Article: Saliva Testing: Personal Hormone Profile
Saliva Testing: Personal Hormone Profile
by: Dr. Janet Starr Hull, Ph.D., CN
http://www.sweetpoison.com/newsletter/
Human saliva is one of the most accurate measurements of human
hormone levels.
Hormones circulating in the saliva represent the hormones that
are
actually available to the body's tissues and cells. Only five
percent
of the hormone levels circulating in the bloodstream are available
to the tissues and cells. So, the water' stores are the most effective
vehicles in which the tissues have access to hormones, primarily
because hormones are sticky' and have less resistance in a matrix
of water opposed to cursing through the bloodstream. Plus, every
cell in the human body is immersed in a pool of water.
Hormones are at the control center of just about every aspect
of
human life. They offset mood fluctuations and support the feeling
of
well-being. Hormones regulate fertilization and growth, determination
of sex and development, they control birth, daily life, and the
process
of aging.
Hormones are naturally secreted by the body to maintain physical
changes, hair growth and breast development for females during
puberty, to regulate daily blood sugar levels, body temperature,
sleep patterns, and general physique. So as you can see, hormones
affect nearly every aspect of the human body for both males and
females, and hormone imbalances and their decline are an intrigal
part of aging.
There are several hundred different types of hormones. One group
we
hear about most often is the steroid hormones, which are all derived
from cholesterol. The steroid family of hormones can be broken
down
into four major categories:
1. the estrogens (DHEA, testosterone, androstenedione)
2. progesterone
3. glucocorticoids (cortisol, cortisone)
4. mineralcorticoids (aldosterone)
If a male or female is on cholesterol medication, their hormones
may
be altered as well. It is important to monitor hormone levels
while
on these types of medications, and balance them with natural hormonal
methods if necessary.
I highly recommend having a saliva hormone profile test performed
if
you have concerns about hormonal imbalances, high cholesterol,
hair
loss, or loss of libido. There are numerous lab kits available
at
your local health food store, and a search on the net is a good
way
to research the saliva hormone profile testing. I like the way
BODYBALANCE prints their results for the male and female hormone
analysis as it's user friendly and easy to read. Their contact
numbers
are 828-285-2235, http://www.bodybalance.com,
email: bodybalance@gsdi.com.
In future newsletters, I will focus on the importance of each
one of
the body's hormones, their implications in health and wellness,
and ways
to stay hormonally balanced, naturally.
