10 Natural Ways to Balance Your Hormones
A hormonal imbalance can affect many
aspects of your health. Some common side effects include infertility,
weight gain, depression, fatigue, insomnia, a low libido, as well as
hair loss and hair thinning. Thankfully there are ways to balance your
hormones naturally. Here are 10 natural ways to heal your hormones:
1. Consume a raw carrot a day
Too much estrogen in the body is usually
the cause of hormonal imbalances, but a carrot a day will naturally help
balance hormones. Raw carrots contain a unique fiber which helps detox
excess estrogen from the body. This tip is especially useful for women
who suffer from PMS (premenstrual symptoms such as migraines).
2. Avoid vegetable oils
Keep your hormones balanced by excluding margarine and plant oils from
your diet. Vegetable oils are extremely high in omega-6, which if
consumed regularly can cause inflammation within the body. Nevertheless,
some omega 6 in the diet is necessary, but too much can wreak havoc on
hormone balance, creating widespread inflammation. Rather than upping
your omega-6 intake, increase your omega-3, as this will help keep
inflammation to a minimum.
3. Include more liver in your diet
Liver is packed with nutrients. It provides
the highest source of vitamin A, one of the most valuable vitamins to
balance hormones. Vitamin A also helps improve thyroid function, which
in turn improves liver health enabling the body to synthesize and detox
hormones effectively. To reap the benefits, enjoy two to four servings
of pastured liver each week.
4. Try not to overwork your adrenal glands
Dietary and lifestyle choices may overwork the adrenal glands, making
them unable to keep up with their hormone production, leading to adrenal
fatigue (a symptom of which is PMS). All hormones are interconnected,
but thyroid hormones work hand in hand with the adrenal glands. So, if
your adrenals are stressed, your thyroid will be affected too.
5. Go for a walk in the country
Address your exercise habits to keep your
hormones working effectively. Constant jogging, running, spinning
classes and Cross Fit can cause undue stress on your body. However,
walking in natural environments is both restorative and invigorating,
providing an ideal exercise for balancing hormones. Walking in nature
has also been shown to reduce cortisol (a stress hormone) and boosts the
immune system. High cortisol levels cause inflammation in the body,
creating a hormonal imbalance.
6. Get the water you need from consuming foods
As opposed to drinking eight glasses of water per day, get the water you
need from nutrient-rich water foods instead. Drinking too much water
can deplete electrolytes and cause premature aging of the skin.
Consuming foods with a high water content helps balance hormones
naturally, while also supporting the thyroid and the adrenal glands.
7. Stop eating products that contain soy
Studies show that soy can disrupt hormones,
may cause inflammation and a leaky gut and more often than not, soy
tends to be genetically modified. Furthermore, soy consumption has been
found to have toxic effects on hormonal balance and general health.
8. Spend a few moments each day with your legs up against the wall
A regular yoga practice, or stretching, often can benefit the body in
many ways. One particular yoga pose which involves keeping your legs up
against the wall has a profound ability to balance hormones naturally.
The lymphatic circulation in the lower body is maximized in this pose.
Often referred to as the garbage disposal of the body, the lymphatic
system collects and carries lymphatic fluid, eliminating toxins from the
body. Sitting all day can cause the lymph fluid to become stagnant and
toxins to collect. Therefore, reversing the flow of gravity in your legs
can encourage the circulation of the lymphatic fluid.
9. Eat egg yolks to balance hormones
Egg yolks contain valuable nutrition and
are extremely beneficial to our bodies. In fact, they are packed with
nutrients that help balance hormones, including vitamin A, vitamin D,
and Selenium (necessary for the conversion of thyroid hormones from
inactive to active).
10. Gelatin can help improve hormone imbalance
Gelatin contains a unique profile of beneficial amino acids that helps
balance hormones. It is best consumed alongside a portion of meat.
Therefore, with every large serving of meat, include 5 or 10 grams of
gelatin. Doing so will boost the amino acids that enter the blood
stream. Gelatin has also been shown to support a healthy thyroid
function and thyroid hormones, which work together with all other
hormones in the body. So, in supporting the thyroid, it supports
balanced hormones in general.