Nutrition & Supplements
Your diet plays a crucial role in balancing your hormone levels. Certain herbs, nutrients, vitamins and minerals can provide an important benefit in restoring optimal hormone levels. Unfortunately for many, however, it is often difficult to obtain the necessary nutrients our bodies require to keep our hormones healthy through our normal daily intake of food.
One solution to consider is nutritional supplementation. Certain nutritional supplements may provide suitable natural ingredients in effective quantities to help restore optimal hormone levels. You may also want to consider Hormone Testing from a qualified health practitioner.
For people who may suffer from a deficiency or excess of oestrogen, progesterone or testosterone, some nutrients which may assist to balance hormone levels, are listed below.
- Broccoli sprout: through the production of sulforaphane, may provide protective properties against degenerative diseases.
- Chaste tree: thought to increase progesterone production indirectly, has a beneficial effect on the female reproductive system and may be useful in supporting a number of problems associated with the menstrual cycle. May also bring relief from hot flashes, dryness and other symptoms associated with menopause, as well as improve sleep.
- Folinic acid: an active form of folate that is found naturally in foods.
- Iodine: is found in dairy products, seafood, kelp, eggs, some vegetables and iodised salt, and is important for essential hormone development in the body.
- Nettle: contains calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, iodine and sodium, is a good source of vitamins A, C and E and is high in antioxidants. May assist with allergies and respiratory problems and strengthen the body’s immune system, as well as boosting free testosterone.
- Parsley: a good source of folic acid, one of the most important B vitamins. May encourage good cardiovascular health.
- Perilla: may help to improve respiratory problems, such as allergies and asthma.
- Quercetin: a phytochemical that is part of the colouring found in the skins of apples and red onions. It is a powerful antioxidant that can also act as a natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory.
- Resveratrol: a powerful antioxidant, most commonly found in the skin of red grapes and red wine, which also possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
- Rosemary: may shield the brain from free radicals, lowering the risk of strokes and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
- Saw palmetto: is rich in fatty acids and phytosterols, and may improve the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
- Sesame seed extract: a source of calcium, iron, vitamin E, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, which may assist in reducing the risk of osteoporosis, anaemia and recurring infections – as well as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Tribulus: acts as an aphrodisiac and may increase the production of free testosterone.
- Turmeric: acts as an anti-inflammatory and may help to treat or prevent digestive or gastrointestinal conditions.
- Selenium: important for the reproductive health in both men and women. In men, it has been found to increase sperm and boost testosterone production.
Foods to avoid
Supplements alone cannot replace a healthy diet yet can contribute to balanced nutrition. Certain foods and substances have adverse effects to our systems, robbing us of vitamins, minerals or trace elements which keep our systems in harmony.
Some of the worst foods (especially in excess) appear far too often in our daily diets, whilst beneficial foods (those containing fibre, vitamins, anti-oxidants) get left behind.
Review your eating habits with your health care practitioner and consider whether these ‘culprit’ foods could contribute to your health or well-being. Think about reducing or removing the following from your diet:
- Highly processed foods
- Food additives
- Caffeine
- Refined sugar
- Alcohol
- Fatty foods
- Fried foods
- Concentrated starches (bread, cereals, biscuits)
