Hormones are the body’s “power players.” They are so important
that there may be no such thing as an “insignificant” hormone
imbalance.

“It is well established in clinical science that even mild
hormonal imbalances can be associated with significant adverse
health effects,” observe the authors of a recent review study
appearing in Environmental Health Perspectives. Hormone
balances, as well as any forces that may potentially disrupt them
– including chemicals in the environment – should be carefully
evaluated.

Mild thyroid hormone imbalances have been linked to cholesterol
excess, increased depression, cognitive dysfunction, cardiac
abnormalities, and bone thinning (osteoporosis). Other hormones,
such as estrogen, can act directly on the brain to affect memory,
cognitive skills, headache, seizures, and mood. By altering
reproductive function, subtle hormonal imbalances can also
promote infertility and lead to poorer pregnancy outcomes.

Another very common hormone imbalance is insulin resistance
(“Syndrome X”), which often precedes diabetes, heart disease,
obesity, PCOS, and other chronic diseases.

Studies on hormone-dependent cancers such as breast cancer have
shown that even the smallest hormone imbalance increases your
risk of cancer. The appearance of even subtle metabolic
disruptions of estrogen and other hormones may be critical.

Unfortunately, it may not take much to “tip the scales.”
Over-exercise, malnutrition (such as in anorexia), and chronic
disease are just a few factors that can disrupt hormonal
function. Stress also has a strong potential impact. In men,
emotional stress can reduce testosterone levels and possibly
interfere with sperm production.

To effectively safeguard your health, it’s important to address
what has been previously viewed as the “gray area” – slight
hormone imbalances that often begin to emerge years before the
appearance of overt dysfunction and disease. The Connecticut
Center for Health is experienced the diagnosis and treatment of
hormonal imbalances.