Impressive Herbs That Help Balance Your Hormones
Herbs are a group of plants whose leaves, flowers, roots, and seeds are used for various purposes.
If you love to cook, you may be most familiar with using herbs as cooking ingredients. Interestingly, humans have also used them for healthcare, spiritual rituals, and more for thousands of years .
Traditionally, some herbs have even been used to balance hormone levels. Although rigorous research on the topic is limited, some evidence suggests that certain herbs could influence hormone levels in your body, as well as other related functions of the endocrine system.
Still, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to using herbs for medical or health reasons.
Thats why weve sifted through the science and put together this list of 5 herbs, all of which have evidence to support some of their hormone-balancing claims.
B Complex With Active B Vitamins
B vitamins are involved in energy production, detoxification, healthy blood cell and nerve function, and hundreds of enzyme reactions within the body.
Of particular note are the hormone and neurotransmitter regulators, vitamin B6 and B12. They have been found to be useful for PMS, heavy periods and menopausal symptoms. Along with methyl folate they help keep homocysteine levels in check, thereby having anti-inflammatory effects.
When supplementing, to make sure you get the most benefit, B vitamins need to be in their ‘active‘ forms. This means that the body doesnât need to chemically change these forms before itâs ready to use them.
So for vitamin B6, the active form is pyridoxal 5′-phosphate , not pyridoxine, the common form found in cheaper supplements. For B12 we recommend methyl or hydroxy – cobalamin forms, notcyano – cobalamin. And folate should never be given as synthetic folic acid as it is no where near as effective. Converting folic acid into dihydrofolate quickly and successfully is difficult to do in humans. Unmetabolized folic acid can in fact be harmful!
The B complex I often use in my practice is Thorne Basic B or Stress B. Both contain active B vitamins, readily used by the body.
Whats Better Than A Good Hair Day
You know that Good Hair Day feeling? You strut out of the house with confidence, knowing you can take on anything that the world throws at you. You are subtly elated for the whole day, knowing that your hair is on your side.
Now imagine your Good Hair Day on steroids and thats what its like to experience a Balanced Hormone Day. When your hormones are in equilibrium, you experience improved moods, better energy and glowing skin.
Here are 15 tips you can implement to right now to balance hormones naturally.
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Use Gelatin To Improve Hormone Balance
Gelatin and collagen hydrolysate, available here, contain a unique profile of healthful amino acids that help balance hormones by complimenting the amino acids we obtain from meat. Ive discussed the health benefits of gelatin in-depth here, but heres a quick overview.
Dr. Ray Peat, a hormonal researcher in the field of nutrition and metabolism, describes why muscle meats when consumed without gelatin throw the metabolism out of balance:
When only the muscle meats are eaten, the amino acid balance entering our blood stream is the same as that produced by extreme stress, when cortisol excess causes our muscles to be broken down to provide energy and material for repair. The formation of serotonin is increased by the excess tryptophan in muscle, and serotonin stimulates the formation of more cortisol, while the tryptophan itself, along with the excess muscle-derived cysteine, suppresses the thyroid function.
If a person eats a large serving of meat, its probably helpful to have 5 or 10 grams of gelatin at approximately the same time, so that the amino acids enter the blood stream in balance.
By helping to balance the tryptophan, gelatin supports healthy thyroid function and adequate thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones work synergistically with all other hormones in the body by supporting our thyroid, we support balanced hormones in general.
What Tea Is Good For Hormonal Balance
Some of the best teas for balancing hormones include hibiscus, stinging nettle, chamomile and mint teas . These teas have various benefits that include supporting the liver, lowering androgens and regulating estrogen levels.
For a complete list of teas, be sure to check out this list of the top 10 teas for balancing womens hormones.
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Vitamin K2 Metabolises Estrogen
Vitamin K2 is a curious vitamin. Research is still ongoing but we so far know that it provides a significant boost for vitamin D production, which, in turn, maintains bone and cardiovascular health.
When taken as a vitamin for hormone balance, however, vitamin K2 is the right solution if youre looking to decrease estrogen dominance.
Studies show that vitamin K2 binds to the estrogen and androgen-converting enzyme 17 beta-HSD, which modulates estrogen metabolism. When estrogen is properly metabolized, less of the hormone remains in the body.
Furthermore, the process inhibits the overproduction of estrogen, which not only lowers the effects of high estrogen in men and women, but is also a potent support in fighting estrogen-related breast cancer.
Eat Vegetables To Balance Your Hormones
- Raw, steamed, or cooked, ideally, organic and local, vegetables should form 80% of your meal
- The fibre in vegetables aids in the elimination and detoxification of excess estrogen in the bowel
- Vegetables can reduce beta glucoronidase levels thus preventing the recycling of estrogen and other toxins back into the system
- Vegetables contain antioxidants and sulphur compounds which help support the livers detoxification pathways to detoxify excess hormones and other toxins
- The indole-3-carbinol found mostly in cruciferous vegetables positively modulates estrogen levels
One of the simplest natural ways to balance our sex hormones and optimise them during perimenopause and menopause is through eating fresh food and vegetables.
Green leafy vegetables are high in several minerals which are essential for hormone balance.
- They are high in iron, essential for hormonal balance and healthy thyroid function
- High in magnesium which is also essential for hormonal balance because it
- Helps control insulin production
- Helps control thyroid hormone production
- Aids phase II liver detoxification
- Is an integral part of sex hormone production cycle
Particularly sea vegetables
Particularly cruciferous vegetables
However, beware of raw cruciferous vegetables, which can act as goitrogens :
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Go With The Flow Helps Female Hormonal Imbalance
Think of this like a multivitamin for hormone balance.
Go With the Flow features a curated blend of herbs and plants that help balance hormones related to PMS, mood swings, menopause, and even PCOS. The formula includes:
- Black cohosh root, a proven relief for vasomotor menopause symptoms such as hot flashes.
- Dong Quai, a root that treats the symptoms of PMS, including mood swings and cramps.
- Chasteberry, a plant that contains hormone-like compounds that help alleviate issues like PCOS, early menopause, and infertility.
- Maca root, a powerful herb used to treat depression and fatigue, as well as provide a natural boost for your libido.
Go With the Flow ingredients are 100% plant-based and non-GMO. Theyre highly bioavailable, which means that you can start bringing your hormones back into balance in just a few doses.
Ashwagandha Sometimes Called Indian Ginseng
Ashwagandha is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for someone suffering from long-term stress that is depleted. This herb also works like an adaptogen and can be utilized at any point during or before a stressful time for support.
Studiesshow it does have anti-stressor effects and supportsadrenalandthyroid function and the immune system andmood . Ashwagandha acts mostly to calm, and can help with sleep but for some, it may be energizing due to its effect on thyroid function.
Dosage 100-300 mg/day.
Try: This herb is part of our Wellena Adrenal TLC.
If youd like to drink your Ashwagandha, here is a simple recipe for an Ashwagandha Latte you can try.
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Vitamin D Affects Your Thyroid
The effects of vitamin D on the body are notable. You need it for a range of different functions including:
- Maintaining immunity.
- Preventing weak and/or brittle bones .
- Ensuring good dental development and oral health.
When it comes to this vitamin for hormone imbalance, however, its your thyroid that benefits the most. Vitamin D plays an important role in insulin regulation and the production of the thyroid hormones.
Without this vitamin to balance hormones, you could develop both a vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism.
Key Hormones To Keep In Check
Cortisol
Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars in the bloodstream, enhances your brains use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues. Cortisol also curbs functions that would be nonessential or detrimental in a fight-or-flight situation.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone made by one of the bodys organs called the pancreas. Insulin helps your body turn blood sugar into energy. It also helps your body store it in your muscles, fat cells, and liver to use later, when your body needs it. After you eat, your blood sugar rises.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
Thyroid hormones regulate both your bodys energy use and metabolism. Our bodies produce TSH in the pituitary gland.
If you often feel tired or sluggish, or if you witness changes in your metabolism, your thyroid might not function properly.
Estrogen
Estrogen grows the lining of your uterus to prepare it for conception .
But progesterone also has an important role to ensure that the lining remains there for roughly 14 days after ovulation in case you become pregnant.
Estrogen is a sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics.
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Global Healing Center Female Fuzion
This liquid based supplement is great for women who may have difficulty swallowing pills or those who are looking for an easier way to ingest their supplements. The liquid increases the absorption rate of the ingredients. It is known to boost your energy levels and reduce the effects of fatigue by using natural herbs.
This supplement can increase your libido and help balance your mood, even when you are experiencing mood swings. This product is made in the USA with natural herbs. It is vegan friendly, gluten free, and GMO free.
PROS
- Liquid supplement to help with absorption
- Vegan friendly and gluten free
- Increases energy levels
- Uses natural herbs to fight fatigue
CONS
Low Libido And Fertility Problems
Changes in estrogen and testosterone can cause a loss of sex drive and infertility. Estrogen fluctuations cause disruptions in ovulation and irregular menstruation. These changes can make pregnancy difficult. In men, testosterone imbalances can lead to erectile dysfunction and poor sperm production. Look for these signs and reach out to a doctor to confirm if the symptoms are hormone-related.
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What Causes Low Estrogen
High estrogen is much more common in pre-menopausal women while lower estrogen levels are more common post-menopause.
All women will eventually develop low estrogen levels when compared to menstruating women.
The decline of the estrogen largely depends on other factors including how much metabolic damage is present prior to menopause, what other hormone imbalances do these women have and how much weight they have going into menopause.
While high estrogen is more common than low estrogen levels, it’s still very important to understand and to diagnose.
Because all women will eventually go through menopause it’s still very important to talk about how to treat low estrogen levels.
Causes of low estrogen:
Estrogen is felt to have inhibitory effects on body weight through various mechanisms.
Estradiol helps maintain control over fat regulating hormones like insulin and leptin.
When estradiol levels fall after menopause these systems tend to favor higher levels of both insulin and leptin.
If you’ve read my blog before you know that both leptin resistance and insulin resistance contribute significantly to weight gain.
This may explain, at least in part, why postmenopausal women tend to gain at least 10+ pounds at the onset of menopause .
In the case of leptin, estradiol actually helps sensitize the brain to this hormone which helps to increase its effectiveness.
When your body is sensitive to leptin your metabolism will remain normal and regulated.
Symptoms of low estrogen:
Eat High Quality Protein To Balance Your Hormones
High quality protein provide amino acids which are the building blocks for hormones and neurotransmitters.
Good sources of protein
- If you eat poultry and meat, make sure that they are free range, pasture fed, and ideally organic
- Offal, calf and chicken liver for instance, is especially good for hormone balance,though try to make sure its organic and/or free range/grass fed offal as otherwise it can contain concentrated levels of toxins. Offal contains
- high levels of vitamin A
- high levels of vitamin D and iron
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Combine Vitamins For Strong Effects
Each vitamin has a unique mechanism of action. Because all vitamins work in different ways, you can get additive or even synergistic effects by combining them. However, two vitamins can compete with each other as well. This competition may cause them to block each other.
These three possible outcomes additive, synergistic and competitive make it difficult to predict the net effect of combining vitamins. Pairing vitamins also increases your risk of side effects. Nonetheless, combining vitamins can ultimately produce reliable effects. A 2012 report in Calcified Tissue International explored this possibility by giving vitamin D and vitamin K to postmenopausal women.
These researchers used enriched dairy products to deliver a mixture of vitamins and minerals including vitamin D, vitamin K and calcium. Subjects received daily doses of the mixture for a year. Compared to a control group, women taking the combination showed an increase in IGF levels. This treatment also increased anabolic markers like bone mineral density.
Black Cohosh To Balance Female Hormones
Black cohosh is often used to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, moodiness, excessive sweating, and more . It also has use in inducing labor in pregnant women, premenstrual syndrome , and dysmenorrhea . Black cohosh is an excellent herb to balance female hormones because it is a phytoestrogen, which can help to lower elevated estrogen or raise low estrogen . Black cohosh is often found in a supplement form. Do not use this herb if pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Can Hormone Balance Supplements Help Lose Weight
Yes, hormone balance supplements can help you lose hormone imbalance related weight by regulating hormones such as estrogen, insulin, cortisol, and thyroid. If any of these hormones is out of whack, you may experience weight gain. By rebalancing these hormones through hormone balance supplements, you can tackle the excess weight.
The 10 Best Hormone Balance Supplements In 2021
Cant sleep? Mood swings? Cramps? Annoying headaches?
Blame it on the hormones!
We throw the word hormones around to explain just about anything. But few know how vital they are to the proper functioning of our organ tissues. Basically, all organs need hormones to survive.
Hormones are produced and released by endocrine glands. Even slight fluctuations in this process can lead to a hormonal imbalance.
This can happen because of malnutrition, stress, or anything that throws your endocrine glands off… and queue feeling irritated at every little thing your coworkers do all day.
The good news is that you can successfully treat light cases of hormonal imbalance by taking hormone balance supplements.
There are plenty of options out there, but weve scraped the internet and gathered the very best hormone balance supplements for you to try.
Without further ado, lets get to it.
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Liver: The #1 Superfood To Balance Hormones
Gram for gram, liver is the most nutrient-dense food on the planet. Due to its unique nutritional profile, liver easily deserves the title, Ideal Superfood to Balance Hormones.
Most importantly, liver provides the highest source of vitamin A, one of the most valuable vitamins to balance hormones. Vitamin A not only improves thyroid function, it improves liver health so we can synthesize and detox hormones well.
Contrary to popular belief, we cannot obtain vitamin A from vegetables , including carrots and sweet potatoes. The beta carotene in veggies must first be converted to vitamin A in the body and this conversion is so poor it is virtually insignificant. Hormonal imbalance further compromises your ability to convert the carotene into useable vitamin A.
Optimally, enjoy 2-4 servings of pastured liver each week. If you abhor the taste of liver, I recommend taking these grassfed desiccated liver capsules daily. 2-6 capsules per day is recommended.