What Are Hormonal Imbalances
Your body secretes about 50 hormones that control many critical functions including metabolism, homeostasis , sexual activity, and contraction of the heart muscle.
Think of hormones as messenger molecules that one part of your body makes and then transports elsewhere. Your pancreas, for instance, secretes insulin, a hormone that helps your body utilize glucose for energy.
Hormonal imbalances occur when too much or too little of a hormone exists in your bloodstream. Even small hormonal imbalances can create side effects that resonate throughout your body.
Consider insulin. Eating too many sugary, processed foods can elevate this hormone, overwhelming your cells so they dont hear its call. Your pancreas continues to secrete insulin, but your cells cant easily take up glucose from your blood.
In other words, your cells become resistant to insulins message, so your pancreas tries to make more of this hormone, in hopes the increased production will cause the message to get through. Insulin resistance can eventually lead totype 2 diabetes with all its related symptoms including disease, disability, and early death.
Insulin resistance, like any hormonal imbalance, doesnt exist in a vacuum. It can knock other hormones like cortisol out of balance. Elevated levels of this stress hormone contribute to obesity, lead to adrenal burnout, and trigger inflammatory diseases including chronic fatigue syndrome.
When To Seek Medical Care
Hormonal Imbalance Differences Between Women And Men
Hormone imbalances affect both women and men, but not necessarily the same ways. For example, although both genders have estrogen and testosterone, men have more testosterone, while women have more estrogen. An imbalance in either of these hormones would look different depending on whether they were male or female.
For women, hormones fluctuate throughout life due to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. When these fluctuations become excessive, you see the effects of hormone imbalance. In addition, as women age, their estrogen levels lower, bringing hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and other common symptoms of menopause.
For men, testosterone levels start to drop after age 30, often bringing lower libido, less energy, and changes in body composition. These symptoms, which we often refer to as signs of aging, are thanks to changes in hormone levels.
While changes in hormone levels are a natural part of life, stress brought on by careers, family, and other responsibilities also plays a role in maintaining balance. Stress increases cortisol levels, which lowers testosterone levels and affects other hormones. This is why everyone can benefit from taking the time to understand and improve their hormone function.
P.S. Whenever you are ready, here is how I can help you now:
Dr. Alan Glen Christianson is a Naturopathic Endocrinologist and the author of The NY Times bestselling Adrenal Reset Diet, The Metabolism Reset Diet and The Thyroid Reset Diet.
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Eat Your Veggies Especially Broccoli
The amazing nutrients in plant foods deserve their own special mention for balancing hormones. Among the benefits of vegetables, theyre a good source of fiber to help balance estrogen levels. Fiber helps you have healthy bowel movements, which gives excess estrogen a healthy way to be eliminated from your body.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale also contain a beneficial phytonutrient called diindolylmethane that helps break down and detox estrogen before it can recirculate and worsen issues like PMS, estrogen dominance, and certain estrogen-sensitive cancers .
My favorite types of fiber-rich plant foods are:
How To Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally Top 3 Ingenious Ways
Hi! Im Jessica Gremley, Founder and CEO of Natural Acne Clinic. This blog post is a personal one for me as it took 15 years of education and research to figure out how to clear my own hormonal acne.
I launched NAC out of my passion to share the truth about acne and how hormonal acne can be treated naturally. With each client we serve, my hope is to debunk misleading myths and incorrect information about how hormonal acne can be cleared once and for all because I was able to do it for myself.
When we consume the wrong information, we often think the natural approach will not be as effective as a more harsh treatment like Accutane. Not true!
Harsh topicals, birth control pills, and pharmaceuticals can destroy the body from the inside out and are not the only option. Honestly, these are pretty old-school approaches that dont consider the whole body as we do at NAC.
The American Academy of Dermatology has found the onset of adult acne is becoming increasingly common in women in their 30s, 40s and even 50s. Studies show that up to 50% of women in their 20s and 25% of women in their 40s struggle with acne triggered by hormonal changes in the body.
Pregnancy, diet, stress, and menopause can cause hormonal imbalances triggering acne on the jawline, chin or lower cheek. It can often appear red and inflamed causing some amount of pain.
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Ii How To Treat Hormonal Imbalance
If you are looking for natural ways on how to treat this health problem, keep both of your eyes on the following ways:
1. Coconut Oil
This is the first one among great ways on how to treat hormonal imbalance with foods that we want to mention in this article. Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, which are very good for human health. Coconut oil can be used to reduce the inflammation caused by hormonal imbalance. Besides, it also helps you lose weight and reduce anxiety and stress. You can consume 1-2 tbsp. of organic coconut oil on a daily basis. Alternatively, you can add it to your salads or use it instead your cooking oil. Repeat this remedy 2-3 times daily.
Read on Top 7 Simple Ways To Use Coconut Oil For Burns And Cuts On Face And Hands to discover some of the best ways to treat burns and cuts on face and bodys parts with the help of coconut oil.
2. Do Regular Exercise
When it comes to learning how to treat hormonal imbalance naturally at home, you should try doing regular exercise. Physical activity can affect hormonal health. For example, it can reduce insulin levels and simultaneously increase insulin sensitivity. Many kinds of physical activity can help increase insulin sensitivity and simultaneously reduce insulin levels. They include strength training, aerobic exercise, and endurance exercise.
3. How To Treat Hormonal Imbalance With Food Ashwagandha
4. Vitamin D
5. Manage Stress
6. Yogurt
7. Avocados
Directions:
8. Avoid Overeating And Undereating
Final Thoughts On Hormonal Imbalances
- Some of the most common symptoms of hormone imbalances include unexplained weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, and changes in hair, skin, and nails.
- Root causes of hormonal imbalances include compromised gut health, elevated inflammation, and high stress levels.
- Natural ways to balance your hormones include eating anti-inflammatory polyunsaturated fats, reducing your exposure to endocrine disruptors, getting adequate sleep, and using supplements to fill in any nutritional gaps related to gut health and vitamin D levels.
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Fix Hormonal Imbalance Naturally To Enhance Your Appearance
Posted onApril 9, 2021September 25, 2021 by Salman ZafarPosted inBeauty and Fashion, Health and Fitness, LifestyleTaggedAcne, detoxification, Diet, Exercise, fix hormonal imbalance, hormonal imbalance, hormone imbalance symptoms, naturally balance your hormones, Sleep, weight gain, what is hormonal imbalance
A hormonal imbalance is a condition in which the body produces either too much or too little of a specific hormone. Among the hormones that are most often affected by this imbalance are estrogen, progesterone, and androgens . While there are many potential causes for hormonal imbalance including poor diet, stress, and lack of exercise, the disorder can also occur as a result of certain medications and treatments including those for cancer.
But, how do hormonal imbalances affect your appearance? If you have a hormonal imbalance, you may experience symptoms such as acne, hair loss, or unwanted weight gain. As for acne, it happened due to the body reaction towards hormonal imbalance which causes the skin to secrete an increased amount of sebum, then in turn leads to the inflammation and infection of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. However, the exact symptoms and severity of your imbalance will depend on the cause, but the consequences can be far-reaching.
Follow A Healthy Diet Including Herbs And Dietary Supplements
You can include the following foods, herbs, and supplements in your daily diet to combat hormonal imbalance.
a. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids that are extremely beneficial for your health and provide building blocks for hormones. These fatty acids help reduce the inflammation within your body that might have occurred due to hormonal imbalance . Coconut oil is also great for your overall health as it helps you lose weight by boosting your metabolism and reduces stress and anxiety .
You Will Need
1-2 tablespoons of 100% virgin coconut oil
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 2 to 3 times daily.
b. Avocados
Avocado is a rich source of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fatty acids. These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat hormonal imbalance . Regular intake of avocados promotes heart health and also ensures an adequate supply of fiber and nutrients required for good health. It may also help reduce the weight gain due to hormonal imbalance.
You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
You can consume this daily.
c. Ashwagandha
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How To Balance Your Hormones Naturally
Ultimately, consistency and commitment are key. How to balance your hormones, naturally, is all-encompassing. Here are the Cliffs Notes: Focus on an anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diet, remove endocrine disruptors, incorporate stress relief habits, and take the necessary steps to get your gut health on track. Finding a balance with exercise is important, too. If youre feeling overwhelmed, start small. Begin with daily meditation practice. Next week, take a stab at a 3-day hormone-balancing meal plan. One step at a time.
Appetite And Weight Gain
You may gain weight during hormonal shifts, such as menopause. But hormone changes donât directly affect your weight. Instead, it likely happens because of other factors, like aging or lifestyle. For example, when youâre feeling blue or irritated, as you can be when your estrogen levels drop, you may want to eat more. It can also impact your bodyâs levels of leptin, a hunger-revving hormone.
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Get 8 Hours Of Night Sleep
Getting 8 hours of sleep is a must in order to balance hormones and keep your body happy. Hormones are chemical messengers that send messages between different cells of your body. They regulate many essential body functions, such as growth, development, reproduction, and how we respond to stress. If you dont get enough sleep, your hormones will get out of balance, and can make you feel exhausted, depressed, and stressed. Sleep helps to maintain hormonal balance, but when you dont get enough, your body cant function at full capacity.
Moreover, our body and brain goes through a process called detoxification when we sleep. During this process, the body releases harmful toxins through urination and finds ways to eliminate them through sweat glands and pores. It also synthesizes proteins to help replace dead skin cells, and repairs and creates new cells to keep our organs and tissues healthy.
Our immune system produces new white blood cells that help fight off infections, and our metabolism regulates hormones to keep us on a healthy level of sugar in our bloodstream. Sleep is also crucial for our emotional health.
Natural Remedies For Hormonal Imbalances In Females
When you meet with a medical professional to discuss your symptoms, medical history, and treatment options, you will ideally be on your way to healing. But even if you receive medication for your condition, there are still things you can do to naturally promote hormonal balance and protect your health.
These 4 remedies impact powerful hormones in the body and may work in combination with your treatment plan to help you feel better:
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Top 10 Foods To Restore Hormone Balance
Hormones have a huge impact on our overall health and well being as they affect everything from our menstrual cycles to health issues such as PCOS, Thyroid, PMT and Endometriosis. Nutrition can be a powerful tool when addressing hormone imbalances as when hormones are in harmony you reclaim your life back! Here are my top 10 foods to eat to help restore hormone balance.
Dont Forget Vitamins B And D
Taking a high-quality vitamin B-complex supplement can help when youre in the throes of hormonal ups and downs. This is one group of vitamins that you might want to supplement with in addition to eating foods high in these vitamins. Vitamin B-complex is involved in both the production of testosterone and the regulation of energy production in the body. There are nine B vitamins in total, and certain foods contain specific B vitamins.
For example, wild-caught salmon is an excellent source of many B vitamins. Leafy greens, like spinach, kale, collard greens, and even romaine lettuce contain B9also known as folate. Other foods with notable amounts of B vitamins are eggs, sunflower seeds, milk, yogurt, and animal protein. Vitamin D is essential, too. In fact, numerous studies show its importance for mitigating symptoms of PCOS.
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What Is Hormone Imbalance
A hormone imbalance occurs when your body produces too much or too little of a hormone. For example, if your thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone, it impacts every area of the body. You can experience weight gain and fatigue due to a slow down of your metabolism. A cortisol imbalance occurs when you are under chronic stress and the adrenal glands cannot keep up with the demands of your body. Another type of hormone imbalance is a sex hormone imbalance like high levels of estrogen or low levels of testosterone. This occurs when the body does not produce enough estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone due to menstruation, PCOS, menopause, or aging. No matter the type of hormone imbalance, you can experience a plethora of symptoms.
What Causes A Hormone Imbalance
There are many things that can disrupt the body and lead to a hormone imbalance. The longer your hormone levels are out of balance, the more difficult it is to rebalance your hormones. Finding the root cause of your hormone imbalance is key. Some of the common causes of a hormone imbalance include chronic stress, a poor diet, exposure to endocrine disruptors, diabetes, and thyroid disease.
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How To Test Hormone Imbalance
Many of these symptoms might not necessarily be because of hormonal imbalance, a simple blood test can clear the cause of underlying symptoms. Hormonal imbalance is also tested through sex hormones and adrenal hormones through saliva test which measures the bio-available hormones not just to the cells but also to the blood.
The Four Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle
What happens during each menstrual cycle? High-level, an egg develops and is released from the ovaries. If a pregnancy doesnt happen, the uterine lining sheds during a menstrual period. You bleed, and the cycle starts again. The four phases of the menstrual cycle are the menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulation phase, and luteal phase. The length of each phase can differ from woman to woman, and it can change over time.
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Natural Changes That Can Help Balance Hormones
Our bodies function at their best when they are balanced. Food, sleep, and activity play a big part in maintaining healthy processes in the body.
First, lets look at food. Since this is our bodys fuel, its essential to eat foods that contain the nutrients our body needs. However, even people eating primarily foods considered healthy can experience imbalances in their bodies. You can use food to reset your adrenals and get your hormones back in balance when this occurs.
In The Adrenal Reset Diet, Dr. Christianson talks about this simple formula for getting the right balance of foods:
Get a good balance of these every day, and youll be on your way to feeling better. Part of this formula is cutting back on consuming processed foods. The chemicals used to extend their shelf life lead to foods with little nutritional value and ingredients that negatively affect your body.
Caffeine is another area thats worth looking at when examining hormone imbalances. Youve probably heard people talk about the health benefits of coffee or tea. The reality is that its not the caffeine that holds the health benefits. Instead, its healing antioxidants, called anthocyanins, which accompany caffeine.
Plus, with caffeine running through you all the time, its no wonder youre having trouble with your energy! Issues with falling and staying asleep are common with too much caffeine intake. And since sleep is one of the crucial elements of healthy body function, this is no small problem.