[g_podcast id="7610996"]
In this episode, I interview naturopath and hormone specialist Alex Broll. Among other things, we talk about:
I was delighted to conduct an interview with Alex Broll. Alex comes from the far north and I have already had the pleasure of meeting her in person. I got to know her as a very energetic and passionate person, which I really appreciate.
Alex is a naturopath and coach for a positive and healthy body image. In the interview, she explained why she quit her medical studies after passing the Physikum and then trained as a naturopath. She also has naturopathic training in ear acupuncture, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, phytotherapy, Schüssler salts, hypnosis and EMDR. She also has a certification as a personal trainer and a certification as an NLP practitioner.
After the first 2-3 days of her medical studies, Alex already knew that she didn't want to stay in conventional medicine. The view was too one-sided and too functional for her. She missed the question of the cause, which is why she preferred to go into the field of naturopathy. In order to have a holistic approach, her further training was also important to her, so that she could also see what mental difficulties might be present. Because we already know very clearly that body and mind are interdependent.
As a therapist and coach, you really need to support people properly so that they can take responsibility for themselves again. For example, if the body is in a bad way, this has an effect on the hormones and therefore on the body. However, you may not realize this at first if you don't understand the connection.
But if you are confronted with this commonality as a therapist, coach or patient, you may be able to counteract it much better because you know where to start.
We usually talk publicly for the first time about hormones getting out of balance when we enter the menopause. This is when oestrogen levels decrease, especially in women.
There is insulin, which is a very important hormone for lowering blood sugar. Then we have thyroid hormones; everyone needs a well-functioning thyroid gland for their metabolism to work.
Adolescents produce sex hormones when they reach puberty. We even start producing hormones in the womb so that we can grow at all.
So it really does affect everyone and it's not always in balance. It A small or large imbalance can occur not only during the menopause but at all times of life.
During the menopause, oestrogen in the ovaries is reduced. But what most people don't know is that we also produce oestrogen in the adrenal glands and fatty tissue. This means that women going through menopause typically gain a kilo or two. This is not a bad thing, because we then have additional stores where oestrogens are produced. So it's better to leave more stores, then you'll have less dramatic difficulties.
Women who are very slim or even underweight will generally have more severe symptoms during menopause than women who are a little more plump. You don't have to be overweight, but an extra two kilos of padding is enough to ensure that there is enough oestrogen in the bloodstream.
However, it is not a solution to simply add oestrogen without a hormone analysis. Of course, the ovaries may have reduced oestrogen production, but we now know that it is not just about oestrogen, but that many hormones are mutually dependent.
If you are under constant stress during the menopause, for example, you have a constant release of cortisol. This in turn can have an effect on oestrogen, which may lead to an imbalance (oestrogen dominance). If you then take additional oestrogens, this is very unhealthy for the liver and results in worse menopausal symptoms.
Nutrition is always the foundation, you can't do it without it! It is the basis on which we can build. However, you shouldn't stop there, because then you won't be able to finish building a house. Or: If you imagine a clockwork with many cogwheels, then nutrition is one big one and hormones are many small ones. Even if the big one is running well, it's no good if the small ones are stuck.
It's important to rebalance the gut through nutrition because this also detoxifies it, which is essential for hormones.
What happens if your diet is right, your gut is in good shape and you still suffer from bloating or the like during menstruation, for example?
These are always special cases that can have many different causes, such as oestrogen dominance. People often forget that oestrogen is also absorbed through food and other substances, for example. Here you have to take a closer look and carry out various tests and determine values. Where can you find clues? For example, cortisol, progesterone, testosterone, etc. If you have results here, then you can work against it, e.g. with medication, nutritional supplements or teas.
Yes and no. When people are under constant stress, there is a constant release of cortisol. If you then also do a lot of sport and exhaust yourself, this means additional stress for the body, which in turn increases the release of cortisol.
It is good if you do sport carefully and gently, without completely exhausting yourself, so that you still have energy afterwards. Yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi or a brisk walk are often the better option for people who are stressed.
Exercise does a lot for good digestion and a healthy gut, as it gets the circulation going again.
In conventional medicine, adrenal insufficiency is not considered a serious illness because the entire organ does not fail. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal gland and released through it. In case of weakness, not as much cortisol is secreted as is normally the case in a healthy, well-trained and energetic person.
Cortisol secretion peaks between 6 and 8 a.m., so that we are prepared for an energetic start to the day. Cortisol levels then level off throughout the day until they are very low at around 10 pm to prepare the body for a restful sleep.
When we are stressed, there is a physical reaction and the adrenal glands release more cortisol. As a result, blood pressure rises, heart rate goes up, etc. In addition, when we are stressed we are focused on one thing and the body has no more resources to concentrate on other things, so digestion is also reduced, among other things.
If we are under constant stress, the adrenal gland is always in action until at some point the reservoir is empty. However, it keeps on trying and looks for other available hormones in the body. As a result, the normal, constant cortisol level is much higher than the natural level in the morning. As a result, we struggle to get out of bed in the morning, need a lot of coffee to wake us up and crave something sweet for the first time at around 10 o'clock. We then need the sugar to fill up on energy.
Another example that women often experience is that they want to lose weight, so they starve themselves, but nothing happens. The reason for this may be that when cortisol levels are high, fat breakdown is reduced and fat stores are activated. For the body, it seems as if a famine is imminent and therefore it does not release anything. This in turn leads to reduced performance, poor concentration, etc., things that are often not seen in this context.
Conclusion: There is no burnout that is not associated with adrenal insufficiency. Those affected have been under constant stress for a long time, and at some point they can no longer get out on their own. Any resulting depressive moods, anxiety etc. are also linked to the cortisol level. It is then very important not to eat too much sugar, as this also drives the level up.
The subject of hormones is very complex, which is why you have to approach it step by step. The first "global big player" is cortisol. The body's top priority is to stay alive. That's what cortisol is for, so she always looks at it and the adrenal glands first.
Further ideas, such as the thyroid gland, then emerge from a conversation.
Alex explains everything to her patients in a simplified way, but still gives an overview of the whole thing.
Alex offers therapies in her practice in the north of Germany. You can also get advice or coaching from her remotely online. However, this involves exactly the same initial consultation and the same hormone analysis. She works with a holistic approach that includes nutrition, lifestyle and stress management.
Finally, Alex would like to give all listeners/readers the following advice:
Don't despair if something doesn't work out the way you imagined it would. There is not always just one key to happiness, but also several small things, such as a hormonal imbalance. Sometimes all that's missing is a little jump-start to make the rest work. This often has nothing to do with yourself or your head, but with your biochemistry, which you simply have to take a closer look at.
Hormones are a complex and wide-ranging field. This makes it all the more important to find people who really know their stuff and can help you in a motivating and simple way. I think Alex is such a person. And what I particularly like, of course, is her holistic approach, without which I don't think it works with health.
More about her services on Alex's website
Alex's success podcast "Raus aus dem Hormonchaos" on iTunes or Spotify or on the website
The interview with Julia in Alex's podcast
Now I recommend that you subscribe to the podcast so that you don't miss an episode, and if you like what you hear, then I'm really happy about a rating on iTunes or Apple Podcast. Because these reviews also help other people find the podcast so we can spread the knowledge about gut and health more.
In this episode, I interview naturopath and hormone specialist Alex Broll. Among other things, we talk about:
- Where does Alex see the connection between gut health and hormonal health?
- Why hormonal health actually affects everyone, even children
- Why a little fat storage can also be beneficial for hormones
- What impact does stress have on hormones?
- How much does nutrition play a role in restoring hormonal balance?
- Where digestive problems during menstruation can come from
- How excess oestrogen occurs in many people
- Why sport can also be counterproductive
- And: why morning tiredness, cravings for sweets or difficulty losing weight could also indicate adrenal insufficiency
I was delighted to conduct an interview with Alex Broll. Alex comes from the far north and I have already had the pleasure of meeting her in person. I got to know her as a very energetic and passionate person, which I really appreciate.Alex is a naturopath and coach for a positive and healthy body image. In the interview, she explained why she quit her medical studies after passing the Physikum and then trained as a naturopath. She also has naturopathic training in ear acupuncture, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, phytotherapy, Schüssler salts, hypnosis and EMDR. She also has a certification as a personal trainer and a certification as an NLP practitioner.
After the first 2-3 days of her medical studies, Alex already knew that she didn't want to stay in conventional medicine. The view was too one-sided and too functional for her. She missed the question of the cause, which is why she preferred to go into the field of naturopathy. In order to have a holistic approach, her further training was also important to her, so that she could also see what mental difficulties might be present. Because we already know very clearly that body and mind are interdependent.
As a therapist and coach, you really need to support people properly so that they can take responsibility for themselves again. For example, if the body is in a bad way, this has an effect on the hormones and therefore on the body. However, you may not realize this at first if you don't understand the connection.
But if you are confronted with this commonality as a therapist, coach or patient, you may be able to counteract it much better because you know where to start.
Hormone imbalance can affect women, men and children
We usually talk publicly for the first time about hormones getting out of balance when we enter the menopause. This is when oestrogen levels decrease, especially in women.
There is insulin, which is a very important hormone for lowering blood sugar. Then we have thyroid hormones; everyone needs a well-functioning thyroid gland for their metabolism to work.
Adolescents produce sex hormones when they reach puberty. We even start producing hormones in the womb so that we can grow at all.
So it really does affect everyone and it's not always in balance. It A small or large imbalance can occur not only during the menopause but at all times of life.
Hormones are all interdependent
During the menopause, oestrogen in the ovaries is reduced. But what most people don't know is that we also produce oestrogen in the adrenal glands and fatty tissue. This means that women going through menopause typically gain a kilo or two. This is not a bad thing, because we then have additional stores where oestrogens are produced. So it's better to leave more stores, then you'll have less dramatic difficulties.
Women who are very slim or even underweight will generally have more severe symptoms during menopause than women who are a little more plump. You don't have to be overweight, but an extra two kilos of padding is enough to ensure that there is enough oestrogen in the bloodstream.
However, it is not a solution to simply add oestrogen without a hormone analysis. Of course, the ovaries may have reduced oestrogen production, but we now know that it is not just about oestrogen, but that many hormones are mutually dependent.
If you are under constant stress during the menopause, for example, you have a constant release of cortisol. This in turn can have an effect on oestrogen, which may lead to an imbalance (oestrogen dominance). If you then take additional oestrogens, this is very unhealthy for the liver and results in worse menopausal symptoms.
To what extent does nutrition play a role in bringing hormones back into balance?
Nutrition is always the foundation, you can't do it without it! It is the basis on which we can build. However, you shouldn't stop there, because then you won't be able to finish building a house. Or: If you imagine a clockwork with many cogwheels, then nutrition is one big one and hormones are many small ones. Even if the big one is running well, it's no good if the small ones are stuck.
It's important to rebalance the gut through nutrition because this also detoxifies it, which is essential for hormones.
What happens if your diet is right, your gut is in good shape and you still suffer from bloating or the like during menstruation, for example?
These are always special cases that can have many different causes, such as oestrogen dominance. People often forget that oestrogen is also absorbed through food and other substances, for example. Here you have to take a closer look and carry out various tests and determine values. Where can you find clues? For example, cortisol, progesterone, testosterone, etc. If you have results here, then you can work against it, e.g. with medication, nutritional supplements or teas.
Can exercise help with a hormone imbalance?
Yes and no. When people are under constant stress, there is a constant release of cortisol. If you then also do a lot of sport and exhaust yourself, this means additional stress for the body, which in turn increases the release of cortisol.
It is good if you do sport carefully and gently, without completely exhausting yourself, so that you still have energy afterwards. Yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi or a brisk walk are often the better option for people who are stressed.
Exercise does a lot for good digestion and a healthy gut, as it gets the circulation going again.
What is adrenal insufficiency and how is it linked to Stress?
In conventional medicine, adrenal insufficiency is not considered a serious illness because the entire organ does not fail. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal gland and released through it. In case of weakness, not as much cortisol is secreted as is normally the case in a healthy, well-trained and energetic person.
Cortisol secretion peaks between 6 and 8 a.m., so that we are prepared for an energetic start to the day. Cortisol levels then level off throughout the day until they are very low at around 10 pm to prepare the body for a restful sleep.
When we are stressed, there is a physical reaction and the adrenal glands release more cortisol. As a result, blood pressure rises, heart rate goes up, etc. In addition, when we are stressed we are focused on one thing and the body has no more resources to concentrate on other things, so digestion is also reduced, among other things.
If we are under constant stress, the adrenal gland is always in action until at some point the reservoir is empty. However, it keeps on trying and looks for other available hormones in the body. As a result, the normal, constant cortisol level is much higher than the natural level in the morning. As a result, we struggle to get out of bed in the morning, need a lot of coffee to wake us up and crave something sweet for the first time at around 10 o'clock. We then need the sugar to fill up on energy.
Another example that women often experience is that they want to lose weight, so they starve themselves, but nothing happens. The reason for this may be that when cortisol levels are high, fat breakdown is reduced and fat stores are activated. For the body, it seems as if a famine is imminent and therefore it does not release anything. This in turn leads to reduced performance, poor concentration, etc., things that are often not seen in this context.
Conclusion: There is no burnout that is not associated with adrenal insufficiency. Those affected have been under constant stress for a long time, and at some point they can no longer get out on their own. Any resulting depressive moods, anxiety etc. are also linked to the cortisol level. It is then very important not to eat too much sugar, as this also drives the level up.
About Alex's work
The subject of hormones is very complex, which is why you have to approach it step by step. The first "global big player" is cortisol. The body's top priority is to stay alive. That's what cortisol is for, so she always looks at it and the adrenal glands first.
Further ideas, such as the thyroid gland, then emerge from a conversation.
Alex explains everything to her patients in a simplified way, but still gives an overview of the whole thing.
Alex offers therapies in her practice in the north of Germany. You can also get advice or coaching from her remotely online. However, this involves exactly the same initial consultation and the same hormone analysis. She works with a holistic approach that includes nutrition, lifestyle and stress management.
Finally, Alex would like to give all listeners/readers the following advice:
Don't despair if something doesn't work out the way you imagined it would. There is not always just one key to happiness, but also several small things, such as a hormonal imbalance. Sometimes all that's missing is a little jump-start to make the rest work. This often has nothing to do with yourself or your head, but with your biochemistry, which you simply have to take a closer look at.
Hormones are a complex and wide-ranging field. This makes it all the more important to find people who really know their stuff and can help you in a motivating and simple way. I think Alex is such a person. And what I particularly like, of course, is her holistic approach, without which I don't think it works with health.
More about her services on Alex's website
Alex's success podcast "Raus aus dem Hormonchaos" on iTunes or Spotify or on the website
The interview with Julia in Alex's podcast
Now I recommend that you subscribe to the podcast so that you don't miss an episode, and if you like what you hear, then I'm really happy about a rating on iTunes or Apple Podcast. Because these reviews also help other people find the podcast so we can spread the knowledge about gut and health more.
