Hormones play a critical role in regulating many body functions including metabolism, immune response, reproduction, mood, energy levels and mental clarity. As time moves forward our hormone levels can decline due to a variety of causes. Some decreases may occur naturally with aging starting around 30 to 40 years old. Medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, liver or kidney disease all can lower hormone levels. Medications such opioids, statins, antidepressants, antihistamines, beta blockers used for hypertension, oral contraceptive pills and ketoconazole can reduce hormone levels.
There is a long list of industrial substances, toxins and pesticides and some food additives that will decrease hormone production. These include PCBs which are a synthetic compound like teflon used in industrial and consumer products, BPAs which is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resin since the 1950s, pesticides (such as those in Round Up and glyphosate) and plastics in food packaging. Some food additives and contaminants also can affect hormone levels. Trans fatty acids found primarily in processed foods will lower testosterone levels. Nitrates and nitrites that are used as meat preservatives will interfere with hormone production. Propyl Gallate is an additive that is commonly found in vegetable oils, meat products, chicken soup base and chewing gum. It also alters hormone levels.
When hormone levels decline it leads to imbalances that affect both physical and mental health. The Biote program utilizes bio-identical hormones which are compounds that are chemically identical to the hormones naturally produced in the body to restore hormonal balance. The hormones are created from plant-based sources as opposed to synthetic alternatives. The bioidentical hormones are safer and more effective and have less risk of side effects than synthetic hormones. Restoring hormone amounts to the levels of our younger years proves to alleviate symptoms and overt development of disease processes.
The bio-identical hormones come in the form of a very small pellet. The pellets are inserted just under the fatty tissue of the skin. This is an in-office procedure that typically takes 15 minutes. Only local anesthetic is used, no sutures are required and there is no downtime. The pellets are slowly dissolved releasing hormones over the next three to six months.
