Hormones can have a massive effect on our mental and physical health. These chemicals play a major role in controlling your appetite, weight, mood among other things. Trying to keep them under control can be an uphill struggle for some of so I have listed a few ways that should help balance your hormones naturally.

Eat enough protein – Consuming enough protein is extremely important to maintain muscle, bone and teeth. Also eating plenty of protein decreases the level of our ‘hunger hormone’ and stimulates the hormones that make you feel full. So starting today increase your protein rich foods, eggs, seafood and white meat etc.

Do regular exercise – Physical exercise can strongly influence your hormonal health. Being physically active will help boost muscle maintaining hormones that naturally decline with age. For people who are unable to perform more vigorous exercise will still benefit from walking and should also increase these hormones.

Avoid sugar and refined carbs – Sugar and refined carbs ( white bread, pasta, rice and sugar sweetened drinks) have been linked to a number of health problems. Avoiding or reducing these types of foods can help improve hormone function and help with obesity, diabetes and other diseases.

Try to manage Stress – Managing stress can be easier said than done, but it can play havoc with our hormones. The two major hormones affected by stress are cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol is the stress hormone, which helps your body cope with stress over the long term. Adrenaline is the ‘fight or flight hormone. Chronic stress causes our cortisol levels to rise which can lead to excessive calorie intake and weight gain, particularly around the belly region.

Avoid overeating and undereating – Eating too much or too little may result in hormonal shifts that can cause weight problems. Cutting your calorie intake too much can increase levels of the stress hormone which can lead to weight gain. Interestingly though, fasting can help balance out hormones when followed through correctly. Eating a balanced diet within in your own calorie range (if you work with calories) is the best way to balance your hormones out and keep to a healthy weight.

Get a good nights sleep -No matter how nutritious your diet is and how much exercise you get, your health will suffer if you do not get enough sleep.  Poor sleep has been linked to imbalances in many hormones including, insulin, cortisol and growth hormones. Your brain needs uninterrupted sleep so that it can naturally go all through the stages of your sleep cycle. We should be aiming for at least 7 hours quality sleep a night.

Never underestimate the impact hormones can have on our mind and body, but there are always natural ways to help them along.

Bev