How to Eat for Hormonal Balance
To achieve hormonal balance, meals should be based on a foundation of clean protein, hormone-balancing healthy fats, healing herbs, antioxidant-rich vegetables, and energy sustaining carbohydrates. Some examples are as follows:
Clean Protein Sources include:
- Beans
- Seeds
- Soaked or sprouted nuts
- Lentils
- Quinoa
- Wild caught fish
- Organic pasture raised/grass-fed chicken, turkey, beef, elk, bison
- Pasture-raised eggs
Hormone-Balancing Healthy Fats include:
- Avocados
- Coconut oil
- Raw butter
- Egg yolks
- Olives
- Nuts and seeds
Healing Herbs include:
- Cinnamon
- Turmeric
- Cumin
- Cayenne
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Thyme
Antioxidant-Rich Vegetables include:
- Dark green veggies: broccoli, asparagus, spinach, collard greens, cucumbers, kale, cabbage, cilantro
- Brightly Colored Veggies: green, red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, red/white onions, carrots, tomatoes, red cabbage
- Starchy Vegetables: sweet potatoes, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, beets, yucca, artichokes, turnips
Energy-Sustaining Carbohydrates include:
- Brown/black/red/wild rice
- Whole wheat products
- Barley
- Quinoa
- Farro
- Bulgur wheat
Men
Testosterone is vital to many important male bodily functions, such as strengthening bones and repairing muscles, as well as sexual performance. Natural testosterone levels decrease with age, as well as as a result of environmental factors.
Signs of hormone imbalance in men include:
- Reducing muscle mass
- Reducing libido
- Reduced hair growth
- Reducing sexual performance
- Increasing the risk of heart disease
- Increasing the risk of cancer
- Over development of breast tissue
- Low sperm count
- Erectile dysfunction
- Increasing the risk of anxiety and depression
- Increasing overall mortality risk
There are many products available that claim to boost testosterone, but natural methods work best.
Some foods that naturally increase testosterone include:
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Avocados
- Kale
- Pseudo Grains
- Grapes
- Matcha Green Tea
- Mushrooms
- Bananas
- Black Beans
- Garlic
- Acerola Cherries
Olive oil, sources of Vitamin D (salmon, tuna, eggs, milk), carbs, and products rich in zinc and magnesium also are good for increasing testosterone production.
Women
Hormone imbalance is more prevalent among women, especially as they age. Environmental toxins and hormonal disrupting chemicals, such as birth control, often make matters worse.
Signs of hormonal imbalance in women include:
- Lack of energy
- Reduced sexual desire
- Osteoporosis
- Heavy, irregular, painful periods
- Breast tenderness
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Indigestion
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Acne during or just before menstruation
- Increased hair growth on face, neck, chest, or back
- Weight gain
- Infertility
- Deepening of the voice
Hormonal imbalance can cause havoc on women’s lives, fortunately women of all ages can take steps to naturally balance their hormones through their diet.
Some foods that promote hormonal balance in women include:
- Maca (root)
- Avena Sativa
- Ashwagandha
- Epimedium
- Flax seeds
- Catuaba Bark
- Shilajit
- Muira Puama
- Suma
- Tribulus Terrestris
- Tongkat Ali
Hormonal imbalance can also play a major role in the development of cancer in your body. Restoring hormonal balance not only has many health benefits but also improves emotional well-being further assisting your body in the healing process.
