Yesterday evening, I had the opportunity to attend Dr. Libby’s presentation on the A-Z of Women’s Health with All the Hormones Between. The talk was fascinating, covering biochemistry and the nutrients needed to support our organs and system, as well as how our emotional landscape affects health and well-being.
Dr Libby Weaver is a leading weight loss expert and nutritionist in Australasia. She is the author of ‘Accidentally Overweight,’ and, most recently ‘Rushing Woman’s Syndrome.’
Libby has completed her Ph.D. at The University of Newcastle in Australia. The results of this research have influenced the treatment of autism in Australia and New Zealand.
Through this research, Libby was able to understand better how hormones influence our body size and shape, our appetite, our response to stress and exercise, clarity of mind, sleep patterns, and a variety of other behaviors.
The seminar Dr Libby held in Sydney covered a wide range of topics, including women’s hormones and health. It was too much for me to summarize in this blog. I’ve chosen a few points that really resonated with my own experience.
The New Reality
Now, we ask our bodies more than ever. Our environment is very different from that of our parents and grandparents. We are exposed more to pollution, synthetic chemicals, and stress. Food is now highly processed, and we are reliant on technology. Our bodies are being asked to eliminate more things than ever before. We need a detoxification system that is optimized to deal with external factors.
Rushing Women’s Syndrome describes how our lives are also moving at a faster pace. Dr. Libby speaks about the ‘Frantic Dual Shift,’ where women are now responsible for both their fathers’ jobs and their mothers’ responsibilities – a huge new burden to juggle.
The Importance of Antioxidants
Antioxidants help us to maintain a healthy body. They neutralize the free radicals that can damage our cells and accelerate aging. Stress, cigarette smoke, alcohol, sun, pollution, and other factors can accelerate the oxidation of our cell membranes. Plant foods with a high level of antioxidants are usually found in colored plant foods.
Stress and Cortisol
Dr. Libby’s presentation was dominated by a theme that stressed the negative effects of stress on women’s health. Stress has a negative impact on our bodies, whether it’s how our sex hormones (estrogen/progesterone) work, how we digest food, why fluid retention occurs so often, or how our liver functions. Women have never been under as much stress as they are today.
The adrenal glands release two different types of stress hormones: adrenaline and Cortisol. Adrenalin, your short-term hormone of stress, is removed when you are scared. It is meant to keep you safe. In today’s world, however, psychological stress is what causes us to produce adrenaline. This has a variety of negative effects on our bodies. The elevation of blood glucose in the body can affect our main fat storage hormones.
Cortisol, the long-term hormone of stress, kicks in once adrenalin is depleted. Cortisol has historically been produced when food became scarce because of floods, war, or famine. Long-term stress today is caused by everyday factors, and it has become the norm for many. The ancient function of Cortisol is still present in modern society. It tells your cells that food is scarce and slows the metabolism. As a result, you store fat. You can be very healthy and do exercise daily, but if you have cortisol levels in your body, you will not feel or look like a true person.
Restorative practices
Dr. Libby believes that restorative practices such as yoga, tai chi or qi gong, and conscious breathing should be part of daily life. Simple breathing has a huge impact on your life. It also benefits your nervous system and digestion.
Beauty inside and out
This is Dr Libby’s newest and most passionate book. Over 50 trillion cells make up our body, but only a tiny fraction of them are external. (External cells are changed every 28 days). Despite this, we spend a lot of money and time on our skin and facial cells. Your true beauty is reflected in your inner cells. This is why it’s so important to nourish yourself with the food, drinks, and thoughts you think.
Libby Libby’s favorite Vitamin
Dr. Libby is a huge fan of Vitamin C. It’s great for your immune system and healthy skin and is a powerful antioxidant for the body. Vitamin C is essential for detoxification.
Did you know Gubinge powder (from Kakadu Plums) is the highest source of Vitamin C naturally available in the world? You can add it to juices, cereals, desserts, or smoothies.