Live life to the fullest — treat hormone imbalances naturally and safely
Hormones dictate a whole host of body functions — from regulating sleep patterns, managing appetite, stress regulation, and almost every other core function of your body.
These powerful chemical messengers secreted by the endocrine system travel through the body, signalling different tissues and organs to operate optimally to support overall health and well-being.
For instance, hormones secreted by the thyroid control energy levels, body temperature and metabolism. Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, regulates your reaction to psychological and physical distress. With possible ramifications such as these, it is critical to treat hormone imbalances as soon as they are detected.
The importance of hormones
When hormones are balanced, they work harmoniously, executing each bodily function with precision. Hormonal imbalances occur if your body creates too much or too little of a particular hormone. When treating hormone imbalances, it is important to remember that women and men are affected in different ways, for example. women more often experience imbalances in their oestrogen and progesterone levels, whereas testosterone imbalances more commonly affect men.
Even minuscule changes in your hormone levels can trigger adverse effects, which, compounded over time, can * change to may (may lead to) lead to chronic health issues. With possible symptoms including depression, mood swings, weight gain, infertility and anxiety, the aftermath of a hormonal imbalance can be debilitating to some people. Although lifestyle changes can potentially manage mild cases of hormonal imbalances, any supplementation for hormonal imbalances must always be handled by a professional and trained healthcare practitioner, and it is prudent to work cooperatively with your doctor when treating hormone imbalances.
Treating hormonal imbalances the right way
Extreme cases of hormonal imbalances need medical intervention, while mild symptoms of hormonal imbalances can be eased by managing specific lifestyle factors that can influence hormone levels. While you must speak to a doctor before initiating any DIY hormonal treatments, be aware of the following factors that may contribute to imbalances:
- Sleep
Sleep is crucial to good health and plays a vital role in treating hormonal imbalances. Levels of some of the body’s hormones may rise and fall throughout the day in response to one’s sleep quality. For instance, a lack of sleep can influence cortisol levels. Deep, restful sleep allows your body to release cortisol shortly after you wake up. However, sleep deprivation overstimulates your cortisol levels, producing excess hormones that increase stress and anxiety.
- Melatonin
The sleep hormone, aka melatonin, regulates your sleeping and waking patterns, which are, in turn, influenced by your body’s circadian rhythm. Sources of light, such as the blue light from sunshine, determine melatonin levels, generally reducing melatonin levels in the morning and increasing melatonin levels at night.
Exposure to artificial sources of blue light generated by computer screens or cell phones wreaks havoc on the sleep cycle delaying the production of melatonin and disturbing sleep — so you’re wide awake when you should be asleep. Reducing screen time before bed and creating a tranquil sleeping environment can help treat hormone imbalances.
- Exercising
An early morning jog, a hike through the woods or even sweating it out in your living room can assist with treating hormonal imbalances naturally. Exercise reduces stress levels and helps in regulating important hormones such as insulin. A note of caution, a fitness regime that incorporates excessive high-impact exercises could produce excess adrenaline and cortisol. Moderation and regularity are the golden rules by which you can harness the benefits offered by physical exercise.
- Diet
Hormone levels are affected by the food we eat — a balanced, healthy diet can keep your hormones in balance, whereas overindulging in processed foods and sugar can negatively impact hormone production. Removing sugar from your diet can help when treating hormonal imbalances, as it keeps hormones such as insulin in check.
Sources of sugar such as high-fructose corn syrup and refined sugar cause insulin levels to soar, which can be detrimental to health in the long run.Incorporating healthy fats such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds could balance hormones that regulate appetite, digestion and metabolism. For instance, a diet rich in fish oils keeps the body nourished and functioning at its best. A clean diet with healthy portions of dark, leafy greens, fresh fruit and vegetables, protein, and carbs facilitates health and well-being.
- Smoking, alcohol and caffeine
Consumption of alcohol can hinder the normal functioning of hormone-producing glands and result in health complications. Alcohol changes blood sugar levels and raises oestrogen levels, which can trigger headaches, alleviate symptoms of PMS and extend periods.
Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands to release excess cortisol, creating a sudden burst of energy but eventually causing the notorious caffeine crash. Consuming an early morning ‘cup of joe’ might be delicious on the palate but may can lead to adrenal fatigue and elevated levels of stress hormones.
Smoking is another culprit that creates hormonal imbalances. The body is a fine-tuned machine, and the chemical components of cigarettes can harm important physiological functions. Like caffeine, nicotine can impact the endocrine system, leading to the overproduction of cortisol, which induces stress and anxiety.
- Natural supplements
Adding high-quality hormonal balance supplements can help support and maintain healthy hormone levels. Certain herbs and spices are said to hold the potential to assist and foster general well-being. Before incorporating any hormonal balance supplements into your daily regime, it is crucial to consult your doctor or a certified medical practitioner to avoid complications or adverse side effects.
Treating hormonal imbalances the wrong way
When treating hormonal imbalances, always consult your doctor to ensure that your symptoms are managed safely. Self-diagnosis should be avoided, and information obtained from unregulated sources should be disregarded.
- Artificial supplementation
Ingesting artificial supplements designed to regulate hormones can disrupt normal bodily functions. Introducing an artificial dose of hormones reduces your own internal production of that specific hormone, which can negatively affect your body's natural mechanisms, and over time, could hinder the ability of your body to produce the hormone you’re supplementing for. Further, artificial hormonal supplementation (may lead) can lead to a dangerous spike in the levels of that particular hormone which could lead to the down-regulation of the hormone’s respective receptors. The loss in sensitivity of hormone receptors (may lead) can lead to the development of hormone resistance problems.
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