The human body houses more than 200 hormones, each playing a vital role in functions such as metabolism, fertility, and mood. This article explores some of the most prominent hormones and their connections to various aspects of our health.

Metabolism

1. Insulin: Released by the pancreas after meals, insulin transports glucose from the blood to cells for energy and facilitates the storage of excess sugar as fat.
2. Leptin: Originating from fat cells, leptin regulates appetite, aids in weight maintenance, and signals fullness, earning its moniker as the “satiety hormone.”
3. Ghrelin: Known as the “hunger hormone,” ghrelin stimulates appetite, influencing our eating habits.
4. Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4): These hormones play a crucial role in regulating weight, energy, temperature, and the growth of hair, skin, and nails.

Reproductive System

Estrogen: Regulating puberty changes, menstrual cycles, pregnancy maintenance, cholesterol levels, and bone strength in females.

Testosterone: Influencing puberty changes, sex drive, bone density, and muscle strength in both males and females.

Stress and Mood

Cortisol: The “stress hormone” released in stressful situations, impacting blood pressure and heart rate. Too much isn’t good for your health

Adrenaline: The “fight or flight” hormone, released during stress, increasing heart rate.

Melatonin: The “sleep-inducing hormone” released at night, preparing the body for sleep.

Nutrition to Boost Metabolism

Enhancing metabolism involves a combination of factors, including genetics. Incorporating metabolism-boosting foods into your diet can contribute to a healthier and more efficient calorie-burning process. A healthy metabolism is key to natural energy and an efficient way to torch calories without added effort.

1. Include Protein-Rich Meals
2. Embrace Whole-Foods
3. Stay Hydrated with Water, Green Tea, and Coffee
4. Incorporate Spicy Foods

Foods Supporting Hormonal Balance
Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage aid in efficient estrogen metabolism, which helps our livers efficiently and healthily. Consuming them regularly is one way to protect yourself from developing estrogen-dominant cancers. You could, for example, roast them with a drizzle of olive oil, which helps increase the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K. If you don’t eat cruciferous veggies regularly, then Neolife Cruciferous Plus is a great supplement to fill the gaps.

Salmon and Tuna

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, stabilizing hunger hormones and supporting hormonal communication.

Fat and cholesterol are the building blocks of hormones. You need enough cholesterol to make sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. The key is to choose fats that are rich in omega-3s and to limit saturated fats. Salmon, canned tuna, walnuts, flaxseed, olive oil, avocados, and chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Salmon also stabilizes your hunger hormones and is high in vitamin D, which helps regulate female testosterone levels. The good fats in fish improve overall hormonal communication. The endocrine system uses hormones to communicate with the brain, which in turn boosts our mood and gives us better cognitive skills.

To make sure you get enough of all the important Omegas, add Neolife Salmon Oil Plus to your daily nutrition.

Avocados

Avocados are high in beta-sitosterol, promoting balanced blood cholesterol and cortisol levels. The plant sterols in avocados also influence estrogen and progesterone, the two hormones responsible for regulating ovulation and menstrual cycles. The combination of fat and fiber in avocados increases hormones that promote satiety. Add half an avocado to breakfast or lunch to help you stay full for hours.

Organic Fruits and Vegetables

All fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The benefits of eating fruits and vegetables far outweigh not eating them if you can’t afford to eat organic. But by eating organic, you can greatly reduce your exposure to hormone-disrupting pesticides, such as glyphosate, which may negatively impact fertility. Many pesticides act as hormone disruptors, meaning they either mimic hormones in your body or affect the actions of your hormones. To guarantee enough antioxidants add Neolife Flavonoid Complex.

High-fiber carbohydrates

Think fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eating a diet high in fiber can help clear excess hormones from the body. Fiber, as well as lignans, which are abundant in flaxseed, facilitate binding and removal of unbound active estrogens. Focus on serving half (or even two-thirds) of your plate of non-starchy vegetables at most meals and a fifth of your plate of starchy vegetables like potatoes or whole grains. Root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes can be helpful, along with whole grains and beans. Including some starch in your meal may help to regulate the hormones melatonin and cortisol too.  If you don’t eat enough fruit & vegetables and do not have a variety of colors on your plate every day, you can add Neolife Carotenoids complex to fill the gaps in your your daily nutrition.

Prebiotics and probiotics

Probiotics are the good bacteria that reside in the gut, while prebiotics are fibrous foods those bacteria nosh on to flourish. The gut is the largest endocrine organ in the body and synthesizes and secretes more than 20 hormones that play a role in appetite, satiety, and metabolism. It is recommended to regularly eat prebiotic foods like raw garlic and oats, asparagus, dandelion, almonds, apples, bananas, Jerusalem artichokes, and chicory. And also incorporate probiotics like kimchi and yogurt. A good supplement for a happy gut is Neolife Acidophilus.

Factors Disrupting Hormonal Balance

Avoid Processed Foods, Fried Foods, Sugar, and Artificial Sweeteners 

All of these interfere with hormonal processes. Sugar, for example, increases stress hormones. Artificial sweeteners may alter our gut bacteria, which may impact the balance of hunger and satiety, those same hormones leptin and ghrelin.

Limit Alcohol Intake

Alcohol also interferes with several hormonal processes, from blood sugar control to estrogen metabolism. Too much alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for breast cancer, as well as other cancers. Stick to no more than one alcoholic drink a day if you’re a woman and no more than two drinks per day if you’re a man.  There a good zero-alcohol alternatives.

Prioritize Stress Management, Adequate Sleep, and Regular Exercise

In addition to a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, keeping stress levels low, and exercising regularly are all crucial for hormone balance.

Sleep deprivation is linked to low testosterone in men, and lack of sleep interferes with leptin and ghrelin (hence, why you tend to crave carbs and all the snacks when you’re tired).

Chronic stress leads to elevated levels of cortisol, which suppresses the digestive and immune systems and can cause high blood pressure. Cortisol also leads to carb cravings.

Exercise, meditation, sleep, and eating a bite of dark chocolate 🙂 increase levels of norepinephrine and serotonin. Norepinephrine boosts energy, and serotonin is the “feel good” hormone.

Bottom line

Maintaining hormonal balance is essential for overall health, impacting various aspects of life, from metabolism and reproduction to stress and mood. A well-rounded diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, stress management, and a healthy lifestyle contribute to harmonious hormonal function, reducing the risk of conditions such as obesity, diabetes, infertility, and cancer. To increase your vitamin, minerals, and antioxidant intake, you can add good quality Whole-food Supplements to your diet. There are lots of synthetic, over-the-counter supplements to be found that aren’t effective.  Make sure you take natural nutritional products that are backed by science. Choose Neolife!

For any questions or more details, please contact me or leave your comment below.