Hormonal balance is important to a healthy, cancer-free body and mind. However, it can be interrupted in many ways. Factors affecting it include puberty, menopause and perimenopause, unbalanced lifestyle and toxins.
Some of its symptoms are PMS, migraines, loss of libido, acne, cellulite, painful breasts, burn-outs and disrupted monthly cycles. Every part of your life, from your state of mind to your behavior is virtually dictated by your hormones. This means to say that “to balance hormones, is to balance life.”
The major function of hormones is to act as chemical messengers between body systems. They travel in your bloodstream to tissues and organs and affects different processes such as tissue function, sleep, stress, metabolism, digestion, respiration, movement, reproduction, mood, and growth.
There are things you can do in order for your body to produce and balance hormones.
1. Get Enough Sleep
Hormones follow a schedule. It will go out of whack without enough sleep at the right time. You should start changing your lifestyle if you want to maximize your hormone function and break-free from stress-related health disorders. Let yourself heal from hormonal issues.
2. Limit The Caffeine
Avoid caffeinated sodas, coffee, and chocolates as too much caffeine in your bloodstream may cause chaos on the endocrine system and the entire body. You can have one or two servings a day if you need an energy boost. However, it would be better if you substitute them with decaffeinated or herbal teas.
3. Avoid Harmful Chemicals
Plastics, pesticides, household cleaners as well as beauty products have toxins and chemicals that disrupt the body’s hormone function. It prevents the production of real hormones and mimics natural hormones.
Use all-natural cleaners like baking soda and vinegar. Also avoid products that contain bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, and parabens.
4. Eat Cruciferous Vegetables
Vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, and cabbage provide the body with phytonutrients that break down extra hormones that are not in use. Similarly, these vegetables also contain indole-3-carbinol, which modulates estrogen together with the substance known as diindolylmethane.
5. No To Soy
Soy mimics estrogen, thus disrupting hormone function. It may wreak havoc on your body’s hormone and overall health. Though fermented soy can reduce detrimental health effects, still make sure to keep your intake in moderation.
6. Cut Vegetable Oils And Margarine Out Of Your System
Your body contains only about 3% of polyunsaturated fats and 97% of monounsaturated and saturated fats. High levels of omega-6 polyunsaturated fats from vegetable oil intake can take away that balance.
7. Have Dose of Healthy Saturated Fats
These include fat from coconut oil, palm oil, avocados, grass-fed butter, extra virgin olive oil, and lard. They are high in short-, medium-, and long chain fatty acids, which are keys to keeping your hormones in check.
8. Address Your Exercise Habits
An intense workout can actually be harmful. Instead of doing hard workout routines, find a balance between strength training and cardio. These would keep both your body and mind in tip-top shape.
9. Eat Gelatin
It’s not the usually processed kinds found in many desserts but it’s collagen hydrolysate – a dietary gelatin supplement. It is packed with phosphate, magnesium, and calcium which are vital in promoting natural hormone production.
10. Practice Yoga On Regular Basis
Aside from improving numerous aspects of your health, yoga can stimulate and balance endocrine function. It balances your hormones through meditation, proper breathing, and poses to avoid many issues like depression and anxiety.
