Hormones are chemical messengers that create changes in different parts of your body, including your mind. They are messengers, carried in your blood, that tell a part of your body to make some changes.
Hormones are made by endocrine glands. “Endo” means inside, so these hormones regulate things inside your body. There are 9 endocrine glands located in different parts of your body:
- Hypothalamus
- Pineal Gland
- Pituitary Gland
- Thyroid
- Parathyroid Gland
- Thymus
- Adrenal Glands
- Pancreas
- Ovaries
- Testes
Together, these glands make hormones and release them into the blood.
Hormones are important for regulating most processes occurring in the body, so any imbalance in the hormones can affect how the body functions. Areas that may be affected:
- Metabolism and appetite
- Heart rate
- Sleep cycles
- Reproductive and sexual function
- Growth and development
- Mood and stress levels
- Body temperature
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Causes of Hormonal Imbalances
Although everyone will experience natural duration of hormonal imbalance at particular points in life, such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause etc., certain medical conditions, lifestyle habits and environmental factors can also play a role in causing hormonal imbalances. They include:
- Stress
- Poor diet and nutrition
- Being overweight
- Hormonal replacement or birth control medications
- Intake of anabolic steroid medications
- Endocrine gland injury
- Allergic reactions or infections
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Anorexia
- Phytoestrogens, naturally-occurring plant estrogens found in soy products
- Exposure to toxins, pollutants, and endocrine disrupting chemicals, found in skin care, cosmetics, pesticides and herbicides
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
Women, men and children can suffer from hormonal imbalances. But the purpose of this article is to concentrate on hormonal imbalances in women. However, the nutritional and lifestyle advice at the end of this article can also be used by men and children to enable their bodies to restore balance to their hormones.
Symptoms of hormonal imbalances may include the following:
- Heavy, irregular, or painful periods
- Osteoporosis
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Acne during or before menstruation
- Bleeding not associated with menstruation
- Infertility
- Weight gain
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Cysts
The most common health issue caused by hormonal imbalance in women is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS either have irregular periods or have no menstruation at all. In addition, they will have multiple cyst in their ovaries and around half of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. If left unmanaged, PCOS can increase the risk of endometriosis and diabetes.
Women with PCOS tend to have higher levels of insulin, a hormone that’s produced by the pancreas. High levels of insulin can cause the ovaries to produce more androgens. When this happens, symptoms of PCOS described above may occur unless the appropriate steps are taken to address the root cause of the problem.
How does one end up with higher levels of insulin flowing in your blood? Well, for one thing, a diet high in refined carbohydrates, filled with starch and refined sugar can raise blood sugar levels above its normal, healthy range. When this happens, the pancreas attempts to keep the blood sugar levels within normal range by pumping out insulin. Over time the body can develop insulin resistance, which means the body isn’t able to use insulin as effectively as before. This creates a vicious cycle and can eventually cause other health issues like PCOS.
Is There Hope?
If you are suffering from or know someone suffering from PCOS or other health issues that are caused by hormonal imbalance, we have good news for you! There is hope. Our body is constantly self-healing, self-repairing and self-rejuvenating. Provided it is placed in the right environment to do so. This will require several crucial dietary and lifestyle changes to be made.
For the last 20 over years, our Nutritional Programmes have helped women and men with health issues caused by hormonal imbalance. Here are a few testimonials:
Symptoms of Endometriosis Controlled
“Before I underwent the DRP, I also had serious endometriosis which nearly cost my fertility. I would suffer from excruciating pains. During every subsequent menstruation, I would experience heavy bleeding accompanied by blood clots. My gynaecologist told me that since I had done my duty as a mother of two teenage girls, and was nearing menopausal age, I should have my womb removed. I was glad that I did not.
After the DRP, I follow the maintenance of the NewLife™ Health-Building Programme (NHBP), do regular Castor Oil Enema, and of course, follow the ‘Rebound for Health’ exercise.
Now, except for some dull cramps before menstruation, the endometriosis has been controlled considerably.” – Ms. Mabel
Menstrual Pain Disappeared
“The abdominal pain that I had suffered for 28 years, the menstrual pain of 40 years, and leg pain have all disappeared along with my unsightly pigmentation. It is really wonderful, now that I am totally free from the pains.” – Ms. Sharon
Estrogen Levels No Longer Imbalance
“After the 7-day DRP, I fervently made a lifestyle and diet change (in fact, my whole family has). We practised juicing and avoided foods which contributed to my ill-health in the first place. In the 6 months that followed, my weight eventually reduced and now maintains at 115 lbs… My immune system is now the complete opposite of what it was as I hardly fall ill – which, obviously means that there is a huge reduction in my medical bills! In my last estrogen (hormonal) test, results revealed that there is no longer an imbalance. The amazing fact of all this is that my body has healed without the use of synthetic drugs or hormones.” – Mrs. Tan Cheow
Shrinking of Cysts and Inflammation of Ovaries
“I resorted to Dr. Lynn Tan’s 2-week Detoxification & Rejuvenation Programme (DRP) that I had learned about some time ago, but somehow I procrastinated doing it. Together with my DRP, I drank Dr. Brusch Essiac Tea twice daily, and administered the castor oil pack externally. Two weeks after the completion of my DRP, I had another scan.
Two cysts, which originally measured at 5-6cm, shrunk by half (<3 cm) and the inflammation in my uterus had gone down from about 10 cm to 8 cm. Even the doctor was pleasantly surprised and advised me that whatever programme I was on, as long as it worked, I should keep up with it.
Best of all, I know my body continues to regenerate as I continue to rebuild it daily. I view this as a long-term change that I will commit to as after all, 10 years of suffering is enough to have taught me a good lesson. In June 2002, my menstrual cycle came with absolutely no pain! I am reaping the rewards of more energy and better health!” – Mrs. Wong
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Kelp Helps to Balance Hormones!
Research shows that Japanese women have lower rates of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers. These types of cancers can be linked to imbalance of hormones. Based on research, kelp makes up more than 10% of the Japanese diet.
A study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, has found that women with endometriosis and a lot of menstrual problems experienced significant improvement in their symptoms after three months of taking kelp. Pain associated with endometriosis was reduced and the total number of days of their menstrual cycle was significantly lengthened. After including kelp in their diet, women with high levels of estrogen experienced a drop in blood estrogen levels.
Besides being a balancer of hormones, kelp has other benefits and have been known to provide nutritional support for the thyroid, heart, and bones. Regular consumption of kelp also helps reduce inflammation in the body.