Introduction: What are Hormones?
Hormones play a vital role in regulating many of the body’s key processes. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it. Hormones are essential for life and your health.”
MedlinePlus states that hormones affect many different processes and those include:
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Mood
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Reproduction
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Growth and development
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Sexual function
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Metabolism – how the body receives energies from the food that you consume
This highlights just how critical hormones are to your daily functioning and overall health. According to MedlinePlus, “Hormones are powerful. It takes only a tiny amount to cause big changes in cells or even your whole body. That is why too much or too little of a certain hormone can be serious.” This interconnected nature of hormones means that even a slight change in one hormone could trigger a change in your body. As Medical News Today states, “Hormonal imbalances occur when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the blood. Common symptoms include weight changes, lower sex drive, and acne, but it depends on which hormone is out of balance.” And because of this, adopting targeted strategies to support hormonal health is so critical.
Hormonal Imbalance: What are the Causes?
Hormonal imbalances can stem from a variety of factors, and understanding the root cause is crucial for effective management. While some fluctuations are a natural part of life—such as those occurring during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause—other imbalances may be triggered by other factors. Cleveland Clinic states that hormone-related conditions can arise from a variety of causes. Furthermore, they state that typically the primary factors contributing to hormonal imbalances include:
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Injury or damage to an endocrine gland
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Autoimmune conditions
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Tumors, adenomas or other growths
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Gene mutations that are hereditary that cause issues with the function and/or structure of an endocrine gland
Understanding the potential causes of hormonal imbalances is a key step toward finding the right solutions. By addressing the source of the disruption, it becomes possible to achieve more stable and lasting hormonal health.
Ways to Balance Our Hormones Naturally
Fortunately, there are several natural strategies you can adopt to help support your body’s hormone balance and overall well-being. Let’s explore ten tips to help you achieve and maintain healthy hormone levels naturally. This list is compiled from reputable sources including Healthline, Medical News Today, and Health.
1. Lower the amount of sugar you consume
How much sugar do you consume daily for your meals? Healthline states that “Minimizing added sugar intake may be instrumental in optimizing hormone function and avoiding obesity, diabetes, and other diseases.” Additionally, they state that fructose is a simple sugar that is found in many types of sugar, and that sugary drinks are the main source of added sugars in the Western diet. This is why it's crucial to reduce the amount of sugar in our diets—not only to prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity but also to support better overall health and hormonal balance.
2. Improve Your Gut Health
Maintaining good gut health is important in general. Health states that our gut is full of bacteria, protozoa and fungi that make up what is called the gut microbiome. Furthermore, they also state that if these bacteria become imbalanced, harmful bacteria can then disrupt our body systems, also including hormones. This is why maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is key—not only for digestion but for regulating many body processes, including immune function and hormone balance.
Health states, “To help improve your gut health and balance gut-related hormones, try increasing your fiber intake and eating more fermented foods. High-fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and beans help beneficial gut bacteria thrive. Fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, and kefir are full of beneficial bacteria that can also help restore gut health.”
3. Making Sure to Get Enough Sleep
Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining hormonal balance. According to Healthline, “Poor sleep is linked to imbalances in many hormones, including insulin, cortisol, leptin, ghrelin, and HGH.” They recommend aiming for at least 7 hours of high-quality sleep every day to maintain hormonal balance that is optimal.
4. Exercising on a Regular Basis
According to Health, “Moving your body helps regulate blood sugar levels and effectively use glucose (blood sugar). This helps improve insulin sensitivity and prevent insulin resistance, which can lead to hormonal imbalances.” By staying active, you support better blood sugar control and reduce the risk of hormone-related issues.
5. Managing Stress Levels
In general, it’s good to not have too much stress in your life. But this can also affect the hormonal balance as well. According to Medical News Today, “Stress leads to an increase in adrenaline and cortisol. If levels of these hormones are too high, it can disrupt the overall balance and contribute to factors such as obesity, changes in mood, and even cardiovascular issues.”
6. Quitting Smoking Tobacco
The harmful effects of smoking tobacco are widely recognized, from damaging lung health to increasing the risk of heart disease and cancer. Beyond these well-known dangers, smoking can also disrupt your body’s hormone regulation. Medical News Today shares “For example, according to a 2018 study, the smoke may alter thyroid hormone levels, stimulate pituitary hormones, and even raise levels of steroid hormones, such as cortisol, which is linked to stress.”
7. Eating Enough Protein in Your Diet
Protein is a vital nutrient that supports numerous bodily functions, providing the building blocks for muscle growth and repair, boosting immune health, and promoting healthy skin, hair, and nails. Additionally, adequate protein intake plays a key role in maintaining hormonal balance. Health states, “Studies show that eating protein helps decrease the hormone ghrelin, which makes you feel fuller and more satisfied while eating. Protein is also essential for avoiding hormonal imbalances that cause you to store excess fat in your body and become insulin-resistant.”
8. Considering Trying Dietary Supplements
Health shares that “...research shows some vitamins and minerals may help specific hormonal imbalances—primarily imbalances caused by nutrient deficiencies.” They state supplements that may help with hormonal balance include the following:
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Vitamin D
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Magnesium
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Zinc
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Folic acid
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B vitamins
Together, these nutrients may help address deficiencies that may contribute to hormonal imbalances.
9. Eating Healthy Fats in Your Diet
Not all fats are necessarily bad for you. Healthline states that “...healthy fats such as omega-3s help increase insulin sensitivity by reducing inflammation and pro-inflammatory markers. Additionally, studies note that omega-3s may prevent cortisol levels from increasing during stress. These healthy fats are found in pure MCT oil, avocados, almonds, peanuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, fatty fish, and olive and coconut oils.” Including these sources of healthy fats in your diet can not only support hormone regulation but also promotes heart health and improves overall inflammation levels in the body.
10. Avoid Overeating Foods
According to Medical News Today, “Regularly overeating may lead to metabolic issues in the long term, but a 2013 study found that even short-term overeating changes circulating levels of fats and increases oxidative stress. The researchers also pointed to an increase in ceramides, which are fat cells in the skin, noting that a significant increase may promote insulin resistance.” These findings suggest that even occasional episodes of overeating may contribute to long-term hormonal imbalances, highlighting the importance of mindful eating and moderation.
LifePharm Products to Add to Your Routine
OMNIA
LifePharm's OMNIA supplement offers a blend of ingredients that may support your hormonal balance. Firstly, it includes Vitamin D. The Antioxidant and Botanical Blend, featuring grape seed extract, selenium, zinc, and magnesium, works to protect your skin from environmental damage and biological aging, while improving blood circulation. Additionally, it contains the Super Vitamin B Complex, which contains all B vitamins for strong and healthy skin, hair and nails.
OMEGA+++ is a proprietary multi-action formula designed to help maintain and improve circulatory health. It contains omega fatty acids 3 (EPA and DHA) and 9. Incorporating OMEGA+++ into your daily regimen may provide the necessary nutrients to support hormonal health, alongside its benefits for cardiovascular and overall well-being.
Extrim Shape
Extrim Shape has a proprietary formula delivers a clinically-validated blend of natural growth factors and nutrients that can ease weight control, reduce cravings, and support healthy blood sugar levels. With its Block Blend it contains 3 nutrients that work together to "cancel out" carbs, reduce cravings for sugary foods, and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Supporting Long-Term Hormonal Health
Hormonal health is a cornerstone of overall well-being, influencing everything from metabolism to growth and reproduction. While hormonal imbalances can arise from a variety of factors, adopting a proactive approach can make a significant difference. By following natural strategies—like improving your diet, managing stress, and ensuring proper sleep—you can support your body’s ability to regulate hormones effectively. Incorporating supplements like LifePharm’s OMNIA and OMEGA+++ may further enhance these efforts, providing additional nutrients to aid in hormonal balance and overall health. Taking these steps can help foster a more stable, healthier life.
Summary of the Main Points
Understanding Hormones: Hormones are essential chemicals that regulate various bodily functions like mood, metabolism, and growth. Even slight hormonal imbalances can have significant effects on overall health.
Common Causes of Imbalance: Hormonal imbalances can be triggered by factors such as injury, autoimmune conditions, tumors, and genetic mutations affecting endocrine glands.
There are several natural strategies you can adopt to help support your body’s hormone balance and overall well-being.
LifePharm Products for Support:
OMNIA: Provides a blend of vitamins and antioxidants that may support hormonal balance and skin health.
OMEGA+++: Offers essential omega fatty acids to support circulatory health and hormonal stability.
Extrim Shape: Has a proprietary formula delivers a clinically-validated blend of natural growth factors and nutrients that can ease weight control, reduce cravings, and support healthy blood sugar levels.