Unraveling the Mystery of Hormone Imposters
Many years ago I read a book called Our Stolen Future which sounded the alarm on hormone disruptors in the modern day environment.
This pioneering publication identified how synthetic chemicals, like the 70+ pesticides used on fruits and vegetables, could mimic natural hormones.
These chemicals, along with the 700,000 tons of pollution released into the air daily, cause birth defects, sexual abnormalities and reproductive failure in both wildlife and humans.
Reading this eye-opening book prompted me to want to test my readers and clients to see if their hormonal balance was being affected, and so I have been offering hormone testing for over ten years.
The Sad Truth
Today we know that this prediction was true.
Parabens, plastics, and pesticides have a xenoestrogenic effect and can impact overall health, and especially weight.
I suspect the overwhelming increase of type 2 diabetes is related to these man-made pollutants as well!
My recent blog highlighted the epidemic of progesterone deficiency and relative estrogen dominance—a trend that wasn’t surprising to me because of the hormonal threats predicted in Our Stolen Future over a decade ago.
But what I didn’t expect to see was yet another type of exogenous hormone “poisoning.”
Too Much “T”
Elevated testosterone—which is tied to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), metabolic syndrome, infertility, acne, mood disorders and insulin resistance has become a major red flag.
Where is the excess testosterone coming from? The normal range for testosterone levels in women is 10-38 pg/ml, and men generally are normal at 60-135 pg/ml.
In a rising number of my female clients I am seeing values in the seventies, eighties and even thousands!
Scary Symptoms
Some of these women have complained about having a hoarse voice, seeing male pattern baldness, and much to their dismay, hair growth where women don’t want it—on their chest and chin!
After doing some detective work, I have come to find that these individuals have a range of personal care products in common.
The Culprits
These women are using hydrocortisone creme, bronchodilator inhalers, steroid eye drops, and most alarming—eyelash growth serums.
There are even some anti-aging face creams that contain hormones that are not listed in the ingredients.
Of course, some hormone replacement therapy can cross-convert, too. DHEA and pregnenolone have been known to divert from their intended path and turn into testosterone.
Take Action! Turn Down The “T”
Adopt the following habits to reduce elevated testosterone:
Drink spearmint tea, 1-2 cups daily.
Use saw palmetto 1:2 tincture, 1 teaspoon daily in water—traditionally recommended for men with prostate problems, but profoundly helps women with high testosterone!
Take dandelion root capsules, 2 capsules twice daily with meals to support the liver.
Season with cardamom, 2-3 seeds in your tea, soups, stews, chili or other bean dishes offers digestive aid and has the unique ability to help the liver detoxify.
Cleanse with taurine—this amino acid helps metabolize chemicals and heavy metals thereby allowing the liver to more effectively conjugate all hormones.
Do you have symptoms of elevated testosterone?
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