The OAT axis is the Ovarian-Adrenal-Thyroid axis. These three endocrine organs play critical a role in regulating one another; when one of the three is stressed, it affects the whole system.
It is like a 3-legged stool, under which each gland represents a leg. When any one leg is imbalanced, the entire system is affected and begins to falter.
All women depend on proper OAT function to feel their best
Common Symptoms of OAT Dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Depression or Anxiety
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Hypoglycemia
- Tender breasts
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Mood swings
- Sugar and caffeine craving
- Headaches
- Irritability between meals
- Difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, and not waking to feel rested
- Catching a frequent cold or feeling sick often
- dizziness from changing positions
- Water retention
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
All women depend on proper OAT function to feel their best.
Steps to a Maintaining a Healthy OAT Axis
Support your liver– your liver metabolizes excess hormones. If it’s sluggish, oestrogen will not be excreted properly leading to oestrogen dominance(excess oestrogen). Dandelion root, turmeric, and cruciferous vegetables support the liver in metabolizing and excreting excess oestrogen.
Consume fats– the steroid hormones are made from cholesterol, and a low-fat diet can lead to hormonal imbalances and unstable blood sugar. Fats support the production of hormones, they also balance your blood sugar and leave you feeling satiated for longer. Good fat sources are nut butter, nuts, seeds, butter, ghee, olive oil, avocado oil, and in moderation, coconut oil.
Ditch refined foods– bread, sugar, pasta, store-bought juices, and junk food spike blood sugar and cause inflammation in the body further contributing to adrenal stress. Opt for whole foods that are minimally processed.
Avoid excessive exercising– exercise is necessary but too intense a workout cause the body to produce more cortisol exacerbating adrenal fatigue. Try more calming forms of exercise like walking, yoga, or pilates if you are experiencing many of the symptoms from the quiz
Adequate sleep is non-negotiable– consistency helps to relieve nerves and anxiety. Make reading a physical book, journaling, or meditating part of your nighttime routine. This helps to externalize the racing thoughts and ease the mind. Get rid of all screens at least an hour before bedtime, the light on phones, laptops, and screens of any kind disrupts the production of melatonin (your sleep hormone)and stimulates cortisol, the exact opposite of what should happen. If you’re not sleeping well enough forget about hormone balance! Adequate sleep is non-negotiable if you want to balance your hormones.
Support your thyroid-The thyroid is a very sensitive gland, if your suspect your thyroid is not functioning normally see a doctor get tests done, and request a full Thyroid panel check. Never take supplements for the thyroid unless you have been diagnosed by a doctor or Health practitioner. Selenium, Iodine, and Copper support thyroid function, enrich your diet with foods rich in these like Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, leafy green vegetables, and mushrooms. Use Iodized salt, and add some sea vegetables like spirulina to your meals.
Support the whole axis with a hormone supplement. If you’re dealing with persistent fatigue, sugar cravings, and difficulty getting motivated, talk to your doctor. Mental, physical, and emotional stress can have a real impact on your body. If you’ve noticed drastic changes in your energy or mood, schedule an appointment with a doctor to determine what may be causing it.
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