THE FACT OESTROGEN CONTROLS FERTILITY AND THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE, INCLUDING PUBERTY, MENSTRUATION, OVULATION, PREGNANCY, BIRTH, AND MENOPAUSE IN WOMEN IS WELL KNOWN AND CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE VERY ESSENCE OF BEING FEMALE. HOWEVER, BEYOND FEMININITY WHAT IS THE ROLE OF OESTROGEN IN OUR BODIES AND HOW CAN IT IMPACT WEIGHT CONTROL?

What else is oestrogen responsible for?
Female hormonal balance helps guide nurturing, social, sexual and aggressive behaviours. It can affect having a bubbly personality, being talkative, being flirtatious, hosting or attending parties, writing thank-you notes, planning children's play dates, cuddling, grooming, worrying about hurting the feelings of others, being competitive, initiating love making and so much more.

Oestrogen fluctuations are not just responsible for PMS, hot flashes and growing mustaches as we approach 60. These hormones have many vital but less familiar effects on the body. For example, oestrogens (yes, there are 3 different types, aren't we lucky!?) stimulate the growth of bone cells, regulate the retention of salt and water in the body, and increase levels of HDL or good cholesterol while decreasing amounts of LDL or bad cholesterol. When oestrogen levels in the body cycle normally as nature intended, we reap the benefits of normal development and a healthy body and mind.

More than a simple case of "Not happy Jan!..."
Genetics, hormone replacement therapies, diet, stress, pollution and many other factors may upset the normal cycling of oestrogens in our body. Although the far-reaching effects of changing levels of these hormones is not fully understood, scientific studies show that too much oestrogen in the body can be associated with significant health risks, including weight gain, heart disease and cancer.

Research scientists have found that having either too much oestrogen, or, surprisingly, too little, signals the body to hold onto extra kilos, particularly around the waist. Finding ourselves with a little more belly than normal is usually chalked up to one of those annoyances of aging-but there could be more behind it. Although this may not seem to be much of a health problem, obesity rates are soaring to the epidemic levels, increasing the prevalence of heart disease, strokes and other serious problems.

How oestrogen feeds fat and vice versa...
If oestrogen levels in the body rise, weight control becomes increasingly difficult. Fat cells also actually produce oestrogen. Therefore, the more fat cells present in the body, the more oestrogen is produced. In addition to encouraging more fat cells to grow, this increase in oestrogen also encourages the retention of water, causing a bloated feeling. The production of oestrogen by fat cells is also thought to be the reason behind weight increase when oestrogen levels drop, usually during menopause. The body compensates for decreased levels of oestrogen by increasing the fat cells essential to its manufacture.

How to tell the reason for your weight gain?
So, you are trying to lose weight... How can you tell whether your weight gain is due to a hormonal imbalance, and not just say a fondness for chocolate chip cookies?

The first step is to assess the symptoms of your weight gain. In addition to a stubborn midsection, those with elevated oestrogen often notice a roundness developing on their upper arms and thighs as well as in their lower buttocks. Tiredness, moodiness and fatigue are also signs of high oestrogen levels as can be period irregularities, history of breast cancer as well as other conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids, which occur in the uterus. The next step is to take a simple blood, urine or saliva test to find out whether or not your hormones are at normal levels.

New studies show that it is possible to have an effect on those stubborn fatty deposits by being aware of your oestrogen levels and taking simple steps to bring them into a healthy range. However, because certain foods and environmental pollutants such as plastic derivatives, food additives and pesticides mimic oestrogen, taking measures to control oestrogen levels in the body can be difficult and must be done in a concerted effort to reduce environmental factors and known exposure at the same time-alongside a healthy diet, excellent portion control and ideally daily exercise.

In short, what your grandmother told you about a healthy lifestyle holds true for avoiding oestrogen build-up: eat more vegetables and natural, unprocessed foods (organic is ideal), and avoid overly processed products, pesticides, chemicals in your personal environment and plastics.

In addition, be as physically active as you can-this will not only help to burn extra calories but it will also reduce stress, which can cause the hormonal imbalances that can lead to weight gain. Avoiding alcohol and drinking plenty of water will also help to balance your hormones. By leading a healthy lifestyle you will be taking simple and easy steps to reduce the negative effects of oestrogen and prevent weight gain. Giving proper attention to how your diet and lifestyle may be impacting your hormonal balance is a critical first step in creating a healthier you.

*References upon request.

Natural fertility specialist and leading naturopath Gabriela Rosa (BHSc, ND, Post Grad NFM, DBM, Dip Nut, MATMS, MNHAA) is the author of three books, including 'Eat Your Way To Parenthood: The Diet Secrets Of Highly Fertile Couples Revealed'. For more information or a FREE subscription to the Natural Fertility Booster please visit www.NaturalFertilityBreakthrough.com or www.FertilityAlignment.com.