Health

10 Foods to Balance Hormone Levels Naturally

Hormones are one of the most important aspects of the human body, because they control virtually all the functions in all the parts of the entire… Denis Courtney - January 26, 2017

Hormones are one of the most important aspects of the human body, because they control virtually all the functions in all the parts of the entire body. Estrogen is a very important hormone, especially for women, because it helps develop and regulate their reproductive system. Females are continuously experiencing changes in hormone levels, especially when they are having their menstrual periods, when they are pregnant, and again postpartum.

Hormones also change when older women experience menopause. However, more women are experiencing menopause earlier than has been normal due to the fact that many women are consuming too many chemicals in their food and other products they expose their bodies to.

There are many factors that cause hormonal imbalances, like the use of birth control and consuming too much alcohol. Especially for men, when they consume too much alcohol, hormonal imbalances can occur, which can lead to low sperm count and weakness in their bones. Hormonal imbalance may also lead to one’s body aging faster than the normal rate. Advanced aging is mostly caused by not enough exercise, poor diet, and drinking a lot of alcohol.

Some symptoms of hormonal imbalance are anxiety and discomfort, even when there are not necessarily any stressors in one’s life. And women may experience unusual discharge from their vagina due to yeast infection, which may have been caused by excessive amounts of protein in their body. They may also experience mood swings, especially during their menstrual periods. Men may suffer from hormone imbalance due to the stress in their lives. Also, many women who are overweight experience hormonal imbalance, because their glands are struggling to produce an adequate amount of estrogen for their body. Hormonal imbalance may cause low sex drive, especially for many women who are using birth control pills, which is an unfortunate side effect.

When one experiences symptoms that are caused due to hormonal imbalance, they should begin taking better care of their body by changing their lifestyle. They could start to exercise regularly, eat healthful foods, avoid processed foods and products full of chemicals, and avoid too much sugar. One should also pay attention to hunger cravings, because they may give you a clue as to what is causing the hormonal imbalance in your body.

Meanwhile, here are the top ten natural ways of balancing your hormonal levels.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are best known for keeping your hormones in a balanced state, because they are a very important part of producing them. They are especially important for women because they help in reducing their cramps and during their menstrual periods, as well as reducing menopausal symptoms. This is due to the high amounts of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties found in omega-3 fatty acids. These two aspects of omega-3 fatty acids also help to hinder excessive production of hormones and help to keep the brain healthy and able to perform normally.

Some of the best natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids that are highly recommended are oily fish, tofu, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans, flaxseeds and winter squash. Medical researchers recommend that one should ensure that he or she takes any of these to balance the hormones in one’s body naturally. People are also advised to use omega-3 supplements in case they are allergic to any of these foods, especially for women who are pregnant, because they tend to lose their appetite for some certain foods. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements should, however, be medically recommended so the correct amount of dosage is prescribed.

It is also advisable to ask for a doctor’s opinion before one consumes food that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially if you have a hormone-sensitive condition like uterine fibroids, endometriosis, breast cancer, uterine cancer or ovarian cancer.

Omega-3 fatty acids are especially important for women because their bodies are sensitive to fluctuations in hormones during their menstrual cycle and giving birth. Even though the menstrual process is a very important time for women, it can be very painful and annoying when one develops cramps, mood swings, and other side effects of their monthly cycle, which can lead to the disruption of their regular activities.

Cramps cause a throbbing pain of varying degrees in the lower abdomen just days before the period begins, and during the period. Hormonal imbalance is also caused as a result of one experiencing her periods at an earlier age. The body is trying to produce the proper amount of hormones so that the person can feel comfortable and well-balanced.

As for men, they are advised to get regular exercise and avoid the consumption of too much alcohol. They are also advised to have regular physical checkups to ensure they are healthy.

Maca Root

Maca root (also known as Peruvian ginseng) is best known for boosting hormonal production. Health doctors always advise women to take maca root, because it helps in boosting their fertility and is beneficial for improving one’s libido. Women who take maca root regularly enjoy its many benefits, like delivering their baby without having too much labor pain and reduced nausea. It also helps in keeping the baby healthy and strong so it can move freely in the womb. Maca root also ensures that the amniotic fluid is supplied with enough hormones to make the baby have a sufficient supply of hormones. It is also known to combat early menopause.

Maca root has got a high density of nutrients. Researchers have also discovered that maca root has helped in weight loss. Many men, as well as women, who are having problems with their weight, can shed them by simply taking maca root. Women who take maca root have reduced menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disruptions, depression and night sweats. Some women lose their sex drive during this time as well. They are advised to take maca root because it helps in releasing the hormones that balance one’s sex drive, so one is able to get back to their normal sexual activity.

Maca root is loaded with zinc, iodine, and essential fatty acids that result in helping to balance their hormones. Maca root also helps one to improve brain health and mood swings that are caused due to hormonal imbalance. Many doctors who specialize in nutrition often recommend maca root for the omega-3 fatty acids that are found in it, because it is so effective in balancing hormonal levels. Maca root increases the luteinizing hormone produced in the pituitary gland, and that in turn increases the rate of fertility in the body of both men and women.

Maca root is also rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids that play a big part in helping to balance one’s hormones, and so reduce the chances of one suffering from diseases like diabetes. It also increases the level of performance of an athlete.

There is an easy procedure for taking maca root; you mix a teaspoon of maca root powder in a cup of water or any natural liquid and consume it daily. Be sure that it is green and fresh for consumption, that way it will help to ensure that your health will be as good as possible.

Chasteberry

Chasteberry is also known as vitex, and it helps in the calming effect of progesterone. Chasteberry stimulates the pituitary gland, therefore regulating the balance of estrogen and progesterone. Chasteberry helps one to reduce the severity of painful cramps and premenstrual problems; it also helps in promoting a healthy womb for women who are expecting to become pregnant.

For men, the naturally occurring androgen in the chasteberry helps in lowering the testosterone levels and protects one from having prostate cancer. Chasteberry triggers the hormones that regulate mood swings and other problems like dry skin, hair breakage and sore throat. For most people who have problems in maintaining their body fluids due to an imbalance of hormones in the body that triggers the supply of fluids in the body, this can be very helpful.

However, medical doctors have researched and found out that it is not advisable for pregnant women to use chasteberry, because it might lead to abdominal pain and at times a pregnant woman may miscarry or give birth prematurely. Chasteberry can also lead to one having a heavy flow in her menstrual periods, or she may miss her periods for a few consecutive months. It is advisable to take chasteberry after seeking consent from a medical doctor because its effect are strong and might not work well for those that have a weaker body system.

For women, chasteberry helps their menopausal symptoms, like not having your menses for more than twelve months. It triggers the production of estrogen, which results in helping the woman avoid having the symptoms early. This is highly recommended for women whose menopausal symptoms do not go away naturally, as the symptoms are known to disappear when taking chasteberry.

The procedure for using chasteberry is that you take the prescribed amount of powder in capsule form for a period of two to three months, or at least until the symptoms diminish and one gets back to her normal life. One should always be careful when taking it and should only take it when prescribed by her doctor and that it is safe to consume.

The use of chasteberry was discovered during a certain medical research program, however, the use of artificially made chasteberry has led to many side effects. So, people are advised to use chasteberry carefully and under the care of their physician. It is also noted that it is not advisable for parents to give it to children under the age of ten.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an important vitamin that does not just help in maintaining your bones, it also helps the pituitary gland by triggering it to produce a wide range of hormones. Vitamin D is one of the body-building vitamins that doctors advise one to get naturally by either consuming foods rich in it or getting it by staying in the sun for short periods of time.

You can also get vitamin D from natural sources like oily fish, eggs, liver oil and milk. This can be done by consuming a lot of these products. But be careful, it is advised not to consume excessive amounts of these foods, because it can lead to one suffering from sickness like elephantiasis, diabetes and many other sicknesses that occur as a result of excessive consumption of fats. Excessive fats can hinder the metabolism process, causing the hormones to overcompensate to help the body function properly. As a result, one’s body tends to lose track of the supply required for the hormones to be produced, hence leading to excessive production, or a low rate of production of the hormone required by the body.

People who lack vitamin D in their bodies are unable to produce hormones that help in maintaining body fluids, hence one may suffer from dehydration. Vitamin D also helps in the production of hormones that trigger the production of adequate bone marrow and aids in the maintenance of the strength of the bones, especially for elderly people. In circumstances where one does not have enough vitamin D, he or she may end up not having adequate hormones that help in fighting diseases like rickets, and sometimes one might end up having cancer due to a severe imbalance of hormones.

Another method of getting vitamin D in your body is by ensuring that you take supplements, especially if you are allergic to the natural sources of vitamin D. For children under the age of 10, pregnant women, and women experiencing cramps during their menstrual cycles, vitamin D supplements should be taken only when prescribed by your doctor.

Exercise

Even though some people may think that using their precious spare time for exercise is a waste of time, it has been proven that exercise is actually the best method to balance one’s hormones. This is simply because the body produces excess oils from the body, and when one sweats as a result of their body exerting energy during the exercise, hormonal production becomes active. And one’s body begins to feel invigorated and healthy, and starts to function properly. This includes the brain being able to think faster without getting tired, one’s memory is improved, and the degree of memory loss is reduced, especially in women who have given birth to more than three children, as they are known to experience memory loss and back pains. Both men and women who drink alcohol are also advised to exercise regularly so they can keep their bones and joints strong and free from experiencing aches in their body.

Making sure that you exercise every day ensures that the hormone called cortisol is sufficiently produced. This hormone ensures that one’s stress level is reduced and enhances the normal daily routine for a person. Lack of cortisol in one’s body may cause serious health issues like weight gain, because many people increase their food consumption and may end up becoming obese.

Lack of cortisol also leads to one suffering from sickness that might lead him or her to become suicidal and might hurt themselves. Stress also leads to developing ulcers, which are sores in the stomach lining that occurs as a result of too much acid production by the hormones in the body. Getting enough exercise is the best medicine to treat these effects.

Exercising for about thirty or forty minutes three times a week will help keep your body in good shape and your hormone levels balanced. Exercise can include jogging, walking, running, biking, and swimming, to name a few. It is a good idea to slowly increase the frequency and duration of exercising to let your body become accustomed to it.

Exercise can promote fat loss by triggering the hormones that aid in the breaking down and excreting of excessive fats and liquids in the body. Also, as one performs their exercise routine, they are advised not to become dehydrated, so be sure to have your water bottles handy while exercising. Another form of exercise that does not require too much strenuous work is doing yoga. Yoga may help one maintain their body shape and reduce their stress levels.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is the best oil that one can consume or apply on the skin. Coconut oil helps one from getting sunburn, especially for children. It also reduces the level of one experiencing problems that occur as a result of consuming oily products rich in cholesterol. Medical doctors also advise parents to take care of their children’s and infants’ skin by applying coconut oil on it. This triggers the hormones on the skin and ensures that the skin is smooth from rashes and other unwanted pimples on an infant, especially sweat rash.

Coconut oil helps those that are suffering from hypothyroidism, and it is among the few oils that is able to fight the disease. Coconut oil’s medium chain of fatty acids has played an important role in the maintenance of the thyroid, and so it has led to proper hormonal balance in most people that use it. Coconut oil is the only oil that one can take to help them reduce their body weight and maintain a great body shape. Use of coconut oil has improved the level of stress in the body and has helped in the maintenance of one’s blood sugar level, therefore possibly allowing one to avoid suffering from diabetes.

Even though some people have had misconceptions about it, that it brings about heart diseases, coconut oil actually performs contrary to the myths, because it increases the degree of the heart functioning normally and prevents heart diseases like arterial failure.

Use of coconut oil also improves one’s level of having strong knees and smooth skin. Most people that use coconut oil tend to grow fond of it, as they have discovered that it helps one to maintain their hormonal levels, like estrogen, which improves one’s skin and can even reduce stretch marks on one’s body.

Here are some of the ways of using coconut oil to avoid your body from experiencing hormonal imbalance; eat two or three tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil for at least two or three months. You can also use coconut oil for cooking as it does not produce chemicals when heated at high levels. Also, when applying it to your skin, ensure that you rub it smoothly on your skin and keep it on your skin for at least fifteen minutes before you take a shower.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is an herb that contains a phytoestrogen called diosgenin that has estrogenic content. This is mostly consumed by lactating mothers as it increases the level of hormonal milk production. This product has so far also been proven to be best for enlargement of breasts; women that seek plastic surgery are advised to use this product as it does not have any side effects on your hormonal production, but just functions by increasing the level of hormones that aid in the production of enlarging the breast size. Fenugreek helps by increasing the blood flow in the breast area, enabling the hormones to be produced. And when the area is massaged it increases the breast size.

During puberty, the breast, which is a critical part of a woman’s body, responds to changes in hormones hence it increases in its level and size. Many industries that produce breast enlargement products use fenugreek. However, most of these industries use a lot of different chemicals that might result in different hormones being produced excessively, or may even stop the production of some hormones, leading to one not having breasts at all. It is medically proven and advisable to use fenugreek for the performance of the function.

Fenugreek also helps to improve glucose metabolism. As a result of maintaining glucose metabolism, one is able to avoid diseases like diabetes, hypertension, low blood sugar and obesity. Fenugreek ensures that one is able to maintain blood sugar levels and ensures that excess glucose is excreted from the body. Fenugreek ensures that the breast tissues are well taken care of and so the excessive use of unnecessary chemicals is not advised. Substitutes are also encouraged to be taken if they perform the same functions like fenugreek without one having to experience any side effects.

Fenugreek helps in maintaining hormonal levels in the body to produce milk for their infant more quickly. This is why lactating mothers are encouraged to take fenugreek so that they can help in breast production. You simply put one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup of hot water and let sit for a few minutes, then drink it. You can also add some honey or lemon juice to it. Drink this mixture two or three times a day. It is also advisable to consult your doctor before starting to use fenugreek.

Holly Basil

Holly basil is a natural remedy for balancing one’s hormones. Holly basil is used for increasing the level of hormones that one needs in order to maintain body fluids. Holly basil is recommended for people that are suffering from fungal infections which are caused by the excessive production of proteins in the body. Holly basil helps in stabilizing cortisol levels in the body, which affects the thyroid gland, ovaries, and pancreas.

Holly basil helps to maintain pancreatic fluids in the body. Maintaining the pancreas helps to reduce the risk of one being affected by the pancreas producing high amounts of acids, lessening the risk of experiencing diseases like ulcers and any acid-related diseases like cancer.

Holly basil also helps to maintain ovaries, thus reducing the risk of one having side effects like menopausal problems, and maintains one’s menstrual periods. Holly basil helps one to reduce the risk of glands, like sweat glands and other glands, that excrete waste fluids like sweat, from malfunctioning, leading to an unfortunate health problem.

Holly basil does not need a lot of preparations as you simply need to chew a few leaves for a number of months, then it is guaranteed to help your body effectively. You can also prepare tea from holly basil leaves by simply boiling a few leaves from the bunch. It is recommended to use clean water. The tea needs to be consumed while still fresh, and if the tea lasts for more than three days it is advisable to use fresh leaves to make more tea.

Another easier method is by taking supplements of holly basil recommended by doctors and commonly used in the markets, especially for children, as they tend to hate the taste of the leaf in their mouth. When preparing it for children, one can also use sugar to enhance its consumption for the children. Holly basil is one of the natural ways that has been used for many centuries even before the invention of artificial medicines were discovered.

Asian Ginseng

Asian ginseng has a variety of names, like panax ginseng and Korean red ginseng. This drink is advisable to be used by old people and people that have their brains working hard day. Asian ginseng is a drink that was discovered by Asian people to calm their nerves from stress levels, because it balances the stress levels in their body. It does this by maintaining the adrenal gland as it acts as an adaptation for maintaining body levels. Most Asians use Asian ginseng tea, especially during the cold season, because it stimulates one’s body and ensures that the body and the brain are stimulated to be able to think through the cold season.

It is also believed that taking Asian ginseng helps in clearing all the symptoms of menopause during the early stages. As for women that are experiencing abdominal pain, they are recommended to take Asian ginseng to help them return it to its proper functions. Also, taking Asian ginseng helps mothers that have already given birth by helping them get rid of excess blood in their body without having to endure discomfort. Plus, when they are experiencing labor, they are encouraged to take Asian ginseng because it helps in increasing the hormones that increase the diameter of the cervix. This can result in one being able to deliver without having to suffer as much pain during labor.

Asian ginseng has helped men to increase their sperm count by increasing the production of hormones that help produce sperm. Asian ginseng is best known to improve mortality rate. In ancient times, men used to drink only Asian tea because they were required to increase the mortality rate in their villages. Later on, medical doctors discovered that this is because the use of Asian ginseng helped in the production of hormones that improved the ovaries in women and the level of sperm in men.

The herb should be taken in cycles. It is recommended to take at least two hundred to three hundred milligrams of its extract. The procedure for using this extract is to take two to three cups of the extract per week for three weeks, and then give your body a rest for some three to four months consecutively. Body rest is necessary during the process in order to allow the body to be able to produce the hormones required for the body to function properly.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, commonly known as Withania somnifera is a very popular Ayurvedic herb that helps to increase your energy level, especially for youth and athletes. It reduces stress for people that live under a lot of pressure as a result of basic life endeavors. It also reduces fatigue in their body. Medical scientists have opted to prescribe it to people so they can use it for improving their bodies. Ashwagandha helps in the production of adaptogens and reduces the level of estrogen in the body to promote proper functioning of the body.

It is also advisable to use healthy fats, like those found in avocado, as you also take ashwagandha on a daily basis. It is also advisable to include foods rich in fibers, like cabbage, during the day as you consume ashwagandha tea, the root is found to be rather bitter, so it is advisable to add sweetener, like sugar or honey, to make the tea palatable for children.

As for women that are taking birth control pills, it is advisable to make good use of ashwagandha, because it helps in controlling the effects that are brought about as a result of the use of birth control pills. It is also advisable to avoid the use of caffeine during the period that you are using ashwagandha, as it is a stronger additive. It lowers the cortisol level and increases the function of the thyroid gland. The use of the herb makes one’s hormonal levels become balanced, and also makes one’s brain function properly so as to be able to function efficiently during the day.

It is also advisable to manage your stress and get proper sleep, because the consumption of ashwagandha greatly improves one’s ability for relaxing his or her body. The use of fermented soy products also greatly improves the ability to decrease menopausal symptoms, and decrease the severity of cramps during the menstrual cycle. One should consult a doctor first before taking ashwagandha, because consuming this product blindly might lead to one taking the product without the needing to.

Take ashwagandha twice after every few months, if you consume it frequently you might end up suffering from a side effect that occurs after taking the product, and the body may possibly produce excess hormones. This may lead to one suffering from diseases that are a result of an organic imbalance, like diabetes and brain dysfunction.

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