Listen up! In order to build hormones we need to be digesting and ABSORBING our food properly.
Key word there- absorbing!
This is why I always address digestion before diving into hormones. The health of our hormones is affected by the overall health of our digestive system.
Zinc not only improves the integrity of our intestinal barrier but it is absolutely necessary to produce hydrochloric acid. Hello heartburn!
If we don’t have enough zinc or it’s not in a bio-available form (from meat). We will not be producing stomach acid which is necessary for the breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients. In order to produce and eliminate hormones appropriately we need to be digesting and absorbing our foods.
You’re thinking “oh I have heartburn, that means I have too much acid, this is not a problem for me.” Wrong. Did you know heartburn actually comes from too little stomach acid? MIND BLOWN, am I right? Ya girlfriend, those antacids you’re taking are doing more harm than good and actually depleting your further of zinc. The irony!
Even more ironic- if we are not absorbing the nutrients from our food we are certainly not absorbing zinc.
Zinc is also a key player in our thyroid health and the production of progesterone (the feel good hormone). It also hugely impacts our fertility.
So who’s at greater risk for having a zinc deficiency?
Women that have been on the birth control pill, vegans and vegetarians, taking pharmaceuticals and antacids, pairing meals with wine or alcohol, consuming grains, and any woman with conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS and thyroid disorders. And of course anyone dealing with uncomfortable digestive symptoms.
So now you’re thinking great. I’m zinc deficient, what do I do about this? No. Don’t go taking a zinc supplement. We need to address so much more than that- remember minerals are a game of co-factors, they all work together to create balance.
Girl, go get tested!
One of the best ways to look for low zinc levels is with the use of a hair tissue mineral analysis. It will give you a level of zinc but almost as importantly it will tell you if you can even USE the zinc you have. Things like mercury and copper can block zinc meaning you may have the zinc present but you can’t use it so you will still be suffering from a zinc deficiency.
Reach out if you are interested in getting a HTMA test! I’d love to help you get to the root cause of your hormonal imbalances and digestive issues.
Why You Should Get A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Test
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