NATURAL LIFE NEWS AND DIRECTORY – HEALTH PEARL #10

Symptoms of ill health that we experience are not always caused by a deficiency in nutrition, or a shortage of supplementation, and definitely not by a lack of prescription drugs. Too often, they are caused by a hormone imbalance.

And hormone production we have aplenty. Insulin is a hormone, so is vitamin D. But the most well known are estrogens, progesterone and testosterone. We need to understand – and I will need more than one Health Pearl to explain it- where they are coming from, and how they work in conjunction with each other. This will help us to make adjustments as we recognize symptoms that in some cases may have affected us for decades.

Hormones are chemicals that circulate in the body to carry messages and signals to other parts of the body. So, every day of our lives, these hormones are on a schedule, without breaks or vacations, to do their jobs. Going faster, slowing down or quitting is not an option for any hormone – nor is failure, since one of them can deregulate the work and function of the others.

Thanks to modern science and diagnostics, we are able to identify correct levels, and either slow (hypo-) or fast (hyper-) activity, and we are able to understand how hormones work together.

Our cholesterol is crucial for hormone production, starting with the hormone pregnenelone, which then divides into two path ways: 1) through its conversion into progesterone and trickling down into the different forms of estrogens (Estrodial, Estrone and Estriol); and 2) through the DHEA pathway, converting into testosterone and the three forms of estrogens. (I will elaborate on the cholesterol pathways later).

Then there is our pituitary gland, located in the brain that is very active in hormone production. It consists of two parts, the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The posterior lobe produces two hormones:

• Anti-diuretic Hormone (ADH), which induces water conservation in the kidneys, and plays an important role in maintaining fluid balance and vascular and cellular hydration.

• Oxytocin (OCT), which induces uterine contractions during birth, and induces milk movement and production after giving birth.

The anterior (frontal) lobe produces:

• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), which assists the thyroid gland to secrete its hormone thyroxine (T4). The thyroid lives off the nutrients iodine and l-tyrosine through our diet and produces T4. If it doesn’t, then TSH production will increase in order to keep the T4 going. Science has determined that the range in which TSH is supposed to work is between 0.5 and about 4.75. When it is forced to go above this range, it indicates that the thyroid is getting weaker (hypoactive), probably because of not getting enough iodine and l-tyrosine. If our TSH production falls below that range, it indicates that the thyroid is somehow over-producing (hyperactive). A blood test will tell when your thyroid is hyperactive or hypoactive.

However, recent research in the natural-health field has determined that healthy levels are more between 0.3 and 2.0. What that means is that when your TSH-levels on a blood test come back at 3.5, most endocrinologists would diagnose your thyroid as being normal, whereas a naturopath would determine that it is hypoactive. It is advisable to get and keep copies of your recent blood tests to observe changes, and to act upon those when necessary.

• Human Growth Hormone (HGH), also called Somatotropin, which is active in most cells. This hormone promotes bone and muscle growth in young people, and plays a role in both glucose and protein metabolism in adults. Some athletes supplement with anything that helps release HGH in their system, trying to build more muscles, and increase speed and power. But since Mother Nature still has the last word, this doesn’t always turn out as expected.

• Prolactin (PRL). During pregnancy, this hormone helps in the preparation of the breasts for future milk production. After birth, PRL promotes the synthesis of milk. This is simple and straightforward, but also not to be denied for helping to build the immune system of a future adult.

• The Gonadotropins (GnRH) include the luteinizing hormone (LH) and the follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH). Both of these affect women differently than men. LH in females helps the ovaries to release an egg in the middle (ovulation) of her 28-day cycle; and then it helps the follicle to secrete the hormone progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle. In males, LH helps to stimulate the testicles to synthesize and secrete the hormone testosterone.

FSH in females helps the ovarian follicle, after ovulation, to produce estrogens, especially the estrogen Estrodial. In males, FSH, with the help of testosterone, helps to produce sperm.

I’m not done yet – as we still need to address the adrenals and skin pigmentation- but you already realize there is a lot going on with our different hormones. They need a healthy body, mind and emotions to live-up to their fullest potential. A need for extra hormones in one gland or organ may slow-down or completely stop the production of others in another part of our body, causing illness, fatigue, and frustration on a daily basis.

With our hormones in balance, we can all feel younger, more fit, and have better digestion. Next time, I’ll explain more about balancing our hormones.

* Jacobus is not a Doctor and does not intent to diagnose, treat or cure any disorder. The information is based on self-study, interviewing experts on his weekly 3-hour Saturday morning Radio Program “Gesundheit! With Jacobus”, which runs from 8-11, on AM 1450-KMMS and AM 1340 KPRK, and on feedback received from retail customers visiting his dietary supplements retail store Gesundheit! Nutrition Center at 2855 N. 19th Avenue, Suite N, in Bozeman (585-4668). If in doubt please visit a professional of your own choice and/or educate yourself with available published materials.