The endocrine, or hormonal system is the most powerful control system in the human body. The balanced microbiome: our bacterial reality that establishes our physical unity with all life on earth determines the depth of action of our hormonal system.
The endocrine system is made up of ductless glands that produce hormones. These hormones are messengers, or signals that affect cells throughout the body. Hormones affect and regulate every tissue, organ, and system in the bodymind. They must be balanced to activate the body’s powerful systems of repair and self-healing.
Most people live in a state of glandular depression and hormonal disruption. Hormones can go wrong due to poor nutrition or sleep, dis-stress, environmental toxins, heavy metals, vaccines, drugs, medications, manmade radiation and more. This reduces our ability to adapt to life’s stresses. In Functional Medicine, to restore and maintain the strength and balance of the endocrine system we use two principles:
- Detoxification
- Nutrition (diet and herbal medicine).
The director of the endocrine system is Pituitary gland, referred to as the “master gland”.
The pituitary has its own master – the Hypothalamus.
The hypothalamus is the bridge between the nervous system and the endocrine system. The hypothalamus is a small area of the brain, not larger than fingernail, is responsible for controlling some of the most vital neural systems in the body.
Anything we do to positively affect hypothalamus has broad benefit to the bodymind. There are three main ways to improve hypothalamic balance and function:
1. Inner Shift: Maintaining an attitude of thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation: Expressing kindness and integrity in our relationships.
2. Nutrition: Low glycemic, whole food diet, high in healthy fats, protein, fibers, vegetables, and fruits, low in sugar, wheat, dairy products, and GMOs. Diet and correct supplementation are the best way to optimize the health of the gut microbiome, which strongly regulates the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid-Pancreas-Adrenal-Gonadal axis.
Strengthening the Bridge, the hypothalamus, is one of the most powerful ways to increase our vitality and resilience and help us bring the largeness of who we are, and our unique positive contribution, into our world.
Wishing you all Optimal Health
Dr. Maryam Safai
