Maintaining healthy hormonal balance is essential. Sex hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, DHEA, progesterone or pregnenolone are powerful regulators of weight, mood, vitality and libido. When hormones are balanced, individuals may experience more stable weight, energy and mood.

There are many ways we can support hormone balance. Certain herbs and nutrients can promote hormone production and metabolism. For example, the mineral zinc can support healthy testosterone and estrogen balance in men by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

Hormone testing is typically done through a blood draw. Individuals can ask their doctors to test their hormones, or they can test them through a company that offers direct-to-consumer blood testing, such as Life Extension. Men should test free and total testosterone, DHEA-S and estradiol. They can also test DHT and pregnenolone for a more complete sex hormone profile. Women should test free and total testosterone, estradiol, progesterone and DHEA-S. Pregnenolone and total estrogens could be added for a more complete profile. Hormone testing can also be done through urine and saliva. While these alternative methods have their advantages, hormone testing in blood is the standard.