Hormones

What you need to know about Perimenopause

Genetic Testing, Hormones, Perimenopause / /

What is Perimenopause? Perimenopause is the time in a woman’s life where her hormones begin to shift. Her body is preparing her for menopause (the cessation of her child-bearing years and menstruation). This can begin in your late thirties, but normally by the time you hit your forties, you would of started perimenapause. This stage can last 7-10 years before menopause. What Changes can I expect? In perimenopause, you produce less estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. As progesterone slows down, ovulation stops occurring regularly. Your hormones begin to change and this can result in weight gain, insomnia, and thin/dry/itchy skin to name but a few changes. If you want to get through the next decade without feeling terrible, there are plenty of proactive things you can do to support your hormones. What changes do I need to make? 1. Balance your blood sugar (regular meals and a balanced plate of protein, complex carbs, healthy fats and fiber) 2. Manage Stress levels (find coping techniques, do enjoyable things, spend time with loved ones) 3. Support your Liver (limit alcohol and sugar intake) 4. Regular exercise (focus on strength training for bone health) 5. Look after your gut health (eat enough, supplement if you need to, hydrate, and eat fiber for detox) 6. Get quality sleep (7-9 hours uninterrupted sleep) what you eat and do 3 hours before bedtime matters/ have a routine 7. Get sunshine everyday! (15 minutes is enough to get Vitamin D) 8. Consider an adaptogen (Adaptogens can help for hormone balance, anxiety and energy) 9. Self-care (taking time for a hobbie and relaxing is important) 10. Mental health (Keep learning and trying new things to exercise your brain) 11. Change your diet (consider upping your antioxidant and protein intake, remember your diet needs to change with you) 12. Keep an eye on your levels (get your nutritional blood levels checked occasionally especially Vitamin D, calcium, B12, Folate and Iron) How your genes are involved Each woman will experience perimenopause differently based on her lifestyle, diet, environment and how these factors influence her unique genetics. If you have problematic genetics in your detoxification pathway, how your body metabolizes and detoxifies estrogen can have a profound effect on how you experience perimenopause as well as your risk factors for ovarian, breast and uterine cancers.   Thrive By Design Membership Thrive by Design helps you learn to support your genes through epigenetics . Your genes are the blueprint, but you are the architect.     The DNA Core and Hormone tests are two highly recommended genetic tests that can give you valuable insight as you age. Send me an email if you want to get this test @bountifullyhealthy

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What you need to know about oxytocin

Hormones, neurotransmitters, The body / /

Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and neuro peptide produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. It plays a role in social bonding and sexual reproduction in both sexes and during and after childbirth. Oxytocin has hormonal actions as well as important actions in the brain. It is also known as the love hormone.   It is needed for: triggering uterine contraction social bonding stress management the release of serotonin and dopamine reducing cravings breastfeeding it’s calming effect counteracting the effects of cortisol stimulating growth hormone which helps with cell repair and growth building trust and feeling affection and love Ways to increase oxytocin Magnesium and Vitamin C can increase oxytocin. Being more affectionate helps your body create more oxytocin. There are tiny pressure receptors located throughout the body that help with this. Genetics The oxytocin receptor OXTR is central in inhibiting the brains primary fear and stress center-the amygdala, and promotes courage, calmness, empathy, optimism, trust, self belief and self esteem. Certain genetic variables in the oxytocin receptor gene have been implicated in anxiety and depression. There may be more difficulty in overcoming historic life trauma, and there is a higher risk of developing stress-related health issues. Getting your genetic test can help show you how to increase your oxytocin levels in you have a down regulation in your gene. Contact me for more information.   sources: Magon N, Kalra S. The orgasmic history of oxytocin: Love, lust, and labor. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Sep;15 Suppl 3(Suppl3):S156-61. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.84851. PMID: 22029018; PMCID: PMC3183515. Zak PJ, Stanton AA, Ahmadi S. Oxytocin increases generosity in humans. PLoS One. 2007 Nov 7;2(11):e1128. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001128. PMID: 17987115; PMCID: PMC2040517. Cochran DM, Fallon D, Hill M, Frazier JA. The role of oxytocin in psychiatric disorders: a review of biological and therapeutic research findings. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2013 Sep-Oct;21(5):219-47. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0b013e3182a75b7d. PMID: 24651556; PMCID: PMC4120070. Liu N, Yang H, Han L, Ma M. Oxytocin in Women’s Health and Disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Feb 15;13:786271. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.786271. PMID: 35242106; PMCID: PMC8886718. Lee HJ, Macbeth AH, Pagani JH, Young WS 3rd. Oxytocin: the great facilitator of life. Prog Neurobiol. 2009 Jun;88(2):127-51. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2009.04.001. Epub 2009 Apr 10. PMID: 19482229; PMCID: PMC2689929.

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What you need to know about Melatonin

Hormones / /

What is melatonin? Melatonin is referred to as the hormone of darkness. It is produced from serotonin and mainly secreted by the pineal gland where levels are elevated during the night and low during the day. Melatonin helps to regulate your circadian rhythm (your body’s internal sleep-wake clock). What does it do? immune function blood pressure cortisol levels helps to regulate your circadian rhythm acts as an antioxidant may improve eye health east symptoms of seasonal depression can provide relief from acid reflux Melatonin and the gut According to one NCBI article, The concentration of melatonin in the GI tract is at least 400x more than in the pineal gland. As more research is being done, it is becoming known that melatonin may influencing the regeneration and function of the gut lining, enhance the guts immune system, and reduce the tone of gastrointestinal muscles. The release of Melatonin may also influence the digestive tract indirectly, via the central nervous system and the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. Studies show that taking melatonin supplements to help with sleep can cause inflammation in the intestines and disrupt the gut microbiota. This in turn can worsen IBD symtoms. Melatonin and Insulin There is a strong link between melatonin and insulin homeostasis. Research indicates that increasing levels of melatonin reduces the ability of insulin-producing cells to release insulin. Reduced melatonin levels may be involved in the start of type 2 diabetes. pregnancy If you are considering trying for a baby, it would be good to get your GROWBABY DNA test done. This test shows certain genetic variants that predispose one to gestational diabetes and having a large for gestational age baby. It also looks at genetics that for Maternal vitamin D deficiency which can result in recurrent pregnancy losses, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes.   Contact me for more information.

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What you need to know about Epinephrine

Hormones, neurotransmitters / /

What is epinephrine and Norepinephrine? Epinephrine and Norepinephrine are hormones and neurotransmitters classed as a catecholamines. Epinephrine is also known as adrenaline. When you are stressed, your body releases adrenaline. Norephinephrine is also known as noradrenaline. Both play a role in the fight or flight response. The difference  Both epinephrine and norepinephrine can affect your heart, blood sugar levels, and blood vessels. The main difference between the two is that norepinephrine can also make your blood vessels become narrower which increases blood pressure. Symptoms of low epinephrine include: anxiety depression fibromyalgia hypoglycemia migraine restless legs syndrome sleep disorders Norepinephrine and mental health Norepinephrine is made from dopamine. Norepinephrine is also known to influence areas of cognition and behaviour such as attention and working memory. Dysregulation of the norepinephrine system can result in anxiety and depression and ADHD. Genetics When your COMT gene has a lower enzymatic activity, this can increase epinephrine and norepinephrine in the peripheral and central nervous system, which can result in a high pain sensitivity. When dopamine and norepinephrine levels rise, it can disrupt the regulation of the prefrontal cortex, leading to a diminished ability to cope with negative emotions. Genetic testing The DNA resilience test looks at seven molecular areas of resilience: serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, BDNF, Neuropeptide Y, Oxytocin and the stress axis in order to help identify strengths and hurdles, as well as recommending personalised interventions which can help you to improve your resilience outcomes and health performance. If you are interested in getting your genetic test, please contact me. I am an accredited genetic practitioner.

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