1. A Quick Guide to Understanding Your Hormones
The Hormone Conundrum
A Quick Guide to Understanding Your Hormones

2. What Is Happening to Me?
We all have an expectation as to how we should function 
Our goals and dreams do not include bloating, gas, weight gain or constant fatigue 
The issue for most people is to recognized symptoms like this  are not normal 

3. Hormones
What are they?
Chemical messengers that help regulate systems in the body and bodily functions
We would not be who we are without them

4. The Players The Adrenal Hormones The Thyroid Hormones
The Reproductive Hormones
Digestive Hormones
Intestinal Hormones
Liver

5. The Adrenal Glands Sit on top of the kidneys
Protect us from physical harm
The flight or fight response
Our adrenals do not distinguish between physical and psychological or emotional stress
That is where all the problems begin

6. Cortisol: Friend or Foe
A key adrenal hormone
Without it we would not be awake
Helps us function through the day
It is also a key stress response hormone
The problem is too much

7. Signs of Excess Cortisol
Brain fog, lack of focus, mood swings, depression, anxiety.
Low thyroid function.
Dysglycemia (blood sugar swinging up and down) 
Morning and mid-afternoon fatigue (and overall fatigue).
Sleep disruption – can’t get to sleep and/or waking up in the middle of the night and unable to fall back asleep

8. Signs of High Cortisol Digestive and intestinal issues
Backaches and headaches
Weight gain, especially around the middle
Low libido
Possible low testosterone and/or progesterone and excess estrogen
Poor immune function
Cravings for sweet or salty food

9. Stress & Hormones
Stress and high cortisol is the number one reason hormones go astray
Because the adrenal glands rule the roost (fight or flight)
The adrenals can convert one hormone to another
They also have a major effect on the pituitary – a master hormone gland located at the base of the brain
Reducing stress and repairing adrenal gland function may seem like the quickest answer but it is not quite that easy…

10. Thyroid Gland & Function
The thyroid is a gland in the throat area
Produces two hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)
The thyroid regulates metabolism, temperature in the body, breathing, heart rate, central and peripheral nervous systems, body weight, muscle strength, menstrual cycles, body temperature, cholesterol levels

11. Signs of Low Thyroid Function
Fatigue and headaches
Increased sensitivity to cold
Constipation
Dry skin and hair (thinning hair)
Weight gain
Puffy face
Hoarseness

12. Signs of Low Thyroid Function
Muscle weakness
Elevated blood cholesterol level
Muscle and joint aches and stiffness
Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
Slow heart rate
Depression and poor cognitive function (memory)

13. Reproductive Hormones
Estrogen: Key female hormone for fertility but has many other roles for men and women such as bone–making, brain function, gut health
Progesterone: Key female hormone for fertility but has other roles for men and women such as bone-making, brain health, blood clotting, sleeping, thyroid function and gut health
Testosterone: Key male reproductive hormone but also helps men and women maintain muscle mass, maintain libido, bone density and gut health

14. Reproductive Systems
All three hormones have many more roles in the body and can affect other hormone systems
Progesterone is a precursor to testosterone and cortisol
Stress causes testosterone to convert to estrogen and the adrenals can convert progesterone to cortisol

15. The Liver
Key organ to remove toxins from the body including excess hormones such as estrogen and cortisol
Makes cholesterol which the body needs to make progesterone, estrogen, testosterone and cortisol
Detoxes out chemical hormone-disrupters
Helps convert thyroid hormones T4 to T3
(the active form needed for proper thyroid function)

16. Digestive & Intestinal Systems
Blood sugar is regulated by the hormone insulin which has a codependent relationship with cortisol – if one goes up so does the other
Good gut bacteria in the intestines plays a regulatory for reproductive hormones, thyroid hormones and cortisol
Stress and cortisol affect the quality and quantity of good gut bacteria and encourage the growth of bad bacteria
Good gut bacteria helps the liver with the removal of excess hormones from the body

17. Interrelationship of Hormones
Adrenals and excess cortisol interferes with reproductive hormones, depresses thyroid function and cause issues with hormones like insulin in the digestive system
Thyroid hormones interfere with digestive function, intestinal function and reproductive function
Reproductive hormones, when out of balance, interfere with thyroid and adrenals function
And that is why it is essential to work on balancing all of them 
Food is the easiest way

18. Key Hormone Balancing Foods
Thyroid: Sea vegetables, coconut oil and foods rich in B vitamins and essential fatty acids (EFAs)
Adrenals: Maca, schizandra, foods rich in B vitamins, potassium and vitamin C
Liver Foods: Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli), calcium d- glucarate foods (apples, grapefruit), garlic, onions, EFAs, complex carbohydrates for energy,  milk thistle, lemons and limes 

19. Key Hormone Balancing Foods
Fermented food: These foods support intestinal function and provide good bacteria to help the body (organic yogurt and coconut yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, wine, unpasteurized beer – if consuming alcohol use in moderation)
Prebiotic Foods: Prebiotic foods feed our own good gut bacteria (broccoli, apples, berries, raw asparagus, raw garlic, raw and cooked onions, raw chicory root, underripe bananas, raw dandelion greens, raw Jerusalem artichokes, legumes, almonds and more)

20. The Solution to the Hormone Conundrum? Balance!
The key to balancing hormones is making long term changes
Diet and lifestyle is the easiest way
Supplements can be helpful
Better than medications
Stick with it. It takes time but it is worth it!