Hormones, what are they?  Hormones are substances produced by the body (natural hormones, that is), which in very small amounts, cause organs in the body to function.  They are like catalysts.  One such example is thyroxin, which controls the thyroid gland, and which controls how fast our bodies burn their fuel, sugar (glycogen).  When not enough thyroxin hormone is being produced in the body, it burns sugar slowly, and the person who is said to have hypothyroidism, feels cold most of the time, and is often overweight.  The reverse, hyperthyroidism, occurs when the body produces too much thyroxin, causing the body to speed up, and burn its fuel too quickly.  The result is that the person suffering this condition always feels too hot, and often these people are very thin.

Man Made Hormones

One of the major causes of hormonal imbalances in humans and animals can be attributed to the production of synthetic hormones, which are used in the food processing industry throughout the world.

Examples of this are the synthetic estrogens (female hormones) used in chicken feed.  Since most often the chicken we eat in the supermarket is the female, or hen, and not the male, or rooster, synthetic female hormones, that is estrogens, are put in the chicken feed to cause the chickens to develop more quickly, and thus to get them to sell them more quickly.  This is strictly for the convenience of the farmer producing chickens for sale.  Synthetic male hormones are either injected into beef cattle, or put in their feed for the same reason. 

Cause and Effect

The effects of synthetic hormones in our food supply pass along the food chain to consumers.  The effect of the estrogen (female) hormones in girls causes premature sexual development, beginning as early as 5 years of age. This condition has actually become fairly common.  In males the effect of estrogens is one of feminization at all ages, and especially in developing fetuses or young boys.  The primary and secondary sexual characteristics are affected from gestation to just beyond puberty (From day one of life up to about the age 18).  Primary sexual characteristics include the development of the reproductive organs (penis, testicles), while secondary sexual characteristics affected are the voice, mannerisms, and gestures.  The reverse is true for consumption of synthetic male hormones, which create a masculinizing effect.  The most obvious effects of this are in the effect upon females who take on masculine mannerisms.  As with estrogens, these androgens (male hormones) affect developing girls from conception throughout life.

The Worst Offenders

Even worse than the synthetic hormones placed in our food are the estrogen hormone mimickers found in plastics.  The BBC produced an excellent documentary on this in 1999 in its series entitled Panorama.  U.S. television has also addressed this topic in its series 20/20.  Specific mention was made about not heating plastic bottles in the microwave.  Also, Styrofoam cups leach strong estrogen mimickers into the liquid being consumed, if it is hot.  Plastic water bottles are also a serious problem if the water is warm, as the chemicals that leach out of the plastic act as estrogens once inside the human body, which is why they are given the name estrogen mimickers.  The effects are particularly worrisome for the strong feminizing effects they exert on the males at every stage of life.     

What Can Be Done?

There are a number of solutions for the dilemma of hormonal imbalances now affecting millions of people worldwide.  More information will be added here with the next update of this page. 

Natural Substances Having High Levels of Estrogens

There are certain natural food substances which are relatively high in estrogens, and which therefore exert a mild feminizing effect if consumed over long periods or regularly.  They are highly recommended for women with menstruation irregularities, or those who are in menopause, but are not so advisable for males.  They are:

Yams

Soybeans, soy drinks, and other products made with soy.