Balance Hormones for Better Immune Health

Hormones are powerful. They are the relationship coordinators that connect all different aspects of our body to function properly. They are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands, responsible for regulating many physiological processes in the body. These processes include growth, metabolism, reproduction, and immune function. Below, I outline a list of hormones that are uniquely and closely linked to the immune system and provide solutions to help optimize their balance, therefore positively supporting your immune health.  

Corticosteroids (Such as Cortisol) 

The adrenal glands produce these and are crucial in regulating the immune response. Cortisol is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and suppression of the immune system. In times of stress, the body releases more cortisol, damping the immune response and making it easier for us to get sick with extreme or chronic stress. Since cortisol is nearly identical to prednisone steroid medication, prolonged stress, and high cortisol is akin to taking 10 mg of prednisone regularly, leading to health complications. 

Solution: Practice stress reduction techniques like 15 minutes of Calm Meditation daily to stop cortisol release. Additionally, undergo detoxification quarterly to cleanse cortisol from your body and assist your liver in getting rid of this steroid and its damaging effects on your health. Use the Home Detox Kit to rid your body of harmful cortisol.

Thyroid Hormones

Thyroid hormones, like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), influence the immune system. They can modulate the production of immune cells and cytokines (small proteins that help cells communicate with each other in the immune system). Imbalances in our thyroid hormones, especially in hypothyroid (low thyroid hormone) situations, can reduce our defense against diseases.

Solution: Eat iodine-rich foods like seaweed, Lima beans and prunes. Avoid gluten and overconsumption of goitrogenic foods such as cruciferous vegetables, although it’s dose-dependent, meaning normal amounts do not cause suppression of thyroid functions. Take Metabo Max to support healthy thyroid function. 

Sex Hormones (Estrogen and Testosterone) 

These hormones play a role in immune function. Estrogen, for example, has been shown to enhance the immune response, while testosterone may have an immunosuppressive effect. This may explain why women tend to have a more robust immune response in certain situations and are prone to autoimmune diseases where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. 

Solution: Estrogen dominance or excess estrogen often leads to increased inflammation and fibrocystic diseases of the breast and uterus. Take DIM, extracted from broccoli, which has been shown to reduce “bad” estrogen and reduce inflammatory and cyst-forming actions. It also helps to modulate testosterone levels. 

Growth Hormone

Growth hormone is essential for tissue growth and repair. It also plays a role in immune function by influencing the production and activity of immune cells. A healthy, regular secretion of growth hormones is helpful in the prevention of diseases. Unfortunately, growth hormone production starts to decline around age 25, and by midlife, its levels are dismal, which is partly responsible for premature aging. 

Solution: Practice intermittent fasting as well as doing leg squats daily, which can stimulate your own natural production of growth hormone. In addition, taking an Arginine supplement, an amino acid, has been shown to support the production of natural growth hormone. 

Insulin and Glucagon

These hormones, produced by the pancreas, are primarily involved in regulating blood sugar levels. They indirectly influence the immune system, as maintaining stable blood sugar levels is essential for proper immune function. Glucagon-like peptide or GLP-1 stimulates the release of Insulin, which in turn lowers blood sugar. In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have become popular for weight loss. However, frequent hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) situations can weaken the body against sickness, while hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) situations can increase inflammatory activities. 

Solution: Add cinnamon to your diet as it helps balance blood sugar levels, or take Berberine, an extract from golden thread root and Oregon grape that has been shown to regulate blood glucose, increase insulin sensitivity, and lower appetite. Berberine can assist in natural weight loss without side effects like GLP-1 drugs.

Prolactin 

This hormone, primarily associated with breastfeeding, also has immunomodulatory effects. It can influence the production of immune cells and cytokines. During breastfeeding, women have a higher immune function in order to convey maternal immunity to their baby’s body, and therefore, not surprisingly, she is much likelier to experience flare-ups of existing autoimmune conditions. 

Solution: Modulating the immune system right after labor and delivery is key to preventing autoimmune flare-ups in a woman’s body. Incorporate papaya, pineapple, and kiwi into one’s diet as these are rich in papain and bromelain—potent enzymes that are inflammation fighters. Find them in Inflammation Support in supplement form. 

Melatonin

While primarily known for regulating sleep-wake cycles, melatonin also has immune-modulating properties. Melatonin can influence the production and activity of immune cells. Having regular sleep-wake cycles improves our immune system. Unfortunately, modern lifestyles and exposure to artificial blue light from electronic devices disturb the proper release of melatonin. 

Solution: Use blue light filters or glasses at night to prevent disturbance to your biorhythms and the production of melatonin. Eat foods rich in phytomelatonin (plant melatonin), such as bean sprouts, daikon radishes, and walnuts. Decaffeinated coffee beans are also a surprisingly good source too. Herbs like jujube seeds and polygala root have also been found to increase the natural production of melatonin in the body. They are found in the Sleep formula. 

Adipokines

These are hormones produced by fat cells. They play a role in metabolism but also affect the immune system. For example, adiponectin has anti-inflammatory properties, while leptin, a hormone that is involved in appetite, can also influence immune responses.

Solution: Adipokines are important in fat metabolism, besides impacting immune function. High body fat leads to increased inflammation and immune dysfunction. Herbs that have been found to support the healthy level and regulation of adipokines, such as hawthorn, green tea, and lotus, may have positive effects on the immune system. Find these and other herbs in B-Slim. Who knew that keeping your weight down can also benefit your immunity? 

Gonadotropins (Luteinizing Hormone or LH and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone or FSH)

These hormones play a central role in the reproductive system but also have some influence on immune function. This is one of the reasons why a woman tends to be less sick during follicular and ovulatory phases—periods of high FSH and LH than the luteal and menstrual phases, where FSH and LH levels decline.

Solution: Avoid alcohol as it acts as an estrogenic substance which can potentially inhibit the functions of the ovaries and testicles and upset the signaling of LH and FSH. Try Royal Jelly, which has been shown in studies to be a restorative and optimizing property on the ovaries and testes while promoting fertility. 

Stress Hormones (Epinephrine or Adrenaline and Norepinephrine)

These hormones, released during the "fight or flight" response, can influence immune responses. They can mobilize immune cells and modulate their activity. These hormones, when heightened, can protect the body against sickness in the short term. If the body is constantly stressed—also known as adrenal exhaustion, these hormones will be “fatigued” and will not be produced as much, which can cause us to get sick more easily.

Solution: Restore the function of your adrenal glands by getting more sleep, reducing stress, regular gentle exercise, and taking Resveratrol—a potent antioxidant and adrenal protector and restorer. It’s an extract from grape skin that has also been extensively studied for its anti-aging properties. 

In summary, the relationship between hormones and the immune system is complicated and can be influenced by many other factors, such as genetics, age, gender, and overall health. However, from this article, we hope that you now have an appreciation for how hormone-level disruptions can lead to immune-related disorders and conditions. Therefore, an optimum and balanced hormonal system is crucial in maintaining healthy immunity.