5 Healthy Hormone Hacks

Hormones function as chemical messengers in the body, and influence so many aspects of how our body functions, from our emotions, skin health, joint health, fertility and metabolism. When hormones are unbalanced, you may experience a number of unwanted symptoms including stress, infertility, acne, weight gain, sleep disturbances - just to name a few!

Thankfully, there are a number of dietary and lifestyle changes (or hacks!) you can implement to get your hormones back in check!

Here are 5 ways to support balanced hormones:

1. Sneak in extra servings of Healthy Fats

   Fat plays a key role in maintaining healthy hormone levels, and are required for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E & K). Flaxseeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds are all excellent sources of omega-3 and can be added to smoothies, sprinkled on breakfast or added to baking.

2. Support your Liver

   The liver is responsible for the regulation and clearance of sex hormones. This is vital, to ensure your hormones are kept in balance. To support your liver’s natural detoxification process, add more cruciferous vegetables to your meals. This includes broccoli, brussels sprouts, bok choy and dark leafy greens.

3. Get your Beauty Sleep

   While you are sleeping, a number of important functions occur in the body, including liver detoxification, adrenal repair and hormone regulation. Each function impacts your hormones. If you struggle to fall asleep, take a magnesium supplement 1 hour before bed time.

4. Reduce Stress

   Reduce stressors in your life or work by implementing regular stress-management practices. Stressful events and stressful thoughts can trigger a distressed signal, sent by the amygdala to the hypothalamus (the command centre in the brain). The hypothalamus then communicates with the adrenal glands, which respond by releasing adrenaline into the bloodstream. This adrenaline rush can be known as fight or flight response. It leads to a number of physiological responses, and eventually a release in cortisol. In a nutshell, when the body is regularly exposed to stress over a long period of time, it can result in the change of hormone levels, and contribute to a number of disorders of the endocrine system. A few good practices for managing stress include meditation, daily exercise, walks in nature, journalling, or prioritising down time.

5. Take a break from Caffeine & Alcohol

   If you are experiencing an hormone imbalance, it might be time to take a look at caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol can place an extra toll on the livers detoxification process, which can be problematic by having a negative influence for hormone clearance. Giving your body a break from stimulants, or cutting back your intake can have major benefits in supporting balanced hormones. This could look like cutting back completely, or swapping to herbal teas, kombucha or sparkling mineral water.