The science behind it all:
First and foremost, I must start with a sort of disclaimer.
Saying that I am not a doctor, I am simply writing things that have worked for
me and information I have read.
Okay so here we go!
The weight loss wonder secret that has
worked for me: Balancing my hormones.
Everybody has a different body. Hormones tell our body what
to do and the secret here is that the hormones tell our body what to do with
fat. Most women are either tipping the scale on either estrogen (the female
hormone) or androgens (male hormones like testosterone). So we need look at all of the areas that make
these hormones harmonious. First let’s check out what these bad boys can do
when they are out of whack.
ESTROGEN
DOMINANCE SYMPTOMS
The
symptoms and conditions associated with estrogen dominance are:
- Acceleration of the aging process
- Allergies, including asthma, hives, rashes, sinus
congestion
- Autoimmune disorders such as lupus erythematosis and
thyroiditis, and possibly Sjoegren's disease
- Breast cancer
- Breast tenderness
- Cervical dysplasia
- Cold hands and feet as a symptom of thyroid dysfunction
- Copper excess
- Decreased sex drive
- Depression with anxiety or agitation
- Dry eyes
- Early onset of menstruation
- Endometrial (uterine) cancer
- Fat gain, especially around the abdomen, hips and
thighs
- Fatigue
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Foggy thinking
- Gallbladder disease
- Hair Loss
- Headaches
- Hypoglycemia
- Increased blood clotting (increasing risk of strokes)
- Infertility
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Magnesium deficiency
- Memory loss
- Mood swings
- Osteoporosis
- Polycystic ovaries
- Premenopausal bone loss
- PMS
- Prostate cancer (men only)
- Sluggish metabolism
- Thyroid dysfunction mimicking hypothyroidism
- Uterine cancer
- Uterine fibroids
- Water retention, bloating
- Zinc deficiency
Photo credit: http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalhealth/dhea-naturalandsupplementation.aspx
I inserted this picture to demonstrate the different varieties
of hormones that signal all of the processes in our body. The main thing for
women of all ages is to make the body less toxic and this isn’t just about
pesticides and other environmental factors but also what your body is creating
as toxins. How do we do this? Through the liver but I will get to that in a
moment. The liver is the main hormone balancer in our body.
Estrogen Toxins:
Phytoestrogens- in food such as flaxseed oil and soy
products.
Metabolic- meaning the liver is overloaded with toxins so we
become overloaded on our own hormones.
Zenoestrogen- DDT/DDE pesticides in non-organic produce and
meats. Not to mention GMO plants like soy and cotton. Yes, even our dang
clothes leech this stuff directly into our body, through our skin every time we
wear cotton clothing (unless it is organic). Oh and Plastic and Petroleum
products.
The liver neutralizes these toxins through
tri-methyl-glycine or in other words three-methylated groups. This is phase 1
of liver detoxification. Ever see a person who has been drinking or using drugs
for long periods of time, they come off all of it and then look to age 10
years? This is because they depleted their methylation pathway almost
immediately. If only it was well known to safely stop a bad habit you need to
replace it with a new good habit: healthy methyl-rich foods. What are they you ask? Get to the point you
say?
Trimethylglycine donors:
Fermented and/or Raw Beets
Goji Berries
Sam-e
MSM
B6, B9 & B12
Iodine-
Protect the Halogens from harming the Thyroid. T3 and T4 hormones made by the thyroid are iodine preserved. Halogens are carcinogens like: Ethylene Dibromide (EPA, Gasoline or Petroleum products),Radiation, Chlorine and Flourine (Flouride). The suggested dosage by David Wolfe is to slowly graduate to up to 50mg but I just eat Annie Chun's Wasabi Roasted Seaweed Snacks :)
Lignin rich foods are-
Lignin is a dense fiber that will draw excess hormones out
of the body reducing the livers burden. Defatted Flaxseed- Since the
phytoestrogens have been drawn out to make flaxseed oil. This fabulous fiber is
begging for estrogens and will pull them from your body.
Green tea
Berries & Apples-Pectin
Sesame seeds
Broccoli, Kale and other Cruciferous Vegetables -
Contain Calcium-D-Glucarate: a bile and urine stimulant. This
aids the rest of the detoxification process of phase 2 liver detoxification. This
also helps with estrogen metabolism and neutralization.
Button Mushrooms have
a surprising estrogen neutralizing effect.
**Lemon peel dissolves excess estrogen
**Grapefruit Oil applied topically to cellulite melts it
away, along with ingestion of grapefruit juice. (Do not try this if you are on pharmaceutical
medications. It will block the absorption)
So what have I been doing to lose 11
pounds in 5 days?
- Making sure to lower stress that means 20 minute naps if I don’t
sleep well and meditation/prayer daily-this time is dedicated to focusing on
being thankful for a healthy body and also envisioning my perfect healthy
physique.
- Working out for at
least 30 minutes everyday
- Sitting in a sauna twice a week as well as dry brushing my
body before showering every day and Epsom herb salt baths once a week.
- Earthing: Feet, back or bum within direct contact with the
earth daily and 20 minutes of sunshine (if possible) daily. If snow is on the
ground make sure to at least stand outside in the sun.
- Increasing my water to 8 or more glasses- Starting my day
with at least 16oz right off the bat!
- Early morning herbal teas such as Traditional Medicinal’s
Everyday Lemon Detox
- Alternating green smoothies which include most cruciferous leafy
greens and beet, ginger, lemon smoothies for the majority of my beginning of
the day routine
- Eating or drinking a nutrient rich smoothie every 3 hours to
manage sugar spikes
- Eating good fats: Avocados, Fish Oil, Olive Oil, Organic
Butter, Nuts, & Coconut oil
- Eating lean protein all of which is vegetarian protein:
Legumes, brown rice, quinoa, & kale- if you do choose to eat meat keep red
meat and pork a once a month ordeal and make sure it is organic.
- Eating smart carbohydrates: Fruits instead of breads
- Making sure all carbohydrates are eaten before 6pm at the
latest and the majority of higher sugar carbs such as fruits are consumed after
a workout so they go directly to muscle (ATP cycling)
- I have also been reducing my calories to 1200 calories a day
or less. It is has been proven by science and ancient sages that calorie restriction
lengthens life. Fasting will always be a part of my health regime but I will probably
only fast for a day or two rather than restrict my calories consistently.
Honestly I feel healthy, vibrant, and full of energy. I feel
as though I am waking from a fog. Like all the puzzle pieces are starting to
fit and so perfectly in my daily routine. All you have to do is find your own
flow.
The main detox and restore recipe:
Raw Beet with beet greens
1 cup water
Lemon juice with fourth of lemon peel added in
Two fingers of ginger root (small pieces)
1 large to medium carrot
2-3 oz. Organic cranberry juice no added sweetener
1 large Celery stalk
1 tsp. Chia seeds
Hand full of spinach/kale/broccoli
1 cup Organic frozen berry blend
Amazing grass-Green Superfood powder 1 scoop
Other options:
Teas (In everyday lemon detox tea):
Milk Thistle
(Dandelion Root)
(Cleavers)
Peppermint
Smoothie enhancers (Both in amazing grass powder):
Maca Root Powder
Chlorella Powder
Adaptogens/Supplements:
Omega 3- 500mg
Vitamin D3-2000 IU or more
Ashwagandha-600mg
Dong Quai-150-300mg
Asian Ginseng-200-400mg
Still not convinced?
If you’d like to know for sure what your hormones are doing in there go to your primary care doctor or alternative medicine doctor and ask for a hormone level saliva test. This is the most accurate test available.
