Low energy, sleeplessness, PMT, mood swings, constipation, indigestion, headaches, irritability, low productivity, no libido, irregular or heavy periods, weight problems, loss of hair, water retention, any symptoms related to menopause such as hot flashes, cold hands and feet, aching joints, skin problems (of any type from too dry to too oily), blood pressure and blood sugar problems, lack of mental clarity.

If you do then you definitely do not have happy hormones!

The Hormonal (Endocrine) system is a collection of interrelated glands that produce over two dozen hormones. Hormones are chemicals that travel through the blood to cause an effect on distant parts of the body. The entire system works very delicately and a fine balance of hormones is needed for the whole system to function properly.

Hormones control just about every body function kidney, liver, lung, skin, heart, and reproductive function, producing antihistamines and anti-inflammatories, growth hormone (which keeps you looking young and slim!), metabolism (controls body weight!), appetite and bowel function.

PITUITARY GLAND

The Hormonal system is managed by the Pituitary Gland, which directly controls the production of the growth hormone and anabolic hormones. Mobilization of fats, sparing of glucose, promotes lactation, initiates labour, stimulates the kidneys to re-absorb water and has an indirect effect on the growth and function of the liver and other organs including the formation of cartilage and the skeleton.

THE PINEAL GLAND

Although the endocrine function of the pineal is not fully known, what is known is that it plays a role in regulating the two neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin, which are believed to have a strong effect on the Hormonal system, including reproductive function, sleep and on moods.

The Pineal gland is directly affected by UV rays, which help to regulate this gland. It is therefore vital for you to spend at least 30 minutes per day in natural light, with no lenses like contacts or prescriptive lenses or sunglasses covering the eyes. UV rays cannot penetrate these lenses

THE THYROID  

The Thyroid hormones control mental composure and alertness, blood fat balance, strong and steady heart function, circulation of blood, balancing of the appetite, bowel function, body weight controls, fluid balance in the body muscle strength, the ability to fight infection and the controlling of calcium levels in the blood. The thyroid needs iodine to function properly. A diet of plenty (at least 75%) raw fruit and vegetables will help supply this as will the inclusion of kelp.

THE PARATHYROID GLANDS

The four tiny glands are embedded in the thyroid and are often grouped as part of the thyroid. They produce parathyroid, which affects the bones through its control over the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. It acts with Vitamin D to strengthen our teeth and bones and to clot our blood.

THE THYMUS 

The full function of the thymus is not known but it does produce lymphocytes particularly those T4 killer cells (a type of white blood cell which plays an important role in the development of immunity).

THE ADRENAL GLANDS

Help to control mineral salt levels (especially sodium and potassium), blood pressure, blood sugar and mobilizes fats for energy and stimulates protein use and helps the body cope with stress (chronic long term stress can hammer these glands.

Adrenal glands control inflammation and immune responses. Produce oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone after menopause. It is essential to a healthy symptom free menopause to make sure you look after the entire endocrine system, particularly the adrenal glands.

Yuppie flu is often just overworked adrenal glands. Adequate Vitamin C helps the Adrenals to function properly. A high (75% minimum) raw fruit and vegetable diet contains more than enough Vitamin C.

THE PANCREAS

The Pancreas is situated behind the stomach in the abdomen and for its size performs the most amazing functions. Its main job is to control blood sugar and produce digestive enzymes.

THE GONADS

The male and female gonads produce gonadal sex hormones, identical in every way to those produced by the adrenal glands. The ovaries produce ova, oestrogen and progesterone. Oestrogen is responsible for maturation of the reproductive organs. Progesterone helps oestrogen with breast formation and cyclic changes. Both are involved in pregnancy.

When a hysterectomy is performed or a woman is simply over 40 and tired, she may be placed on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). In the latest study done on over one million women, it was found that 50% of those who used HRT developed cancer of some type.

Vickie Hufnagel, a gynaecologist and author of "No More Hysterectomies", says that a hysterectomy is simply a "renumerectomy" and that only 5% of hysterectomies are actually needed. Hysterectomy should be the last possible option - not the first line of treatment.

Symptoms after a hysterectomy are: 

1. Loss of sexual desire or arousal. 

2. Internal organs held in place by uterus may cave inward or prolapse - causing pelvic pain, sexual difficulties, pressure on bowel and bladder.

3. Long-term danger and consequences:  Osteoporosis, increased risk of heart disease, bone and joint pain and immobility, chronic fatigue and frequent urinary tract infections.

Clearly HRT and hysterectomies are not the solution.

THE TESTES

Produce sperm and male sex hormones, testosterone, which initiates maturity in males.

THE HYPOTHALAMUS

Is a part of the brain containing nerve centers that control appetite, thirst, body weight, fluid balance, body temperature and sex drive. It is located above the pituitary gland and acts as a link between the nervous system and the endocrine system (called the Neuro-endocrine system).

There are many things that make your hormones unhappy. Here are a few of the main problem dietary areas.

ASPARTAME (Trade names are Nutrasweet, Candarel and Equal) :

Aspartame, it is claimed by independent scientists, causes neuro endocrine disorders, i.e. disorders of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the endocrine system. Aspartame can upset any of the endocrine glands, but is suspected of slowing down the function of the thyroid thereby slowing down metabolic rate which defeats the reason for taking it (weight loss). Because of the close links with the CNS, foods that affect the endocrine system could in unknown ways affect the CNS. This could contribute to mood swings, erratic behaviour and weight gain; all symptoms related to menopause and hormonal problems.

REFINED SUGAR

Refined sugar affects the hormonal system by causing a drop in blood sugar, which in turn, causes the pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands to malfunction.   This could result in a number of endocrine disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, mood swings, hot flashes and any of the problems related to the entire hormonal system.

Refined sugar also causes 'reactive' hypoglycaemia resulting in an adrenaline rush with consequent explosive temper, panic attacks, fainting, epileptic seizure and migraines. This reaction also causes a ravenous appetite and food cravings.

TYPICAL PREMENSTRUAL TENSION (PMT) 

Symptoms can result, making people comment that it is just your hormones; as if your hormones misbehave on their own!  Typical PMT symptoms are hostility, aggressive behaviour, panic attacks, epilepsy, headaches, food cravings and increased appetite and these don't just happen to women! Recent research also shows reduced progesterone levels in women with PMT. Progesterone helps control menstrual bleeding, has a calming effect and helps prevent asthma, skin eruptions, acne and herpes.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (EFA’s) 

Best found in natural unheated foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, olives and cold-pressed oils. EFA's help the hormonal system in males and females to function properly, producing prostaglandins, which help to produce progesterone, which helps prevent PMT and associated pain with menstruation, heavy bleeding and menopausal symptoms. Cold pressed flax seed oil taken daily helps tremendously with any hormonal problems from inflammation to weight issues, blood pressure, blood sugar and high cholesterol. It is important that you use flax oil that is not encapsulated as this process can heat the flax, the oil should be genuinely cold pressed (not above 39ºC), nitrogen flushed when packed (to prevent oxidation or spoiling) and packed in an opaque, fluoridated bottle, which is the only container that prevents xenoestrogens being released into the flax oil and light from entering which will also spoil the flax oil.

DAIRY & ALCOHOL 

Milk and milk products, or alcohol (consumed or manufactured by the body through bad food combining), processed and heated fats, low vitamin intake and excess animal fat intake can compete for the Linoleic Acid (a vital essential fatty acid also known as Omega 6) available, which the body requires to manufacture several prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are vital to healthy hormonal function.

This in turn, can upset this delicate hormonal balance in some women. This explains why many women improve drastically with hormonal problems when their diet changes to exclude animal fats and combining properly (no alcohol) and including a lot of raw plant food (high vitamin intake). A deficiency in prostaglandins can lead to a breakdown in the immune system resulting in asthma, hay fever, sinusitis, candida albicans and eczema.

Other substances are:
Caffeine - found in tea, coffee, chocolates and colas.
Vinegar
Any drugs or medication (remove only with medical supervision).
Foods containing mustard oil, which tends to slow down the function (onion and garlic family, kale, cabbage and watercress).
Gluten – the protein found in the grains of wheat, rye, oats and barley. 

The only way to see if any of these foods are affecting you is to remove these foods for a period of six weeks and see what happens. Then slowly reintroduce one at a time and monitor your body.