The problem many individuals deal with this day in age is that of hormonal imbalance. Hormonal imbalance is caused by the corrupted function of the molecules that control the balance of the body. These molecules are known as the hormone-messenger molecules (endocrine system) and the neurotransmitter-messenger molecules of the brain and nervous system. These specific molecules are influential to almost all functions of the body; and the first basis to treatment is to understand how and why these molecules become unstable and cause bodily imbalance. For these molecules are the reason many people go about tired, overweight, depressed and . . . infertile.
Additionally, perhaps the most important aspect of hormonal systems is that of unity. Our well-being is dependent on hormonal messengers in the way that they correspond to everything from blood-sugar, thyroid state, and sexual function. They can also have influence on growth and development, sleep, and overall mood. Balance within the body is very important in nearly every aspect of our life — and vital to achieving happiness. Not to mention its dramatic impact on fertility and a woman’s likeness to conceive.
Furthermore, when our hormones are deemed imbalanced, it is undeniably shown in our health. Examples of this include: too much cortisol and adrenaline induced by stress, too much insulin (from response to sugar) and by providing an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone. Ultimately, imbalances within these hormone levels affect the balance of an equally, if not more, important hormone system — that of sexual hormones and the ones in correlation with fertility.
So you may be curious as to what has caused these major abnormalities within our hormones. The simple answer is that of surroundings. As technology and science continue to evolve, we are constantly in an ever modernizing environment — an environment straying away from traditional, natural times. For example, humans were brought up from a “hunter-gatherer” past. That is until we discovered complex carbohydrates and the processing of nutrients. Back when we were dependent on nature, for instance, we ate only about 20 teaspoons of sugar a year. However, we now, on average, eat 50 teaspoons of sugar a day (!!!). The problem with this is that our bodies and genetic makeup were never meant to be able to handle these kinds of changes. And ultimately, this is what has caused the downfall in our balance — corrupted by behavioral evolution and the upbringing of a different lifestyle.
So how does functional medicine play into this? Well, as mentioned in the last article, functional medicine is meant to bring about a thorough, natural, and beneficial aspect of medicine to your life. This involves trying to make connections to our past — to eat whole foods, to sleep 8 hours a night, to exercise smartly, and to find ways to enter deep relaxation and meditation throughout the day. One of the things that cause hormonal imbalance is that of stress (an increasing problem in this modern day), and just a few minor changes to the way you go about your daily life can make significant changes to your health and to your hormonal levels. These levels directly relate to fertility in the way that hormones are perhaps one of the most important parts of a pregnancy — and how a sense of balance is essential for carrying a baby to term and for maintaining a good state of mind throughout the entire pregnancy.
Functional medicine truly has the power to improve many aspects of fertility and can greatly improve your chance of conceiving. However, it is up to you what you take from it. So what do you say? Is it worth looking into? You would be amazed at the benefits of functional medicine on the body in general, but specifically in its powerful effects in relation to hormones and in increasing fertility. I’d say it’s at least worth a shot.
Sarah Clark empowers couples to discover how lifestyle and diet can dramatically impact their chances of conceiving. She was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure at 28 and had both her kids with donor eggs. Not until years later did she discover that the root cause of her infertility was a food intolerance. Ready to gaze into your baby’s eyes….but struggling. Download 10 step Checklist here
