What’s All This Hormone Hoopla?

 by David Dixon, Penticton, BC

Hormones.  The topic is both complex and confusing.

The functions of each hormone and the structure of our hormone system are so confusing and intricate, we are going to simplify as much as possible here…not just for you, the reader, but for me as well.

Simply put, our hormones have a role in just about every body function known.  They help to induce sleep, burn body fat, increase – or decrease – muscle mass, aid in brain function, affect mood, etc., etc. And it is SO easy to throw off their balance.  Even the slightest adjustment, through either chemical or herbal supplementation, and we can mess things up even further by trying to improve this balance. I’ll explain.

First, let’s look at some of the hierarchy involved.  Each hormone depends on a significant level of other hormones. For example, pregnenolone (called the grandmother hormone) determines the amount of DHEA, which then sets the level of progesterone, which then decides the balance -- or imbalance -- of testosterone and estrogen.  Even that last one (estrogen) deserves an entire article to itself. HGH (Human Growth Hormone) is also referred to as The Master Hormone. Its release from the pituitary is determined by the amount of melatonin, for example. Too little melatonin, not a deep enough sleep and, consequently, there is too little HGH released.  Over-simplified, yes, but you get the idea, I’m sure.

Everything in the hormone world is inter-dependent; they all are at the mercy of the higher levels of hormones.  This determines the amount of both production and release of many necessary substances, like testosterone, for example.

For women to rely on outside ‘help’ for the thyroid, for example, they are opening the door to a huge imbalance, concerning the functioning of their ovaries and adrenals, for they are all dependent upon one another.  So, artificially encouraging one can throw off the balance and therefore the efficacy of the others.

There has been a lot of controversy regarding such substances as soy and alleged hormone imbalances produced being responsible for cancerous conditions.  For the most part, such ‘information’ has been unfounded and without the usual clinical studies necessary to prove that any connection exists.

 

Again, the hormone connection is both intricate and complicated. 

“What can be done to ensure that your hormone levels are reasonably balanced?”  you may ask. Good question.  Before any possible adjustment of hormone levels, it’s a good idea to find out their current status.  The way to accomplish this is to have them checked by a reputable health practitioner. It’s virtually impossible to balance hormone levels until you know just where they need help; otherwise, you may throw their balance off even further.

Focusing on just one hormone in particular, HGH, we can see that it is responsible for a multitude of body functions.  According to Donald M. McLeod, M.D. and Philip A. White, M.D. in “ DOCTORS’ SECRETS, The Road to Longevity”, HGH helps to determine muscle mass, fat loss, bone mass, skin tone, cardiac function, kidney function, immune system strength, wound healing, sexual desire and performance, along with several other important body functions.  As you can see, this is just one hormone; the complex collection produced within the human system, can be very intricate, detailed and complex. Imagine hundreds of such hormones all being produced in harmony and functioning like a well-practiced orchestra…and you get an idea of what takes place in our system, thanks to hormones.

Plainly put: No hormones, no life.  It’s that simple.

Considering the importance of hormones and the fact that, as we age, we produce less of them, why not turn to science to offer a solution? 

That thought brings me back to the story about the scientists who felt that they had completely analyzed salt water.  They knew that what they had produced was identical to that from the sea…at least, according to the microscope.  What they hadn’t considered, apparently, was the life factor.

When they produced the ‘perfect’ sea water, according to what they had found under their microscopes, they added some tropical fish…to determine how accurate their findings were.  What happened then was to be expected.  The fish died…every one of them, in fact.  That life force had not been seen under magnification and so was not included (not that they would know how to include such a force).

Science is, apparently, making considerable progress in hormone replacement; we simply have a bit of distance yet to travel. And, hopefully, we won’t end up on the same path as those fish!

To understand hormones, one must understand much about the human system.  It is highly complex, at best and beyond the comprehension of most of us.  It certainly is for me and I have studied nutrition, physiology and various aspects of health for decades.

And if the whole hormone topic isn’t complicated enough, the New York Times has just released some interesting information, clouding the waters even further: “Newly unveiled court documents show that ghostwriters paid by a pharmaceutical company played a major role in producing 26 scientific papers backing the use of hormone replacement therapy in women, suggesting that the level of hidden industry influence on medical literature is broader than previously known.”

In other words, we have been duped, regarding the efficacy of some hormone replacement therapy (which comes as no surprise to many…).

According to Dr. Edmund Chein, in “DOCTOR’S SECRETS The Road to Longevity”: ‘Total hormone replacement therapy is like assembling all the sections of an orchestra…and in order to play the music of a beautiful symphony, you need every instrument from the tuba to the triangle.’

Yes, hormones are not only important, they are necessary for our lives to continue.  But messing with them can actually throw their balance off even further.  Knowing your current hormonal status is important to reaching your goals.  After all, you wouldn’t attempt to get to a specific destination without knowing where you are beginning your journey, would you?

OK In Health

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