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Hormones
are powerful chemical messengers that circulate through your bloodstream
to specific target cells, where they generate a wide range of biological
responses. You
might think of hormones as the "prime movers" of your physical and emotional
health.
Every time
you get angry, become tired, laugh, cry, have sex, wake up, feel hungry,
or fall asleep your body is responding to hormones. That's because hormone
levels can impact virtually every major system and organ in your body.
HOW
DO HORMONES AFFECT MY HEALTH?
There are several major hormones that have particularly powerful effects
on your health, and each one plays a unique physiological role in the
body.
SEX
HORMONES...
Testosterone is the most critical hormone for maintaining a healthy sex
drive - in both men and women. Testosterone also increases lean body mass
and promotes muscle development. Low levels of this important hormone
are linked to fatigue and depression. Balance is the key - too much testosterone
may bring about various health conditions- and may play a role in triggering
aggression and anger.
Estrogen
(estradiol) modulates the course of both the menstrual cycle and menopause,
so imbalances are directly linked to symptoms such as weight gain, headaches,
PMS, mood swings, and abdominal cramps. An estrogen deficiency can double
your risk of poor bone health and cardiovascular system dysfunction. Progesterone,
along with estrogen, plays a major role in shaping a healthy menstrual
cycle. Imbalances are associated with a variety of "female" problems,
including endometriosis, amenorrhea, and infertility.
STRESS
HORMONES....
Cortisol is a powerful steroid released to "activate" your body in times
of stress. You need cortisol to "pump you up"' to meet all the daily challenges
of life. Without it you'd have no motivation to even get out of bed in
the morning!
But if your
body produces too much cortisol over a long period of time, it can disrupt
your blood sugar metabolism, trigger emotional problems, and make you
feel constantly tired and weak. Eventually, chronic cortisol imbalances
can lead to weight gain, muscle and joint pain, insomnia and premature
aging.
DHEA is the
most abundant hormone in your bloodstream. Although the complete scope
of its function is not yet fully determined, DHEA seems to balance the
effects of cortisol, by improving the body's ability to cope with stress.
It also provides the source material for the production of important sex
hormones.
Clinical
studies suggest that DHEA can boost energy levels, strengthen immune function,
improve memory, and reduce body fat. Some researchers believe that DHEA
acts as a "mood elevator," preventing depression and senile dementia by
protecting important neurons in the brain. DHEA levels should be closely
monitored when supplementing, however, to prevent potentially harmful
imbalances.
WHY
DO HORMONE LEVELS CHANGE?
As you grow older, hormone levels can drop by as much as 80%-90% from
their youthful peaks. Researchers have found that this decrease plays
an important role in the aging process - ultimately impairing muscle development,
sexual function, sleep patterns, and various brain functions - including
memory, along with reducing one's overall sense of well-being.
In women,
hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone fall most rapidly
during and after menopause. In both men and women, however, cortisol levels
have a tendency to rise with age, often causing a decreased resistance
to stress.
HOW
CAN OUR HORMONE CHECKS HELP?
A simple saliva health screen can determine if your hormone levels are
within normal range for your sex and age group. Our line of Hormone health
screens can be the first step toward getting your body back in balance
- and helping you feel your personal best.
FemaleCheck
- Testosterone, Progesterone and Estradiol
MaleCheck
- Testosterone and DHEA
StressCheck
- Cortisol and DHEA
PerformanceCheck
- Testosterone, DHEA, and Cortisol
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