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When you have too much or too little of a hormone in your bloodstream, it leads to the development of hormonal imbalances. You probably already know that hormones play an essential role in the functioning of the body. Hence, even minute hormonal imbalances can cause an overall decline in health.
What are hormones?
Hormones are essentially chemicals that are produced by glands in the endocrine system. They usually travel from the bloodstream to the tissues and organs, delivering messages that tell the organs what to do and when to do it.
The effect of hormonal imbalance
Hormones are mandatory for regulating crucial bodily processes. So, a hormonal imbalance can affect a wide range of bodily functions. Hormones assist the regulation of metabolism, heart rate, sleep cycle, reproductive cycle, sexual function, general growth, physical development, stress level and body temperature. Hence, suffering from a hormonal imbalance often leads to symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, high blood pressure, headaches and much more.
Foods for hormonal imbalance
Following are the recommended superfoods to help you manage hormonal imbalance:
1. Almonds
Almonds act as a helping hand in the regulation of blood sugar levels. In the long term, it can reduce the risk of developing type II diabetes. They also help in reducing bad cholesterol in the body. You do, however, need to enjoy almonds in moderation because they’re high in calories.
2. Avocado
Avocado is considered to be one of the healthiest fruits in the world. It is rich in healthy fats and fibre. Avocado brings down the absorption of estrogen and uplifts testosterone levels. It also improves heart health. Avocados are high in calories and must be consumed in moderation. Eating one-fourth of an avocado daily can be beneficial for your health.
3. Broccoli
Broccoli has a significant impact on our hormone balance. This is due to its effect on how the body breaks down estrogen. Another important element of broccoli is sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is being widely studied for its efficacy in treating cancer and other illnesses. It also helps with fatty liver disease and increases liver detoxification pathways, which are critical to metabolizing estrogen. Broccoli also provides potassium, calcium and magnesium. These are some important minerals that improve muscle functionality and strengthen bones
4. Apples
Apples are a rich source of quercetin, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation in the body. This fruit helps in fighting high blood pressure, reduces the risk of cancer, and keeps viral infections at bay. It is the perfect fruit for weight loss since it provides dense nutrition while being low in calories and rich in fibre.
5. Flaxseed
Adding flaxseed to your daily diet can do wonders for your health. It is very rich in antioxidants, fibre and healthy fats. Flaxseed has been a long-standing staple in a healthy diet because it is packed with a huge amount of nutrients and essential fatty acids. In fact, milled flaxseed is multi-functional and tastes great. These are two majorly amazing perks that make this food easy to incorporate to your diet!
6. Green Tea
Most people are aware of the fact that green tea provides numerous health benefits. Along with that, it also boosts metabolism in the body. Green tea accommodates theanine, a compound that reduces the release of cortisol which is a stress hormone. It also has antioxidants that reduce inflammation and lower the risk of disease.
7. Blueberries
Blueberries are not only sweet in taste, but they also have high antioxidant activity! Eat three or four cups of blueberries per week to improve your health. Blueberries actually have numerous health benefits such as improving heart health, preventing urinary tract infections, and improving vision.
8. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are a great source of magnesium. Magnesium is the anti-stress mineral that works alongside vitamin C and vitamin B5 to support the adrenal glands and lower stress levels. Unfortunately, stress depletes our magnesium levels. Hence, it is important to consume pumpkin seeds regularly to maintain magnesium levels.
9. Eggs
Eggs contain a healthy dose of choline, a vitamin that helps us produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is essential for the functioning of the nervous system, brain health, memory and development. Eggs are highly rich in omega 3 fatty acids, the anti-inflammatory fats that provide assistance to the brain. When the mind and nervous system is healthy, a person is able to cope with stress better. People must aim to buy organic, pasture-raised eggs instead of conventional.
If you have a hormonal imbalance, adding these foods to your diet can help you improve your health!
