Hormonal balance is essential to a healthy mind and body but can be disrupted in various ways. Raising children, having a demanding career, juggling schedules, over-exercising, not getting proper sleep, eating junk on the run, etc., all place a heavy toll on our bodies and cause chaos in our hormones. In today’s modern, fast-paced society, it’s no wonder many women are worn out and feel less than amazing. It’s time we understand how to work with our bodies to combat the common hormone disruptors.

What Causes Hormone Imbalances?

1. Stress – in all its forms

One of the main culprits of imbalanced hormones is stress. But not just mental stress. When we are under chronic stress – be it a demanding job, shuffling our kids around, excessive exercising, lack of sleep, too much caffeine, or an improper diet – our bodies pump out a hormone called cortisol to buffer stress on the body.

Not only can high levels of cortisol lead to insulin resistance and inflammation, but the body also begins to steal progesterone to keep up with the demand. As a result, women can become estrogen-dominant, showing symptoms of imbalanced hormones such as mood swings, headaches, anxiety, sleep issues, low energy, stubborn weight, and more. In time, this imbalance can worsen with age, bringing on new symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, high blood pressure, and more.

2. Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance has become a massive problem in our culture, and it can lead to a myriad of chronic health problems. Since insulin is a hormone, and all hormones communicate, increased insulin levels disrupt every other hormone system in the body. When insulin isn’t doing its job efficiently, it’s nearly impossible to reduce the associated symptoms, including weight gain, difficulty losing weight, low energy levels, brain fog, food cravings, sleep issues, hot flashes, and night sweats.

Obesity, imbalanced hormones, unnecessary thyroid replacement therapy, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, lack of physical activity, chronic stress, lack of sleep, as well as over-consumption of sugars, carbohydrates, alcohol, and insufficient amounts of protein and fats all contribute to insulin resistance.

3. Inflammation

Think of inflammation like a fire your body is trying to extinguish. It’s a defense mechanism that goes off when your body tries to protect itself. Inflammation can be beneficial in many cases, such as when you sustain an injury, and inflammation senses the tissues need care and protection.

However, inflammation can cause more harm than good when your body is under constant or chronic attack. In this case, your body is so busy “putting out the fire” that its priority is not balancing your hormones. One of the main factors that can lead to inflammation is poor gut health and food sensitivities, often leading to fatigue, bloating, constipation, or unexplained weight gain.

4. Yeast Overgrowth

Candida albicans is a naturally occurring yeast that lives in the intestinal system. Its overgrowth occurs when your natural “friendly” bacteria become diminished. Good bacteria multiply when you sleep and are critical to your immune system. Most Americans do not get enough sleep and overeat sugar, which feeds this yeast. Candida yeast overgrowth can cause sugar/starch cravings, digestive problems (bloating), and will hinder weight loss.

Balance Your Hormones Naturally!

Simple lifestyle changes can help prevent and even reverse hormone imbalances caused by stress, insulin resistance, inflammation, and yeast overgrowth. They can also improve mood, sleep, cravings, hot flashes/night sweats, and fat-burning efficiency!

Fill up on fiber – through vegetables. 

Vegetables contain hundreds to thousands of plant hormones, known as phytonutrients, which have a hormone-balancing effect. Vegetables (as well as fruit) also supply us with fiber that binds itself to old estrogen, helping expel it from the body. Certain vegetables also provide prebiotic fibers that support good bacteria growth. Aim for a minimum of three cups of vegetables a day.

Stop the intense cardio sessions. 

Prolonged or intense cardio sessions can lower thyroid function and raise cortisol levels, depleting progesterone. Insulin levels and inflammation also rise. Instead, incorporate strength-building exercises and lower-impact activities like walking, yoga, and Pilates.

Cut out processed and inflammatory foods. 

For a few weeks, try cutting out wheat, dairy, soy, alcohol, coffee, sugar, and any processed or packaged foods. Then, slowly add these foods back into your diet, watching for signs of bloating, fatigue, or constipation.

Make time to destress daily. 

Making your mental health a priority is crucial to your hormone health. Set aside 20 minutes each day to do something relaxing. This evokes what Dr. Herbert Benson calls the “relaxation response,” which takes you out of the fight-or-flight state we tend to live in, lowering sympathetic nervous system overload.

Steer clear of environmental toxins and chemicals. 

Hormone disrupters are everywhere, but they can be avoided with some education. First, avoid parabens, phthalates, and bisphenol-A (BPA). Common offenders include plastics, air fresheners, dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, cleansers and cleaners, cosmetics, deodorants, toothpaste, shaving gel, and lotions. Not only do these disrupters affect your hormones, but they also have adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects. This is the perfect set-up for inflammation and gut flora imbalance.

Start taking a high-quality probiotic.

In our modern-day society, a high-quality probiotic is needed to ensure the body builds up its intestinal flora, which will then rebalance any harmful bacteria or yeast that can overgrow. Our dairy-free probiotic, Flora-3, is comprised of several strains of probiotics so they can more readily attach to the walls of the intestines. Stress, coffee, and medications (especially antibiotics) kill off these essential strains of bacteria.

Our Flora-3 professional-grade probiotic can help:

• Gas/Bloating
• Lactose intolerance individuals
• Constipation/Diarrhea
• Imbalanced blood sugar levels
• Weight gain/Fluid retention
• Skin irritations/conditions
• Poor bone health
• Digestion

Use our Natural Hormone Balancing Creams. 

Unless you plan to move to a remote island where you eat fresh fish and fruit, have no cell phone, and the absence of environmental toxins and stress, it’s nearly impossible to maintain proper hormone balance without supplemental support.

Our estrogen-free creams, Pro-Plus and Soothe Stress are specifically designed to provide hormone balance naturally. We use a combination of natural, plant-based progesterone (the only hormone proven safe for long-term use), DHEA, and herbs like maca to support and rebuild your adrenal glands and combat the adverse effects of stress. For more information on our proprietary Natural Hormone Balancing Creams, contact us today.

Get help from one of our Natural Hormone Balancing Specialists. 

If you have been struggling with symptoms of a hormone imbalance, we are here to help. Think of a Natural Hormone Balancing Specialist as your personal hormone health adviser. Someone who will be a guide to help you better understand what’s going on with your body.

She will support you and encourage you throughout your entire journey. She is a knowledgeable source of information, one who studies and understands hormones and holistic health. She will provide you with the tools and knowledge to help heal your body from the inside out. If you’re ready to take control of your health from a holistic approach, set up your free consultation with a center near you!

What makes BeBalanced different from other weight loss programs?

Ladies, it’s time to take control of our health from a holistic approach. The BeBalanced method is so different from other weight loss programs. In fact, for us, weight loss is just an added benefit of balanced hormones. We believe that PMS and menopausal symptoms can be corrected with a proper balance of nutrients, stress management techniques, supplementation, one-on-one support, uncovering food sensitivities, and lifestyle changes. Take the first step towards feeling better today. We will be here every step of the way! Together, we will address your specific symptoms and help you find your balance holistically. Set up your free consultation by finding a nearby center, or take our free hormone assessment.

Be well!