The Myth of Hormone "Balancing": Embracing the Dynamic Nature of Hormones

By: Michael Beiter

In today's health and wellness landscape, discussing the need to "balance" our hormones has become quite fashionable. Many seek this elusive state of hormonal equilibrium, from various diet plans to lifestyle changes. However, it's crucial to understand that "balancing" hormones is not only a misconception but can also be counterproductive to our overall well-being.

Hormones, the chemical messengers regulating numerous bodily functions, are not static. They are designed to be responsive and dynamic, adapting to different situations and environments. In this blog post, we will explore why the concept of hormonal balance is flawed and why we should instead focus on understanding the dynamic nature of our hormones.

The Confusion: Homeostasis vs. Hormone Balance

The root of the confusion surrounding hormone balance lies in mixing up two essential concepts: overall long-term body homeostasis and hormone balance. Homeostasis is your body's natural mechanism to maintain internal factors, such as energy levels (ATP), pH balance, ions, and blood glucose, within a narrow range for optimal function. Hormones play a vital role in regulating these factors but are not meant to always be at a constant or "balanced" level.

Hormones are highly interactive and fluctuate in response to stressors, biological processes, and even the time of day. They follow a circadian rhythm, meaning they have a natural ebb and flow over 24 hours. To illustrate this point, let's look at two well-studied hormones in our circadian rhythms: cortisol and melatonin.

Cortisol: Energizing the Morning

Cortisol, often called the "stress hormone," is crucial in providing the energy needed to start our day. Its levels decrease slightly in the evening, allowing us to wind down, then increase in the early morning hours before waking up. The cortisol peak upon awakening is the cortisol awakening response, giving us that much-needed boost to get out of bed.

If we're awakened unexpectedly early, before our cortisol levels rise, we might experience that groggy feeling, as our body hasn't had a chance to prepare us for the day ahead.

Selected hormones and body temperature

Melatonin: Guiding Us Through the Night

Melatonin, often associated with sleep, increases our "sleep drive" as night approaches and helps us stay asleep. Its production rises in the evening, peaking at around midnight, before gradually decreasing in the morning until it reaches its lowest point.

Crucially, melatonin relies on darkness to perform its function. When exposed to artificial light or an absence of complete darkness, common in industrialized countries, our circadian rhythms can be disrupted, impacting our sleep quality.

Embracing the Dynamic Nature of Hormones

In conclusion, "balancing" hormones oversimplify these essential messengers' intricate and dynamic nature. Instead of striving for static equilibrium, we should focus on supporting our hormonal health by understanding and respecting the natural rhythms of our bodies. This involves creating an environment that promotes hormone responsiveness and adapting to the ever-changing factors in our lives.

As a fitness and nutrition coach, this understanding is invaluable when helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals. By recognizing the dynamic nature of hormones, I can tailor coaching strategies to align with people’s natural rhythms, ultimately helping them achieve optimal well-being.

My Experience

At every turn of my career, I've been tempted to inject hormones to improve my fitness and health. I’ve held syringes, helped others inject, and even advised clients I couldn’t figure out to visit endocrinologists.

Thankfully, I always held out and avoided the catastrophes that can accompany exogenous hormone manipulation. My biggest reason was my understanding of the pineal and pituitary gland. These little glands have evolved over millennia to control our myriad hormone interactions, and anyone who starts injecting turns them off and essentially says, “I’ve got the hormones covered from here. My couple decades of life superseded your eons of evolution; I will inject what I think is best; you go ahead and take a break.”

I have not seen a successful ending to such decisions where the user remains happy and healthy. It turns out our glands are really good at what they do, and I’m so glad to have mine still working as nature intended rather than shot full of holes and dragged through the dirt like those of steroid users.

Schematic of the changes in different hormones during the circadian rhythm

Conclusion
So, let's shift our perspective from pursuing hormonal balance to appreciating hormone dynamism, working in harmony with our bodies' natural rhythms for a healthier and more balanced life.


Source: Precision Nutrition Level 1 Sleep, Stress Management and Recovery Coaching Certification