You may have heard about hormone-balancing diets and certain dishes promising to tweak your hormone levels. But is there such a thing as a hormone-balancing food?
Hormones are chemical messengers released into our bloodstream that play a role in a variety of body functions such as metabolism, growth and reproduction. Many aspects of living a healthy lifestyle can help keep your hormones balanced.
What causes hormone imbalances?
A hormone imbalance occurs when you have have too little or too much of a certain hormone or hormones in your system, per the Cleveland Clinic. While your hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day and over your lifetime, such as during puberty, pregnancy and menopause, factors like stress and certain medications can lead to hormone imbalances.
Chronic conditions affecting your hormones are usually related to tumors or other growths, autoimmune issues or damage to an endocrine gland, which releases hormones into the blood.
Signs of hormone imbalance
According to Cleveland Clinic, signs of a hormone imbalance vary because the body makes more than 50 types of hormones. For example, if you’re experiencing a hormone imbalance pertaining your metabolism, signs might include:
- Slow or rapid heart rate
- Weight gain or loss
- Diarrhea
- Depression or anxiety
Signs of sex hormone imbalances in females include:
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Heavy or irregular periods
- More body hair
- Hot flashes
Signs of sex hormone imbalances in males include:
- Loss of body hair
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of muscle mass
- Loss of interest in sex
How can I naturally balance my hormones?
Most of the time, hormone imbalances aren’t preventable, but there are things you can do to optimize your overall health, which can help keep hormones in check. And for most people, taking steps to balance your hormones isn’t necessary, TODAY.com previously reported.
That said, certain lifestyle habits can naturally help support hormone function, der Dr. Taz Bhatia, an integrative medicine physician and author of “Super Woman…
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