as the body does not produce the proper enzymes to be able to metabolize and excrete them completely. Some common symptoms that may be related to hormonal imbalances are: chronic fatigue, menstrual problems, headaches, musculoskeletal injuries that do not heal for a prolonged time, weight gain or loss, hair or skin changes, difficulties with attention and focus and mood.
What can people do to try to maintain proper hormone bal- ance in the face of all the challenges of modern day living? 1. Improve digestion and elimination. Consume a mini- mum of 1 oz. of water daily for each 0.5 lbs. of body weight. Eat lots of vegetables and fruits (preferably organic), moder- ate amounts of fish (with the exception of tuna and swordfish which are higher in mercury), and organic meat and poultry, or vegetarian protein combining that supplies all of the essential amino acids. Avoiding wheat and gluten-containing grains, as well as
whatever foods you have allergies to, is advisable since most people have sensitivities to these compounds; and eating foods that you are sensitive to drains your adrenals. 2. Make sure your elimination is brisk, not sluggish. Excess estrogens and the wrong types of testosterone are re-absorbed back into the body through a sluggishly moving colon. One bowel movement a day is not adequate. Colonics (colon hydro- therapy) can help return the body’s elimination to optimal. 3. Avoid alcohol, smoking, processed foods, sugar and phar- maceuticals as much as possible, since all of these tax the liver. One of the liver’s tasks is to balance the hormones, and a toxic
liver finds this more difficult to do. Make sure to get adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet (and by supplementa- tion) as this is very important for optimal hormonal balance. 4. Be aware of your stress levels and take steps to manage
them. Sometimes this can be as simple as making yourself un- available by phone after your bedtime. Other times it may mean changing toxic relationships or job situations. Cardiovascular exercise, yoga, meditation, being in nature or listening to music can be very helpful in reducing stress. 5. If the above measures do not seem to be improving your hormonal balance within 2-3 months of initiating them, utilize practitioners who are accustomed to recognizing and balancing hormonal disorders without resorting to synthetic hormones. Some examples of these might be acupuncturists, nutritionists, herbalists, homeopaths, chiropractors, naturopaths, and integra- tive medical doctors.
Dr. Hepsharat Amadi was the visiting medical doctor for the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach from 1995 to 1998. Since May 2001, she has been in solo private practice in wholistic medicine, at 10220 W. Sample Road, Suite 3, Coral Springs, 954.757.0064. Her specialties include quantum biofeedback assessment and treatment (a form of energy medicine), lifestyle and nutritional counseling, along with homeopathic, herbal and nutritional supplementation and remedies. See ad page 34.
natural awakenings
May 2012
35
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