Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — chronic stress and hormones

Eating well and reducing stress but still can’t shift the weight? You’re not alone — and hormones are very likely involved. In this Q&A, Hormone Health Educator Candace Burch of ZRT Laboratory answers the most common questions from women struggling with hormone-related weight gain: from persistently high cortisol and adrenal fatigue, to BHRT monitoring, how long results take, and why testing is essential for getting the dose just right.

Why does weight gain accelerate at menopause? Can estrogen dominance cause low cortisol? Is saliva testing better than blood? Hormone Health Educator Candace Burch of ZRT Laboratory answers the most common questions from women struggling with hormone-related weight gain — covering everything from adrenal fatigue and vitamin D deficiency to birth control, bioidentical progesterone and why “your hormones are fine” from a standard blood test may not tell the whole story.

Weight loss failure is rarely just about willpower or diet — hormones are almost always involved. In this Q&A, Dr. Alyssa Burns-Hill of ZRT Laboratory tackles the most common questions from people struggling to lose weight despite their best efforts: from thyroid interference by the contraceptive pill and stress-driven cortisol cravings, to estrogen-reducing supplements, natural progesterone for menopause, and why 5-HTP can be a game-changer for mood, sleep and comfort eating.

As the days shorten and sunlight fades, four key hormonal systems come under pressure: vitamin D, serotonin, cortisol and melatonin. For those susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the disruption of these interconnected rhythms can trigger depression, fatigue, poor sleep and low mood. This article explains the science behind the SAD hormone pattern — and what you can do to support your body through the darker months.

Dr. Cobi Slater’s Ultimate Hormone Balancing Guidebook arrives at a moment when hormonal dysfunction has never been more widespread. Her central argument — that the real cause behind the plethora of symptoms plaguing modern adults can be linked to imbalances within the hormonal cascade — is backed by research-based evidence and practical, natural solutions. This review covers the book’s key chapters and explains why it remains an essential reference for anyone navigating hormone health.