UNPACKING PROGESTERONE

If you struggle with stubborn body fat, headaches, mood swings, anxiousness and symptoms of IBS it is possible that you are stuggling with low progesterone levels. Fertility issues are on the rise, and progesterone is a hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating a woman's menstrual cycle and maintaining pregnancy - it also plays an important role in mens health, and can influence low sex drive and ED.

For women, progesterone is one of the most important hormones for fat burning and fat mobilization. lower levels of progesterone can contribute to difficulties in losing weight, as it helps regulate metabolism and promotes fat-burning

In todays high stress, hustle culture society, low progesterone levels are becoming more and more common. Chronic stress can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones in the body and lead to chronically elevated levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Our body will always prioritize survival over fertility - and unfortunately for us, cortisol and progesterone compete for the same building blocks with in the body. If your body is prioritizing your stress hormones, it will struggle to produce progesterone.

Let’s explore some of the potential signs and symptoms of low progesterone:

For women

• Irregular periods

• Mood swings

• anxiety

• Fatigue or low energy

• Difficulty sleeping

• Reduced sex drive

• Weight gain

• bloating

• Infertility or miscarriage

• Cellulite

• Sagging skin

For men:

• Low sex drive

• Erectile dysfunction

• Fatigue

• low energy

• Depression or anxiety

• Reduced muscle mass

• gynecomastia

It’s important to understand that if you are experiencing symptoms of low progesterone, that there is a ROOT CAUSE, or a reason that your hormones are imbalanced. Total levels of hormones are less important than the ratios of hormones in the body, and low progesterone levels can also manifest as a relative high estrogen or estrogen dominance.

Potential Causes of Low Progesterone Include:

→ High stress levels, which can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones in the body

→ Poor gut health, which can interfere with the absorption of fats and production of hormones

→ A low-fat diet, which can reduce the body's ability to produce hormones

→ Exposure to environmental toxins, which can disrupt hormone balance in the body

Your body is a system, we cannot isolate one hormone and expect to restore balance without influencing other aspects of the body including our hormones and neurotransmitters. I encourage my clients to approach hormone balance using a holistic approach that includes lifestyle, diet and supplements.

Here are 10 tips to help balance progesterone naturally

1. Sleep: Getting enough sleep is critical for overall hormone balance. During sleep, the body produces hormones like growth hormone, melatonin, and cortisol that help regulate metabolism, immune function, and stress levels. Chronic sleep deprivation can disrupt these hormonal pathways and lead to imbalances, including low progesterone levels.

2. Sunlight: Sunlight is essential for vitamin D production, which is critical for hormone balance. Vitamin D plays a role in regulating the menstrual cycle, and research has shown that low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of infertility and miscarriage. Getting enough sunlight can also help regulate the body's circadian rhythm, which is important for hormone balance.

3. Managing Stress: Chronic stress can lead to imbalances in the body's stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can interfere with the production and regulation of other hormones, including progesterone. Stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help regulate the body's stress response and support hormone balance.

4. Reducing Refined Sugar: Refined sugar and processed foods can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, leading to imbalances in insulin levels. These imbalances can interfere with the production and regulation of other hormones, including progesterone. Reducing refined sugar and processed foods can help regulate blood sugar levels and support hormone balance.

5. Whole Foods Diet: Eating a variety of whole foods provides the body with the nutrients it needs to support hormone balance. Fats, also known as lipids, play an important role in the production and regulation of sex hormones. Sex hormones, such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone, are synthesized from cholesterol, which is a type of lipid.

6. Cod Liver Oil: Cod liver oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for hormone production and regulation. Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation in the body, which can interfere with hormone balance. Cod liver oil also provides vitamin A, Vitamin E and vitamin D, which are important for hormone balance.

7. Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help regulate hormone production and reduce inflammation in the body. It is essential for the production of adrenal hormones, which are critical for hormone balance. It also helps to recycle vitamin E wich is the only true free radical scavenger.

8. Berberine: Berberine is a natural compound found in plants that can help support healthy blood sugar levels and hormone balance. It works by activating an enzyme called AMPK, which helps regulate glucose metabolism and hormone production.

9. Vitex: Vitex, also known as chasteberry, is an herb that can help regulate menstrual cycles and support hormone balance. It works by stimulating the production of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is essential for ovulation and progesterone production. Vitex is a great supplement for men, women and women in perimenopause or menopause.

10. B5: B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is essential for hormone production and can help reduce stress in the body. It plays a role in the production of adrenal hormones, which are critical for hormone balance. 5 is required for the synthesis of CoA, which is essential for the formation of acetyl-CoA. Therefore, B5 indirectly affects the metabolism of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids through its role in the synthesis of acetyl-CoA.

11. Bifidobacterium: Bifidobacterium is a probiotic strain that can help support gut health and improve the body's ability to produce hormones. It works by restoring the balance of gut bacteria, which is essential for the production and regulation of hormones. Bifidobacterium is especially beneficial for improving progesterone levels.

In summary, its impossible to isolate one hormone - our diet and lifestyle with have an impact on all our steroidal hormones and its important to consider all factors that could be influencing or disrupting the delicate balance in your body.

If you found this blog post helpful give it some love, and feel free to leave any questions or comments that you may have!