Who doesn’t want better sleep, clearer skin, a smaller waistline, more energy, and terrific sexual and reproductive health? I can’t imagine any man or woman who wouldn’t—and the good news is that we can start to feel and look our best this Spring by tapping into the power of our endocrine system, the hormonal powerhouse that controls just about everything going on with our body. You may remember from science class that the endocrine system is comprised of the body’s hormones (i.e., insulin, estrogen, testosterone) and glands (i.e., adrenals, pituitary, ovaries), which process and secrete chemicals.  Now here’s where it gets interesting: our lifestyle and diet choices make a profound difference in whether or not the system runs smoothly. Poor habits can cause the entire system to go haywire, leading to a hormonal breakdown, which then results in sometimes elusive symptoms like low energy, reproductive issues, troublesome skin, weight gain, and gastrointestinal problems, among many others. The good news is that while the endocrine system is incredibly complex, there are many simple steps you can take to help keep your hormones happy, whether you’re male or female, and at any age.

1. Eat your way towards balance. Your entire endocrine system relies on the micronutrients you consume and requires steady blood sugar levels to function properly. Aim for a diet that is based on whole, unprocessed organic foods, and limit caffeine and alcohol. Help your pancreas and liver out by eating regularly (don’t skip meals!), incorporating lean protein (either vegetarian or animal sources) and keeping an eye on sugar intake, to maintain your blood sugar levels. Last but not least, avoid processed soy, as it messes with the essential hormone balance because it mimics estrogen in the body.
2. Support elimination. Your liver, lymphatic system, skin and large intestine serve as our natural detoxifier. They flush out hormones that have been circulating through your bloodstream and eventually become toxic. Support elimination through regular bowel movement (diet & fiber are key), good old sweaty exercise, and daily skin brushing.
3. Get enough sleep. The deep sleep stage is a critical time for the release of growth hormone, which repairs tissues and balances the metabolism. Also, lack of sleep disrupts cortisol levels, increasing appetite and cravings. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Adopting a regular sleep schedule and avoiding phones and computers before bed can help.
4. Manage your stress levels. The levels of various hormones change in response to stress. While some of these changes are necessary, ongoing or excessive stress makes hormones (like cortisol) skyrocket, resulting in endocrine disorders like diabetes, heart disease, fertility issues, and obesity. Put down your smartphone and take some time to unwind!
5. Create a clean & natural home environment. Switch out toxic cleaning products containing endocrine disrupting chemicals for natural ones. They can lead to reproductive problems, metabolic issues, cancer, birth defects, and other harmful disorders. We like the brand Seventh Generation.
6. Use non-toxic personal care & beauty products. Did you know that 80 percent of the chemicals in personal care products have never been tested for safety? Think twice about which facial creams, shampoos, soaps and makeup products you use. Visit The GoodGuide <http://www.goodguide.com> to find better home and personal products that are healthy, green, and socially responsible.

P.S. I highly recommend the book, The WomanCode, by holistic health coach Alissa Vitti, to any woman who is interested in optimizing her health and wellbeing. The book takes a deep and enjoyable dive into the world of the endocrine system and offers a proven program for rebalancing your hormones, creating easier periods, preserving your fertility and invigorating your sex drive. Questions? Comments? Please email me at Erika@oloacupuncture.com!
Photo from Moyan Brenn

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