Hormones: we've all got ‘em. As a woman, I am very aware of the ups and downs and ebb and flow of my body. Most men seem to think that being “hormonal” is more of a lady thing, especially when it’s “that time of the month”. (By the way, stop saying that. I don’t need to be bleeding to go crazy on your ass if you deserve it, and trust me, some of you do, but I digress.) Well, buckle up boys, because I have news for you: you have hormones too, you can also get hormonal, and your hormones can also get imbalanced. Has your head exploded yet?
Our bodies use hormones as a communication tool. Just think of them as the hip, beard-sporting bike couriers of the endocrine system. They send messages from organs and tissues to regulate physiological and behavioural activities which include metabolism (energy), stress, digestion, reproduction, mood, sleep and the list goes on. Needless to say, if your hormones are out of whack then these areas will be unbalanced and sluggish.
Hormones can be over- or under-produced, both having negative effects on your body and your overall health. Hormones are made from good fats and cholesterol, so if you are lacking these in your diet, chances are you will have some sort of hormone disturbance. To make matters even more complicated, there are toxins that mimic hormones, and prevent your body from creating real ones, or confuse your body into thinking it has the right materials to make hormones. This results in all sorts of problems with your health. These toxins include pesticides, plastics and even your general beauty products that you use daily, to name a few.
Xenoestrogens, in particular, are sneaky endocrine disturbers that mimic estrogen, which is a hormone needed in humans (both men and women) for bone growth, blood-clotting and reproduction. When xenoestrogens enter the body they increase the total amount of estrogen resulting in a phenomenon called “estrogen dominance”, which can contribute to conditions such as obesity, certain cancers in both men and woman, early onset puberty and even diabetes. These delightful little shit disturbers can be found in plastics, food (such as soy), skin care products (parabens=bad) and common household products such as laundry detergent. What a bummer.
So what can you do to help stay hormonally-balanced? Here are a few tips to get you started.
(Remember to always seek medical attention if you believe you are suffering from a hormonal imbalance, as they can be a serious health problem and could be part of a bigger issue.)
Limit caffeine
Consuming caffeine elevates your cortisol levels, lowers your thyroid hormone levels and basically creates havoc throughout your entire body. Limit your intake when you can.
Sleep
Like many of us, our hormones work on a schedule. For example, cortisol (the stress hormone) is regulated around midnight, therefore a lack of sleep has been attributed to a widespread stress-related health disorders. Get some rest y’all.
Eat real food
Give your body what it needs by consuming fresh veggies, fruits, healthy fats and good quality proteins that will help give your body the proper hormone building blocks.
Magnesium
Magnesium supplements will improve your sex hormone levels, including your testosterone and human growth hormone. Bow-chicka-wawa!
Coconut oil
Provides the necessary building blocks needed for hormone production. It makes an awesome addition to most meals, you can even add it to your coffee or tea. Delish!
Herbs and spices
Add the following to your daily meals: cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne, cumin, garlic and ginger.
This week's recipe: Hormone-loving salad
Ingredients:
3 grated carrots
3 garlic crushed
2 Ambrosia apples, sliced
1 bulb of fennel
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Fresh sage
Fresh cilantro
Sea salt
Pepper
Directions:
• Mix together in a bowl, set in fridge for an hour, then enjoy!
