Years ago Natasha Turner was 25 pounds heavier and found herself unable to lose weight, despite eating well and exercising regularly. She was sleeping 16 hours a day but still feeling fatigued and generally exhausted. She went on like this for 13 years before discovering that there was more than simply diet and exercise at play. She had a hormonal imbalance.

Hormones are the powerful chemical messengers in our body controlling many things from our moods to our appearance, but they can be set off balance by things such as sleep and stress. Because hormones manage so much in our bodies related to weight loss (metabolism, appetite and cravings), it is essentially impossible to achieve our weight loss goals and general wellness without healthy, balanced hormones.

Once Turner came to understand this, she was not only able to lose her excess weight, but her general health drastically improved. Today she is bright, energetic, and practices what she preaches. As one of Canada’s leading naturopathic doctors and natural health consultants, she has made it her mission to make sure that others don’t struggle with the same health issues that she did. Hence, The Hormone Diet.

This book is the very first to address the needs of both men and women. It targets hormonal imbalances at all ages and stages of life, making this an invaluable reference. Based on Turner’s successful clinical approach for creating hormonal balance to gain strength, lose fat and enjoy lasting health, this book offers the big picture and describes 16 different hormones in detail.

Turner says, “The mere mention of hormones can conjure images of menopausal women or nefarious food additives … But this book is definitely not only for those with hormonal issues. It is not even strictly directed at people seeking to lose weight. I have used the approach outlined in these pages to successfully treat thousands of patients with a broad spectrum of health goals. Some needed to gain much-needed muscle. Others wanted healthier-looking skin. Still others wanted to get rid of their headaches, improve sleep, ease digestion, increase energy, improve fertility or sharpen memory. The Hormone Diet offers a complete wellness plan that addresses every cause of obesity. It promotes healthy bodily function from head to toe, inside and out.”

Hormone imbalance symptoms often come as a surprise to most of us who have considered our hormones either normal or to be an effect of aging. Imbalances can include difficulty losing weight, feeling fatigued after eating, difficulty sleeping or not waking up refreshed.

Once Turner has helped her readers recognize the signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance, she helps them understand how that imbalance is impacting their ability to lose weight. She spells out the “3-Step Hormone Diet Program” to revitalize, replenish and restore health.

Step 1, Renew and Revitalize: This step is the first two weeks of the diet and includes an anti-inflammatory detox to set the stage for weight loss and balance. There are sleep rules that help optimize sleep’s fat-burning and hormone-enhancing benefits. It also includes recognizing and treating stress — a major cause of hormonal imbalance today.

Step 2, Replenish Your Body and Balance Your Hormones: This step includes a lifetime nutrition prescription. Here you will learn to chose the right foods at the right times. You will also learn about nutritional supplements that support hormonal balance and metabolism. You will take a Hormonal Health Profile and based on your personal results, you will be able to adjust The Hormone Diet prescription according to your specific signs and symptoms of imbalance. Lastly, you will learn about the latest about advanced supplements and bio-identical hormone therapy.

Step 3, Restore Strength, Vigour and Radiance: This step includes The Hormone Diet exercise prescription to build strength and lose fat. You will learn about the benefits of toxin-free skin care products and simple tips to keep you motivated.

As Turner discovered years ago, weight loss is not as easy as popping a pill or following a fad diet. In understanding our hormones and their natural functions, we can work with our bodies towards improving our general wellness, becoming more energetic, and living longer. As Turner puts it, the healthy lifestyle changes in this book “will benefit your body, mind and soul for life.”