Journal
Understanding hormonal imbalance
06:50 min
Digestive DisorderDigestion

Have you unexpectedly gained or lost weight?

Have itchy skin or a rather low mood? A hormonal imbalance may be to blame. While you’re busy maintaining a healthy balance between your personal and work life, looking inward is just as important. Keeping the body’s hormones in sync – a topic that’s often assumed to be rather female-centric but, in fact, equally affects both genders – impacts women’s and men’s health and their overall wellbeing in myriad ways. Luckily, unless you suffer from an underlying condition*, some simple lifestyle changes can already help you restore it.

What causes hormonal imbalance?

Your body is home to over 50 types of hormones. These powerful chemical signals tell your body what to do and when to do it by carrying messaging through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues. Because of this essential role, even a slight imbalance, which occurs when there is too much or too little of a hormone, can have a noticeable effect on male and female bodily functions. How well do you know the most common hormones in your body?

 Here are some of their functions:

01 Thyroid hormones regulate your metabolism

02 Melatonin controls your sleep and wake cycles

03 Cortisol is responsible for your body’s stress response

04 Insulin manages your body’s energy supply

05 Testosterone develops male sex characteristics

06 Progesterone supports female menstruation and pregnancy

07 Estrogen influences female sexual and reproductive development

How to balance your hormones, naturally

Here, dedication and consistency are key. So is a holistic approach: Consider various aspects of your life – from your diet to your physical activity and daily rituals – and you’ll soon see that even some small changes can have a big and lasting impact. Of course, if you have or assume any serious health conditions, please seek the advice of your trusted medical professional.

01 Exercise – Exercise for 30 minutes or more every day to help improve your blood flow and the delivery of nutrients and hormone signals.

02 Nutrition – Eat lots of protein, fiber, and healthy fats – and less sugar – to prevent insulin resistance and a disruption of your gut microbiome. You’ll also feel more in control of your hunger and fullness.

03 Stress – Dedicate a set amount of time per day to slow down, focus on your breathing, and engage in slow exercises like yoga or meditation.

05 Sleep –Respect the five essential phases for a healthy rest, and try to go to bed and wake at the same time every day.

The information is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a medical practitioner or a personal consultation with a qualified health professional and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a physician or qualified healthcare professional before undertaking any applications of any kind, particularly and especially those related to a specific diagnosis or condition.

Further explore the topic of stress or digestive disorders with our audio and video content pieces. They offer holistic solutions and expert advice, and will empower you to take an active and preventative role in your health.

*This guide isn’t meant to give medical advice – to properly comprehend your conditions and before implementing any of these recommendations, please consult a health professional.

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