No. 71

Hormone Regeneration

Degraded hormones have emitted electrons, resulting in potentially carcinogenic metabolites called transient hormones.  

Secretagogues (se-cre’-ta-gog) Defined

Producing Human Growth Hormone, commonly called HGH, is critical to preserving your life vitality and vital force.  HGH makes you feel energetic, helps you to build muscle with less effort, keeps your skin firm, and supports hormonal balance. Secretagogues are a natural chain of polyamino acids which are postulated to “activate” the pituitary gland to release HGH.  The pituitary gland is known as the master gland of the body. When hormones are not being produced adequately or not preforming properly, the pituitary gland is involved.  Secretagogues are not in themselves, growth hormones, but rather, they stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete natural growth hormone.  Secretagogue is the precursor to HGH and causes the body’s own natural processes to produce and release it. 

To best understand how these simply work together;  HGH causes the body to act as if the pituitary gland has released hormone, but secretagogue actually releases growth hormone. Just as certain herbs supplement the body with hormones, so does HGH to the body.  Just as herbs that stimulate the body to produce its own hormones, so is secretagogue to the release of growth hormone. Both are valuable to remaining in hormonal balance and staying young. If you are not producing enough secretagogue, HGH is a supplement you can take to fill this gap.

Secretagogues are substances that also regenerate degraded hormones by increasing the endocrine glands’ ability to secrete them.  Whether good or bad, balanced or unbalanced, our bodies are going to make hormones.  Choosing  the appropriate nutrients and foods, eventually becomes essential to your health and the prevention of disease as we age.

Vitamin C — A Regenerative Secretagogue

Vitamin C is a powerful electron donor and regenerative secretagogue. It has the ability to contribute electrons to restore the function and the form of estrogen- E2 (estradiol), testosterone, and progesterone.  There are foods that support the ovaries and gonads. Vitamin C is the perfect complement to help the body in hormonal replacement. If taking various products for hormonal issues, including vitamin C will make everything taken, more effective.

The average dosage of Vitamin C is 1000 mg. per day.  Many people take 1000 mg 3 x daily with food. Although Vitamin C can be taken with water, it can irritate the stomach. So taking it with food is generally preferred. Vitamin C is also water soluble which means you will use up what you need and then eliminate what you do not through urination. It cannot be stored. Taking it in divided doses can also be more effective. Too much Vitamin C if you are not used to taking it, or if your system is reducing how much you take, will result in diarrhea or loose stools. If loose stools results, simply reduce your dosage and work up more gradually.

Kidney Disease and Vitamin C   Individuals with kidney problems may not be able to supplement Vitamin C and. Persons with kidney disease may not be able to take Vitamin C at all.  If you have any type of kidney disorder or disease, be sure to check with your doctor and/or pharmacist before taking this supplement. You may be able to take Vitamin C but with a dosage restriction or it may be completely prohibited for your condition.

Vitamin C Sources

Vitamin C is most commonly sold in the form of ascorbic acid.  Ascorbic acid is synthetic, but is however the only way to ingest high mg. dosages of this vitamin. Ascorbic Acid can be alkalized by combining it with non-aluminum baking soda which results in Sodium Ascorbate. Sodium Ascorbate does not usually upset the stomach and is highly available for assimilation. There are also natural foods, such as citric fruits, which are high in Vitamin C.  Certain herbs and supplements are high in Vitamin C in its own natural complex form.  These include Rosehips, Camu Camu, and Acerola Berry.  Be aware, many Acerola Berry supplement powders and pills on the market are not true Acerola Berry but rather a combination of Acerola Berry and Ascorbic Acid.  This is not bad, it is just misleading. If you want 100% Acerola Berry, your product will state it is a 100% product. Many superfruit powders are rich in Vitamin C and can easily be blended together to make a fine natural source food-supplement.

Secretagogues work on multiple sites to promote growth hormone release. Some are targeted towards the hypothalamus which will in turn, stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone.  The secretagogues raise IGF-1 levels which in turn will lessen joint pain and increase alertness and concentrate. The release of HGH is vitally important for a sense of wellness and vitality. With low releases of HGH due to problems with the pituitary gland or poor diet and nutrition, a person will simply age much more quickly. When you see someone who looks much older than their age, be assured that their HGH levels are low. A poorly functioning pituitary gland can result in male pattern baldness, thinning hair in women (not always the thyroid), hot flashes in men, menopausal or menstrual abnormalities in women, and various sexual dysfunctions in both men and women. Supporting the pituitary gland is another post altogether.  All play a role in your health.

Secretagogue Amino Acids and Neurotransmitters

L-Ornithine and L-Arginine in amounts over 3-5 grams may result in diarrhea.  Taking the recommended amounts of these nutrients is recommended to be most effective at bedtime with water.  Some find taking the L-Arginine 1 hour before exercise, promotes better muscle tone and then take the others at once at bedtime.  The reason for taking these products at bedtime is to stimulate the anterior pituitary to release HGH.  During the early phase of the sleep cycle is the ideal time to take these because this is when the hormonal release  peaks.  This maximizes the effectiveness of product, so you will truly get your money’s worth.

Secretagogue Foods & Supplements

These regenerative substances will help increase human growth hormone, male and female sex hormones, and act as anti-aging agents in the human body.  Secretagogue-promoting nutrition, discourages cancer and disease through the establishment of hormonal balance.  Bad fats work against healthy hormone production.  Fats to avoid are;  omega 6, vegetable oils, polyunsaturated fats, canola, soybean oil, corn oil, shortening, margarine, peanut oil, and any chemically altered fats.  Commercial foods most often contain the worst fats and lead to mass hormonal imbalance, heart disease, cancer, and inflammation.

Here is a starter list of foods and supplements that can help steer your hormones back into balance.

• Whey–  increases human growth hormone
• Arginine–  increases nitric oxide, athletic performance, human growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factors, increases production of progesterone in women.
• Fat—increases estrogen, estrone, DHEA, and insufficient spectrum of hormones in postmenopausal women and aging men.  Do not however, consume polyunsaturated fats. Good fats include;  olive oil, coconut oil, hemp seed oil, flaxseed oil, fish oil, real butter, and oils from nuts, and seeds.
• Magnesium—corrective for Low T in men, increases insulin-like growth factors, important to estrogen metabolism in women
• GABA—  human growth hormone enhancement, muscle strength, mental health balancing
• Progesterone—creams or bioidentical hormonal replacement–  particularly important to menopausal women, increases human growth hormones, reduces risk of developing fibroids and cysts, balances inappropriate thyroid (TSH) secretions.  Low progesterone contributes to low thyroid which is responsible for picking up the hormonal slack after menopause. This in turn stresses the adrenal glands which then become overworked. Supporting the stressed adrenal glands will not correct low thyroid secretions. Progesterone can help balance the thyroid and this will help alleviate stress on the adrenal glands.
• Fermented Soy (not to be confused with tofu and other unfermented soy which should be avoided)–  improves healthy estrogen secretion. Vitamin K2 and Natto work to help deposit free calcium in the blood, into the bone, strengthening and improving density. This is especially important to individuals with osteoporosis and bone weakness. Exercise using strength and resistance training (such as lifting weights) will also increase bone density.
• Imaging—  it has been proven that when using positive mental imaging and daily quiet meditation, that visualizing improves hormonal balance and increases secretion of melatonin which in turn, improves sleep. Yoga increases the secretion of melatonin and improves the release of “happy” hormones.
• Cholesterol—  improves low progesterone
• Vitamin A—  improves low progesterone
• Vitamin B6–  improves low progesterone
• Vitamin C–  improves metabolism of progesterone, produces human growth hormone (HGH)
• Phytoestrogenic Herbs–  fenugreek, red clover, fennel, wild yam
• Flaxseed Oil—  an estrogenic omega 3 fatty acid
• Oils That Balance Hormones—  omega 3 fatty acids, olive oil, chia seed, flax seed, walnuts, avocado, black current seed oil, coconut oil;  all of these oils are beneficial
• Black Cohosh—improves low estrogen
• Lavender–  estrogenic
• Sage–  estrogenic
• Horny Goat Weed (epimedium) and Long Jack– improves Low T, improves low libido in men and women
• Maca–  red, golden, and black–   modulate hormones in BOTH men and women- improves fertility and increases sperm count in men.
• Angelica—progesterone
• Peony—progesterone
• Fenugreek Seed—  increases human growth hormone, improves insulin-like growth factors
• Ginseng—  improves Low T, ED, libido in both men and women, increases nitric oxide, total body tonic and adaptogen, balances inappropriate luteinizing hormone secretion
• Milk Thistle Seed (silymarin)  improves hormonal metabolism in the liver, lactation disorders
• Saw Palmetto Berry, Nettle—improves testosterone and reduces inflammation of the prostate
• Damiana—  improves fertility hormone balances in both men and women
• Muira Puama–  improves male hormone balance and testosterone.  This herb is also known as “erection root”
• Pantothenic Acid—  testicular diabetes and insulin-like growth factors, low sperm, low sperm quality, corticosterone deficiency, male infertility
• Suma—increases productions of hormones in men and women
• Phytoestrogens—  improves Low T, increases adrenal hormone secretions, improves hypothyroidism – low thyroid metabolism
• American Ginseng—  Men use this adaptogen for ED, Low T, and low libido.  It is applicable for women to restore hormonal balance and vitality.  American ginseng is useful to reduce brain fog and prevent breast cancer.
• Panax Ginseng—  improves appropriate luteinization and production of testosterone and sperm count in men.
• Turmeric, Thyme, Chaste Tree Berry (vitex), Oregano—  increases progesterone
• Astragalus, Licorice Root, and Chinese Yam—  increases growth hormone
• Pomegranate—  nutrition from pomegranate fruit and the seeds, supports the ovaries and gonads.  Men and women need both male and female hormones. This fruit, consuming 17 mg. per kilogram of pomegranate is the highest known source of estrone in plants.
• Broccoli—  Needs to be cooked to extract the critical nutrients without suppressing the thyroid (this is true for the entire cruciferous family of foods)  Nutrients in broccoli help to bind “bad estrogen” and promote healthy estrogen balance.  Broccoli sprouts are 50 x higher in antioxidants than the mature vegetable.  There is no evidence that broccoli sprouts suppress thyroid function as compared to the mature plant. Additionally, broccoli sprouts are a wealth of enzymes.
• Pumpkin Seeds– male hormone balancing, reduces prostate inflammation

Amino Acid & Neurotransmitter Combination Which Promotes Hormonal Release From the Pituitary—( l-lysine, l-arginine, l-ornithine, l-glutamine )

• L-Glutamine–  just 2 grams per day has been found to increase the release of growth hormone by as much as a four fold increase.  This is a neurotransmitter in the brain which is essential to proper function of the gastrointestinal tract, brain, pancreas, bladder, kidneys, liver, and immune system.
• L-Lysine-  supports genital function. 1 gram per day improves the effectiveness of L-Arginine
• L-Ornithine– 1 gram improves the effectiveness of L-Arginine. Both of these amino acids promote the pituitary to release growth hormone.
• L-Arginine– 1 gram per day with the other ingredients for releasing growth hormone.

What Are Phytocrines?

These are the bioactive molecules in plants that modulate our hormones and communicate with our endocrine system. There are three kinds- all of which are important to producing, replacing, and regenerating hormones.  Some plants supplement our bodies with missing hormones, while others prompt our bodies to make hormones. Whether it is HGH, testosterone, progesterone, adrenal, thyroid hormone, or estrogen, plants can feed our bodies what they need to establish balance.  Although many men and women are concerned about the safety of hormonal herbs, it is important to remember that in America each year, about 255,000 people die from pharmaceutical drugs, not herbs.

• Phytohormonogenics  promotes the body’s tissues to generate their own native hormones.
• Functional mimetics of hormones mimic hormone functions and cause the physiological result of hormones which are naturally produced in our body.
• Phytohormones–  resemble our own body’s hormones.  These plants can only bind temporarily to our hormone receptors and must be continuously taken in order to promote actions which are similar to hormones in our system

Phytoestrogenic Herbs–  These are sources of plant estrogens.  There has always been an argument concerning whether or not ingesting these phytoestrogens are beneficial or contribute to hormonal cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute, phytoestrogens in herbs like red clover or black cohosh for example, and plant isoflavones which increase our natural estrogen, may actually have anticancer effects, including in men and women who have a personal or family history of breast or other hormonal cancers. Soy has long been recommended for hormone support until recently, when it has been discovered that unfermented soy depresses the thyroid. Women in menopause draw hormonal strength from the thyroid as part of physical change. Soy is not helpful for estrogen if on the other hand, it damages the thyroid. Soy, as a hormone supportive food is consumed only in fermented form- in this form, it is beneficial.

The best natural source of DIMM which binds “bad estrogens” is the cruciferous food family, particularly broccoli.  The cruciferous food family includes;  cabbage, broccoli, broccoli sprouts, kale, Brussels sprouts, watercress, and cauliflower.  These foods need to be COOKED in order to NOT depress the thyroid. Cooked cruciferous foods DO NOT damage the thyroid and should be eaten in abundance.  These foods are anti-cancer and a hormonal supportive food family. Broccoli Sprouts have 50 times more antioxidants than the mature broccoli plant. Kale being very popular in smoothies is fine in moderation, however, bear in mind that it is a member of the cruciferous family and should be eaten primarily in its cooked form. Eating a veggie plant with raw broccoli and cauliflower is ok on occasion but should not be eaten raw every day. Cook your cruciferous foods and enjoy the vast benefits of these remarkable nutrient dense vegetables.