Our Chemical Body Messengers – Journey of Hormones
Ever felt like you suddenly switch to another planet sometimes? All goes awry, you sleep patterns get scattered and you have lost your once robust appetite. In addition, the stress has made your metabolism slower and reproductive issues seem to have emerged. One minute you’re fine, and then you suddenly feel low.
Chemical messengers, known as hormones, in our bodies affect our everyday health. Our organs and glands secrete hormones. In a slight state of imbalance, it can lead to intense health problems. Hormonal imbalances are caused by a wide range of factors inclusive of diet, genetics, stress levels and toxin exposure. Together with thinning hair, anxiety, and irregular heartbeats, the symptoms are bound to lead to mood swings.
Ways to Balance the Hormone Rollercoaster
Natasha Turner, a naturopathic doctor explains in her book The Hormone Diet that balancing hormones can cure multiple diseases and maintain a good sleep pattern, leaving you with glowing skin and healthy hair, based on scientific evidence
1. Exercise for Better Health
Exercise balances hormones, reducing inflammation and maintaining a healthy weight, lowering stress and regulating appetite as well as aiding in better sleep patterns.
2. Get Enough Sleep
Get at least seven or eight hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep contributes to hormonal imbalances. Sleep helps with keeping a balance of stress hormones, building energy, and allowing body recovery. Excessive stress combined with poor sleep is linked to a decreased immunity level, work performance levels, anxiety, depression, and weight gain. Balancing hormones related to stress according to Dr. Jack Kruse, a neurosurgeon and health educator, will reduce inflammation levels, diabetes risks, and joint problems.
3. Reduce Your Alcohol and Caffeine Intake
A caffeine intake of moderate amounts might be okay for some. But don’t overdo it. Caffeine stays in the system about six hours. The chemical can raise the heart rate, cause central nervous system disorders and increase alertness. It changes the way hormones are produced by the brain.
In addition, watch your level of alcohol intake as high levels will have an impact on liver functions and interfere with the functioning of the pancreatic system, it lowers testerone levels and contributes to anxiety as well as malnutrition. The liver is a key organ for hormonal balance with over five hundred functions.
4. Reduce Your Salt and Sugar Intake
Limiting salt will reduce brain water retention and bloating. This may ease physical as well as emotional symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance. Also, you should pay attention to your sugar intake and don’t go overboard with it.
5. Take Vitamin Supplements
Women should increase their Vitamin B6 intake – either by supplements or by adding beans, nuts, and fortified cereals and bread to their diets. Increasing zinc levels with poultry, nuts, whole grains and seafood is also a good idea. Magnesium can be found in nuts, whole grains as well as vegetables. A vitamin D boost is helpful. The best way is by getting exposure to sunshine or with a supplement if you live in an area with a lack of sunshine.
