[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”||70px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Hormones are molecules that help regulate processes in your body, which ultimately impacts the function of pretty much everything \u2013 digestion, development, behavior\/mood, etc. Think: cortisol, insulin, estrogen, progesterone and thyroid hormones – to name a few. To cut right to it, you absolutely cannot have hormones without nutrients. Nutrients are both the building block of hormones and the driver for processes involved in producing hormones. Hence why a balanced diet is the go-to (and seemingly over-stated, yet very relevant) recommendation from any dietitian.<\/p>\n
Since hormones impact how our body functions, it\u2019s important that we make adequate hormones and keep them in proper balance in our body. When hormones are out of balance, you\u2019ll feel it. Fatigue, headaches, mood changes, poor sleep, and digestive issues are just a few of the ways an imbalance might show up. So, what causes hormones to be out of balance?\u00a0 The simple answer is stress on your body \u2013 not just mental stress, but physical stressors. This is because your body utilizes nutrients differently when stress is present. For example, nutrients like sodium, potassium and magnesium tend to be in greater demand under stress (which you may not be supplying adequately through your diet). This lack of adequate nutrients can impact hormones like progesterone, testosterone and thyroid which often tend to see a drop. Downstream, other hormones and nutrients will be affected, and so on.<\/p>\n
The bottom line is, if you recognize that you have symptoms of hormonal imbalance, it\u2019s likely related to stress of some kind. Hormonal imbalances can get tricky, however, and it\u2019s never as simple as just taking a supplement (in fact, I would recommend\u00a0against<\/em> blindly taking supplements). This is where working with someone can be helpful. Whether or not you choose to work with a practitioner, you can always get started by focusing on supporting your body with nutrient-dense foods and reducing known stressors!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_team_member name=”Isabel Debnam” position=”Registered Dietitian” image_url=”https:\/\/activewellnesscenter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Isabel-Debhanm_SYN-Bio.png” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This post was written by Isabel Debnam, a Registered Dietitian supporting the nutritional needs of Active Wellness Center at Petaluma and Napa, managed by Active Wellness.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What are hormones and what do they do? Hormones are molecules that help regulate processes in your body, which ultimately impacts the function of pretty much everything \u2013 digestion, development, behavior\/mood, etc. Think: cortisol, insulin, estrogen, progesterone and thyroid hormones – to name a few. To cut right to it, you absolutely cannot have hormones […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2097,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" What are hormones and what do they do?<\/p> Hormones are molecules that help regulate processes in your body, which ultimately impacts the function of pretty much everything \u2013 digestion, development, behavior\/mood, etc.\u00a0 Think: cortisol, insulin, estrogen, progesterone and thyroid hormones - to name a few.\u00a0 To cut right to it, you absolutely cannot have hormones without nutrients.\u00a0 Nutrients are both the building block of hormones and the driver for processes involved in producing hormones.\u00a0 Hence why a balanced diet is the go-to (and seemingly over-stated, yet very relevant) recommendation from any dietitian.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> What impacts hormone balance?<\/p> Since hormones impact how our body functions, it\u2019s important that we make adequate hormones and keep them in proper balance in our body.\u00a0 When hormones are out of balance, you\u2019ll feel it.\u00a0 Fatigue, headaches, mood changes, poor sleep, and digestive issues are just a few of the ways an imbalance might show up.\u00a0 So, what causes hormones to be out of balance?\u00a0 The simple answer is stress on your body \u2013 not just mental stress, but physical stressors.\u00a0 This is because your body utilizes nutrients differently when stress is present.\u00a0 For example, nutrients like sodium, potassium and magnesium tend to be in greater demand under stress (which you may not be supplying adequately through your diet).\u00a0 This lack of adequate nutrients can impact hormones like progesterone, testosterone and thyroid which often tend to see a drop.\u00a0 Downstream, other hormones and nutrients will be affected, and so on.<\/p> \u00a0<\/p> Things that can be a source of stress:<\/p> Poor sleep.\u00a0\u00a0This is when your body does a ton of recovery.\u00a0 If you can\u2019t recover, you\u2019re already starting behind.<\/p><\/li> Poor digestion.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t matter how healthy your diet is if you aren\u2019t absorbing the nutrients needed to make, convert and utilize hormones. \u00a0<\/p><\/li> Blood sugar imbalance.\u00a0 If your blood sugar isn\u2019t balanced, it\u2019s impossible to keep hormones balanced.\u00a0 When blood sugar is low, cortisol is released to help regulate this.\u00a0 If cortisol is constantly spiking, your body will prioritize it, and neglect other hormone production. \u00a0<\/p><\/li> Supplementation (aka isolating nutrients).\u00a0 Everything is synergistic in your body - nothing works in isolation.\u00a0 So, if you\u2019re supplementing with one nutrient, it\u2019s more than likely impacting another nutrient and eventually, your hormones. \u00a0<\/p><\/li> Under\/over eating.\u00a0 This has to do with blood sugar regulation and nutrient balance.<\/p><\/li> Poor liver function.\u00a0 One of the liver\u2019s main functions is to filter\/break down hormones.\u00a0 If the liver is not functioning properly, it\u2019s very difficult for your body to metabolize and use hormones properly.<\/p><\/li> Toxins.\u00a0 This impacts liver function, among other things.<\/p><\/li> Over\/under exercising.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><\/li><\/ul> \u00a0<\/p> How can you support healthy hormones?<\/p> Balanced blood sugar.\u00a0 Eat enough, eat regularly and make sure your meals are well balanced with protein, fats and carbs.<\/p><\/li> Manage stress.\u00a0 Prioritize sleep and do the things that you know reduce your stress levels (easier said than done, I know).\u00a0 If you can reduce stress, you can better manage how your body uses nutrients.<\/p><\/li> Optimize digestion.\u00a0\u00a0This can look different for everyone, but some general tips include chewing your food well, sitting down to eat, going for a walk after meals and cooking hard-to-digest foods well.\u00a0 For more personalized tips, I suggest meeting with a dietitian.<\/p><\/li> Eat more nutrient-dense foods.\u00a0\u00a0When I say nutrient-dense, I mean foods that essentially give you more bang for your buck.\u00a0 Some examples include:<\/p> Organ meats\u00a0(often referred to as nature\u2019s multivitamin; rich in B vitamins, bioavailable copper, vitamin A)<\/p><\/li> Fruits\u00a0(provide whole food vitamin C and other minerals)<\/p><\/li> Shellfish\u00a0(rich in selenium, zinc, iodine)<\/p><\/li> Cooked leafy greens\u00a0(calcium, magnesium, etc.)<\/p><\/li> Dairy\u00a0(good source of calcium and vitamin A)<\/p><\/li> Bee pollen\u00a0(B vitamins and bioavailable copper)<\/p><\/li> Nutritional yeast\u00a0(B vitamins)<\/p><\/li> Coconut water or aloe juice\u00a0(potassium)<\/p><\/li> Starchy veggies\u00a0(potassium and fiber-rich, slow burning carbs)<\/p><\/li> Animal proteins in general\u00a0(bioavailable protein source, B vitamins, etc.)<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul> \u00a0<\/p> The bottom line is, if you recognize that you have symptoms of hormonal imbalance, it\u2019s likely related to stress of some kind. Hormonal imbalances can get tricky, however, and it\u2019s never as simple as just taking a supplement (in fact, I would recommend\u00a0against<\/em>\u00a0blindly taking supplements).\u00a0 This is where working with someone can be helpful.\u00a0 Whether or not you choose to work with a practitioner, you can always get started by focusing on supporting your body with nutrient-dense foods and reducing known stressors! \u00a0<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-living"],"yoast_head":"\n