A quick search on Instashop and Google in the UAE provides dozens of results for “hormone balancing” products, from nutritional supplements and prebiotic, “gut-healthy” drinks to herbal teas and even protein powders. Globally, searches for “how to balance hormones” have soared in the past few years and, as the health and wellness industry rapidly evolves across the Emirates, there is a growing awareness of hormonal health.
But how many of these expensive products and treatments on the market are going to help you heal? And how much is “hormone balancing” simply a catch-all marketing term capitalising on a trend? The National asks some experts to find out.
'Hormones are constantly in flux'
One thing our experts agree on is that “hormone balancing” does not really mean anything. “It’s just a nice terminology,” says Dr Aagje Bais, a consultant gynaecologist at Mediclinic Arabian Ranches, who specialises in working with perimenopausal and menopausal women. She believes the term is used too freely when trying to explain symptoms that cannot always be explained, such as fatigue or stress that comes and goes, but our bodies and hormones are always changing.
Hormones are chemicals that run through our bodies co-ordinating various functions by carrying messages to the organs, skin, muscles and other tissues. They are part of the endocrine system. Scientists have so far identified more than 50 hormones in the human body, and research is continuing, according to Cleveland Clinic. Hormones control processes including metabolism, growth and development, sexual function, mood, the sleep-wake cycle and homeostasis, the state of internal balance, regulating blood pressure, body temperature and blood sugar.
If you measure something now and you measure it a couple of hours later, it’s going to be different, and that is normal.
Dr Aagje Bais,
consultant gynecologist
Cortisol, insulin, melatonin, oestrogen, testosterone, dopamine, adrenaline – these are all hormones essential for our bodies to complete daily tasks. But they are constantly in flux, says Dr Bais. “If you measure something now and you measure it a couple of hours later, it’s going to be different, and that is normal, especially if you look at female hormones. You feel different before your period, during and after. You feel different when you’re perimenopausal and menopausal, and that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. It means that you’re just a human being.”
What does balancing your hormones really mean?
Medically speaking, a hormonal imbalance signifies that a certain hormone is very increased or decreased, Dr Bais explains. “It's not just one hormone. It's the whole picture. If one is a little bit higher or a bit lower compared to all the other ones, that is usually OK. But if it's extremely high or low, then you need to get to the bottom of it.”
For example, someone can have high prolactin levels, which might indicate a prolactinoma, a tumour in the brain that can produce that type of hormones. The ovaries can also produce certain hormones that, if they are out of balance, could imply an ovarian issue. Menopausal women can expect fluctuating hormone levels and often there is no need to treat anything, but awareness of how it can affect you is important, says Dr Bais.
Abu Dhabi resident Ann Marie McQueen, founder of Hotflash Inc, a platform that publishes evidence-based guidance on menopausal health, believes wellness retailers capitalising on the concept of hormonal imbalance are “predatory”.
“You’re very vulnerable if you’re having trouble [with your health] and you think other people are offering the answer,” she tells The National. “But a lot of the problems are just us being out of balance. It’s a situation of modern life where we're not respecting basic things like our circadian rhythm, eating whole foods, moving our bodies.”
The idea that you can heal any serious underlying health issues with a cup of tea does not “respect the incredible machine that your body is”, she adds. “You cannot buy hormonal balance.”
'Supplements are very powerful'
In her forties, at a point when she was struggling with her health and perimenopause symptoms, McQueen bought into the idea that herbs and supplements were the answer. She was chronically stressed and later found out she had a gut health issue and her thyroid function was off. “I realised you can make things so much worse. Supplements are very powerful and certain foods are very powerful.”
While Dr Bais does not believe there is anything wrong with homeopathic or herbal remedies to help with certain complaints, she agrees that too much of anything is never a good thing. “Don’t overdo it because that can backfire – and then you go to regular medicine to solve the problem, which is sometimes more harmful than it was in the beginning.”
Bahrain-based herbalist Nadia Omar says too many people underestimate the power of herbs when self-prescribing natural remedies. “If you’re having a really tough time and it’s interfering with your life and your daily activities … you go to somebody who knows what they’re talking about.”
Omar believes much of people’s willingness to turn to alternatives stems from an increasing lack of faith in the healthcare system and medical doctors. “A lot of people are finding themselves fed up with their GPs because they're not looking at the whole problem. They're asking questions about specifically that one thing you came in for when, actually, it's probably connected to a whole bunch of other things going on in your body and going on in your life. But a medical approach and herbalism can work together, it doesn’t need to be separate.”
Turning to social media for advice
At the same time, many people cannot afford several visits to doctors, followed by tests and prescribed medications, says Omar, particularly in the UAE if their health insurance does not cover certain treatments. This is why more people than ever are turning to social media for medical advice, she says. “I don't think everybody necessarily wants to be doing this. It's just that they can't afford another option, or they don't have a specialist in their area. In particular, when we talk about women, there is also such a criminally negligible amount of research in this area.”
But it's so important to employ critical thinking when researching various remedies, says Omar. “When you see a video on social media about something, is it sponsored? Is that person getting paid to tell me that this is great? Also, where is their information coming from? Who is this person who is telling me this?”
Unbalanced cortisol levels are something Omar often sees wellness influencers talking about online, citing a range of symptoms from a puffy face to sleep disturbances and afternoon fatigue. “There's this demonisation of cortisol and wanting to decrease it, but cortisol is the thing that wakes you up in the morning. It's a necessary part of your daily experience,” she says.
Cortisol is often talked about as a negative response to stress and perceived threats, but it plays several essential roles. It helps to regulate blood sugar levels, and to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and influences how the body responds to insulin.
It also increases blood glucose levels to create “fight or flight” energy. Exercise, which can release the “happy hormone” dopamine, can also spike cortisol levels, which is a natural and healthy response.
Ultimately, many symptoms could be coming from different sources, and it is important to figure out the root cause before turning to a well-marketed wellness product. McQueen says if there is one takeaway, it is this: “Whether it's hormone therapy or ashwagandha, it doesn't work for everyone in the same way. But that nuance does not play well on social media.”
Omar agrees. “People want a magic pill, but that magic pill is only going to take you so far, even if you magically find it … The bottom line is it’s complex and 'hormone balancing' means nothing without context.”
Results
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Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20and%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20700hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20720Nm%20at%202%2C250rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330kph%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1.14%20million%20(%24311%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by:Tom Beard
Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough
Stars: 4
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
The figures behind the event
1) More than 300 in-house cleaning crew
2) 165 staff assigned to sanitise public areas throughout the show
3) 1,000 social distancing stickers
4) 809 hand sanitiser dispensers placed throughout the venue
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
Korean Film Festival 2019 line-up
Innocent Witness, June 26 at 7pm
On Your Wedding Day, June 27 at 7pm
The Great Battle, June 27 at 9pm
The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, June 28 at 4pm
Romang, June 28 at 6pm
Mal Mo E: The Secret Mission, June 28 at 8pm
Underdog, June 29 at 2pm
Nearby Sky, June 29 at 4pm
A Resistance, June 29 at 6pm
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
BRIEF SCORES
England 228-7, 50 overs
N Sciver 51; J Goswami 3-23
India 219, 48.4 overs
P Raut 86, H Kaur 51; A Shrubsole 6-46
England won by nine runs
Shooting Ghosts: A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back from War by Thomas J. Brennan and Finbarr O’Reilly
Results
2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly
3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
