DIET & HORMONE IMBALANCE

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Balancing Hormones Naturally
Maitland Public Library 6:30 PM

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A hormone imbalance can occur in both men and women, and it is caused by an increase or decrease in the body's production of hormones. Hormones are released through various endocrine glands located in the body, and these hormones regulate growth, metabolism, sexual function and mood, according to the National Institutes of Health. While there are many contributing factors to a hormone imbalance, a healthy diet can help to keep your hormones at normal levels.

The Facts

Hormonal imbalances can lead to serious health conditions, including diabetes, osteoporosis, thyroid disorders and heart disease. Your body goes through a normal cycle of hormone secretion throughout the day, according to The Hormone Foundation. For instance, your levels of growth hormone, or GH, peak during your first two hours of deep sleep, which is why it's important to get enough sleep when trying to build muscle in the weight room. Your diet helps to supply your muscles with the nutrients it needs to function properly.

Significance

Nutrition plays a significant role in controlling hormone production, according to Amy Shapiro RD, CDN of Nutrisense Inc. Eating a diet low in saturated fats, sodium and full of nutritionally-dense foods can help to lower the risk of many diseases associated with hormonal imbalance, including heart disease and thyroid disease. Shapiro suggests increasing your intake of antioxidants to fight off free radicals, which are environmental factors that influence hormone production. This means focusing on foods rich in beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein.

Function

The function of a healthy diet in hormonal regulation is to ensure your body is getting the vitamins and nutrients it needs as well as to keep your body weight within normal levels. Obesity can lead to symptoms of hormonal imbalance, such as fatigue and reduced sexual function, and a healthy diet can reduce your risk of obesity significantly. Shapiro recommends choosing fruits and vegetables, foods low in saturated fats, soy foods and eating every three to four hours.

Diet

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers free dieting advice that can help you maintain a healthy body weight and thus reduce your risk of developing symptoms of hormonal imbalance. This includes eating well-balanced, nutritionally-dense meals consisting of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean protein sources and low-fat dairy. You can get a free personalized diet plan based on the USDA's recommendations by visiting MyPyramid.gov.

Warning

While diet does play an indirect role in affecting hormonal production, there are other factors that contribute to increases or decreases of hormone levels, such as aging, menopause, stress and genetics. So, even if you eat healthily, you may still experience symptoms of hormonal imbalance. For this reason, you should consult your doctor or endocrinologist to determine the steps you need to take to become healthy. This may include lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier, and/or prescription medications designed to control your hormone production.

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