Supplements can be used at various stages of life, including when there are hormonal changes that induce weight loss or gain and develop inflammatory processes.
Various agents promote inflammatory processes and are a determining factor in chronic inflammation, much of which is caused by eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, poor stress management and poor sleep. The solution to these hormonal imbalances is hormonal regulation.
It is possible to have certain hormonal disorders, including insulin resistance, a parameter assessed by blood glucose and insulin. Insulin resistance can also be related to genetic issues, and there is a greater predisposition when there are relatives with insulin resistance or diabetes. This parameter can be controlled through diet, particularly by reducing the intake of refined sugars and processed foods.
The thyroid is a gland that produces a set of hormones which, when deficient, induce hypothyroidism, leading to a decrease in metabolism. Although these changes can occur at all ages, a child is less likely than an adult, a man is less likely than a woman and a younger woman is less likely than an older woman.
The changes resulting from the menopause can lead to changes in the thyroid and trigger problems such as hypothyroidism - slower thyroid function - and hyperthyroidism - faster thyroid function. This parameter can be assessed by clinical analysis.
Some supplements can help control these thyroid hormone levels, such as algae (chlorella and spirulina), which help the thyroid gland function better.
Even so, we can get all the supplements we need from food, but sometimes it's difficult to acquire the quantity we need.
With advancing age, the thyroid gland is more likely to become tired, so it is essential to increase the regularity of thyroid assessments.
There are also recurrent changes in sex hormones. Some scientific studies have shown that men with testosterone deficiency are more likely to develop chronic inflammation and associated diseases.
Low testosterone levels can be associated with high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and low levels of good cholesterol (HDL), which can lead to chronic inflammation, including changes in the lipid profile and insulin resistance.
These men may have lower sexual performance, be more anxious, depressed, sleep poorly, be less inclined to gain muscle mass and have more fat mass, particularly visceral fat mass, which is located in the abdominal region and is more likely to be inflammatory.
To resolve this issue, testosterone supplementation is possible, recommended by a clinician, in the appropriate doses taking into account the assessment and diagnosis.
Supplements such as B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, healthy fats found in olive oil, oregano oil, fish oil, garlic and maca can be very interesting for modulating testosterone in men.
On the other hand, we have come to realize that foods rich in soy can contribute to a decrease in testosterone, as can alcohol consumption, processed foods and fasting for too long.
Women before entering the menopause can also develop some hormonal changes. The most common sex hormone-related alteration is a change in progesterone levels with a dominance of oestrogens and, often, testosterone deficits.
Although women have lower levels of testosterone than men, it plays a fundamental role in ensuring muscle and energy. Testosterone in women also ends up being anxiolytic. When testosterone levels are low, libido is consequently reduced, there is a greater predisposition to putting on weight and loss of skin tone.
When there is a dominance of oestrogen and little progesterone, two female hormones, weight gain, tiredness, changes in lipids, insulin resistance, irritation, difficulty sleeping, breast tension, excessive blood during periods and altered bowels are common.
To resolve this issue, it is possible to supplement with bioidentical progesterone, but also glutathione, berberine, thiamine, resveratrol and DIM. This supplementation should be recommended by a clinician, in doses that take into account the assessment and diagnosis.
When women enter the menopause, there are also changes in sex hormones. During the menopause, women have a deficit of progesterone and oestrogen because they no longer produce these hormones.
As a result, they tend to put on weight, their skin and hair age, they are less inclined to gain muscle and they tend to accumulate visceral fat. The fat that used to accumulate in the hips and butt accumulates in the torso, chest and abdominal region, which leads to increased levels of chronic inflammation and an increased predisposition to developing cardiovascular disease.
The solution can be supplementation with bioidentical oestrogens and progesterone, always after an assessment and diagnosis by a clinician.
There are also hormones produced in the adrenal glands. The adrenals are glands located above the kidneys that produce hormones and some of them, when in excess, such as cortisol, cause insomnia, loss of muscle mass and anxiety.
Cortisol shouldn't be too low or too high, but there are other hormones produced in this gland, such as DHEA, which can also be supplemented with the bioidentical hormone itself.
Some of the supplements that can be used to work on and shape the adrenal gland are relora, ginseng, rhodiola, vitamin C, zinc, B vitamins, ashwagandha, theanine, valerian, passionflower, melatonin, licorice, gaba, 5-HTP and chamomile tea, for example. These are substances that we can use to shape this gland, which is often fatigued by overstimulation and stress.
Hormones can provide a better quality of life when prescribed properly. The body must be able to metabolize them otherwise they can become harmful.
