The first thing we need to do is understand what the HPO axis is.
H = The Hypothalamus is a gland in your brain that controls your hormone system. It plays a part in many functions of the body such as: appetite and weight control, body temperature, emotions, sleep cycles and thirst. It also releases hormones to the Pituitary gland, which sends hormones out to your different organs. 
P = The Pituitary gland is about the size of a pea and is situated at the base of your brain. The pituitary gland is often called the master gland because it controls several other hormone glands in your body, including the thyroid, adrenals, and the ovaries. Pituitary disorders occur when the pituitary gland makes too much or too little of a particular hormone.
O = The Ovaries form part of the female reproductive system. Their two main functions are producing eggs for fertilization and they produce the hormones, estrogen and progesterone. 
The HPO axis is the major regulator of the female reproductive system. Fluctuations in this axis cause changes in the hormones produced by each gland and have systemic effects on the body. For instance, a breakdown in the HPO axis can mimic thyroid problems. So we think our symptoms are a thyroid issue when it’s really the HPO axis dysfunction causing our female problems.
The specific symptoms of HPO axis dysfunction are:
- Pear shaped body. You will collect fat around the hips, thighs and buttocks
- chocolate or salty chocolate craving
- hot flashes
- night sweats
- knee pain that can alternate between the knees
- anxiety – feeling anxious, can’t settle your body down especially at night time
- depression – you have a great life you just can’t seem to get out of the funk your in
- darkening of facial hair
- estrogen dominance meaning, increased estrogen levels relative to progesterone levels
Foods like cruciferous vegetables, flax seed, hemp seed, and avocados will help to balance hormone levels.
Cruciferous vegetables help increase the liver’s natural detoxification enzymes which is important for hormone balance. In the liver is where our waste products and used hormones are excreted.
Flax seeds are a rich source of dietary lignins which bind to estrogen in the intestine, ensuring that those estrogens get excreted in the feces. This blocks the reabsorption of estrogen back into the blood stream via the liver.
Hemp seeds are a good source of Essential Fatty Acids which help balance hormones.
Avocados contain plant sterols which help reduce excess estrogen absorption. Look at an avocado and an ovary and you will see that they look very similar. That is a nature clue that the avocado has everything an ovary needs to manufacture ovary hormone.
For a person to lose weight and truly be healthy they have to identify the Root Cause to their weight & health problem.
Much Love,
Dr. Rob
Help is on the way!
If you are struggling with a thyroid, weight, or health concern please take a moment to fill out the Free Hormonal Evaluation below. If your weight is normal but you still have any type of health concern or thyroid problem, please fill out the evaluation as it is great for anyone.
