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Archive for Hormone Imbalances

Anorexia, cholesterol, hormones, depression & anxiety- the possible link.

Posted by: Dr Janelle Sinclair | Comments (0)
Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Hi there.

I thought I’d update you with what’s going on in my life. Yesterday I spoke with a group of psychologists about the physical imbalances that can lead to depression. A planned 30 minute session with them turned into 90 minutes!! (Because they had so many questions and were so interested in what I had to share).

What I Taught The Psychologists

During my time with them in which we discussed the physical causes of depression that so often go overlooked I briefly shared about hormones, toxins,  histamine/methylation imbalances and the mauve factor. They were especially intrigued about the hormonal imbalances so I thought I’d share a little about them here today.

Something they weren’t aware of was that all sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone etc) are made out of cholesterol, and they were all very similar molecules. Testosterone is actually converted in the body to estrogen. Because sex hormones are made from cholesterol we need to have enough cholesterol in our diets so that our hormones are able to be produced.

Eating Disorders, Hormonal Imbalances & Mood Problems

When I brought up this fact, they asked a very interesting question about eating disorders and hormones. They asked- If someone has an eating disorder or even has just believed the myth about all fats being bad for you (and are on a low fat diet), would this affect their hormones levels? And will the decreased hormone levels then lead to further problems with mood?

The simple answer is yes -very very likely. If you don’t have the right ‘building blocks’ (cholesterol) in the body you can’t make your hormones. And the fact is that hormonal deficiencies (like progesterone and estrogen) can increase depression and anxiety.

Interesting Research

There’s some interesting research on this topic that you can find here http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20860875 It actually talks about how estrogen therapy might be a novel strategy for the treatment of anorexia. It also mentions how estrogen can help major depression.

If you’d like to find out whether you have symptoms of an estrogen deficiency (or other hormonal imbalances) and how to treat it naturally you can get a copy of my free questionnaire at www.breakingfreefromdepression.com/free-report.

Here’s my Key to Healing Depression and Anxiety

My key for healing your depression and anxiety today:

Find out whether it has a physical cause (it may not be able the way you think).

Hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, toxins and food allergies can give you depression and anxiety. To find out how you can diagnose them click here.

I hope and pray that this information will bring you freedom and assist you to break free from depression. All the best.

Janelle

Dr Janelle Sinclair

BSc, MSc, PhD (Biochemistry), NZNMA

Categories : Biochemical Causes of Depression, Depression, Hormone Imbalances, Symptoms
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An Overview of the Physical/Biological Causes of Depression

Posted by: Dr Janelle Sinclair | Comments (0)
Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

Hi there.

Today I thought that I’d give you a very general overview of the physical causes of depression. Most people aren’t aware of the vast number of contributors to depression at the physical level.

I explain them as 4 main types of imbalances. Let me reveal them below.

  1. Hormonal Imbalances; e.g. thyroid, adrenal, testosterone -in men, progesterone & estrogen- in women.
  2. Nutrient Deficiencies; e.g. vitamin B6, zinc, copper, omega 3 & sometimes omega 6
  3. Adverse Reactions to Food; e.g. food allergies, food sensitivities, and blood sugar imbalances.
  4. Toxins; e.g. heavy metals, pesticides, solvents.

There’s a few imbalances that don’t ‘quite’ fit into this model. The Mauve Factor and Histamine/methylation imbalances are two further contributors to depression and other mental health disorders. These are often the cause of depression that runs in families- so they definitely are important.

If you’re suffering from depression right now, and can’t seem to get to the bottom of it with counseling, therapy or using antidepressants- I highly recommend that you investigate the possibility that there is a physical reason for your depression. Most of these can be treated easily, and naturally when you know how. If you’ve been burdened with depression and anxiety from a young age this is also applicable to you.

I am writing this blog because most people that are suffering from depression, have not had these physical causes ruled out. It is expensive to do all of the tests to rule them out (and a lot of doctors don’t know how to do it), but there is a strategy that can be used to narrow down what is causing your depression. Want to know the strategy?

I give you it in my free depression report. I provide you with 7 selfhelp questions that can reveal what the physical cause is. The free report tells you how to interpret your answers too. You can get your copy of my depression report by visiting www.breakingfreefromdepression.com/free-report.

All the best.

Janelle

Dr Janelle Sinclair

Categories : Adverse Reactions to Food, Biochemical Causes of Depression, Depression, Depression in The Family, Hormone Imbalances, Nutrient Deficiencies, Toxic Overload
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The Thyroid Gland, Its Function, and Your Depression- Part 2

Posted by: Dr Janelle Sinclair | Comments (0)
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

Hi There,

I’m back today talking about the important topic of thyroid function and how it’s related to depression. Last time I spoke about the symptoms of low thyroid function. Today I’m going to tell you how mild thyroid failure often goes overlooked in those suffering from depression. I know you’ll find this interesting (and helpful)!

Some insider knowledge: Low thyroid function and depression

Extremely low thyroid function also known as overt hypothyroidism is rarely seen in people suffering from depression. In fact, only mild or subtle thyroid abnormalities are observed with depression. These mild defects however, are clinically important!

Patients with Depression and Mild Thyroid Failure are more likely to have:

  • Recurrent Depression
  • Longer Disease Duration
  • Higher Number of Episodes of Major Depression
  • Higher Number of Suicide Attempts
  • Problems with being Overweight.

The tragedy is that these mild problems with the thyroid are often not picked up by health professionals. But when they are diagnosed and treated with the right amount of thyroid hormones, patients are known to recover from their depression (yes its true), or at least respond better to anti-depressant medication.

If you’re wondering if you have any symptoms of low thyroid function, and whether it could be an important physical cause for your depression- answer the secret questions that I reveal in my free depression report. To get your copy visit www.breakingfreefromdepression.com/free-report.

All the best.

Janelle

Dr Janelle Sinclair

P.S. I just wanted to let you know about a seminar that I’m giving in a couple of days. I’m very excited about it. It’s going to be at a Women’s conference where they expect up to 3000 delegates. I’m going to share about the physical causes of depression and how to treat them with natural therapies. I really hope and pray that the message I present gives hope, help and health. Think of me! I’ll let you know how it goes shortly.

Categories : Biochemical Causes of Depression, Depression, Hormone Imbalances
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The Thyroid Gland, Its Function, and Your Depression- Part 1

Posted by: Dr Janelle Sinclair | Comments (0)
Saturday, September 4th, 2010

You often hear today about under active and over active thyroids and how it impacts weight and other body functions, but do you know that any problems with thyroid functioning can impact your mental health too.

Over the next couple of blog posts, we’re going to discuss the topic of the thyroid and its role in depression. Today, we’re going to explore the basic functions of the thyroid, and the symptoms of low thyroid function (also known as hypothyroidism).

The Thyroid Gland & Thyroid Hormones

When people speak of ‘thyroid problems’ they generally are talking about thyroid hormone problems. Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland, which is a butterfly-shaped gland situated on the lower front of the neck and wraps around the wind pipe (esophagus). The function of thyroid hormones is to help control metabolism as well as growth and development.

The thyroid hormones affect every cell of the body. When there is an abnormality in the level of the thyroid hormones, there can be a wide array of symptoms that show in the body involving the heart, brain, skin, and reproductive systems.

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is a condition in which the body produces too much thyroid hormone. People with this disorder have symptoms including racing heart beat, anxiety, weight loss, and heat sensitivity. This is a rare condition and will not be discussed any further.

Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, is much more common. In this disorder the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body’s needs and the body can suffer.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Although there are a number of symptoms that can result from hypothyroidism there are some that are more common than others. The most well-known symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

  • Fatigue
  • Cold extremities
  • Cold intolerance
  • Weight gain
  • Constipation
  • Dry skin

It is quite understandable that these are the most common symptoms since the thyroid hormone affects the body’s metabolism and energy production. However, low thyroid is also associated with many other more subtle signs and symptoms.

Subtler Symptoms of Low Thyroid Hormones

  • Poor memory
  • Slow thinking
  • Muscle weakness
  • Muscle cramps
  • Puffy eyes
  • Slight swelling around the ankles
  • Yellow color of the hands.

Hypothyroidism is also associated with many common conditions including depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, menstrual disorders (heavy periods), infertility, rhinitis, and urticaria. There is also some evidence that mild thyroid problems in pregnant women may result in lower IQ of their offspring.

It is common for patients with depression to be screened for hypothyroidism. The problem is that the majority of people with depression do not have severe hypothyroidism- they have mild thyroid problems. These mild thyroid problems go overlooked, but they are clinically important!

I’ll explain in the next couple of blog posts why this is true.

Talk to you again next time.

Sincerely,

Janelle

Dr Janelle Sinclair

BSc, MSc(Hon), PhD (Biochemistry), NZNMA

Categories : Biochemical Causes of Depression, Depression, Hormone Imbalances
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Depression Selfhelp Question 3 part a: women and depression

Posted by: Dr Janelle Sinclair | Comments (1)
Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Question Number 3: Do you always have feelings of depression, or are there days or hours during the day that you feel good?

  1. Are the depressive symptoms constant?
  2. Do they fluctuate over the day?
  3. Do they fluctuate over a week or month?
  4. Do you feel better or worse in the morning, afternoon or at night?
  5. Are there some things that trigger the depressive feelings that you are aware of now? (e.g. stress, physical exertion, foods.)

If the depressive feelings you have are not always there and you feel good some of the time, it means that we can find ways to extend these periods of time – so that you’re always feeling well. Let’s now take a look at a few different scenarios.

Women whose depression in worse 1-2 weeks of the month

If you’re a woman and you have good weeks and bad weeks –perhaps in a cyclical manner – addressing imbalances of female sex hormones could be the answer for you. Many women aren’t aware of how their hormones and their menstrual cycle affect their mood.

If your depression, irritability, and/or anxiety are worse in the week before your menstruation is due, it could indicate that you have a progesterone deficiency. On the other hand, if your depression is especially bad during your menstrual bleed (your period) you may have an estrogen deficiency.

It is known that both progesterone and estrogen imbalances can cause depression, and research shows that by treating these imbalances that depression can be resolved. One particular study demonstrated that 68% of women with major depression, dysthymic disorder, or minor depressive disorder were ‘cured’ (had their depression go into remission) when given an appropriate natural hormone medication.

I have recently written an article for women with depression that discusses how to keep a diary that follows their mood and their menstrual cycle. If you’re interested you can access it here. When you purchase a copy of my book on the biochemical causes of depression, you get a free bonus mood and menstrual cycle diary. In it you can record details about your mood and menstrual cycle, and it gives you full instructions on how to interpret what you find. My book has a complete chapter on hormonal imbalances in women, the symptoms, how to diagnose them, and how to treat them with herbs, and natural hormones.

People whose depression fluctuates throughout the day

If your mood fluctuates on a daily basis, it indicates that there could be food sensitivities, or hormonal triggers to your depression. Check out the table below to see what this could mean. In my next blog post I’m going to discuss how food allergies and other reactions to food can cause depression.

Unsure if there is a pattern to your depression?

If you’re not able to see any trend in the patterns of your mood right now, I suggest that you keep a diary. Become more aware of your body, how you feel, and if there are any triggers or patterns to your mood.

I’ll be back in a few days to discuss adverse reactions to food and how they can cause depression. See you then.

Here’s to your depression free life!

Janelle

Dr Janelle Sinclair

To download a free report which discusses ALL of the 7 Self help Depression questions (and how to interpret them) visit http://www.breakingfreefromdepression.com

Your Answer
What It Could Mean
Physical or Biochemical Imbalance to Investigate Further
Women: 1-2 weeks of the month I feel worseHormonal changes during your monthly cycle can trigger depression, anxiety and irritability.Chapter 8: Female Hormone Deficiencies
Some days I feel good, others I feel bad. My mood fluctuates over the day. I can feel good and then something happens and I can just ‘flip.’Since your mood is not constant, it shows that there may be triggers to your depression. Potential causes include food sensitivities, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia,) and adrenal imbalances.Chapter 7: Adrenal Imbalances
Chapter 10: Reactive Hypoglycemia
Chapter 12: Food Allergies and Sensitivities
My mood seems to be made worse by stress.Stress weakens the body’s adrenal glands whose role it is to respond to and deal with stress. When the adrenal glands get worn out depression can result.Chapter 3: The Mauve Factor
Chapter 7: Adrenal Imbalances
My depression is constant.If your depression is something that you feel at all moments of the day, every day of the month, it doesn’t tell us what biochemical cause is responsible for your depression, but it does exclude reactive hypoglycemia.
I feel worn out and tired in the morning. I feel more myself and have more energy at night.Stress weakens the body’s adrenal glands whose role it is to respond to and deal with stress. When the adrenal glands get worn out depression can result. Individuals with worn out adrenals find it hard to get going in the morning, whilst at night they often have more energy.Chapter 7: Adrenal Imbalances
I often feel worse 1-3 hours after a meal.If within three hours of eating your symptoms of depression or anxiety flare up, this could indicate low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) or food sensitivities – both of which could cause depression.Chapter 10: Reactive Hypoglycemia
Chapter 12: Food Allergies and Sensitivities
I can have one day which is great and I do heaps of stuff (I push myself), but then the next day I crash.Stress weakens the body’s adrenal glands whose role it is to respond to and deal with stress. When the adrenal glands get worn out depression can result. For some individuals their adrenal glands will work one day (and they will feel good), but not the next (they will feel fatigued and often depressed.)Chapter 7: Adrenal Imbalances
Categories : Depression, Hormone Imbalances, How to/ Self help
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