Are Your Hormones Out of Whack?

Our hormones play such an integral role in regulating our metabolism.

I have seen many women recently who have complained not only of fatigue and depression but also of stubborn belly fat and excess weight gain.

Some of the hormonal imbalances that contribute to this are insulin resistance, estrogen dominance, progesterone deficiency, and thyroid and cortisol imbalances.

All of these hormones need to be balanced to maintain a healthy metabolism.

Our sex/steroid hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone come from cholesterol.

When we are under stress, our body will convert the cholesterol to cortisol rather than the sex hormones.

Chronically elevated levels of our stress hormone cortisol deplete our sex hormones and contribute to many chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, dementia, obesity, and diabetes.

There are blood, urine, and saliva tests available to check levels.

What can you do to shift the balance from producing less cortisol to balancing your sex hormones?

·        Manage emotional stress.

·        Get enough sleep.

·        Eat enough healthy fat which makes your hormones from olive oil, avocadoes, nuts, seeds, poultry, beef, and fish.

·        Strive to consume 1 gram of protein per pound body weight to increase muscle synthesis and improve hormonal profile.

·        Avoid ultra-processed foods high in sugar, refined carbs, and fats that will increase insulin resistance, and cortisol and reduce sex hormones.

·        Eat plenty of fiber and fermented foods to feed our microbiome which helps maintain hormonal balance.

·        Minimize alcohol.

·        Stay hydrated.

·        Do strength training exercises to increase lean body mass which will improve hormones and increase fat-burning.

·        Avoid toxins such as BPA in plastics, phthalates in personal care products, and pesticides which are hormone disruptors.

If you are battling with losing weight, belly fat, fatigue, depression, or feeling like your hormones are out of balance, contact me to discuss how to help set you on the right path.

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