The Top 9 Hormones You Should Get to Know (and How to Keep Them in Check)
1. Estrogen
What It Does: Estrogen is the queen bee of female sex hormones. It regulates ovulation, menstruation, bone density, and more.
When It’s Out of Whack:
Too High: Weight gain, headaches, low libido, insomnia, and surprise mood swings that make you want to cry over commercials.
Too Low: Menstrual issues, weakened bones, and a one-way ticket to cranky town.
Regulation Tips:
Too High: Avoid xenoestrogens (bye-bye, parabens and red dyes), eat more fiber, and try herbs like milk thistle and black cohosh.
Too Low: Bring on the garlic, dark chocolate (yes, really), and Omega-3s. Essential oils like clary sage can help too.
2. Progesterone
What It Does: This hormone preps the uterus for pregnancy and keeps Aunt Flo on a schedule.
When It’s Out of Whack:
Too High: Increased breast cancer risk and PMS that feels more like PMS-squared.
Too Low: Irregular periods and a harder time carrying a pregnancy.
Regulation Tips:
Too High: Try turmeric tea, Vitamin D, and calming herbs like Dong Quai.
Too Low: Evening primrose oil, magnesium, and chaste berry can work wonders.
3. Testosterone
What It Does: The “manly” hormone plays a vital role in women too, affecting everything from muscle tone to mood.
When It’s Out of Whack:
Too High: Hair in all the wrong places, thinning head hair, and low libido.
Too Low: Weight gain, poor memory, and energy levels that rival a sloth’s.
Regulation Tips:
Too High: Go for nettles, licorice, and saw palmetto. Bonus: cinnamon helps balance blood sugar too.
Too Low: Fenugreek, ginger, and zinc can help you level up.
4. Insulin
What It Does: It’s your blood sugar BFF, turning food into fuel.
When It’s Out of Whack: You’re looking at diabetes, energy crashes, and serious hanger.
Regulation Tips:
Too High: Sip green tea, sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal, and consider chromium supplements.
Too Low: Garlic, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar are your new besties.
5. Cortisol
What It Does: Known as the “stress hormone,” cortisol helps you stay alert and regulates inflammation, metabolism, and blood pressure.
When It’s Out of Whack:
Too High: Welcome to stress-ville—think belly fat, adrenal fatigue, and anxiety.
Too Low: Blood sugar chaos and fatigue so intense, you’ll need a nap after reading this.
Regulation Tips:
Too High: Try yoga, reflexology, or chilling with chamomile tea.
Too Low: Get more Omega-3s, Vitamin C, and TLC (think self-care, not ‘90s R&B—though that’s great too).
6. Growth Hormone
What It Does: This powerhouse handles bone strength, muscle growth, and healthy tissue repair as we age.
When It’s Out of Whack: Too little leads to slower healing and aging that feels like a fast-forward button.
Regulation Tips:
Sip green tea, take GABA, and add arginine to your supplement stack. Essential oil detoxes can also help.
7. Adrenaline
What It Does: Your fight-or-flight MVP—it speeds up your heart, sharpens your brain, and gives you superhuman energy in emergencies.
When It’s Out of Whack:
Too High: You’re jittery, anxious, and feel like a hummingbird on espresso.
Too Low: You’re sluggish and unmotivated, like the Monday-est of Mondays.
Regulation Tips:
Too High: Breathe! Meditation, lavender oil, and ashwagandha can work magic.
Too Low: Tyrosine and phenylalanine might give you the boost you need.
8. Thyroid Hormones
What They Do: These hormones regulate energy, weight, temperature, and more.
When They’re Out of Whack:
Too High: You’re restless, losing weight, and shedding hair faster than your cat.
Too Low: You’re tired, gaining weight, and forgetting why you walked into the room.
Regulation Tips:
Too High: Lemon balm and selenium supplements can calm things down.
Too Low: Add sea moss, probiotics, and reflexology to your routine.
9. Leptin
What It Does: This hunger hormone tells you when to put the fork down.
When It’s Out of Whack: Leptin resistance leads to weight gain, while too little makes you feel hangry 24/7.
Regulation Tips:
Too High: Gymnema, zinc, and essential oils like grapefruit are game-changers.
Too Low: Fish oil, glutamine, and energy work can help reset your appetite radar.
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Hormonal Harmony: The Bottom Line
Want happy hormones? Prioritize the basics: sleep, hydration, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and less stress. Oh, and don’t forget to laugh—it’s scientifically proven to lower cortisol. Because if life gives you lemons, make a hormone-balancing herbal tea. Cheers!
Wishing you wellness and balance on your healing journey,
Gloria at Harmony Healing
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