Hormones Are one of the many ways our body’s cells “talk” to each other. Are produced by specialized glands (like ovaries, testes, thyroid and adrenals) Act like messengers to distant parts of the body

Neurotransmitters N.T. also act as messengers in the body N.T. also act as messengers in the body N.T. are chemicals that relay signals between nerve cells, or neurons. N.T. are chemicals that relay signals between nerve cells, or neurons. Present throughout the body and are required for proper brain and body function, including hormone release. Present throughout the body and are required for proper brain and body function, including hormone release. N.T. imbalance = hormonal imbalance N.T. imbalance = hormonal imbalance

Estrogens (estradiol, estrone, estriol) –Are hormones of growth and sexual development. –Develops and maintain female reproductive –Controls fluids and electrolyte balance. –Increases protein anabolism. –Keeps healthy breast tissue and skin

Estrogen Imbalances Women: Women: –High levels cause: Weight gain, breast tenderness, heavy periods, increase risk of cancers Weight gain, breast tenderness, heavy periods, increase risk of cancers –Low estrogen levels Cause: Hot flashes, vaginal dryness and bone loss Hot flashes, vaginal dryness and bone loss Men: Men: –High levels cause: Prostate problems and reduced testosterone Prostate problems and reduced testosterone

Progesterone Involved in reproduction Involved in reproduction Nervous system health, and mood (feel-good hormone Nervous system health, and mood (feel-good hormone Optimal levels balance and support other sex hormones (especially estrogen) Optimal levels balance and support other sex hormones (especially estrogen) Activates gaba receptors-reducing N.t. activity important for people with pain, PMS, or compulsive disorders Activates gaba receptors-reducing N.t. activity important for people with pain, PMS, or compulsive disorders Prepares uterus for implantation Prepares uterus for implantation Prepares mammary glands for lactation Prepares mammary glands for lactation

Progesterone imbalances Low levels: Low levels: –Menopausal side effects –Hot flashes –Sleep disturbances –Irritability –In pregnancy can caused miscarriages High levels: High levels: –Anti-estrogen

Estradiol Most active of the estrogens Most active of the estrogens Functions: Functions: –Slows the breakdown of bone –Falls dramatically in menopause –Regenerates and preserves nerve cells in the brain. –Low levels linked to Alzheimer’s Deficiency: cognitive/affective disorders Deficiency: cognitive/affective disorders –Mood disorders –Parkinson’s –Schizophrenia

Estriol Weakest of estrogens, produced in ovaries Weakest of estrogens, produced in ovaries Production increases in pregnancy Production increases in pregnancy Good indicator of fetal well-being and to predict pre-term labor Good indicator of fetal well-being and to predict pre-term labor Anti-breast cancer effects Anti-breast cancer effects

Neurotransmitters and hormones N.T. can increase production of hormones N.T. can increase production of hormones Seratonin increases output of hormones from the anterior pituitary Seratonin increases output of hormones from the anterior pituitary –Seratonin increases prolactin levels--- decreasing testosterone –Increases LH----increases testosterone in men, and estradiol in women –Increases (ACTH)---stimulates adrenals to increase cortisol levels

Estrogen/Progesterone metabolism Synthesized in the ovaries from cholesterol via pregnenolone Synthesized in the ovaries from cholesterol via pregnenolone Pregnenolone is precursor to DHEA and progesterone Pregnenolone is precursor to DHEA and progesterone Progesterone converts to cortisol in the adrenal glands Progesterone converts to cortisol in the adrenal glands Adrenal also convert androstenedione to testosterone or to estrone Adrenal also convert androstenedione to testosterone or to estrone Testosterone is subsequently converted to estradiol via aromatase enzyme Testosterone is subsequently converted to estradiol via aromatase enzyme Pregnenolone is significant in these pathways in that is the precursor to progesterone, estrogens and cortisol Pregnenolone is significant in these pathways in that is the precursor to progesterone, estrogens and cortisol

Androgens (testosterone, DHEA, DHT) Androgens help with the regeneration of skin, bones, and muscles Androgens help with the regeneration of skin, bones, and muscles Low DHEA levels: Low DHEA levels: Fatigue, depressed, reduced mental function Fatigue, depressed, reduced mental function DHT (dihydrotestosterone DHT (dihydrotestosterone –Maintains lean muscle mass, and cardiovascular health in men and women Low DHT levels: Low DHT levels: –Linked to low libido –Increase fat to lean muscle ratio –Coronary heart problems

Symptoms of estrogen dominance Decreased libido Decreased libido Cervical dysplasia Cervical dysplasia Depression, anxiety or agitation Depression, anxiety or agitation Risk of endometrial cancer Risk of endometrial cancer Fat gain (especially around abdomen) Fat gain (especially around abdomen) Fibrocystic breast and uterine fibroids Fibrocystic breast and uterine fibroids Thyroid dysfunction Thyroid dysfunction

Androgen disorders in women Very common female disorder Very common female disorder Androgens from Greek word andros meaning masculine. Androgens from Greek word andros meaning masculine. Symptoms appear gradually: Symptoms appear gradually: –Irregular periods –Infertility –Weight gain more apple shape –Acne, hair loss and facial or chest hair

Liver function in hormone metabolism Estrogenic hormones are detoxified and recycled in the liver Estrogenic hormones are detoxified and recycled in the liver Via Phase I cytochrome p450 hydroxylation pathway Via Phase I cytochrome p450 hydroxylation pathway Fallowed by phase II glucorination, sulfation and methylation Fallowed by phase II glucorination, sulfation and methylation Prolonged exposure of target tissue is a recognized risk factor of estrogen associated cancers. Prolonged exposure of target tissue is a recognized risk factor of estrogen associated cancers.

Causes of menopausal symptoms Hormonal fluctuations Hormonal fluctuations –Progesterone and estrogen levels decreasing Stress Stress –Negatively affects adrenal glands Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia –Low blood sugar levels will enhance menopausal symptoms Poor diet and lack of exercise Poor diet and lack of exercise –Women who exercise regularly 4-5 times per week, were shown to have no signs of hot flashes. Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism Liver dysfunction and biliary stasis Liver dysfunction and biliary stasis –Inability to breakdown and detoxify estrogens

Environmental estrogens Chemicals that behave like human estrogens Chemicals that behave like human estrogens –Scientific studies linked wild life reproductive disorders to chemicals from municipal waste, pesticides, which masquerade as hormones. –The use of plastics in food supply –Increase hormonal noise in our systems, causes our detoxification pathways to become jammed, creating physiological dysfunction –We need adequate detoxification to eliminate both exogenous and xenoestrogens in a regular basis to maintain health and balance.

DHEA and Cortisol Regulates metabolism and body weight Regulates metabolism and body weight Part of stress response system Part of stress response system Influence cognitive function Influence cognitive function Affects neurotransmitter action Affects neurotransmitter action –Norepinephrine, gaba and epinephrine Cortisol potentiates gaba receptors Cortisol potentiates gaba receptors –Reducing pain, anxiety and depression

Nutritional modulation of estrogen Dietary fiber and lignins Dietary fiber and lignins –Promotes proper excretion and reduced reabsorption –Reduces levels of free estradiol Complex carbohydrates Complex carbohydrates –Attenuates the glycemic and insulin index Essential Fatty Acids Essential Fatty Acids –Decreases in c-16 Hydroxylation of estradiol Protein Protein –Inadequate protein may lead to decrease cytochrome P450 activity affecting hepatic detoxification pathways Cruciferous vegetables Cruciferous vegetables –Indole-3-carbinol, isoflavones (soy and kudzu) Folate, B2, B6, and B12 Folate, B2, B6, and B12 Magnesium Magnesium Probiotics Probiotics Calcium D-glucarate Calcium D-glucarate

Detoxification of Xenoestrogens Liver detoxification Liver detoxification –Using specific nutrients to help Phase I & II –Making sure you have good glutathione reserves, proper absorption of B-complex to help this pathways. Isoflovonoids Isoflovonoids Healthy intestinal flora Healthy intestinal flora Remove dietary antigens (allergens) Remove dietary antigens (allergens) Dietary enzymes and HCL to improve digestion Dietary enzymes and HCL to improve digestion Dietary supplements to regenerate GI track Dietary supplements to regenerate GI track –Pantothenic acid, probiotics, minerals (zinc), L-glutamine, or L-carnitine Dietary lignans from flax seeds to lower bioavailable levels of estrogen Dietary lignans from flax seeds to lower bioavailable levels of estrogen