Our endocrine system is made up of tissues that release hormones into our bloodstream. Whether we like it or not, our hormones control a range of processes: mood, digestion, energy, libido, metabolism and aging. Proper nutrition helps maintain a healthy endocrine system, with specific nutrients playing key roles in regulating your hormone imbalances.
If we do not eat food with the nutrients we need, our bodies cannot produce hormones correctly – nor can it maintain hormone balance – because it doesn’t have the proper building blocks to do so. March is National Nutrition Month. Since key nutrients play a specific role in maintaining your endocrine system, now is the perfect time to get (and keep) your endocrine system healthy by eating a balanced diet that is customized to your specific needs.
Phytoestrogens behave similarly to the estrogen in your body. The role of phytoestrogens remains unclear – they might mimic the presence of estrogen in your system, or phytoestrogens might block the function of the estrogen naturally produced by your body. Eating foods that are rich in phytoestrogens can also help relieve some of your menopause symptoms and may help lower your risk of some conditions associated with menopause.
Soy products, oats, yams, broccoli, flaxseed, beans, legumes, carrots and apples all contain phytoestrogens.
Eating too many calories will cause you to gain weight, no matter what, which raises your risk of insulin resistance and diabetes. So, it is important to only eat as many calories as you burn in a day. If your weight is something that you struggle with, Dr. Mitchell can work with you to develop a custom diet and weight loss plan through our Medi-Weightloss® Program.
B Vitamins (B-5 and B-6) help your brain to continually produce melatonin to support your internal clock. Egg yolks, meats, fish, fortified cereals, grains, dairy and beans are excellent sources of both vitamins.
Caffeine, alcohol and trans-fats have been shown to cause increases in cortisol secretion. It is important to limit your consumption to keep your cortisol levels in check.
Antioxidants contain compounds that react with the body to limit the excretion of stress hormones (i.e., cortisol). Additionally they help control insulin levels, reduce inflammation, boost your metabolism, support your immune system, reduce bad cholesterol and improve muscle functionality.
Apples, blueberries, avocados, spinach, broccoli, dark chocolate, green tea and almonds are high in antioxidants (and yes, we did say chocolate)!
Additional tips for eating to achieve hormonal balance include:
If we do not eat food with the nutrients we need, our bodies cannot produce hormones correctly – nor can it maintain hormone balance – because it doesn’t have the proper building blocks to do so. March is National Nutrition Month. Since key nutrients play a specific role in maintaining your endocrine system, now is the perfect time to get (and keep) your endocrine system healthy by eating a balanced diet that is customized to your specific needs.
HOW TO EAT FOR HORMONAL BALANCE
Eating to balance your hormones consists of consuming a balance of macro and micronutrients so that your endocrine system gets the right variety and amounts of the key nutrients needed to produce optimal hormone levels.Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are plant-derived xenoestrogens that are not generated within the endocrine system, but consumed by eating phytoestrogenic plants (also called “dietary estrogens”).Phytoestrogens behave similarly to the estrogen in your body. The role of phytoestrogens remains unclear – they might mimic the presence of estrogen in your system, or phytoestrogens might block the function of the estrogen naturally produced by your body. Eating foods that are rich in phytoestrogens can also help relieve some of your menopause symptoms and may help lower your risk of some conditions associated with menopause.
Soy products, oats, yams, broccoli, flaxseed, beans, legumes, carrots and apples all contain phytoestrogens.
Insulin and Glucagon
Insulin is one of the most well-known hormones affected by your diet. When you eat carbohydrates, the glucose from these carbohydrates travels into your bloodstream and triggers your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin then attaches to the glucose molecules and carries them to your cells to be used for energy. Glucagon has the opposite effect of insulin. When you go without eating for an extended period of time, your pancreas will release glucagon which signals your liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose. The sugar is then released into your bloodstream where it serves as an energy source until your body intakes more food.Eating too many calories will cause you to gain weight, no matter what, which raises your risk of insulin resistance and diabetes. So, it is important to only eat as many calories as you burn in a day. If your weight is something that you struggle with, Dr. Mitchell can work with you to develop a custom diet and weight loss plan through our Medi-Weightloss® Program.
B Vitamins and Melatonin
Your internal clock is the biological process that helps you wake up every morning and gets you to sleep each night. The predominant hormone that preserves this clock is melatonin. When it is dark, your melatonin levels rise and you begin to feel tired. In response to light, melatonin levels decrease so that you feel more awake during the day.B Vitamins (B-5 and B-6) help your brain to continually produce melatonin to support your internal clock. Egg yolks, meats, fish, fortified cereals, grains, dairy and beans are excellent sources of both vitamins.
Cortisol
Cortisol, often referred to as the stress hormone, is part of your body’s fight-or-flight response to stress or perceived danger. Though cortisol is vital to your survival during a fight-or-flight response, having chronically high levels of cortisol in your body can increase your stress levels, blood pressure and visceral fat (the fat that surrounds your midsection).Caffeine, alcohol and trans-fats have been shown to cause increases in cortisol secretion. It is important to limit your consumption to keep your cortisol levels in check.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants can protect cells against free radicals that can cause damage. For optimal health and immune functioning, you should eat the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of the antioxidant vitamins and minerals.Antioxidants contain compounds that react with the body to limit the excretion of stress hormones (i.e., cortisol). Additionally they help control insulin levels, reduce inflammation, boost your metabolism, support your immune system, reduce bad cholesterol and improve muscle functionality.
Apples, blueberries, avocados, spinach, broccoli, dark chocolate, green tea and almonds are high in antioxidants (and yes, we did say chocolate)!
Additional tips for eating to achieve hormonal balance include:
- Reduce portions of high-fat meats and dairy products to help with weight management
- Increase consumption of fiber-containing foods, like whole grains, vegetables, beans and fruits
- Decrease intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fats from vegetable oils like corn, safflower and sunflower, as well as meat products
- Get adequate vitamin D from foods such as fortified low fat milk, yogurt, salmon, tuna and mushrooms
- Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage and kale
- Avoid or limit alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day
Leave a Comment