How you can Support your Hormones
Understanding your hormones and what they each do can seem a little complicated — there are so many different types that play a vital role in your reproductive and overall health. The most talked about hormones found in the female body are estrogen, cortisol, progesterone, melatonin, glucagon, and insulin.
If these go unbalanced for a prolonged period of time, or even a short period of time for that matter, you may feel the impacts. Keeping your hormones balanced will ensure that your mental and emotional health, and physical well-being is the best that it can be.
Why is it important to keep your hormones balanced?
When your hormones aren’t balanced, you could experience some rather pesky symptoms like mood swings, lethargy (low energy), circulation problems, weight gain or weight loss, changes in your hair, and even changes in your heart rate.
Sometimes, when a hormone imbalance isn’t addressed for an extended period of time, the imbalance can result in an endocrine disorder. This type of disorder is a result from a disruption in the production and balance of hormones. Some common examples of endocrine disorders are diabetes, menopause, and cancer.
Maintaining balanced hormones can prevent you from developing any hormone-related symptoms or an endocrine disorder.
The hormones
As we mentioned above, there are a handful of hormones that can impact your mental health and overall well-being. But in reality, there are much more than a handful. Researchers have identified more than 50 different types of hormones (otherwise known as chemical messengers) that play a vital function in one’s body.
Estrogen, responsible for the maintenance of female characteristics and development, is most commonly known for its role in puberty and the menstrual cycle. An imbalance in estrogen could result in acne, weight and mood changes, thinning hair, and irregular periods. For those concerned about an estrogen imbalance, adding foods like edamame, flax seeds, garlic, peaches, and berries into your diet can provide some support as they contain phytoestrogens. Additionally, taking B vitamins has proven to be effective in terms of estrogen production.
Cortisol, which is otherwise known as the stress hormone, is responsible for immune response and metabolism. If you’re feeling extra stressed or lacking motivation, your cortisol levels could be elevated. To ensure your cortisol levels are normal, it’s best to prioritize sleep, exercise (but not over-exercise), practice self-care, and meditate. Skipping on the caffeine and opting for green tea and foods high in vitamin C may also help.
The chemical messenger, progesterone, plays a necessary role in one’s reproductive system and is produced in the adrenal glands. It is crucial when it comes to the menstrual cycle and early stages of pregnancy in females. Some symptoms of low progesterone in women include headaches, difficulty sleeping, trouble with conceiving, mood changes, irregular periods, anxiety, depression, weight gain, and bloating. To support your progesterone levels, try to minimize the amount of stress you experience on a daily basis and avoid hormone-spiking foods like red meat, dairy, and alcohol.
If you’ve ever had difficulties sleeping, you’ve likely heard of melatonin. Many people choose to take it in supplement format before bed but what they might not know is that their body actually produces the hormone on its own. This sleepy hormone is produced when exposed to darkness and exposure to light at night can block production, which is why experts suggest avoiding the use of your cell phone before bed. Those low in melatonin may experience depression, anxiety, difficulties sleeping, and a lower body temperature.
The hormones glucagon and insulin both play a critical role when it comes to regulating blood sugar. The hormone glucagon is responsible for increasing blood sugar whereas insulin decreases it. If these hormones are not properly working together, one could develop hypoglycemia or diabetes. The best way to support these two hormones is by following a balanced diet that’s filled with fruit, veggies, and whole grains.
It’s also important to stay away from skincare and beauty products that contain harmful ingredients or endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that can block or mimic your natural hormones. Some of the most stumbled upon EDCs include: phthalates, pesticides, bisphenol A, phytoestrogens, PFAs, triclosan, and dioxins.
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