So how do we know if it’s aging or hormonal Imbalance?
We know that aging is part of life’s inevitable “transition process,” and we will all go through it eventually sooner or later, and as men come to age, their growth hormones decline as well. In fact, by the time they reach the age 80, there will only be 5 percent left of their original growth hormones. So basically, these hormones will leave us one day. Some men experience going through not-so-youthful changes quite earlier than others. These are not-so-emasculating changes and might not be the signs of premature aging, but of imbalance of hormones. These signs are
hair loss weight gain erectile dysfunction low libido gynecomastia (man boobs) mood swings memory loss anxiety low self-esteem insomnia
If you happen to experience any of these conditions, you may already be suffering from hormonal imbalances.
Cause of hormonal imbalance
Stress for example—a notorious culprit behind many health problems—is one of the major reasons. Stress can trigger excessive secretion of Cortisol, (aka the “Stress Hormone”), and it can result in weight gain and obesity. This symptom is called Cushing’s syndrome. Exposure to toxins and viruses can also be the cause. Excessive caffeine, alcohol, and other chemical intake is also a major root for hormonal imbalances. Sometimes, medical conditions such as diabetes and liver and kidney problems can also be the susceptible cause. Worst case scenario, our invulnerability to these hormonal imbalances may be rooted to our genetic susceptibility—it’s just in our genes to be brief.
Here are some tips to prevent hormonal imbalances:
Exercise, reduce stress and get more sleep
I placed them together because these three are the generic, forever state-of-the-art advice to any health problems. There’s a reason why it’s overused and excited, and that reason is simply that these are the basic foundations for health and wellness.
Moderate your caffeine and alcohol intake
Caffeine is a chemical that can stay in our bodies for up to six hours, and it affects our Central Nervous System (CNS) and raises our heart rate. Caffeine is also known to elevate Cortisol levels and other stress hormones like adrenaline. Alcohol on the other hand, if consumed excessively, aside from the consequences of liver damage, can also contribute to excessive estrogen secretion, interfere with pancreatic functioning, increase liver disease risk, lower testosterone and contribute to anxiety and malnutrition.
Consume Healthy Fats
Our body requires various types of fats to create and generate hormones. Certain fats include coconut oil, avocados, grass-fed butter and wild-caught salmon. Aside from being essential building blocks for the production of hormones, these fats can keep inflammation levels low, boost your metabolism and promote weight loss. Other types of fats are omega-6 and omega-3. In general, quick tip:l avoid oils high in omega-6 like safflower, sunflower, corn, cottonseed, canola, soybean and peanut. Also, eat more oils high in omega-3s instead like wild fish, flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts and grass-fed animal products.
Can our body’s hormonal imbalance be cured or normalized?
Fortunately, yes! The first step to curing or fix any problem, of course, is to identify and regulate its main causes. Usually, the lifestyle and environment contribute mainly to hormonal imbalances.The good news is that these hormone losses and imbalances are easily correctable through proper treatment, these symptoms will often disappear and bring about a healthier, younger you. Seek medical advice to help balance your hormones safely and efficiently using hormone replacement therapy. Hormonal imbalance in men may not be perceived as “epidemic” as to women, in reality, it affects millions of people around the world—causing anxiety, low self-worth and even pain and misery. Unfortunately, most of them are not aware of it.
