Food for hormones, part III

The Natural Hormone Industry has had landmark growth each year since the year 2000. According to the Association for Compounding Pharmacists, the number of Custom Compounded Hormone prescriptions filled in 2000 was under 100,000 in the USA. The number of Custom Compounded Hormone prescriptions filled in the first month of 2006 was in excess of 1,000,000 in the USA.

Through a biochemical process our bodies biosynthesize all of our hormones, including our sex hormones. One of the first biochemical steps in the production of hormones requires enzymes to convert cholesterol to pregnenolone (also known as the ultimate “grandparent” of all steroid compounds, including the adrenal hormones cortisol and DHEA, and the sex hormones testosterone, the estrogens and progesterone.) Sustaining a state of hyper-vigilance stresses the conversion of sex hormones in a type of “stealing” for the use of daily survival… we call this the “pregnenolone steal”.

The key enzyme in the production of estrogens is aromatase. Since estrogen is also produced by the adrenal cortex and the adipose tissue, we can state that the higher the level of fat tissue the stronger the potential for estrogen dominance. Aromatase also converts testosterone and androstenedione into estradial and estrone in men and women.

Chronic, excessive stress (emotional or physical including pain, inflammation and chronic infection) has tremendous effects on the production of healthy sex hormones… a known fact. Protein deficiency, or mal-absorption, lack of the nutrients vitamin A, C and B5, can cause adrenal stress leading to states of hormonal imbalances.

Eating a balanced (58 percent carbohydrate, 12 percent protein and 30 percent fat), whole-food diet feeds our hormones with the essential nutrients and includes eating the right fats (not the hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils that convert to trans fats).

Selecting fresh, raw vegetables feeds your body with live enzymes, phytonutrients and supports the proper electrolyte balance for your body to create its own hormonal homeostasis. Scheduling a regular aerobic and weight-building exercise jump-starts your thyroid, reduces osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Other nutrients used to support healthy hormone levels are: essential amino acids, which are protein building blocks, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride and phosphorus.

Many practitioners safely utilize pharmaceutical bio-identical hormones while other natural health practitioners choose neutraceutical bio-identical hormones. Vitality is created by nutrients, not drugs.

If you would be interested in knowing more about a specific area or approach in natural health or nutrition, send me an e-mail at [email protected]. I’m open to your suggestions on topics of interest.

This article is for educational purposes only and contains information that is the opinion of the columnist.

Your individual health status and any required health care treatments can only be properly addressed by a professional healthcare provider. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional of your choice.