Natural ways to balance hormones

image via consciouslivingmagazine.com.au

Hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, adrenaline, and insulin, are vital chemical messengers that have a significant impact on many facets of your general health. Because of this, hormonal imbalances can be problematic, so it’s important to understand how to maintain hormonal balance.

Synthetic hormone replacement therapies, birth control pills, insulin injections, thyroid medications, and other common treatments are used to address hormonal imbalances. Unfortunately, relying on these kinds of synthetic treatments frequently has three negative effects for the majority of those with hormonal disorders:

• It renders individuals reliant on taking prescription medications for the rest of their lives in order to manage their symptoms.
• It merely covers up the patient’s symptoms rather than treating them, which means that as the disorder worsens, the patient may continue to develop abnormalities in other parts of the body.
• It may increase the risk of developing serious side effects like cancer, osteoporosis, stroke, anxiety, and more.

Is it possible to naturally balance hormones? The good news is that it is often the case. Let’s look at natural hormone-balancing methods.

1. Replace carbs with wholesome fats

Numerous fat-containing foods that contain short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acids are among the foods that balance hormones. Your body requires a variety of fats, including saturated fat and cholesterol, to produce hormones. These essential fats serve as fundamental building blocks for the synthesis of hormones and also lower inflammation, speed up metabolism, and aid in weight loss. Refined carbohydrates cause inflammation and can disrupt the balance of your hormones; healthy fats have the opposite effect. My top four go-to foods for healthy fats that are anti-inflammatory are coconut oil, avocados, butter made from grass-fed cows, and wild-caught salmon.

There are many uses for coconut oil. For instance, coconut oil (or cream/milk) naturally fights bacteria and burns fat. Avocado health advantages include enhancing cardiovascular function, reducing inflammation, managing appetite, and increasing your daily intake of fiber and nutrients like potassium.

Salmon has excellent nutritional value. It is among the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation and support cognitive abilities. The membranes of brain cells contain a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for the brain’s intercellular communication. According to research, omega-3 fatty acids help prevent the loss of hippocampal neurons and lessen pro-inflammatory reactions.

What foods alter hormone levels? It’s best to limit or stay away from processed carbs, refined vegetable/seed oils and added sugar. As a general rule, stay away from oils that are high in omega-6 fats (such as safflower, sunflower, corn, cottonseed, canola, soybean, and peanut oil) and eat plenty of naturally occurring omega-3 sources (wild fish, flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, and grass-fed animal products).

Gamma-linoleic acid is a specific type of omega-6 fatty acid that you should include in your diet (GLA). GLA is a dietary supplement that can be taken in the form of hemp seeds, evening primrose oil, or borage oil. According to studies, taking GLA supplements can support normal progesterone levels.

2. A dietary supplement to fill nutritional gaps

While maintaining a healthy diet is important for all aspects of health, it may occasionally be necessary to take supplements to make up for nutritional deficiencies that may be causing a hormone imbalance.

The top supplements to concentrate on for hormone balancing are listed below:

Oil of Evening Primrose

GLA is one of the omega-6 fatty acids found in evening primrose oil, which supports normal hormonal function in general. Taking evening primrose oil as a supplement can ease PCOS and premenstrual symptoms. Additionally, it promotes a favorable environment for conception.

Nutrition D

What vitamins are recommended for hormonal imbalance? One of them is undoubtedly vitamin D, which functions almost like a hormone in the body and is crucial for controlling inflammation. Because of this, people who live in dark areas frequently experience seasonal depression and other health issues unless they take vitamin D supplements. Since your bare skin naturally produces vitamin D when exposed to even small amounts of direct sunlight, sunshine is actually the best way to maximize vitamin D levels.

If they live in dark areas, during the winter, or on days when they are not in the sun, the majority of people should take supplements containing between 2,000 and 5,000 international units of vitamin D3 daily.

Bone broth

Bone broth provides the body with easily assimilable nutrients while calming the digestive system. Consuming bone broth or protein powder made from bone broth is especially good for your health because it contains nutrients that are good for you like collagen, proline, glycine, and glutamine.

Probiotics

Healthy bacteria called probiotics can actually help your body produce and regulate important hormones like leptin, ghrelin, and insulin. They may also help with gut lining repair, which may help with hormone balancing. Undigested food particles, such as gluten, can enter the bloodstream through the gut and cause inflammation throughout the body, especially in glands like the thyroid that are more prone to heightened inflammation. Probiotic levels in the gut are typically low in people with leaky gut. You can increase your intake of probiotics by eating more fermented foods (like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, etc.) and supplementing with probiotic capsules.

Adaptogenic Plants

A special group of plants called adaptogens works to balance hormones and shield the body from a wide range of illnesses, including those brought on by too much stress. Research demonstrates that various adaptogens, including Rhodiola, medicinal mushrooms, and ashwagandha, can also help with stress management and immune function.

• Boost thyroid activity
• naturally lower cholesterol
• lowering stress and depression
• fight the aging of brain cells
• stabilize insulin and blood sugar levels
• bolster the adrenals’ abilities

Particularly Ashwagandha can be very effective at regulating hormone levels. Because it encourages the scavenging of free radicals that harm cells, it benefits thyroid function. Ashwagandha can help with adrenal fatigue as well as support an underactive or overactive thyroid. When you are under excessive emotional, physical, or mental strain, your adrenal glands can become overworked, which can disturb the balance of hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, and progesterone.

Holy basil

Holy basil also referred to as tulsi, helps control cortisol levels, acting as a homeopathic treatment for anxiety and emotional stress. According to studies, holy basil can also shield your organs and tissues from the chemical stress that heavy metals and other pollutants can cause, which is another factor that can result in hormonal imbalance.

Functional mushrooms aid in immune system modulation and support the body’s capacity to adapt to stress. These mushrooms have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over 2,000 years and are loaded with healthy substances, such as polysaccharides and polysaccharide peptides, beta-glucans, glycoproteins, and triterpenes that also support gut health, metabolic health, and more.

Supplements with herbal hormones

Functional mushrooms, adaptogens, and other botanicals are combined in some supplements meant to support women’s hormones in order to support overall hormone balance. Reishi mushrooms, chaste tree berries, ashwagandha, black cohosh root, and schizandra berry are frequently found in these supplements.

Together, these promote the body’s capacity to deal with stress, healthy energy levels, a positive outlook, mental clarity, restful sleep, and female reproductive health.

3. Deal with any emotional imbalances

TCM holds that a person’s internal emotions directly affect their health and that addressing emotional imbalances, environmental factors, and lifestyle decisions can help prevent diseases brought on by hormonal imbalances. According to TCM practitioners, fear-related emotions lead to disease in your kidneys, adrenals, and reproductive organs, which affects cortisol levels. Serious conditions like PCOS and infertility may result from this.

Your liver becomes ill as a result of your frustration, impatience, and unforgiveness, which can result in an estrogen imbalance. Worry and anxiety-related feelings can interfere with your insulin levels, which can then have an impact on a number of hormones. Addressing any emotional imbalances you may be experiencing is a crucial part of naturally balancing your hormones. You can achieve this by lowering your stress levels, reflecting on yourself, and setting aside time for yourself.

Deep breathing exercises, spending time outside, and exercising each day can all be extremely beneficial, as can engaging in healing prayer or meditation. Acupuncture and massage are two traditional Chinese medicine treatments that can help to balance hormones, reduce stress, and increase blood flow.

4. Utilize specific essential oils

By avoiding conventional body care products made with potentially harmful chemicals like DEA, parabens, propylene glycol, and sodium lauryl sulfate, you can naturally balance your hormones by removing toxins from your body. Using natural products made with ingredients like essential oils, coconut oil, shea butter, and castor oil is a preferable alternative.

To ensure you have a resource to keep your family safe, the Environmental Working Group tested tens of thousands of products and ranked them in an easy-to-understand guide. For advice on what products to use and what to avoid, check out EWG’s “Skin Deep Cosmetic Database” right now.

Use these hormone-balancing essential oils in place of toxic body care and cleaning products:

Crystal Sage

Because it contains natural phytoestrogens, clary sage aids in the regulation of estrogen levels. It can be used to control menstruation, ease PMS symptoms, treat PCOS and infertility, and even lessen the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer. Additionally, it functions as a homeopathic treatment for emotional disorders like depression and anxiety. Use three to five drops of clary sage in a diffuser to help hormone levels be in balance and to reduce stress. Massage five drops of clary sage and five drops of coconut oil into your stomach and any other sore spots to relieve cramps and pain.

Fennel

It has been discovered that autoimmune reactions, including thyroid disorders, can be brought on by problems with your gut health. Fennel essential oil can help you unwind, enhance gut health, increase metabolism, and reduce inflammation. Fennel can be taken internally by rubbing two drops into your stomach or by adding one to two drops to a cup of warm water or tea.

Lavender

The ability of lavender oil to treat anxiety, depression, moodiness, and stress helps to promote emotional balance. It can also be used to encourage sound sleep, which supports hormone regulation. Apply three drops topically to your temples, back, or neck, diffuse five drops of lavender oil indoors, add five drops to a warm water bath, or take one of these baths.

Sandalwood

You can use sandalwood essential oil to boost your libido, lower stress, encourage relaxation, improve mental clarity, and even help you unwind. The potent scent induces tranquil feelings and reduces overall stress, which can result in hormonal imbalances. Sandalwood can be inhaled straight from the bottle, diffused at home, or applied topically to the wrists and soles of the feet with two to three drops.

Thyme

Thyme oil enhances the production of progesterone, which aids in the treatment or alleviation of health conditions like infertility, PCOS, menopause, depression, fibroids, hair loss, and insomnia. Add two drops of thyme oil to a warm water bath or massage your abdomen with two to three drops mixed with equal parts coconut oil to help naturally balance your hormones.

5. Take Precautions with Drugs and Birth Control

Do you know what side effects your medication may have? Some can mess with your hormone balance, which can have negative effects like tiredness, altered appetite, disturbed sleep patterns, low libido, melancholy, and even depression.

Corticosteroids, stimulants, statins, dopamine agonists, rexinoids, and glucocorticoids are a few drugs that can disrupt the balance of your hormones. Be careful with your medications, discuss any side effects with your doctor, and whenever possible, look into natural alternatives.

Another medication that modifies hormone levels is birth control. The hormone therapy is known as “the pill” increases estrogen levels to levels that can lead to a variety of complications. According to studies, taking them has a number of potential health risks, particularly over an extended period of time.

• Between-cycle bleeding is breakthrough
• Increased risk of uterine bleeding, blood clotting, heart attack, and stroke
• Migraines
• Increased blood pressure
• Weight gain
• Back pains
• Mood changes
• Nausea
• Benign liver tumors
• Breast tenderness.

6. Sleep more

If you don’t get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, your body will suffer. One of the worst behaviors that can lead to an imbalance in hormones is sleep deprivation or tampering with your circadian rhythm.

How so? because of the schedule that your hormones follow!

As an illustration, the main “stress hormone,” cortisol, is controlled at midnight. As a result, those who stay up late never truly have a break from their sympathetic flig . Three of the main causes of high cortisol levels are chronic stress, long-term corticosteroid use, and lack of sleep. Stress “can lead to changes in the serum level of many hormones including glucocorticoids, catecholamines, growth hormone, and prolactin,” according to a study in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Sleep promotes energy, keeps stress hormones in check, and helps the body heal itself. Increased morning cortisol levels, lowered immunity, difficulties with work performance, and a higher propensity for anxiety, weight gain, and depression are all associated with excessive stress and poor sleep. Try to go to bed by 10 p.m., if possible, and maintain a regular sleep-wake cycle as much as you can to maximize hormone function.ht/fight response to stress.

Final Reflections

Many millions of people around the world are affected by hormonal imbalances in the form of common disorders like diabetes, thyroid issues, irregular menstruation, infertility, low testosterone, and estrogen dominance.

Anxiety, exhaustion, irritability, weight gain or loss, poor sleep, and changes in sexual desire, focus, and appetite are some symptoms.

Hormonal imbalances can be brought on by toxicity, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic stress, high levels of stress, and genetic susceptibility.

Here’s how to naturally balance your hormones: Eat a diet low in inflammatory foods, take omega-3 fatty acids, adaptogen herbal supplements, mushrooms, probiotics, and other supplements like vitamin D; sleep well; work out; and manage your stress.