Five Tips for Optimum Hormone Health

Tuesday, 8th October 2013

Dr. Kristy Vermeulen, a Naturopath Doctor in Hayes Valley, spoke with us about her specialty: hormone rebalancing. At the end of our interview she provides five tips for paying attention to our hormones as part of a wellness routine.

Earthbody: Your specialty is hormonal balancing. Can you explain the naturopathic approach to this and what someone can expect if they come in for a health check-up with you?

Dr. Kristy: Taking a naturopathic approach to hormonal balancing enables me to look at the whole picture. Every person is different and even though symptoms may be the same, it doesn’t mean that the cause of the symptoms or the appropriate line of treatment are going to be. So, it is important to first find out why you are having the symptoms before starting a hormonal balancing program. We find this out during the initial appointment. We will sit together and discuss your health priorities, symptoms, and overall health history, order necessary lab tests, and get you started on a hormonal balancing program. After I receive your lab results, we will have a follow-up appointment to check in with your progress, review your lab results together, and make any necessary modifications to your program. Natural hormone balancing is a comprehensive process often involving diet and lifestyle recommendations, nutritional supplements, herbs and bioidentical hormones if needed. By addressing these various factors, you are able to achieve permanent results in as little time as possible. My goal is to get you feeling healthy, balanced and energetic as quickly as possible.

Earthbody: Why is it important to keep an eye on our hormones?

Dr. Kristy: Hormones are essential to life, especially for a healthy and happy one. They manage our blood sugar levels and weight and support our immune system to help us better cope with stress and illness. Hormones give men “male” characteristics and women “female” characteristics. In women, they regulate the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and birth, and in both men and women they increase muscle and bone mass, confidence, and strength. Hormones also regulate our daily wake and sleep cycles and maintain our moods, energy, focus, and emotions. They are incredibly important.

Unfortunately, our bodies are not functioning with optimal hormonal levels these days. The environment we live in—with work stress, family stress, long hours, environmental pollution, inadequate sleep, and poor diet— is making it difficult for our bodies to achieve optimal levels of these important hormones. We are constantly struggling just to maintain these levels to get us through the day. And if we are unable to achieve optimal levels, hormonal-related symptoms can start to show up.  These symptoms can range from anxiety, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping to hot flashes, weight gain, poor mood, infertility and more. By optimizing hormone balance you can live the healthy, energetic life you deserve.

Dr. Kristy’s 5 Tips for Hormone Health:

1. Establish a routine. Our bodies love routine and function so much better with it. Each day of the week, try to wake up and go to bed at the same time and eat your meals at the same time. By establishing a regular routine, your stress response will decrease, your metabolism will balance out, and you will feel an increase in energy and mood.

2. Ensure half your plate is comprised of vegetables. Vegetables contain vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which support overall health and hormone balance. Try to include vegetables with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

3. Take time for yourself. Every day, reserve some time to do whatever makes you feel happy and alive, whether it is going for a walk in nature, getting together with your friends, or hitting the gym.

4. Watch your diet. Focus on a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy fats and oils and low in packaged and processed foods, sugar containing foods and pastas and breads.

5.  Get some exercise. Exercise is so important for our health. It increases energy, mood, strength, and our ability to cope with stress. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This can include walking, pilates, yoga, going to the gym, biking, and any other forms of exercise you enjoy.