What are hormones?
Imagine our body as a house and your hormones as the thermostat that regulates its temperature. Just as a thermostat maintains a comfortable temperature in our home, hormones help maintain a balanced internal environment in our body.
• Thyroid hormones are like the main thermostat that controls the overall metabolic rate of our body. They influence how quickly our body burns calories and how fast our heart beats.
• Insulin is like a thermostat for blood sugar levels. It helps regulate how much glucose (sugar) is in our blood.
• Cortisol is like a stress thermostat. It helps our body respond to stress by increasing blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and heart rate.
• Growth hormone is like a thermostat for growth and development. It promotes cell growth, tissue repair, and bone development.
• Estrogen and progesterone are like thermostats for female reproductive functions. They regulate menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.
• Testosterone is like a thermostat for male reproductive functions. It regulates sperm production, muscle growth, and bone density.
When hormones are out of balance:
• Hyperthyroidism is when a thermostat is set too high. It can cause symptoms like rapid heartbeat, weight loss, and irritability.
• Hypothyroidism is when a thermostat is set too low. It can cause symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance.
• Diabetes is like a thermostat that is malfunctioning and can’t regulate blood sugar levels properly.
• Stress-related disorders can disrupt the balance of cortisol, leading to symptoms like anxiety, depression, and fatigue.
- Prioritize whole, unprocessed foods.
- Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive alcohol.
- Consider following specific diets like the Mediterranean or Paleo diet.
- Exercise! A recommended minimum of 150 mins of moderate to vigorous exercise a week (Mojo anyone?)
- Manage stress through techniques like dance, meditation or deep breathing
- Get enough sleep!
- Limit exposure to environmental toxins (shampoos, deodorants, plastics, polution etc)
Sue and her hubby, Jesse, on a recent much-deserved bucket-list trip to Europe I asked Sue if she had any thoughts to share with fellow women on her breast cancer journey, and she shared this bit of information, which some of you may find controversial…
“Before anyone decides whether or not to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), please do extensive research. My thoughts are to not get on estrogen replacement therapy if you can avoid it. I believe that is what started my abnormal cells. Nobody knows if they are hormone-receptive until they take tissue out for the lumpectomy. Being hormone-receptive, means that estrogen replacement therapy is going to be the fuel to feed the cancer cells.” Thanks for sharing, Sue!
I am lucky not to have needed HRT, so I did a little research:
Hormone Replacement Therapy is a treatment that replaces hormones that the body naturally produces as we age. This therapy is often used for women who are going through menopause, but it can also be used for men with low testosterone levels.
Benefits of HRT:
- Relief from menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings.
- Improved bone health, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
- May reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Can help maintain cognitive function.
- Increased risk of breast cancer, especially if estrogen is used.
- Increased risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.
- Potential for side effects like weight gain, headaches, and mood changes.
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