Whether you have premenstrual cramps or hot flashes, or still acne, you may suffer from hormonal imbalance. Even if having discomforts around your periods or close to your menopause is something widespread, it's not a requirement.
Many things can cause disruptions in your hormonal cycles, and diet has a considerable influence.
Alcohol
It takes a lot of work for the liver to metabolize from alcoholic beverages. This marvelous organ is also responsible for the production and management of hormones, among other vital functions. If the liver is too busy to detoxify from alcohol, the overloading will alter its duties, and symptoms of hormonal imbalance may appear. Without forgetting that alcohol is also sugar and though will unbalance different functions in your body.
For many women, alcohol will disturb sleep as well. Not so good especially if you are in your menopause.
Sugar
This empty calorie food is accountable for type 2 diabetes, cravings, and weight gain that affect hormone regulation and a big trigger for premenstrual syndrome, acne, depression, or even fatigue.
High blood sugar is also linked to insulin resistance that is a significant cause of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).
Sugar is highly inflammatory and can cause many disruptions, especially in the guts, where the microbiome plays an essential role in the excretion of estrogen.
Lack of fiber such as fruits and vegetables and high in processed food
Eating eight servings of fruits and vegetables is key to getting sufficient phytonutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and fiber. These are essential to hormone regulation, intestinal transit, and many more. In high estrogen levels, fiber plays a massive role in hormone regulation and allows the elimination of bad estrogen.
Plant-based food is also rich in phytoestrogen that has a positive effect on estrogen control. It has been a controversial subject for many years. Still, research has now proved that phytoestrogens can reduce cholesterol levels, osteoporosis risks, menopausal symptoms, and even breast cancer.
Sedentary
It's no surprise that the lack of exercise has a significant incidence on health overall. And for many reasons, hormones are hardly impacted by sedentary. Engaging in exercise activity helps to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin levels. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect that makes it interesting to regulate metabolism.
Stress
While stress response is natural, chronic stress is a vicious cycle for your health. As cortisol and adrenaline are meant to save your life in a dangerous situation, they also negatively affect your metabolism. Over time, high cortisol levels would alter insulin sensitivity, and high adrenaline levels would influence blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety.
Those five habits together may be the cause of your hormonal imbalance. Engaging in stress-reduction activities such as meditation, yoga, or exercise and adopt a healthy diet are vital for taking good care of your hormones.