Hormones are involved in a number of key bodily processes related to our health.
They exist in a delicate balance, with each hormone playing a specific role in the body. When hormone balance is disrupted, many aspects of health, such as libido, energy, metabolism, mood, sleep, and digestion, may become compromised.
Hormone imbalances can be caused by many factors, including stress, diet, medications, environmental toxins, poor sleep, and metabolism. Fortunately, many secondary food factors can support hormone balance and help us feel our best.
Crowd out highly processed foods- This is one of the best things anyone can do for their health. The challenge is that many people think they’re eating healthfully but are actually still eating a lot of highly processed foods.
Explore your refrigerator and cabinets- Are high-sugar yogurts, packaged snack foods, and cereal bars sneaking into your daily menu?
What percentage of your food has no label at all, like vegetables? Aim to mostly eat food that doesn’t come in a package. This simple step will greatly help in balancing your hormones and bringing your body into alignment.
Take synthetic hormones off your plate – Choose grass-fed, local, and minimally processed meat and dairy without added hormones and notice the difference in terms of your hormone balance and how you feel. Hormones from food can lead to heavier menstrual flow and cramping as well as mood swings and even ovarian cysts.
Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are generally great sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, all of which support hormone balance. Cruciferous veggies, such as cauliflower, cabbage, kale, broccoli, and brussels sprouts, also help aid the body in detoxification, further contributing to hormone balance.
Choose quality proteins –Wild-caught fish, grass-fed beef, and organic chicken all contain vitamin B6, which plays a key role in hormone health. You may also wish to experiment with plant-based proteins, such as chickpeas, lentils, nuts, and seeds.
Get honest about fat – The concept that fat makes you fat is simply untrue. Among other things, we need sources of healthy fat for hormone health. In fact, fat serves as a precursor to many hormones.
Lack of high-quality fat in the diet is linked to poor skin health, amenorrhea, hormone imbalance, ovarian cysts, and a slew of other common hormone health issues.
It’s important to remember that healthy fat is your friend, not your foe.
Adding avocado, olive oil, and even grass-fed butter can be very helpful when balancing your hormone health. Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, like wild-caught salmon and flaxseed, help reduce inflammation, which can be particularly helpful in supporting hormone health.
Consider supplemental support – Food always comes first, however there may be times when dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and herbs, can provide extra support for hormone balance. Before starting any supplements for hormone balance, it’s best to test your hormone levels and discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Nutrition plays a significant role in supporting hormone health. Experiment with these secondary food recommendations and see how you feel. Also, don’t underestimate the importance of lifestyle factors, such as movement, sleep, and stress reduction,
when supporting hormone balance.
You can’t enjoy wealth if you’re not in good health. Most of the time, health is not valued till sikness comes.
Take care of you body, and your body is going to take care of you. First Wealth is Health.
With love,
Elle