Get Your Hormones in Check with Natural Remedies
Hormonal deficiencies can wreak havoc on your body—causing everything from mood swings to fatigue to weight gain. But don’t worry, you don’t need to resort to expensive medications or hormone replacement therapy to restore balance and get your hormones back in check. Read on for a few natural remedies that can help fight off the effects of hormonal deficiencies.
The Power of Diet and Lifestyle Changes
It should come as no surprise that the food you eat has a huge impact on your health, including your hormones. Eating foods that are high in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and healthy fats can help improve overall health and balance out hormones. Incorporating complex carbohydrates such as legumes, and vegetables into your diet is also important for regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
In addition to eating right, Exercise is also important; it helps reduce stress hormones while increasing endorphins—the “happy” hormones—which can help regulate moods and improve overall well being. The best exercises for hormonal imbalance are moderate-intensity activities such as walking, biking, swimming and moderate strength training. Also try and limit HIIT as they may cause endocrine fatigue.
Finally, getting enough restful sleep is essential for having a healthy endocrine system. Sleep deprivation can lead to an imbalance in hormones and other health issues. Aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night, and try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule—even on weekends
Managing stress levels is a major factor in balancing your hormones. Stress causes a spike in cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, which in turn causes an increase and reduction in the action and production of other hormones. There will always be something that stresses us out, whether it's traffic, your partner, or even a Fly that won’t leave you alone. The way we can manage the effects of stress is what really matters, some would use yoga and meditation, others would go for a run. This all will be reflected in a good way on your hormones.
Also, getting enough sleep is essential for restoring hormonal balance and avoiding the negative impacts of sleep deprivation on hormones like insulin and cortisol. This can be achieved through some sleep-style changes like no screen time before sleep, testing for deficiencies, and using some supplements would also help.
The Benefits of Supplements
Along with dietary changes, taking supplements may be beneficial for restoring hormonal balance as well.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be particularly effective for fighting inflammation which can lead to a variety of conditions ranging from obesity to hormonal imbalance and depression.
Probiotics help boost gut health which is essential for healthy hormone production Having healthy gut bacteria is essential to endocrine health, as they play an important role in the regulation of certain hormones. For instance, an imbalance in the microbiome can disrupt estrogen levels and lead to changes in hormone levels
Vitamin B6 has been found to increase progesterone levels (which are often low during menopause); and magnesium can help improve symptoms associated with PMS such as cramps and anxiety.
Selenium, Iodine and Zinc, can be used to maintain general thyroid health.
Most importantly, before making any drastic changes or beginning supplements, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional first! Valeo’s health coaches have ample experience to support you with your supplement routine, so get connected.
When it comes down to it, restoring balance within our bodies’ hormones can take time—but it doesn’t have to involve expensive medications or treatments. By focusing on diet, lifestyle changes, and possibly incorporating natural supplements into our routine we can do wonders for improving our overall health—including balancing out those pesky hormones! So what are you waiting for? Start making small changes today that will reap big rewards down the road!