The Secret to Balancing Hormones

Hormones play such a crucial role in the regulation of the body. Hormones are responsible for things like your metabolism and mood to reproductive health and even sleep patterns. When our hormones aren't balanced it can make a large impact on our overall wellbeing, and the truth is, most everyone has unbalanced hormones. The good news is there are natural ways to restore harmony to our hormonal system. In this post we will explore some effective and natural ways to balance your hormones. 

If you read my introduction post, you shouldn't be surprised that my first suggestion is to eat a balanced diet. A healthy and balanced diet is one of the fundamental pillars for hormone balancing. Include a large variety of whole foods into your diet such as whole grains, lean protein, fruits and vegetables. Focus on consuming foods that support hormonal health such as:

•       Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and brussels sprouts all contain compounds that help metabolize estrogen and support liver detoxification. 
•       Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Try to include fatty fish such as salmon, also chia seeds and flax seeds are great sources to add to your diet. Omega-3s help reduce inflammation and promote hormonal balance. If fish and flax seeds are hard to fit in, you can always take Flax Seed Oil and Fish Oil as supplements. Just be sure to choose a good quality one. 
•       Healthy Fats: Foods like avocados, nuts, and olive oil provide essential nutrients that are great for hormone production.
•       Fiber: Incorporate fiber rich foods such as beans lentils and whole grains to aid in proper digestion and hormone elimination. 

Manage your stress levels!! Chronic stress and high cortisol levels can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones in our bodies. 

Another great thing for hormone balance is exercise. Exercise helps regulate insulin levels, reduce inflammation, and release endorphins that produce a positive mood. Weight training is a great idea for many reasons but one of the key aspects is its positive impact on testosterone levels. Testosterone plays an important role for both men and women, it supports muscle growth, bone density, and overall energy levels.

Prioritize sleep! We're all overworked and over tired, I get it. I am guilty of staying up late to get some alone time after the day. Adequate sleep though is crucial for hormonal balance. Poor sleep can disrupt the production of hormones like cortisol, melatonin, and growth hormone. I personally like to shut off electronics one hour before bed and spray some magnesium oil on the bottom of my feet to ensure I get a quality night's sleep.

The last tip I have is limiting exposure to environmental toxins. Toxins found in everyday products and the environment can disrupt your hormonal balance. Some ways you can limit exposure are:

• Using natural cleaning and personal care products.
• Choosing organic and grass fed/finished foods whenever possible.
• Filtering water to remove potential hormone disrupting chemicals.

In conclusion, achieving hormone balance is essential for our overall well-being and health. By adopting these suggestions, you can take steps towards balancing your hormones naturally. Remember to always check with a health care professional (preferably a holistic or functional medicine doctor) if your symptoms appear to be severe, or do not improve after making necessary adjustments. Also remember this is a journey, take things one step at a time and give yourself grace when implementing changes. Thank you for checking out my post and be sure to leave a comment with any questions or to just share your thoughts!