It is time again for “Ask the Doctor.” I particularly enjoy this monthly feature because it gives me an opportunity to answer your questions and help you on your path to health and wellness.
If you have a question or health concern that you would like me to address, please visit the Hotze Health & Wellness Facebook page and send me a private message. Mention Katy Christian Magazine in the subject line.
The Hormone-Brain Connection
I am 42 years old and having trouble concentrating at work. I feel like my brain is in a fog all the time and I am not as mentally sharp as I used to be. I am a little depressed and anxious, as well. Could I have ADHD or the onset of dementia at my age? What should I do? – Connie T.
Thank you for your question, Connie. Many adults experience these types of symptoms as they get older. When you think about brain health, you probably aren’t thinking about your hormones. Those are more about hot flashes, night sweats, PMS, and low libido, right? Well, actually, hormones have a profound effect on brain health.
Do you experience any of the following symptoms?
- Difficulty concentrating at work or performing basic tasks
• Trouble remembering people’s names or simple words
• Feeling like you’ve lost parts of your memory
• Feeling like you’re in a fog and state of confusion
• Decreased mental sharpness
• Unable to focus
• Short term memory loss
• Feeling depressed or anxious - Easily distracted
• Difficulty paying attention to details
If you can relate to the above symptoms, you are not losing your mind. Don’t panic and rush to the assumption that you might have the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s, because these symptoms could very well be caused by a hormone deficiency.
Hormonal Influences on Brain Health
Hormones are the chemical regulators of the human body and function to maintain various processes, such as growth, emotions and even cognition. Cognitive function refers to the brain’s ability to process information about the world and includes thinking, memory, recall, mental flexibility, problem solving and learning.
Cognitive impairment can be caused by numerous factors such as genetics, aging, lifestyle, poor nutrition and environment, however several studies have found that hormonal fluctuations are one of the key factors that lead to impairment in brain function.
How Hormones Affect Brain Health
- Hypothyroidism– Your thyroid gland governs your metabolism and a high-energy metabolism is essential for optimal brain health. Hypothyroidism prevents the brain from adequately sustaining the energy (glucose) needed for neurotransmission, memory, and other higher brain functions. Low thyroid function is a common cause of brain fog, depression, difficulty concentrating and short-term memory loss. These conditions are very common in thyroid disorders.
Thyroid hormones are essential for normal brain development and influence brain function throughout one’s life. In adults, hypothyroidism is associated with depression and loss of cognitive functions. Hypothyroidism is also often associated with memory impairment. Hypo- or hyperthyroidism can lead to mood disorders, dementia, confusion, and personality changes.
- Testosterone– Testosteroneis crucial for maintaining mental sharpness and mental clarity. Testosterone is believed to be one of the sex hormones that may reduce cognitive performance as its levels decrease with age.
- Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone– These hormones act directly on nerve cells in the brain, facilitating neurotransmission, protecting those cells from attack by neurotoxins and free radicals, and enhancing blood flow of the brain, all of which protect against loss of memory, cognition and progression of dementia.
- Menopause/Estrogen– Menopause can cause memory loss, dementia and mood swings. These are signs that estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels are declining.
Estrogen is manifested and highly expressed in the brain, mainly in the hippocampus area and cerebral cortex. Numerous studies confirm that estrogen acts as a neuroprotecting agent against aging effects such as dementia. Research findings have identified that estrogen may also play a role in memory, cognition and spatial tasks. There are estrogen receptors at multiple sites of brain regions: the hippocampal formation, the amygdala and the cerebral cortex. These three regions are responsible for the critical functioning of emotions, memory consolidation and retrieval, and cognitive processes in general.
Estrogen has the potential ability to act as a neuroprotector, which may benefit memory. Estrogen hormone therapy is being suggested for menopausal women who are experiencing a decline in cognitive function, because this type of therapy is believed to reduce the risk of getting dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Neuroimaging findings lend support to hormone therapy’s ability to act as a neuroprotector for menopausal women, which can prevent the aging-related risk of brain atrophy.
- Progesterone– Progesterone has a calming effect on the brain. It stimulates the brain’s GABA receptors, the feel-good, calming neurotransmitters. After childbirth, the drop in progesterone levels causes the low moods of postpartum depression.
Research demonstrated that for visual memory, women taking progesterone had more regional activity versus placebo. Progesterone was also associated with better verbal working memory. Therefore, research shows that supplementing with progesterone may benefit brain function.
Progesterone also has a protective effect on the brain by reducing swelling and improving mental clarity after a traumatic brain injury. Research shows evidence that progesterone can play an important role in promoting and enhancing repair after traumatic brain injury and stroke.
Optimal Hormone Levels for Optimal Brain Function
Keeping your hormones at their optimal levels will help keep your brain working at its best. Don’t forget that some prescription drugs, such as the cholesterol lowering drugs, can cause memory loss and other symptoms, so be aware of the effects that prescription drugs can have on your brain.
Take my Symptom Checker on my website, www.HotzeHWC.com, to find out if your symptoms could be caused by a hormone decline.
At the Hotze Health & Wellness Center, we treat the whole person naturally. We address hormone decline and imbalance in both men and women, hypothyroidism, allergies, yeast/Candida, adrenal fatigue, nutrition, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and much more.
COMPLIMENTARY BOOK OFFER AND CONSULTATION
Do you have symptoms of hormone deficiency? Contact my wellness consultants for a complimentary wellness consultation today at 281-698-8698. That’s 281-698-8698, and get a COMPLIMENTARY copy of my book, HORMONES, HEALTH & HAPPINESS!
I believe that you deserve a doctor and a team of professionals to coach you onto a path of health and wellness naturally, without the use of pharmaceutical drugs, so that you can enjoy a better quality of life and enjoy a life-changing health transformation.
NEW HEALTH PROGRAMS AT HOTZE HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER
Join our renowned medical team of alternative, functional medicine providers to learn about our new health programs!
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Hotze Health & Wellness Center, 20214 Braidwood Drive Katy, Texas 77450
Speakers: Steven F. Hotze, M.D., Donald Ellsworth, M.D., and Jason Gourlas, MPAS, PA-C
Our New Health Programs:
- Autoimmune
- Brain Support/ADHD
- Fatty Liver
- Long-Haul
- Postpartum
Lite bites and refreshments will be served! Bring your family and friends who may benefit from our new programs and be sure to RSVP for each person. We look forward to seeing you there!
Click Here to RSVP to reserve your spot!
Keep Your Questions Coming
I hope these suggestions are helpful to you and to others who are dealing with these common problems. Keep your questions coming! Send me a private message on Hotze Health & Wellness Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HotzeHWC/. Don’t forget to mention Katy Christian Magazine in the subject line. And remember, there’s no such thing as a dumb question.
To learn more about the Hotze Health & Wellness Center and schedule a Free Wellness Consultation, call us at 281-698-8698 or visit hotzehwc.com.
