Hormonal Changes Affecting our Kids

The purpose for these changes is to prepare the individual for new circumstances. You may be wondering, what circumstances, and that’s the point. The body is adjusting according to the DNA’s interpretation of the environment; therefore, the circumstance is survival. However, with our kids, this is turning into rapid maturation and degeneration.

The following hormones are indicated in the neurobiology of the stress response, influencing the stress system’s activity.

1)       Corticotropin releasing factor stimulates the production of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), 8-lipotropin, 3-endorphin. Plasma levels of these hormones can increase to nearly 5 times during stress

2)       Catecholamine production increases which includes dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine. These are hormones released during emotional and physical stress which leads to increased cardiac output, skeletal muscle blood flow, sodium retention, reduced intestinal motility, constriction of blood vessels under the skin, increased glucose, bronchiolar dilatation and behavioral activation

3)       Vasopressin involved in the activation of ACTH and slowing down fluid release.

4)       There is a decrease in gonadotropins also known as reproductive hormones

5)       Stress inhibits the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and lowers both T3 and T4

6)       Insulin levels tend to go down as such antagonistic hormones increase, such as glucagon. Glucagon promotes the release of glucose into the blood stream and with lower insulin levels, blood sugar issues become a problem.

Without exaggeration, I talk about stress all the time. The difficult part for me is that it’s not a highly sought after topic of interest. Yet, when we understand the how the stress system functions, we have a better chance at preventing 24 / 7 activation.

What I propose here is basic. Although there are thousands of compounds threatening our survivability, our health issues do not involve any one chemical in particular. It’s the body’s response to these substances that prompt the production of valuable proinflammatory chemicals which lead ultimately to degeneration. We may view them as bad or problematic, depending on the symptoms; however, the activation happened long before any symptom developed. And that’s the point, to realize that the environment is unavoidable. Yet, the long term effects are. We have the power to assist the body, if we choose. Be proactive, rather than reactive. It’s a solid response that firmly promotes systemic stability.

This is occurring in every body at every age. The ultimate impact depends on the individual genome.

Are you a parent of a child or children between the ages of 0 and 10?

Does your young child experience any of the following:

1. autism

2. sleep dis-order(s) i.e. restless leg, trouble falling or staying asleep, snoring, teeth grinding, night terrors

3. weight gain

4. eczema

5. asthma

6. anxiety

7. ADHD

8. digestive disturbances i.e. constipation, gas, IBS (yes, this is happening in our children)

These are all related to an activated stress response and the shuffling of hormones to assist the body with operating on high alert.

However, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, getting a handle on the body’s reaction to stress is imperative. Did you notice I did not say, ‘getting a handle on stress’? There is so much more to systemic distress as I’ve previously mentioned, so the idea of trying to fit stress relieving activities into our child’s day may be helpful, but it does little for sustainable, long term benefits.. It’s simply a good, and timely break.

The DNA is working long and hard to keep us alive. Our job is to understand that these health issues are a cry for help and we have the wherewithal to give the body what it needs.

Nutritionally that would be:

1. vitamin C

2. vitamin B complex

3. vitamin D3 (only when using essential oils, otherwise, the body struggles to transport it into the cells)

4. magnesium

5. betaine or another hydrochloric acid

That’s it.

As for any essential oil recommendations, that depends on the individual and requires an in-depth discussion. The options for working with me are listed here.