Ever wonder what could be causing your Hormone Imbalance(s)?! If you are trying to figure it out, I’m sure you’ve gone down the laundry list of possible causes! You know you should be eating right, cooking at home, working out or exercising, sleeping well, not drinking and staying hydrated to help balance your hormones, right?! Those things are obvious (I hope!). But what about the not-so-obvious things that might be the culprit of your brain fog, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, low libido, etc? Here are five often forgot about causes of hormonal imbalances.
G.I. Infection
When the GI tract is infected, it can trigger an inflammatory response in your body. This sometimes can lead to increased levels of stress hormones like cortisol. This elevated stress response can interfere with the production and regulation of other hormones.
Additionally, GI infections may impair nutrient absorption, leading to deficiencies that can further hormonal disruptions. If there is an excess of bacteria that produce beta glucuronidase, this reverts estrogen back into the bloodstream resulting in one of the most common Hormone Imbalances: Estrogen Dominance (ED). And if you’ve been following me for any length of time you know that “ED” is precursor to PMS, PMDD, PCOS, Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, Endometriosis, Infertility and Mood Swings.
Viruses
Viruses, being one of the common infective agents affecting humans, also influence endocrine organs causing hypo- or hyper-function of the thyroid, adrenal glands, etc. undoubtedly creating a hormone balancing issue.
Mold
Exposure to mold can lead to a deficiency or imbalance of many hormones, unfortunately (and this stinks if you live in a steamy or swampy area like me!). This is due to the production of mycotoxins which are toxic substances produced by certain molds. These mycotoxins can interfere with the endocrine system, affecting hormone production and regulation in the body. Additionally, mold exposure can trigger inflammation and stress responses.
Parasites
Parasites change the endocrine system because the immune system becomes activated when they are present; affecting the system through the influence of cellular communicators called cytokines! Parasites may also disrupt nutrient absorption in the gut, leading to deficiencies that can further exacerbate hormonal imbalances.
Yeast
Candida overgrowth produces toxins that can disrupt the endocrine system. Yeast, specifically Candida overgrowth, can potentially contribute to hormone imbalances in several ways. Candida can bind to estrogen and prevent it from being taken up by estrogen receptors (hello, ED!). Moreover, this overgrowth can affect the gut microbiome.
Don’t forget to explore more of my blog posts and reach out if you have any questions.
The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Dr. Francesca LeBlanc. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician. Do not use the information provided in this post for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Please, do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read on this website.
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