Hormonal Balance: Energy, PCOS & Thyroid Health Explained

Hormones influence far more than we often realise. They shape how energised we feel throughout the day, how well we sleep, how resilient we are to stress and how efficiently our body turns food into fuel. Mood, focus, skin and hair health are also closely linked to hormonal signalling.

Although hormonal topics are often framed as women’s health issues, hormonal balance is just as important for men. The core systems that regulate hormones, blood sugar control, stress response, thyroid function and cellular communication, are shared by everyone. When these systems work in harmony, the body feels stable, adaptable and resilient.

Understanding how hormones interact, and what helps keep their communication efficient, is a powerful step towards long-term wellbeing.

What Hormones Do - Simply Explained

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands such as the thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands and reproductive organs. They travel through the bloodstream and deliver instructions to cells, telling them how to behave and when to act.

Their roles include regulating energy production and metabolism, blood sugar levels, mood and cognitive function, sleep–wake rhythms, stress responses, fertility and reproductive health, as well as skin, hair and body composition.

Importantly, hormones never act in isolation. They are part of a constantly communicating network that also includes the nervous system, gut microbiome and immune system. When this communication flows smoothly, the body can adapt to daily demands with greater ease.

Why Hormonal Balance Matters

Hormonal balance does not mean having “high” or “low” hormone levels. Instead, it means having the right signals at the right time, and, just as importantly, cells that can respond properly to those signals.

Modern lifestyles can challenge this balance in subtle but persistent ways. Chronic stress, insufficient sleep, irregular meals, highly refined diets, low intake of key micronutrients and prolonged physical or mental strain can all reduce the efficiency of hormonal signalling over time. Even when hormone levels appear normal on paper, communication at the cellular level may already be compromised.

One of the most important links between lifestyle, metabolism and hormonal balance is blood sugar regulation, where insulin plays a central role.

Insulin: A Key Hormone for Energy and Hormonal Health

Insulin is one of the most important hormones for both women and men. Its primary role is to help move glucose from the bloodstream into cells, where it can be used to produce energy.

When insulin signalling becomes less efficient, the body may compensate by producing more insulin. This affects more than blood sugar alone. Elevated insulin levels can influence stress hormones and sex hormones, creating a ripple effect across the endocrine system.

Common signs of disrupted insulin signalling include afternoon energy crashes, strong sugar or carbohydrate cravings, difficulty maintaining steady energy levels and increased sensitivity to stress. For this reason, supporting normal blood glucose metabolism is considered a cornerstone of hormonal balance for everyone.

Certain nutrients, such as inositol and chromium, are known to contribute to normal insulin signalling and macronutrient metabolism, supporting these processes alongside a balanced lifestyle.

PCOS: What It Teaches Us About Hormonal Balance

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects around one in ten women of reproductive age. While PCOS is specific to women, it offers valuable insight into how hormones and metabolism interact in all bodies.

PCOS is best understood as a combined hormonal and metabolic imbalance, often involving reduced insulin sensitivity, altered androgen activity and disrupted hormonal signalling. These pathways are not exclusive to PCOS. Insulin resistance, androgen balance and stress hormones also influence hormonal health in men.

In this way, PCOS highlights a broader principle: when metabolic and hormonal communication is disrupted, multiple systems are affected at the same time.

Inositol and Hormonal Signalling

Because insulin signalling plays such a central role in PCOS and metabolic health, much of the research into hormonal balance has focused on nutrients that support this pathway. One of these is inositol.

Inositol has been widely studied for its role in cellular signalling, particularly in insulin-related pathways. Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol act as secondary messengers inside cells, helping hormones such as insulin communicate more effectively with their target tissues.

Myo-inositol is primarily involved in insulin sensitivity and metabolic signalling, while D-chiro-inositol plays a role in androgen and hormonal signalling. By supporting normal insulin communication, inositol can indirectly contribute to hormonal balance.

Importantly, inositol does not act as a hormone and does not replace medical treatment. Instead, it supports the body’s own regulatory processes, a principle that is relevant for both women and men.

Shilajit and Hormonal Resilience in Men

Alongside nutrients that support insulin signalling, other compounds contribute to hormonal balance through complementary pathways. One of these is Shilajit, a naturally occurring, mineral-rich substance traditionally used to support vitality and resilience.

Shilajit contains fulvic acids and trace minerals that contribute to mitochondrial function and cellular energy production. Because hormone signalling is an energy-dependent process, efficient cellular energy metabolism is essential for effective hormonal communication.

In men, Shilajit has been studied for its role in supporting normal testosterone levels, sperm parameters and physical performance, particularly in the context of stress, ageing and metabolic strain. Rather than directly stimulating hormone production, Shilajit appears to support the systems that hormones rely on, including cellular energy availability, stress resilience and nutrient transport.

This makes Shilajit especially relevant for men experiencing persistent fatigue, reduced motivation or high physical and mental demands, where hormonal balance is often influenced by cumulative stress rather than a single hormonal deficiency.

Hormonal Balance in Women and Men

While hormonal patterns differ between women and men, the underlying mechanisms remain closely connected.

In women, balanced hormonal signalling supports regular cycles, stable energy and mood, skin and hair health and psychological wellbeing. In men, hormonal balance supports energy levels, motivation, muscle maintenance, fertility, cognitive performance and metabolic health.

In both cases, insulin sensitivity, stress regulation, nutrient status and cellular energy production form the foundation of hormonal health. Nutrients and compounds that support these systems, such as inositol and Shilajit, can therefore play complementary roles across different life stages.

Thyroid Health: The Body’s Energy Regulator

The thyroid gland acts as the body’s metabolic control centre. Thyroid hormones influence how quickly cells convert nutrients into energy and how efficiently the body functions day to day.

Thyroid health affects energy levels, sensitivity to temperature, heart rate, digestion, mood and mental clarity. Because the thyroid interacts closely with insulin, stress hormones and sex hormones, even subtle imbalances can influence overall wellbeing.

Nutrients such as selenium and zinc play an important role in supporting normal thyroid function and protecting cells from oxidative stress.

Key Nutrients That Support Hormonal Balance

Hormonal health relies on an adequate supply of micronutrients that contribute to normal endocrine and metabolic function.

Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity and normal energy-yielding metabolism. Zinc supports normal fertility and the maintenance of normal testosterone levels. Chromium contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism and the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. Selenium supports normal thyroid function and helps protect cells from oxidative stress. Folate contributes to normal psychological function and helps reduce tiredness and fatigue.

Beyond vitamins and trace elements, compounds that support mitochondrial function and nutrient transport, such as Shilajit, may further support the foundations of hormonal balance by contributing to cellular energy and resilience.

Lifestyle First: Supporting Hormones Day by Day

While supplements can be a helpful tool, hormonal balance is built on daily habits. Regular meals with sufficient protein and fibre, consistent movement, prioritising sleep and recovery, managing stress and supporting gut health all contribute to more efficient hormonal communication.

Progress takes time, and consistency matters more than quick fixes.

Hormonal balance is not about control or perfection. It is about communication, resilience and adaptability. Energy regulation, PCOS and thyroid health all point to the same principle: hormones work best when the body is supported with stable blood sugar, sufficient nutrients, adequate rest and long-term consistency.

By understanding how hormones interact, and by supporting the systems that regulate them, both women and men can build a stronger foundation for energy, mood and overall wellbeing.