Hormone imbalances in women are commonly discussed conditions that produce several mental, physical and emotional symptoms. What many people don’t realize however, is that men suffer from hormonal imbalances too; in fact, it’s relatively common. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it’s an indication that your hormones may require a tune-up:
Acne
Hair loss (especially around the forehead)
Low libido
Increased fat (especially around the midsection)
Muscle loss or weakness
Fatigue or lack of energy
Night sweats or hot flashes
Memory loss, mood swings or irritability
Heart palpitations
Sleep apnea or insomnia
Depression or anxiety
Constipation or increased bowel movements
Development of breasts
Inflammation caused by an overburden of toxins in the body is the main reason why so many males and females suffer with hormone imbalances. Every day you are exposed to an endless supply of toxins from your environment and you absorb those toxins through your skin and your lungs. To make matters worse, the Standard American Diet (SAD), is loaded with toxic, inflammatory substances including hormones, pesticides, BPA (from plastic), saturated fats, sugar, dairy, alcohol … and the list goes on. All of these toxins not only increase inflammation, they also overburden your eliminative organs; and when your organs can’t keep up – the toxic overload increases inflammation even further – creating a vicious cycle.
The Inflammation and Hormone Connection
So how does all of this effect your hormone, you ask? Well inflammation regulates progesterone receptors and weakens the effect of the hormone progesterone. This is extremely problematic because progesterone plays an integral role in numerous bodily functions including: balancing blood sugar, building bone mass, regulating brain activity, developing intelligence, preventing depression, regulating thyroid hormone production, normalizing blood clotting, maintaining a healthy libido and converting fat into energy.
Progesterone is also a precursor to many important hormones and low progesterone levels can interfere with the production of those hormones. Testosterone is one of those hormones that can be reduced, and when testosterone is low symptoms such as low sex drive, impotence, hair loss, fatigue, weight gain, and loss of both muscle and bone mass can ensue. To make matters worse progesterone blocks the action of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. Without enough progesterone, too much testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone and dihydrotestosterone contributes to acne, baldness, prostate enlargement and prostate cancer.
The Solution
Fortunately, you can reduce inflammation, restore hormonal balance and help reverse these symptoms by simply modifying your diet and taking the appropriate supplements to cater to your particular hormonal requirements. Start by consuming a high-fiber whole foods, plant-based diet; with little-to-no sugar, oil, dairy and meat. The next step is to have your hormones tested to identify where the imbalances lie. Take into account both the results and the symptoms that you are experiencing and use this information to choose which supplements to add to your regime. *A consult with an alternative healthcare practitioner such as a Naturopathic doctor is highly recommended here.
Supplements to Balance Your Hormones:
Liv D-Tox
Liv D-Tox helps to promote a healthy hormonal balance in men, in two ways. Firstly, it helps to detoxify your body and strengthen your liver function, which in turn reduces progesterone- inhibiting-inflammation. Secondly, it helps to detoxify harmful hormones from fat cells so that they can be properly eliminated from your body. Taking Liv D-Tox may help to clear acne, reduce stubborn belly fat (when combined with a weight loss protocol), and aid your body in the elimination of excess estrogens.
DHT Block
DHT Block contains beta-sitosterol, which helps to calm down Dihydro-testosterone(DHT) and reduce acne-causing androgen activity in the skin. The cruciferous mix of natural vegetable extracts in DHT Block, provides a unique concentration of isothiocyantates and glucosinolates –offering your body protection by neutralizing potentially harmful estrogen metabolites and xenoestrogens (estrogen-like environmental chemicals). DHT Block has the ability to shift the production of estrogens from bad to good, while clearing various forms of harmful hormone metabolites which are often associated with acne, hair loss, and poor immune function. It also aids in the clearance of several breast, colon and prostate toxins. Finally, DHT block assists in reducing oil production and healing sebaceous cysts in the skin. http://www.delgadonaturals.com/dht-blocker/
EstroBlock
Estrogen is the sex hormone that emphasizes female characteristics and too much estrogen can cause symptoms such as acne, male breast growth, low sex drive, infertility, increased stroke and heart attack risk, prostate problems and weight gain. EstroBlock contains ingredients that help to detoxify harmful estrogen hormones from fat cells, thereby aiding in the reversal of elevated estrogen symptoms. It also helps to support healthy skin and clear acne and reduce stubborn fat, especially around the abdomen.
http://www.delgadonaturals.com/estro-block/
Testro Vida
Testro Vida contains an all-natural proprietary blend of ingredients designed to increase total testosterone and free testosterone. Testosterone naturally declines as you age, and this supplement can help you to achieve a youthful level of testosterone, which may in turn enhance your muscle tone and bone mass, support a strong metabolism, increase your sex drive and improve your mood. http://www.delgadonaturals.com/testro-vida-pro/
http://www.nickdelgado.com/male-hormonal-imbalances-what-causes-it-and-how-to-reverse-it/
— Last Edited by Nick Delgado, PhD, ABAAHP, CHT at 2016-07-20 17:23:50 —
