How to Balance Hormones Naturally

Hormones get all out of sorts as we age. It’s the natural progression of aging. There are a lot of factors that affect how you age and your hormones. Physical, Emotional, and Chemical stressors all contribute to hormonal balance or the lack thereof. For example, trauma like breaking a bone, sustaining physical injuries from a fall or car accident, and child birth are all types of physical stress put upon the body that effects hormones. Your emotions are another huge factor in how your body regulates and balances your hormones.

Then there is the environment around you, the foods that you eat, the air you breathe, and the water you drink all affect your hormones.

The body has to deal with these stressors to keep you running normally. The system in your body that deals with stress and your hormones in general is the endocrine system.

The endocrine system helps regulate what hormones are needed, where and when during the course of the day according to what you are doing at the moment and what stressors, if any you are dealing with. These are some common signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance:

· Depression & anxiety

· Fatigue

· Insomnia

· Hair loss or thinning

· Digestive issues

· Weight gain

· Changes in appetite

· Low libido

As we age there is a natural progressing in changing of hormones. However, this natural progression of hormone balance as we age gets out of balance due to the “life”. For example, if you are Estrogen dominantyou will have increase weight gain, slower metabolism and changes in your sleep. Low Estrogenwill cause lowered sex drive, mood swings, menstrual issues and reproductive problems. Low T (testosterone)is talked about a lot these days. Erectile dysfunction, muscle loss, fatigue and weight gain are all signs for men for possible testosterone imbalances. If you are tired all the time, your muscle ache, have anxiety, depression, and or even brain fog, you could be suffering from Adrenal fatigue.

What can you do to balance out hormones in a stress filled world? Eating a variety of foods high in healthy fats is a good place to start. Fats are needed to produce hormones. Healthy fats are not only used as building blocks for hormones, they also help lower cellular inflammation, boost your metabolism and promote weight loss. By eating health fats your body has the ability to use those fats to repair the broken system caused by refined carbohydrates and sugar. These Carbs and sugars mess up the natural balance of hormones in your body.

Some healthy fats to incorporate in your diet are coconut oil, grass-fed butter, avocadoes,and wild caught salmon. Basically, you want to eat omega-3-fatty acids. Omega-3 fats are a vital component of the blood brain barrier and are used by the brain for communication. In essence, omega-3’s help cognitive function. You want to stay away from fats that are omega-6 rich. These are your safflower, sunflower, corn, canola, soybean and peanut oils. However, there is an omega 6 oil that you need to produce and keep normal progesterone levels and that is GLA (gamma-linoleic acid). Progesterone is needed as a precursor to your adrenal hormones which help you regulate stress. It also complements the effects of estrogen and testosterone in the body. Good sources for omega-6 are flaxseed oil, hempseed oil, grapeseed oil, pumpkin seeds and raw sunflower seeds.

There are also plants that can help balance hormones. Broccoli helps estrogen balance. Pomegranates have been studied and according to the American Association of Cancer Research have an enzyme that converts estrone into estradiol. Estrone is a form of estrogen found in hormone dependent cancers.

Leafy greens are nutrient rich with lots of antioxidants. Kale, watercress, spinach, collard greens, chard, romaine (red and green leaf) lettuce, and arugula are amazing greens that can be found in your natural spring mix at the local grocery. Antioxidants prevent inflammation and lower cortisol levels. When you are stressed your cortisol is high and your body cannot maintain normal hormone levels because it is dealing with the high cortisol levels. Nuts like almonds help lower insulin and maintain blood sugar levels.

Quinoa Salad is a great way to balance hormones naturally

Quinoa is a complex carbohydrate that keeps blood sugar levels steady and keeps insulin and androgen levels in check.

There are a lot of factors to hormonal balance. Eating cleaner and removing refined carbs, sugar and polyunsaturated fats from your what you eat will be a good place to start. If you want to learn more about how to achieve optimal health, lose weight, look and feel younger do to Livelifestayyoung.com or email drtony@livelifestayyoung.comfor more information.