We need protein to make the amino acids that manufacture our hormones.Without protein women can’t be hormonally healthy.We make a wide variety of hormones that circulate throughout our bodies to help with growth, mood, sexual function and metabolism. It’s a complicated web that can be easily thrown off kilter, leading to symptoms that can disrupt our fertility, weight, menstrual cycles and our ability to cope with stress. Food is an incredibly helpful tool when dealing with hormone imbalances and today, we’re going to share our best hormone balancing foods with you.Eating protein provides your body with amino acids that are used to produce specific hormones, including insulin and growth hormone.

A lack of protein causes us to age prematurely, both in how we look and feel and in terms of our biological age – our eggs and fertility.Different bodies need different kinds of protein and at different times of the cycle.  You have to experiment to find your perfect protein prescription.If you’re needing some health upgrading, it’s time you started you looking into what’s going on with your hormones.

If you struggle to get out of bed in the morning or hit snooze multiple times before starting your day, then it’s a clear sign your circadian hormone output is out of whack. Specific hormones are produced in a cyclical or circadian pattern every day, and if their rhythm gets altered you’ll start to feel sluggish, fatigued or fail to thrive.

Ironically, if you’re busy and stressed, you normally reach for MORE coffee during the day to boost your brain and energy, and subsequently MORE alcohol in the evening to unwind and take the edge off. This is the perfect storm for circadian disruption. (Not to mention research shows drinking more than 4 cups per day is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

What causes these hormones to fluctuate? Well, many things, including:

• high stress levels
• poor gut health
• vitamin D deficiency, tied to too little UV light exposure or obesity
• a lack of sleep, or too little rest and relaxation
• too much or too little exercise
• environmental exposure to toxins
• unhealthy lifestyle choices including smoking, high alcohol consumption, or using drugs
• genetics
• aging

This article will show you 12 natural ways to balance your hormones.

1. Eat Enough Protein at Every Meal

2. Engage in Regular Exercise

3. Avoid Sugar and Refined Carbs

4. Learn to Manage Stress

5. Consume Healthy Fats

6. Avoid Overeating and Undereating

7. Drink Green Tea

8. Eat Fatty Fish Often

9. Get Consistent, High-Quality Sleep

10. Stay Away From Sugary Beverages

11. Consume a High-Fiber Diet

12. Eat Eggs Anytime

Eggs are extremely nutritious and may help reduce insulin resistance, suppress your appetite and make you feel full.Your hormones are involved in every aspect of your health. You need them in very specific amounts for your body to function optimally.Hormonal imbalances may increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other health problems.

Despite the fact that aging and other factors are beyond your control, there are many steps you can take to help your hormones function optimally.Consuming nutritious foods, exercising on a regular basis and engaging in other healthy behaviors can go a long way toward improving your hormonal health.

BEST HORMONE BALANCING FOODS

SEX HORMONES

What Are They: Our sex hormones manage our reproduction, the development of sex characteristics (eg breast and hips) and sexual motivation. Some of the main hormones are estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

How Do They Get Out of Whack? Our sex hormone levels can change naturally during different stages of life (eg puberty or menopause), but they can also be thrown out of balance by diet, lifestyle and our exposure to toxins.

BEST SEX HORMONE BALANCING FOODS

Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats and contain phytoestrogens, which are plant-based compounds that mimic estrogen, bind to our estrogen receptors and help us excrete excess estrogen from the body. They can also help improve or prevent additional hormone-related issues including breast cancer, menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis.

Wild Salmon

Salmon is an excellent source of Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin that helps us make our sex hormones. and boost testosterone levels. Vitamin D is important for bone health and immunity, too. Salmon is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce our risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Organic Tempeh

Soy is a controversial topic for many reasons, including genetic modification and allergies, but when you choose good sources like organic miso and tempeh you can garner the positive benefits of soy’s isflavones, which have phytoestrogenic properties and can reduce the risk of breast cancer. The source of soy is definitely important – and a fermented choice like tempeh or miso will bring you the beneficial probiotics that improve digestion and mood. Balanced digestive flora also reduces the activity of an enzyme called beta-glucaronidase, which is linked to estrogen-related cancers.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables (which also includes cauliflower, kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts). Crucifers are rich in glucosinolates, which are sulphur compounds that help to neutralize and eliminate carcinogens, as well as isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol (I3C) – important nutrients that prevents estrogen-related cancers. Broccoli is also high in fibre, which helps us eliminate excess estrogen through our bowel movements.

Lentils

These little gems are a great source of protein and fibre, which can reduce estrogen levels. Lentils (and sunflower seeds below) contain zinc too, which raises testosterone.

Sunflower Seeds

These are high in Vitamin E, an antioxidant that is important in estrogen production and may reduce breast cancer risk. It also helps to boost progesterone.

Sweet Potatoes

Love these tubers already? Now you have another reason – they are high in Vitamin B6, a vitamin that helps with liver detoxification. Other foods rich in Vitamin B 6 include spinach, turkey and chicken. Any food that aids with liver detox is going to also help rid us of any excess hormones. You can read up on more detoxifying foods here.

While we do not yet understand the effect of all forms of protein on different hormones, we’ll explore the effect of certain protein sources on estrogen, thyroid, and insulin.

Adaptogenic vegan protein sources

1. Pea protein

2. Lentils and other legumes

3. Seeds

4. Hemp protein

5. Nuts

THYROID HORMONES
What Are They: Thyroid hormones are responsible for energy and metabolism. They include T3, T4 and calcitonin. TSH, which is produced in the pituitary, helps to regulate the thyroid.

How Do They Get Out of Whack? Iodine deficiency, an inability to produce the proper amount of thyroid hormones, autoimmunity when the body attacks thyroid tissue, a growth in the thyroid.

BEST THYROID HORMONE BALANCING FOODS
Seaweed
Sea vegetables (nori, wakame, dulse, arame, kombu, hikiji, etc.) are amazing sources of iodine, an important mineral that helps us manufacture our thyroid hormones.

Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts are packed with selenium, an antioxidant that protects the thyroid gland and helps the body convert T4 into T3, the active form of the thyroid hormone. Having just a couple of Brazil nuts each day is enough to meet your selenium needs and they taste delicious, so this is very easy to do!

Sardines
People with an underactive thyroid tend to have low levels of B12, and sardines are a great source of this important nutrient. Sardines also contain a good amount of selenium and a small quantity of iodine, so they are an overall thyroid-supportive food.

Spinach
Iron-rich foods like spinach help to enhance thyroid function and aid the production of thyroid hormones. Its iron content, as well as the range of B vitamins, can also offer an energy boost to those who are feeling sluggish and tired.

Quinoa
Quinoa is definitely a superfood, with a broad spectrum of minerals, protein and fibre. A slow thyroid can also slow down digestion, leading to constipation. Quinoa’s high fibre content can get the bowels moving, and it’s a good source of zinc, another mineral that assists us with thyroid hormone production.

ADRENAL HORMONES
What Are They: The adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys. They are responsible for helping us manage stress, regulating our blood sugar and blood pressure, and help us produce sex hormones. Adrenal hormones include cortisol, adrenaline, DHEA, aldosterone and norephinephrine.

How Do They Get Out of Whack? Chronic physical and emotional stress, lack of sleep, poor diet (including excessive sugar, which sets off blood sugar imbalance)

BEST ADRENAL HORMONE BALANCING FOODS
Bell Peppers
These sweet peppers give us a boost of Vitamin C, an antioxidant vitamin that is essential to the function of the adrenal glands. We store a load of Vitamin C in our adrenals and when we are stressed, we use up a lot of it. Vitamin C-rich foods like bell peppers offer us replenishment, along with a spate of B vitamins that will offer us energy and help us reduce stress levels.

Kale
Dark leafy greens such as kale provide a wide spectrum of nutrients, in particular the antioxidant Vitamins K, A and C. Similar to bell peppers, kale’s Vitamin C will help shore up our adrenals and its B vitamins will nourish our nervous systems. These antioxidants also help to combat the damage caused by stress.

Avocado
Blood sugar imbalances can disrupt our adrenal hormones. Sugary foods in particular will affect our blood sugar levels. Avocados are a rich source of healthy fats that will help keep our blood sugar levels even, and will support our nervous system function. They also contain Vitamin B5, otherwise known as pantothenic acid, a stress-fighting B vitamin that helps us handle stress.

Almonds
These are another nutritious fat that will help to balance blood sugar levels , aid the nervous system and combat inflammation.

Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are a source of magnesium. When we are stressed, we can deplete our magnesium levels. Magnesium is our anti-stress mineral that works alongside Vitamin C and Vitamin B5 to support the adrenal glands and lower stress levels. In short, magnesium-rich foods like pumpkin seeds can help us relax!

Eggs
Reach for eggs to grab a dose of choline, a vitamin that helps us produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is essential to the nervous system, brain health, memory and development. They also contain omega 3 fatty acids, the anti-inflammatory fats that support the brain. When our minds and nervous systems are healthy, we are better able to cope with stress. Aim to buy organic, pasture-raised eggs instead of conventional.

Millet
Millet is a gluten-free whole grain that contains a wide spectrum of B vitamins that will support our nerves and brains in times of stress. It also contains magnesium and fibre, which contributes to balanced blood sugar.

Sea Salt
Aldosterone, one of our adrenal hormones, is responsible for fluid balance and blood pressure. If our adrenals aren’t functioning well and aldosterone levels fall, we can secrete more sodium, leading to salt cravings. A good dash of sea salt to your food or even a glass of water will help to replenish sodium levels and offer trace minerals. You can also try seaweeds or miso for their salt content.

Our hormones are a complicated business and it’s important to work with a qualified health practitioner to ensure you are able to properly correct any imbalances. Once you know which hormones are out of whack, you can use hormone-balancing foods to bring your health into harmony.

Today’s food production is loaded with inflammatory foods such as sugar, fast food transfats and animal protein that’s filled with hormones and antibiotics. The average person’s omega-6 ratio is too high, so the key is to consume more omega-3 (from salmon, sardines and walnuts) and eat organic and grass-fed protein sources to eliminate unnecessary inflammation. Additionally, GLA, a healthy omega-6 fat, can be supplemented through evening primrose oil and hemp seeds while avoiding inflammatory oils such as safflower, sunflower, corn, canola and soybean. For women who struggle with menstrual cycle symptoms, it’s important to note that these essential fatty acids help reduce menstrual cramps and PMS when the ratio is balanced.