What to do about hormones imbalances!

What are hormonal imbalances?

Our hormones dictate our appetite, sleep patterns, how we respond to stress, our libido, whether we’re happy or anxious, and everything in between.

The main causes of hormonal imbalances are issues with the thyroid, stress, and eating disorders. Some symptoms include irregular periods, low sex-drive, unexplained weight gain, and mood swings. 

The main causes of hormonal imbalances are issues with the thyroid, stress, and eating disorders. Some symptoms include irregular periods, low sex-drive, unexplained weight gain, and mood swings.

Your hormones, which your endocrine system makes, are your body’s messengers. They travel throughout your body, helping control the functions of your major processes and maintain balance within your body. They help manage energy levels, metabolism, reproduction, and more.

If your endocrine system makes too much or too little of a hormone, you develop a hormonal imbalance. Even small imbalances can create problems, such as health issues, early onset menopause, or ovarian cancer. There are many signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalances in women, as well as many different causes. Diagnosing the imbalance and finding the cause can lead to a treatment that restores proper balance and health.

Quick tips to manage hormonal imbalances

1. Make sure you eat enough protein - eating protein decreases hunger hormones.
2. Eat a plant-based diet - a number of studies have shown that vegetarian diets may benefit the gut microbiome, which may be due to their high fiber content. For non-vegans, add more fiber to your daily intake.
3. Daily walks or regular exercises - good for the body & the soul. Staying active has a multitude of benefits. 
4. Get high-quality sleep - your brain needs uninterrupted sleep to go through all five stages of each sleep cycle. This is especially important for the release of growth hormones, which occurs mainly at night during deep sleep.
5. Reduce cortisol, the stress hormone -  chronic stress causes cortisol levels to remain elevated, which stimulates appetite and increases your intake of sugary and high-fat foods. In turn, this may lead to excessive calorie intake and obesity.
6. Take better care of your gut health - Eat more fermented foods, fruits and vegetables are the best sources of nutrients for a healthy microbiome. Raspberries, artichokes, green peas, broccoli, chickpeas, lentils, beans, whole grains, bananas, apples, blueberries, almonds, and pistachios. 

When in doubt, talk to your physician. The team at Emani is all about helping others to live a healthier and happier life.