Unbalanced hormone distribution can make you store too much fat, hamper your ability to fight stress, and cause you to eat when you’re full. It can lead to metabolic syndrome and diabetes and can adversely affect your sleep and sex life, so if you’re sitting there smugly thinking that you’re immune from hormonal chaos just because you’re [1] no longer a teenager and [2] male, well think again!
The Endocrine system is the body’s communication matrix – the Hypothalamus and Pituitary glands are the control centres that use Hormones to transmit instructions and receive feedback from every corner of an extraordinarily complex system. The systems’ intricate nature is its weakness and the requisite fine tuning can easily be distorted which in turn can lead to disrupted function.
So, what are the Hormones you need to pay attention to and what are the signs of disruption?
1. Thyroxine: Stimulates Energy production and drives metabolic processes, boosting cellular respiration, raising body temperature and increasing heart rate.
Disruption? Reduced muscle mass, fatigue, weakness, weight gain, constipation if too little and anxiety, weight loss, excessive heat, goitre, excessive bowel movements and hair loss if too much. Many environmental pollutants are thyroxine mimics and can block the relevant receptors (PCB’s, BPA in certain plastics and BFR’s found in clothes and electronics)
2. Melatonin: The sleep Hormone. Secreted by the Pineal gland it helps regulate the Circadian rhythm.
Disruption? Light exposure at night can disrupt the circadian rhythm and mounting evidence suggests this disruption can promote cancer, obesity and diabetes. If you wake at night keep the lights off and enjoy the dark or use red lights to reduce pineal stimulation
3. Testosterone/LH/FSH: Primary male sex hormone, Testosterone, is promoted by LH release while sperm production is determined by FSH (and sperm maturation by Testosterone itself). The arousal mechanism is mediated by Epinephrine, Norepinephrine and Dopamine – way more complex than it would seem!
Disruption? An elevated Testosterone-Estrogen ratio is the most common cause of disruption in libido and erectile function. The most common causes of this are xeno-estrogens found in plastics (BPA), herbicides and pesticides, but weight gain can also lead to extra estrogen being produced from testosterone. Increased exercise to lose fat and gain muscle can reverse this process.
4. Cortisol and Epinephrine: Stress hormones. The alarm hormones – increase heart rate, release sugars and fats into the blood for emergency energy, and a myriad other functions.
Disruption? Too much stress or prolonged stress can disrupt the metabolic balance and cause the cells to store too much fat and this is generally stored as Visceral fat which promotes inflammation and further metabolic instability
5. Leptin, Ghrelin, CCK, Insulin: ghrelin stimulates appetite, stretching of the stomach produces Cholecystokinin to slow you down. Release of insulin from the pancreas in response to rising blood glucose also works to reduce appetite. Leptin is produced by fat cells and also reduces appetite by telling the brain you are full. With so many mechanisms to reduce appetite it’s a wonder we have a problem with obesity at all! It takes Commitment.
Disruption? Sugar disrupts the leptin pathways and actually causes an increase in appetite, especially for more sugar. Obviously, reducing sugar will contribute significantly to reversing the disruption. Chewing your mouthful of food slower gives the brain more time to register the CCK and Insulin messages and therefore reduce appetite.
First steps to address Male Hormone disruptions
Helpful in any approach to dealing with male Hormone disruption is the need to address excess weight, poor diet (excess carbohydrates in particular), alcohol use and lack of exercise.
In addition to the above lifestyle interventions the following medications are primary tools:
Testis Compositum (Heel) – homeopathic complex remedy designed to promote inherent testosterone production through improved function of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal-Gonadal axis
HisSynergy (Metagenics) – combines Tribulus Terrestris, Ashwaganda and Cowage seed to support testosterone, male sexual function and vitality
In addition to the above:
- the correctly chosen Homeopathic similimum which results from a well taken and complete case history
- A course of Acupuncture to address underlying deficiencies/excesses, to help reduce nervous tension and to support the healthy functioning of the neuroendocrine system.
- Breath work to enhance Vagal tone
- Foods to enhance Testosterone: pomegranates, Tuna, milk and eggs, sea food, coffee (caffeine), avocados, ginger, virgin olive oil, Zinc and Vit D
BY: Dr Bruce Thomson – Registered Acupuncturist and Doctor of Homeopathy
dr.bthomson@gmail.com / Whatsapp or SMS 0837899328 for consultations. Medical aid rates.