Spring isn’t just a time to clean up your house and diet, it can also be a great time to get your hormones in check. Many people don’t give a second thought to their hormones, but hormones actually regulate a ton of functions in your body. When your endocrine system (the glands that produce hormones) gets out of sync, it can affect everything from your mood and energy level to your risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Fixing a hormonal imbalance naturally is a lot easier and a lot more beneficial than many women realize. Give these three natural remedies for hormonal imbalance below a try so you can be a little happier and healthier.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend these products because they are products that I personally use or companies that I have found trustworthy.
(I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on the internet. Please check with your health care provider before you take any supplements or change your health care routine.)
Natural Remedies for Hormonal Imbalance
Boost Your Happy Hormones
Serotonin and endorphins are the happy hormones of our bodies. These hormones are largely effected by the food we eat and the supplements we choose to take. By boosting these two hormones, you are getting the hormones you want and suppressing the ones you don’t. To boost your endorphins, consider eating some spicy food. Spicy foods and spices contain capsaicin, a compound that has been shown to increase endorphins. Serotonin, on the other hand, has been shown to be affected by the level of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D we get. The official recommendation for vitamin D is 600 IU a day for most adults, however, many physicians and nutritionists suggest closer to 1000 IU, and up to 2000 IU. To get the recommended omega-3 fatty acids, try incorporating fatty fish like tuna and salmon into your diet at least three times a week. If that doesn’t seem do-able, look into a pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement with vitamin D.
I like the fish oil supplements with vitamin D from Vitacost.
Watch the Estrogen
One of the main hormonal imbalances in women is having excess estrogen, the main hormone associated with women. Excess estrogen can cause a whole host of issues – from fatigue, stress and anxiety, to weight gain and menstrual cramps. Avoiding excess estrogen from our environment is key. Many of the chemicals in beauty products we put on our bodies, the cleaning products we use in our homes, and the meat from conventionally farmed sources that we eat can mimic estrogen in our bodies. Try to eat organically, with your meat being grass fed and/or pasture raised. Choose organic and natural beauty products that are free from dangerous estrogen causing chemicals (check out my post The Best All Natural Makeup and Skin Care Brands for make-up brands to try) and make your own cleaning products (or buy chemical free/natural versions) with baking soda, vinegar and water.
Cortisol Control
Cortisol, the hormone that we most associate with stress and storing fat, can cause issues with your blood sugar levels, creating a hormonal imbalance. Cortisol takes stored sugar (glycogen) and turns it into glucose (sugar) to give your brain energy. When you run out of glucose to function (from not eating enough low sugar energy food sources), cortisol comes in to help. If people don’t eat frequently enough, or only eat sugary (blood sugar spiking) foods, it can create blood sugar swings the create cortisol spikes when all of the sugar is quickly used up. Cortisol spikes can disrupt your sleep and make you feel tired and anxious all day.
Try to eat low sugar, high nutrient foods like lean protein, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables every three to four hours to keep your blood sugar and cortisol levels in check. Avoid simple carbohydrates and sugars like white bread and rice, candy and baked goods that will only spike and then instantly drop your blood sugar levels.
These three natural remedies for hormonal imbalance are easy to incorporate into your life and will make a huge impact in the way you feel overall. Let me know in the comments if you have tried any of them and if they’ve made a difference for you.
