5 Steps to Take When balancing Your Hormones
Hormonal imbalances can impact every aspect of our wellness from our gut health and mood to our bone and skin health. Many women suffer from hormonal imbalances without knowing and are given medications such as birth control and anti-depressants in order to treat the symptoms without ever getting to the root cause.
Some signs of a hormonal imbalance include skin irritation, mood changes, weight fluctuations, sleep difficulty and appetite issues.
If you suspect a hormonal imbalance, here are steps you can take towards naturally balancing your hormones:
Increase your protein intake: Protein aids in hormone production within the pituitary gland which in turn will aid in the release and regulation of our sex hormones. Great sources of lean protein include chicken, turkey, fish, beans, nuts, seeds and legumes.
Get moving: Movement can help with balancing your hormones by helping with the circulation of excess estrogen. Many hormone imbalances come from excess estrogen in the body so it is important to manage that dominance. Tip: find a form of exercise you love! Exercising because you have to will lead to resentment towards it, so try to find something that will bring you joy!
Increase your fiber intake: Fiber can help with regulating insulin in the body and can reduce blood sugar spikes. Fiber also helps with expelling unwanted hormones and toxins out of the body. Some great sources of fiber include fruits and vegetables and complex carbohydrates.
Reduce your sugar intake: Excess sugar can lead to insulin resistance and can negatively impact your gut health which causes hormonal imbalance as well.
Increase your consumption of healthy fats: Healthy fats can help with production and regulation of our ghrelin and leptin which are our hunger hormones. Healthy fats can also regulate blood sugar which will help with balancing hormones. Some sources of healthy fats include avocados, olive oil and salmon!
Having a hormonal imbalance can be frustrating and confusing but making these small adjustments as well as consulting with a medical professional to guide you in your healing journey will help you to reach your goals!