Food, Weight & Hormones?
Hormones are a complex topic. I know enough to be helpful, but I am not a doctor and sure don’t know all the answers. I study this topic and find it interesting.Did you know?
- Hormones are impacted by everything from food to hair care products
- Ovaries are not the source of all the problems
- Cortisol, secreted from the adrenal glands may cause fluctuations in progesterone
- Thyroid hormone affects mood, weight and PMS
- Gut is the source of many (if not all) hormone issues – Wow! Did you catch that? Yes, the health of our gut has a direct impact on hormones and aging
- Liver, gut & bowels prepare and eliminate excess hormones from the body
- 80% of the immune system is in the gut (digestive system) which can cause inflammation. Inflammation causes adrenal dysfunction, which has a direct impact on hormones
- Gut is where all nutrients are absorbed for healthy and happy hormones
5 Food Tips for Healthy Hormones:
- Add healthy fats to each meal. Especially have fat with grains for optimal digestions. Fats help balance blood sugar and hormones. Example: butter, avocado or coconut oil on your whole grain toast
- Quit sugar. I know, sugar is highly addictive and I shouldn’t suggest this during the holidays. But, isn’t there sugar all year? Some of you can eat a bite or two of sugar treats and let it go. Others have a bite and it’s like opening the flood gates. Not a good thing. Sugar is inflammatory and causes blood sugar spikes. Totally not OK for hormones. You go from calm bliss to raging stress hormones. Example: Juices can be a source of high sugar content.
- Eat more cruciferous. Kale, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and cabbage. These foods contain compounds that help utilize estrogen and feed the friendly bacteria that move excess hormones out of the body. Eat 3 cups of these veggies every week.
- Consume more probiotics. Probiotics help crowd out the bad bacteria, replacing with the good stuff. Good bacteria impacts digestion, hormones and immune system. A healthy immune system reduces inflammation, impacting the adrenals and hormones. Sauerkraut, kombucha and Greek yogurt are my favorites.
- Try seed cycling. This is a new concept for me that I really like because seeds are satisfying to me. Seed cycling can balance hormones for women’s cycles. For men or women who are not cycling, use the moon cycle as your guide. How to Seed Cycle:Day 1 to Day 14 (New Moon to Full Moon): During the follicular phase we need more estrogen in order to build up the uterine lining. This is called the follicular phase. Eating 2 tablespoons of fresh ground flaxseed and pumpkin seeds, can naturally increase your estrogen levels.
Day 15 to Day 30 (Full Moon to New Moon): During the luteal phase the corpus luteum (what is left behind from the egg rupturing) begins to release progesterone. This sex hormone will help thicken the uterus lining and get the body ready for a baby (no worries if you don’t want a baby – seeds are still your friend). Eating 2 tablespoons of fresh ground sesame seed or sunflower seeds daily give your body a nutrient boost that favors progesterone production.
Learn more about what foods to eat in the Fall season to support your lungs and large intestine. AND why it’s important to do this. The liver is always a focus for my seasonal clean eating programs. Join the Feel Ageless, Be Ageless 14 Day Clean Eating Program and find out what lifelong health is really about. You can join the group program or start on your own today.
http://https://www.healthcoachmt.com/14-day-clean-eating-program/
If you have questions, please contact me asap. Let’s get started!
I am here to help you learn what your body needs and what works for you to feel your best at every age.
Blessings,
Coach Peggy