To reduce the effect of
xenoestrogens from
the environment, try to
limit the toxic load on
the body by:
- Using glass or
ceramic instead of
plastic to eat or drink
from; - Choosing paraben-
free products (check
the ingredients list
on your cosmetics,
food products and
pharmaceuticals); - Buying organic fruit
and veg; - Washing produce
thoroughly with
water.
The kidneys, liver and
gastrointestinal tract
are all responsible
for detoxing foreign
oestrogens from the
body,soitisimportant
that they function well.
To speed up the
detoxification process
and clean out trouble
spots:
- Ensure you drink
lotsofwater - Increaseyourintake
of cruciferous
veg containing
sulforaphane
and indoles (such
as kale, brussel
sprouts, spinach and
cabbage).
Startbyincreasing
the protein in your
diet and decreasing
the processed sugar
and fat. This alone can
significantly decrease
theriskoflifestyle-
relatedillnesses.Ialso
highly recommend a
pharmaceutical-grade
omega-3 fish oil. This
alone will reduce
inflammation and make
your body more insulin
sensitive. What that
means is that when you
eat carbohydrates, you
will use the glycogen
for energy, rather than
store it as fat.
QUICK TIP
If you are very insulin
resistant, you will find
it hard to lose body fat,
and again it can put
you at a greater risk of
type 2 diabetes. Seek
professional help in
the form of a certified
medical practitioner.
Why does DHEA
increase weight in this
area?
People with low DHEA
have significantly
lower levels of mid-arm
muscle than those with
normal levels of DHEA.
Along with decreased
muscle tone, they also
have the dreaded arm
wobble or bat-wing
arm.
Another symptom of
low DHEA is excess
fatonthechest,also
referred to as man
boobs. This indicates
that the male sex
hormones (testosterone)
are being converted to
female sex hormones
(oestrogen), rather than
being utilised for muscle
development and fat
loss. In the male body,
this is often referred to
as aromatisation and is
often present in males
with a zinc deficiency.Quick tip
When cortisol
production is also high,
especially for prolonged
periods of time, your
adrenals can wear outand DHEA production
can suffer as well.
Cortisol management
will also ensure DHEA
levels stay at their
optimum.
SOLUTION
As a long-term
solution for fat loss, I
recommend boosting
DHEA levels naturally
by taking up weight-
bearing exercise, like
weight lifting, and
increasing your intake
of protein. This will
help the growth of
lean muscle mass.
Low DHEA levels
can also be linked to
a zinc deficiency (as
described above), so a
pharmaceutical-grade
zinc supplement or
multivitamin canhelp restore zinc to
appropriate levels in the
body.
If necessary, a blood
test from your GP can
test your DHEA levels.
You may be prescribed
aDHEAsupplement,
which has been shown
to significantly improve
DHEA levels.
Everywhere fat
If you’re storing fat
everywhere, you know
it. Your dress or clothes
size is consistently
going up and you just
feel like your weight is
out of control. The bad
news is that increased
weight increases your
risk of diseases like type
2diabetes,heartdisease
and obesity, to name a
few. The good news is
this is not a necessarypart of getting older.
By simply improving
your nutrition first and
foremost,youcanhelp
restore balance to your
hormones and lead a
better quality of life.
Ihighlyrecommenda
pharmaceutical-grade
omega-3 fish oil. This
alone will reduce
inflammation and make
your body more insulin
sensitive.
Sally Matterson is a
renowned personal
trainer, biosignature
practitioner and
author of the new
book Healthy Body
(Rockpool Publishing
$24.99), now available
at good book stores
and online atwww.
rockpoolpublishing.
com.au“To reduce the effect of xenoestrogens
from the environment, try to limit the
toxic load on the body by using glass
or ceramic instead of plastic to eat or
drink from.”PHOTO CREDIT:SHUTTERSTOCK.COM100 | JULY/AUG 2015 | oxygenmag.com.auNutrition