An imbalance in your hormones can have several different causes and as a result many women suffer with conditions which are linked to hormone imbalance. This article highlights a few possibilities to balancing hormones naturally.

A few conditions that can be caused by a hormone imbalance are:

Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)                        Endometriosis               Fibroids

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)                Ovarian Cysts                Infertility

Breast tenderness                                              Heavy periods               Irregular periods

Menopausal symptoms                                       Depression                    Acne

There is much you can do with your diet to improve hormone balance and alleviate the severity of hormonal symptoms

• Increase your intake of fibre from fruit and vegetables, wholegrains (wholemeal bread and pasta, brown rice and oats). Fibre helps your body excrete old hormones which otherwise are reabsorbed from the gut back into the bloodstream

• Eat foods that are high in phytoestrogens they have a hormone balancing effect on the body. Phytoestrogens are found in foods made from soya, berries, nuts, beans, lentils, chickpeas, seeds (especially flaxseed), apples and oats

• Drink plenty of water to help the body transport nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells.

• Cut down on your intake of sugar and foods and drink high in sugar (pastries, sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks, alcohol) as these upset your blood sugar balance and exacerbate symptoms

• Eat plenty of oily fish, nuts and seeds. They contain good fats which support the body in effective hormone signaling and balance. Good fats also reduce inflammation which will help with conditions such as acne, endometriosis and depression

• Support your liver as it is responsible for disposing of old hormones as well as toxins and waste products. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage enhance liver detoxification, as do sulphurous foods such as eggs, onions and garlic

• Cut down on your caffeine intake (tea, coffee, cola, chocolate) as it can make symptoms, especially breast pain and heavy periods, worse as well as upsetting blood sugar balance

• Make sure your diet is rich in the following nutrients:

• Vitamin B6 found in poultry, pulses, fish, green vegetables
• Magnesium found in dark green leafy vegetables, oats, nuts, seeds
• Zinc found in animal protein, nuts and seeds
• Vitamin E found in avocadoes, almonds and spinach
• Calcium found in dairy products and dark green leafy vegetables

Stress is also linked to hormone imbalance so try to avoid it where possible, and make a conscious effort to build relaxation into your day by walking, taking baths, reading, pilates, yoga or meditation.

If you would like more advice on any of the points mentioned in this article or would like to find out how nutrition can support health issues please contact Emily on 07967 639347 or email emily@4wellpeople.co.uk. I offer one to one consultations from a family friendly clinic in Ealing. Find out more about nutritional therapy.