If The Struggle Is Real …
BALANCE is the key!
3 Approaches To Balancing Hormones
We’ve all heard it … as a female’s sex hormones begin to decline, (the time during peri- & post-menopause), balancing hormones is the key to future health and comfort?
This IS true, but how the heck does one balance hormones? Where do we even begin to look into the world of hormones?
I’ve recently written a 5-part series on inflammation and it’s effects on your health. I’m switching gears now to focus on hormones, but please remember that our basic foundational elements including cholesterol, liver function, metabolism, and inflammation influence hormone production and balance at the foundational level.
You can’t build a house without a foundation, and in the house of hormones you can’t build or balance hormones without the foundations mentioned above.
Currently there are 3 approaches to balancing hormones:
Foundational Function - are you able to produce and break-down hormones efficiently? Basic blood panels can help determine down-stream OR up-stream problems to hormone production and metabolism.
Bio-Identical Hormone therapy uses naturally-derived hormones or hormone-mimicking substance to increase declining hormone levels and neutralize associated symptoms.
HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy uses synthetic, lab-derived chemicals, with a similar effect to increase declining hormones and associated symptoms
How do I know which approach is right for me?
Your Desired Outcome: Your approach to balancing hormones typically will be determined by your goals. Indeed, symptom relief is at the top of everyone’s list, but what else can you consider? >>>>
Two Things Every (Pre- &) Menopausal Female Should Know
Adrenal Health and Function: - as the ovaries are getting ready to retire and close down the hormone factory, they will hand the baton to the adrenal glands which will then be responsible for making estrogen. For some people, simply supporting adrenal health will provide the needed protection of estrogen and symptom relief. Testing for adrenal health can help determine if this approach is right for you.
Estrogen Metabolism and Liver Health: - Estrogen is made in the ovaries (or adrenal glands and fat cells) and broken down via 3 different pathways in the liver. The break-down, or metabolism, creates 3 different estrogen “metabolites.”
one metabolite is preferred and easily eliminated from the body
another one is less preferred and causes cell proliferation
and the 3rd is least preferred as it causes DNA damage (potential cancer risk)
A urine and salivary test can determine the ratio of estrogen metabolism you are utilizing. Below are MY results. It can look complicated, but notice the 3 colored, long arrows … the GREEN arrow (cyp1A1) is the preferred pathway, The RED arrow (cyp1B1) and PURPLE arrow (cyp3A4) are the least preferred. The pie chart gives the ratio and below the percentages of that pathway.
Why Is This Important Dr. Bean?
IF my liver was breaking down estrogen in the RED or PURPLE pathways in high ratios I would NOT be a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy OR bio-identical hormones!!!!!!
I think that’s really important, don’t you? People who are running toxic estrogen metabolism would do better to support optimal liver function to properly break-down estrogen prior to adding more estrogen!!! The focus would then shift to the adrenal glands for estrogen production.
I hope this makes sense and is helpful for those of you who are still reading this. I know it’s a lot of information, and I like to give valuable information for those of you who open and read my newsletters!!!!
There is a lot more to balancing sex hormones in menopausal years, but I think this is good start. I’m going to create a small series on hormones and menopause, if there is anything you are interested in knowing more about, or have questions about, please reply to this email and I will create content based on your responses.
If you want to work with me, or have questions I give you two options:
Take Advantage of my FREE 10-Minute Consultation Call
If you’re not sure how to begin …
… simply CALL OR TEXT
831-531-7449
For a FREE 10-minute Discovery Call so we can find and focus on what you need most right now!
Ready to begin testing to determine what is your personal & best approach to balancing hormones??
Schedule “Functional Laboratory Report - New Patient”
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Knowledge - Balance - Health
In Health and Community Spirit,
Thank you for reading! Happy Leap Year
Dr. Bean
(with Lady, Sandy and Diego)
