Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

Naturopathic Doctor and Nutritionist, Fertility Course, Natural Women's Health, Preconception and Fertility

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in Blog· Hormones and Metabolic Health

Adrenal Fatigue Basics

How are your biochemistry skills? Well, luckily, you don’t need to be a biochemist to understand how adrenal hormone production in the body is achieved. Let’s take a look at this hormonal pathway picture while I guide you though a look at your hormones!

UntitledFirst, take a look at the top left: CHOLESTEROL! So, you do need cholesterol to manufacture all of the important end products we will discuss: adlosterone, cortisol  and DHEA.

Let’s start with aldosterone. It helps regulate blood pressure. It is also known as a mineralcorticoid because it regulates the body’s sodium, water and potassium. When Aldo is high, this will INCREASE blood pressure. This means that ensuring that the adrenals are functioning optimally is important for anyone that suffers from high blood pressure. Dizzy? Lightheaded? Fainting? Perhaps your adrenals  have too low function and are not making enough Aldo!

The next hormone end product of importance is cortisol. Cortisol is your stress hormone. You need cortisol to feel rested in the morning and at night to make you feel ready for bed. Cortisol follows what is called a diurnal pattern: highest in morning and lowest at night. Wake feeling fatigued? Hit an afternoon slump?  Perhaps your adrenals are having a hard time in the morning. Insomniac? Problems staying asleep? Night sweats? Perhaps too high cortisol is to blame.

The final hormone we will discuss is DHEA. This hormone can become further metabolized to the hormones testosterone and estrogen. What is interesting about DHEA is that it changes with age. Levels are highest in your 20s, and by age 70, DHEA levels have dropped about 80%. That is why this hormone is SO important in anyone that is going through menopause or male hormone decline. If the reproductive organs have decreased their own natural production due to age (as in menopause!), who is going to pick up the slack?! Adrenals to the rescue! DHEA is important for weight maintenance, mood, and lean muscle mass.  According to researchers who used salivary samples to evaluate cortisol and adrenal function, DHEA was also found to be highest in the morning.

Biochemistry is not so hard after all! This lovely chart can be the answer to many health concerns that we have discussed. In my practice, I refer to it daily when I am working to find the why for your health concerns!

Reference: Hucklebridge F, Hussain T, Evans P, Clow A. The diurnal patterns of the adrenal steroids cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in relation to awakening. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2005 Jan;30(1):51-7.

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Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a th Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a theory in which the level of estrogen outweighs the level of progesterone and other hormones in the body. Picture a seesaw. Estrogen is the person high in the air looking down at the progesterone (and other hormones)- sitting at the other end with their feet on the ground.

Our bodies need estrogen for reproductive, cardiovascular, and bone health. Estrogen is a very important hormone! Too much estrogen, however, can be linked to an assortment of conditions like: 
- Heavy periods
- Migraines
- Water retention 
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Uterine fibroids 
- Endometriosis
- Mood swings 
- Hormonal weight gain

High estrogen can be caused by certain medications, excess body fat, stress, alcohol, liver issues, and synthetic xenoestrogens, so some dietary and lifestyle changes may be needed to correct your hormone levels. And, what about supporting the other hormones? Picture the seesaw again. We can support healthy progesterone production with dietary and lifestyle changes as well!

Was this helpful? If so – like, follow, and don’t forget to comment below any questions you have about estrogen dominance!
There are few health conditions as frustrating to There are few health conditions as frustrating to address and correct as acne.

Courses of antibiotics, dozens of topicals, spironolactone, supplements, and the birth control pill are the main treatments most of my patients have tried before they come to me. While some may be effective, you might be still wondering: is there a way to heal my skin once and for all and not have to use this stuff?

Acne is so frustrating for many because it seems like there are a million things you could be trying. So, what are some NATURAL first steps you can take if you are struggling with acne?

1) Get your hormone levels checked. Knowing if you have any hormone imbalances can help your doctor to cater your treatment plan to your specific needs.

2) Address your gut health. Your gut is the foundation of your health and can be closely tied to skin issues.

3) Try going dairy free. I’ve found this is one food group that can be especially problematic for people that suffer with acne. The thing to know is that you have to avoid it for at least 30 days and also that in the future, you can probably have at least some dairy back. It’s usually not a forever restriction.

If you have questions about your struggles with acne, leave a comment below or send me a DM. I’d love to chat about potential solutions and help you get to the bottom of your skin concerns.
It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highligh It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highlight! Today, we’re talking about Magnesium Glycinate.

Magnesium Glycinate is a supplement that increases magnesium levels. Magnesium is vital in regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It may also be helpful in the making of bone, protein, and DNA. 

I love magnesium glycinate because it is one of the easiest forms of magnesium supplementation for the body to absorb. It is also gentle on the digestive tract which means it is less likely to cause undesirable side effects such as an upset stomach or loose stool. 

Magnesium glycinate might be especially helpful for you if you suffer from:
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Migraine headaches
- Depression

Do you have more questions about magnesium glycinate? Leave a comment below, or shoot me a DM and we can chat!
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