What Is Hormonal Imbalance
Hormones are produced by the endocrine glands that play a significant role in regulating various processes in the body, this includes metabolism, appetite, reproduction, mood, growth, and body temperature.
It is important that hormone levels are produced in an optimal amount as slight changes either too much or too little may cause drastic effects throughout the body, this is also known as hormonal imbalance.
Both men and women can experience hormonal imbalances, if not treated, this may worsen and might interfere with proper functioning of the body.
Are You Saying I Need A 30
Absolutely not. Contrary to popular belief, the body is ALWAYS detoxifying. The liver is continuously cycling through two phases of detoxification in order to rid the body of endocrine-disrupting invaders. Detoxification is extremely complex and depends on many factors, so be sure to check out our blog on Essential Tips for Detoxifying Naturally. For the sake of todays conversation, the number one piece of advice is to prioritize the quality of your food.
Foods That Cause Hormonal Imbalance You Need To Minimize Right Now
Do you ever wonder how the food you eat impacts your overall health? Do you ever feel a twinge of guilt while grabbing that fast food because its cheap, easy and delicious, knowing how bad it is for you? Weve all been there. And yes, you guessed it, the food we eat does impact our health, hormones included. I know you dont want to hear it but you need to know how these 3 foods cause hormonal imbalance. But first, to understand how the food we eat affects our hormones it is important to understand how important our digestive tract is.
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Endocrine Disruptors In Water
One of the most undermined toxins resides in our very own drinking water. Could this liquid gold possibly sit in the same category as my glyphosate ridden wheat bread or GMO-process soy? Potentially, if not filtered or appropriately treated with the right tools.
According to the environmental working group, there are over 300 chemicals and pollutants in tap water, whose health implications have been widely studied. Oh, you didnt order ice water with a side of arsenic? Unfortunately, it doesnt end there, as the top endocrine disruptors in water include a variety of heavy metals.
Water-containing contaminants include:
Lead Lead throws hormones out of whack by blunting communication of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, potentially impairing menstrual cycles in women, reducing fertility, and damaging testicular function in men.
Cadmium This guy attacks thyroid function and impairs signaling to the ovaries by mimicking estrogen. As mentioned earlier, many heavy metals, such as cadmium block the binding of estrogen to the necessary receptor impeding proper signaling! No wonder the body is going absolutely rogue, symptomized by mood swings, irritability, dysregulation of hunger hormones, and weight gain just to name a few.
Fruits Good For Hormonal Imbalance
Fruits can cause insulin levelsto spike, which can affect cortisol and estrogen levels, so they should be eaten regularly but in moderation.
When fruits are consumed in the right amounts they can positively affect hormone levels.
Have a look at these three fruits to learn how they not only rank as food for hormonal balance but provide a host of other benefits as well.
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What Else Can You Do To Promote Hormone Balance
There are some other ways to treat hormonal imbalance outside of diet. Heres how to balance hormones with your overall health:
- Take care of your gut health by eating a variety of high-fiber plant foods that dont cause you inflammation .
- Exercise regularly by moving your body in accordance with the fluctuations in your menstrual cyclefor example, doing light movement like yoga during your period and saving more high-intensity cardio workouts for other higher energy parts of your cycle, like ovulation.
- Prioritize good quality sleep by going to bed and waking up at regular hours .
- Manage stress as best you can, by using mindfulness practices like meditation and journaling when you do feel stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious, and seeking out mental health help where possible if you need more tools to cope with anxiety or depression.
How Does Nutrition Impact Hormones
Nutrition has a huge impact on hormones. Like I mentioned above, most of our food nowadays is covered in chemicals like endocrine disruptors that adversely affect the endocrine system. But, nutrition intake patterns, such as fasting and excess calories, and foods with a higher glycemic load are known to impact circulating levels of certain hormones.
Lets look at the thyroid to understand how nutrition impacts hormones.
Thyroid hormone regulation is influenced by the state of the body, from fed to starved. Not to mention, adequate intake and availability of the nutrients selenium, iodine, and iron contribute to healthy levels and functioning of thyroid hormones.
We can also look at the hormone cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone because its released when the sympathetic nervous system initiates the bodys stress response. Studies have suggested upregulation of cortisol release with a Western-pattern diet that includes increased amounts of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats and decreased amounts of fiber.
Moral of the story? Food affects the production and secretion of hormones. It does this via direct actions on the gut, by nervous reflexes, through changes in the concentration of various metabolites in the blood, or changes in circulating gut hormone levels.
Read Also: Male And Female Hormones List
Supplement To Fill Nutritional Voids
While a healthy diet is key for all aspects of health, its sometimes necessary to supplement in order to fill nutritional voids that can be leading to a hormone imbalance.
Here are the top supplements to focus on in order to balance hormones:
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil contains omega-6 fatty acids, such as GLA, that support overall hormonal function. Supplementing with evening primrose oil can help relieve premenstrual and PCOS symptoms. It also helps to create a healthy environment for conception.
Vitamin D
What is the best vitamins to take for hormonal imbalance? Vitamin D is definitely one of them, since it almost acts like a hormone inside the body and has important implications for keeping inflammation levels low.
This is why people who live in dark areas often suffer from seasonal depression and other health problems unless they supplement with vitamin D. Sunshine is really the best way to optimize vitamin D levels because your bare skin actually makes vitamin D on its own when exposed to even small amounts of direct sunlight.
Most people should supplement with around 2,0005,000 international units daily of vitamin D3 if they live in dark areas, during the winter and on days when theyre not in the sun.
Bone Broth
Probiotics
Probiotics are healthy bacteria that can actually improve your production and regulation of key hormones like insulin, ghrelin and leptin. They can also aid in repairing your gut lining, which in turn can balance your hormones.
Balance Your Hormones In Seven Natural Steps
10 Sep 2022
Hormones have a huge influence on our health and wellbeing, but there are ways you can manage them, naturally.
Hormones are chemical messengers that help regulate different processes in the body. From feeling hungry to when its time to sleep, we need hormones to keep our bodies on track.
But what happens when your hormones are out of balance? Discover seven natural ways to help prevent the hormonal see-saw.
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The 4 Elements To A Hormone Balancing Smoothie:
- Protein: high quality protein powder or collagen. Some of my favorites include Vital Proteins Collagen, Primal Kitchen Collagen Fuel or Vanilla Whey Protein, Lifes Abundance , or Garden of Lifes Whey Protein.
- Fat: Healthy fats and there are so many options for a smoothie! Blend in any nut butter, coconut oil, hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, avocado, or MCT oil
- Fiber: fantastic sources of fiber in a smoothie include chia seeds, acacia fiber, flax seeds, or even frozen cauliflower rice
- Greens: I usually add in spinach or kale to my smoothies, but if you can also mix in fresh herbs like basil or other greens such as swiss chard or even dandelion greens .
Other elements of a smoothie include the liquid base I always choose a dairy free milk, my personal favorites are my homemade cashew milk, or Good Karma Flax milk. You can also use almond milk, coconut milk, etc. I also include fruit in a small amount, usually less than 1/2 cup. Youll see why when you read below!
What Is Hormone Imbalance
Before we dive into the foods that affect hormone growth in females, you should first know why its a huge problem.
Hormones are chemical messengers that keep your body working properly. You have different substances like these, circulating from organ to organ, ensuring everythings A-okay.
One of the most common hormones for balancing your blood sugar levels is insulin.
If you begin eating foods that are bad for insulin production, chances are you might become prediabetic or worse, notice symptoms of diabetes type 2.
Read More: 14 Shocking Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes in Women
Similarly, PCOS is a female hormone imbalance condition that affects reproductive wellbeing. You may notice irregular periods, excess facial hair, and even put on extra pounds without realizing it.
Another hormone problem is hypo- or hyperthyroidism. Its caused by an imbalance of thyroid hormone and can have devastating effects on your body.
In short, to avoid chemical imbalance you should pay close attention to your diet, especially during holidays.
We can get lost in the jolly mood and eat awful stuff. But the truth is, consuming bad foods for hormones can have long-lasting consequences on your health.
Heres a list of the most terrible foods that cause hormonal imbalance in women. Try to stay away from them during and after Christmas!
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S For How To Balance Hormones Naturally
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Hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, adrenaline and insulin are extremely important chemical messengers that affect many aspects of your overall health. Thats why a hormonal imbalance can be problematic, so you want to make sure you know how to balance hormones.
Conventional treatments for hormonal imbalances typically include synthetic hormone replacement therapies, birth control pills, insulin injections, thyroid medications and more. Unfortunately, for the majority of people suffering from hormonal disorders, relying on these types of synthetic treatments often does three things:
Is it possible to balance hormones naturally? The good news is, yes, in many cases it is.
Lets examine how to balance hormones naturally.
What Causes Hormonal Imbalance
Where do we find endocrine disruptors? One place is in the chemicals sprayed all over crops and pumped into livestock. Another place is in common household cleaning products and personal care products. Even your water can contain endocrine disruptors if not filtered properly!
Other causes of hormonal imbalance include stress, medication, and cancer treatment.
There are many chronic illnesses that are not causes of hormonal imbalance but actually a result of hormones that are out of whack, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and PCOS.
Also, just because women deal with regular hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, and their menstrual cycle doesnt mean men arent subject to hormonal imbalance, too.
Symptoms of hormonal imbalance may include dry skin, puffy face, acne and hair loss.
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Poor Nutrition Leads To Hormone Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance can occur as young as age 30 and may be a result of not only aging, but also lifestyle choices, such as a poor diet and lack of exercise. The standard American diet is a top contributor to early hormone imbalance. Rich in processed foods, fast food, starchy carbohydrates, and sugar, the standard American diet leads to symptoms of hormone imbalance, such as moodiness, weight gain, fatigue, sleeplessness, wrinkles, and increased disease risk. You have the power to turn back the clock and regain control of your health and your hormones with balanced nutrition, routine physical activity, and quality sleep.
If you have the symptoms of hormone imbalance, it may be time to change your diet. A poor diet contributes to aging and hormone imbalance by raising insulin levels, increasing cortisol secretion, and contributing to increased stores of estrogen in fat cells. Each of these factors can play a pivotal role in destroying not only your youth and vitality, but your good health as well:
Foods To Avoid For Hormonal Imbalance
The hormonal levels can fluctuate naturally in various life phases, most noticeable when puberty hits and in women during their periods, pregnancy and menopause. Your hormones can easily get affected by a sedentary lifestyle and also result in many health conditions. According to Dr. Anjali, here are the foods to avoid if you have hormonal imbalance:
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What Should I Eat
Some health conditions resulting in a hormonal imbalance may have higher prevalence rates in certain cultures. Indigenous Australians are around four times as likely to have type 2 diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians. People of Asian heritage also experience a higher rate of type 2 diabetes when compared to those of European heritage.
Uterine fibroids are diagnosed in up to 70 percent of white women and more than 80 per cent of women of African ancestry during their lifetime.
Diet can also affect your risk of developing these hormonal diseases, even if you have a genetic predisposition to them.
The food you eat will be the building blocks of all of the different hormones and chemicals in the body that are essential for healthy functioning, pregnancy and paediatric dietitian, Dr Anita Star, tells SBS.
The food you eat can also be the building blocks of the hormones and chemicals that cause damage in our bodies as well. Thats why diet really matters when youre attempting to balance your hormones.
The food you eat will be the building blocks all of the different hormones and chemicals in the body that are essential for healthy functioning.”
Hormonal imbalances are diverse, varying in severity from person to person, as are the associated dietary approaches needed to address them.
However, both experts agree that there are also some general food tips that, when followed, can help the management of many hormonal imbalances.
Lots of fibre-fuelled plants
Top Sources Of Added Sugars
It doesnt take a rocket scientist to know that Grandmas apple pie and our good friends Ben and Jerry are laden with this addictive agent, yet too frequently our health foods are sabotaged by sneaky companies whose life goal is to feed this addiction that our brains and bodies are unfit to fight.
Top food sources with added sugar/artificial sweeteners include but are not limited to:
While some sugar can be part of a well-balanced diet, it is often hidden in the most deceiving ways, resulting in sincere dependence on this addictive drug and consequently the most uninvited sugar cravings as a result of hormone imbalances!
Interested in finding a few replacements for sweets? Check out our post on Sweet Swaps: Healthy Swaps for Junk Food.
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Hormone Imbalance In Females
Are you experiencing mood swings and behavioural changes such as irritability, tension headaches, unexplained low mood, bloating, sugar cravings, breast tenderness, heavy painful periods, skin breakouts, low energy or weight gain?
As females our hormones affect us daily and at all stages of our lives, ie during our fertile and pre menopausal years, as well as our menopause and post menopausal years contributing to unwanted and seemingly unexplained symptoms.
You may have tried a number of things to improve your symptoms including supplements you have been recommended by a friend or relative that worked miracles for them, medications prescribed by your GP which have not had the panacea result and come with unwanted side effects.
You may just be at a loss as to what to do, knowing perhaps a little or too much information from researching on the internet and that is where a Functional Medicine Practitioner like myself can help show you how to balance your hormones.
Functional Medicine practitioners are trained to identify the functional imbalances that explain your current symptoms of hormone imbalances based on the latest research and then to develop a personalised nutrition and lifestyle programmes with hormone balancing foods and lifestyle tips recommendation to restore hormone balance.
Hormonal Imbalance Can Be Caused By Certain Foods Which Is Why You Need To Steer Clear Of These 6 Foods That Can Make Matters Worse For You
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From boosting your metabolism to taking care of your reproductive health, there must be something regulating all processes in the body, right? Well, you probably already know that hormones keep our body functioning smoothly given that they are the chemical messengers of the body.
Now, an imbalance in your hormones wont just affect the functioning of the different organ system but will also result in long-term illnesses like PCOD, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism.
There are various reasons due to which hormonal imbalances occur but a key culprit is our lifestyle. A major aspect of our lifestyle is the food we eat and there might be some foods which could be disturbing your bodys hormone balance.
Here are 6 foods you need to cut out of your diet to steer clear of hormonal issues:
1. Red meat
Red meat is rich in saturated and hydrogenated fats which are considered unhealthy and should be avoided. Consuming red meat increases the production of estrogen in your body and can worsen hormonal imbalance. Good substitutes include eggs and fatty fish which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and will boost your overall health.
Also, read: Balance out nasty hormonal imbalance with these 4 superfoods
2. Soy products
3. Dairy products
Milk and its derivatives are considered to be one of the richest sources of essential nutrients. Many categorise dairy products as superfoods that can help you stay fit. However, they can disrupt your hormonal balance.
4. Caffeine
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