Hormones are “chemical messengers” which are produced and secreted by numerous glands in the body. Once a hormone is released into the bloodstream, as a result of a certain stimuli, it instructs target cells and/or glands to produce a particular substance (such as other hormones). These hormones stimulate or inhibit the actions of cells everywhere, depending on the needs of the body. Thus, although very different in their functions, different hormones are dependent on each other to produce a balanced chemical environment in the body. For example, glands such as the ovaries, adrenals, pituitary and hypothalamus, produce and regulate levels of estrogen, progesterone, and androgens.
Estrogen
• Causes growth of sexual organs
• Causes the lining of the uterus to thicken, and endometrial glands to develop and nourish a fertilized egg
• Causes an increase in overall body fat which provides soft skin texture
• Causes fluid and salt retention in the tissue to plump and fill skin
• Helps retain calcium in the bones
• Has direct effect on endothelial lining of blood vessels
• Affects physiological functions of the body like blood sugar, emotional balance and memory
• Has stimulatory effect on the nervous system. High levels can trigger anxiety, irritability and mood swings.
• Is used by the body for cellular growth and repair
• Inhibits osteoclastes (the cells that tear down old bone)
• Causes weight gain
• Causes hot flashes when a shortage occurs
• Is an anti-libido hormone
Does What I Eat Matter?
As the M’lis Company first launched spas inAsiaand began training on M’lis programs, the lack of menopausal and menstrual symptoms (that are so common in western cultures) was amazing. Studies show that Asian culture and diet are high in plant sterols. Plant sterols are easily converted to human estrogen and progesterone by the body. As a result, Asian women rarely experience the symptoms that Western cultured women consider biologically “normal”. The difference between getting hormones from pills and animal products (that have been fed synthetic hormones), and those from plants, is that in plant form you are simply ingesting precursors. Your body utilizes and converts only what it needs, allowing for natural and healthy hormonal levels. Foods that supply plant hormone precursors include soy, flax seed, yams, peas, cucumbers, bee pollen, raw nuts, seeds, papaya, bananas, licorice root, raw fruits, juicing raw fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, garlic, avocados, grapes, apples, wheat germ and cherries. When introducing foods that are estrogen and progesterone pre-cursors, the body doesn’t replace lost hormones with synthetics but instead stimulates the body to correct its own hormone imbalances. In the case of menopausal symptoms, it is an imbalance, not a shortage that actually produces the symptoms. The body is trying to get back into balance.
Natural Progesterone
Synthetic progestins are chemically formulated from natural progesterone, but they are not its chemical equivalent. Your body can normally convert a hormone into other hormones when needed. Synthetics can’t be converted by the body, and they also produce many side effects. Natural progesterone and precursors are considered “bioidentical”, meaning chemically identical to those naturally produced by the body. When these two are combined, they are converted by the adrenal glands into corticosteroids (aldosterone, androgen, estrogen, cortisol, DHEA, pregnenolone, and adrenaline / noradrenaline).
Progesterone
• Stimulates secretory activity in the body
• Acts as a sedative (calming effect)
• Normalizes blood sugar level
• Pressures all other steroid hormones, including estrogen and cortisol
• Causes regression of tumors induced by estrogen
• Stimulates osteoblasts, the cells that make new bone (bone formation)
• Regulates metabolism, more efficient utilization of fat for energy
• Opposes the effects of stress
• Causes weight loss by improving the body’s efficiency in burning fuel for energy and eliminating fluids
• Is a natural diuretic
• Prevents stress-induced coronary
• Is linked to delayed aging and longer lifespan
• Balances estrogen to relieve hot flashes
• Is a pro-libido hormone
• Protects against cancer
• Enhances thyroid hormone
• Increases anti-depressant activity
• Blocks estrogen side-effects
Androgens (male testosterone hormone)
• Maintain sex drive
• Maintain muscle strength
• Maintain lean muscle mass
• Maintain body weight
• Regulate hair growth
