In the journey toward optimal health, understanding our biochemical baseline and hormonal differences is crucial. These factors influence everything from energy levels and metabolism to stress response and hydration. A holistic view considers how lifestyle, nutrition, environment, and genetics impact this delicate balance. Let’s explore the role of stress hormones, thyroid function, and vasopressin regulation, and how these elements interact to shape our well-being.
Your biochemical baseline is essentially the “normal” state of your body’s chemical processes, including hormone levels, neurotransmitter function, and metabolism. This baseline varies from person to person based on genetics, diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Establishing a healthy baseline is essential because it acts as the foundation for understanding how external factors like stress, diet, and exercise affect your hormonal health and overall well-being.
Men and women have distinct hormonal patterns that shape their physiology. For example, women’s hormonal balance is often influenced by reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which fluctuate during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause. Men, on the other hand, have higher levels of testosterone, which impacts muscle mass, energy, and mood.
In addition to reproductive hormones, both men and women have other critical hormones like cortisol (the stress hormone), thyroid hormones (regulating metabolism), and vasopressin (involved in hydration and kidney function). These hormones may behave differently based on gender due to varying biochemical baselines. Let’s delve into some of the key players.
Stress is a universal experience, but how our bodies respond to it can vary significantly. Cortisol is the primary hormone that controls our stress response. Produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol plays a vital role in regulating blood sugar, metabolism, and inflammation.
When cortisol is elevated for extended periods due to chronic stress, it can cause havoc on the body’s biochemical baseline. This prolonged elevation affects different aspects of health:
I like to picture the hungry hungry hippo game, where the hippo represents our cortisol levels, and the marbles represent our thyroid, estrogen, and progesterone levels. When our stress systems are elevated, the cortisol hippo steals all the marbles, which are the building blocks to our hormones. We need to calm the nervous system and adrenals to reallocate enough marbles to each hippo.
Holistically, managing cortisol levels involves practices such as mindfulness, proper sleep hygiene, and incorporating adaptogenic herbs (like ashwagandha and rhodiola) to help modulate the stress response. An unlikely cause of elevated stress and hormones that’s beyond our mindful control are toxins such as parasites, bacteria, mold, virus and heavy metals.
Thyroid hormones, specifically thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), play a critical role in regulating metabolism, energy production, and overall biochemical balance. The thyroid gland works closely with the pituitary gland to release these hormones, which affect every cell in the body.
When the thyroid is functioning optimally, it helps maintain a healthy metabolic rate. However, hormonal imbalances in the thyroid can lead to conditions such as:
I commonly see clients with underperforming thyroids, low energy, unable to lose weight, and a poor ability to thermoregulate. These situations are frustrating when you’re trying to improve your health and body composition. But you can’t out exercise toxins that are interfering with your thyroid function. Often, heavy metals interfere with its hormone production. So no matter how much you moved or how well you ate, your toxins would keep you from achieving your fitness goals.
Holistic management of thyroid health focuses on supporting thyroid function through diet and lifestyle. Nutrients such as iodine, selenium, zinc, and tyrosine are critical for thyroid hormone production. Additionally, reducing exposure to environmental toxins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep can support a healthy thyroid function.
Vasopressin, also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is produced by the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland. This hormone regulates the body’s water balance by controlling the amount of water the kidneys reabsorb. It’s essential for maintaining hydration, blood pressure, stamina, dizziness, motivation, and electrolyte balance.
Vasopressin levels can fluctuate based on hydration status, salt intake, and even stress. Elevated stress levels can lead to an increase in vasopressin, which causes the body to retain water, potentially leading to bloating and high blood pressure.
I often see clients who are feeling like crap, yet also mad at themselves for not being motivated to make any positive changes to get out of their rut. This hormone is often low in those cases, and a helpful insight to know, it’s not your fault. We start very small with incremental play (swimming, playing with nieces/nephews/kids), then additive movement (walks after meals), then work up low intensity workouts like pilates and weights. Then, the positive reinforcement helps to build back the motivation.
From a holistic standpoint, balancing stress hormones, thyroid function, and vasopressin levels requires a comprehensive approach. Here are some strategies:
Understanding and maintaining a healthy biochemical baseline is key to long-term health. Hormonal differences play a pivotal role in shaping how stress, metabolism, and hydration affect our bodies. By adopting a holistic approach—focusing on nutrition, lifestyle, and stress management—we can create balance and optimize our hormonal health, ensuring our biochemical systems function at their best. But if you suspect that something deeper is going on, I always recommend testing to see what part of your biochemical baseline is under stress and why so that you can
One of my favorite tests to run on my clients is the Full Scan from CBH Energetics. This is a comprehensive scan that provides maximum bioenergetic analysis. Each bioenergetic body scan identifies your resonating toxins, hormonal and nutritional imbalances, and environmental and food sensitivities. This scan also provides a full-spectrum body system report and identifies specific stress levels. The Full Scan also includes testing for a unique balancing natural remedy regimen to support your bioenergetic concerns.
This scan is where I always start on my clients because it helps me see the bigger picture of what’s going on with all of their body systems and often reveals the root causes of why someone is struggling to lose weight or get better despite all of the healthy/preventive measures they are taking. I treat this test as my (and my families’) annual physical because we will undoubtedly run into stress, toxins, and diet changes that can impact our biochemistry. Staying on top of these changes annually helps to prevent chronic issues and imbalances that cause diseases.