HORMONE HAVOC?
We are that lucky, we get to ride this rollercoaster most of our lives, you may think that it sounds like anything but luck. It can be challenging for most women, but I have some tips you may not know of that are easily habitual and can help, if not you, then maybe friends or family you know who may be struggling.
The most challenging stage of a women hormones is around the Perimenopause up to the Postmenopause right? Agree?
When you are striving to be your best in the workplace and your hormones come along without warning to blow up your day, week or month.
First of all, you are not alone, your symptoms may not match your colleagues, but you are not alone.
You are individual, the tips and hacks may help, you may have tried them before. It is always worth looking at what you can adjust though.
Did you know there are over 200 hormones and hormone like substance in our bodies. The one you probably know about is OESTROGEN. It is the YOUNG hormone that protects our heart, brain, bones and nervous system. When it declines even slightly, our moods are affected. It is never a stable decline either, it is up and down. (Fun eh)
Hormones are produced by the endocrine glands that play a significant role in regulating various processes in the body, this includes metabolism, appetite, reproduction, mood, growth, body temperature and not forgetting cognitive performance. (Brain fog) Ok, so enough of the hormone lesson, how do we find a balance?
Well, simply put, it is all about trial and error, we ladies are such incredible beings and we all show different symptoms at different levels. The basics though, work on us all. …
SO, the foods to avoid. …
The usual culprits for most I am afraid.
Red Meat in excess
Consuming too much meat can disrupt hormonal balance as it increases the production of oestrogen levels in your body.
Processed foods
They usually contain high amounts of sodium, sugar, and preservatives, this includes products such as cookies, ready-to-eat meals, curated sausages, and pastries.
When you eat sugar and processed foods, they affect hormone function by increasing inflammation and stress to the adrenal glands, putting you at risk of unintentional weight gain and severe hormonal imbalance.
You may not know these culprits. …
White potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are all a part of this botanical family called the “NIGHTSHADES”. The majority of hormone problems are somewhere on the autoimmune-inflammation spectrum,
with the most common being Hashimoto’s disease. Instead of nightshades, I suggest focusing on sea vegetables such as nori, kelp, kombutcha.These superfoods are amazing thyroid hormone boosters and detoxifiers.
Sugar
We all know this one, the food that wreaks havoc on your hormones. Sugar leads to the spikes of the hormone insulin, which works to move the sugar out of the blood stream and into the cells.
Normally, the body needs to have a balanced intake of sugars, proteins, and fats to choose from to get energy.
Oils
Inflammatory oils in foods need addressing, try to read the labels and avoid cheap oils that are used in our foods, soybean, corn, canola, sunflower, safflower and palm oil.
These oils have unstable fats and will decimate the nutritional properties of your food.
Olive oil is one of the best oils to consume as it is heart-healthy with little to no saturated or trans fats, avocado oil and coconut if you use sparingly.
Alcohol
Anyone who’s had a night out with a few cocktails knows that alcohol interferes with your brain and that leads to an interference with your hypothalamus and pituitary gland,
aka the parts of your brain that tell your body when to make the hormones it needs. This in excess will lead to cravings, sleepless nights, resulting in weight gain and increase in symptoms.
Spice
Try to minimise as they can increase the body temperature and if you already suffer with this as a symptom you will increase the heat;(
The ones to INCLUDE that may help. ..
Black cohosh, dong quai, evening primrose, hops, Korean ginseng, linseed (flaxseed), red clover, St John’s wort and wild yam.
SUMMARY
The best thing to do for hormone health. …
Small portions x three -four of fresh unprocessed foods 80% of the time.
Exercise daily, steps 10,000 a day is the base line
Hydrate with 1.5-2 litres clean fluids a day
Sleep 6-9 hours of core to deep sleep .(learn more about sleep on our downloadable help sheet.
Talk with someone about what you are going through, you are not alone.
Watch out for inflammatory oils and read labels as much as you can. Wash your fruit and veg before cooking and eating.
Remember
Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day
Dm me for a more personalised plan.
Maria
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