEST healing therapies available. It doesn’t have to be for a gazillion hours or on top of a mountain. It can be for a few minutes with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Meditation is an ancient remedy that has gotten lost in the confusion of our techno-driven world. As meditation is finding its way back to us, it is worth trying.Solution: Take five minutes daily in a quiet uninterrupted place and observe your breath. Observe the chaos leaving and peace entering. Envision your entire system coming into balance working harmoniously so that you can become the best version of yourself.
5. Self-Love.We have been conditioned to believe that taking time out for ourselves is selfish. When we allow self-criticism, judgement, and negativity to invade our space, our system starts to believe that we are less than. We begin to feel we are not worth the effort it takes into becoming healthy. Before we know it, the downward spiral has begun. This self-destructive process leads to depression, anxiety, poor sleep, and addictive behaviors. These choices once again puts the body into the familiar space of fighting stress.Solution: Daily positive affirmations are powerful tools. Every morning before starting the day, choose an affirmation, look yourself in the mirror and repeat it until you believe it. Then walk out the door with your head held high knowing you are worth SO MUCH more than ANYTHING that defines you.

Listening to your body is one of the best ways to ensure never getting lost on the road to healing!

Dr. Raman’s Concierge Medical Practice is focused on holistic care and good health maintenance.

For more information on natural ways to relieve stress, CONTACT  our office today to schedule your appointment.

You can learn more by following Dr. Raman on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest.