Can Food Make a Difference?
When Dr. Linda Nelson started exploring health and wellness in Asia through her company, Solutions4, she made a fascinating discovery. Asian cultures, with their high intake of plant sterols in their diets, experienced fewer menopausal and menstrual symptoms compared to Western cultures. Plant sterols easily convert to human estrogen and progesterone in the body, making a significant difference. It seems that Asian women rarely encounter the symptoms that Western women have come to accept as normal.
The distinction between obtaining hormones from pills or animal products that have been exposed to synthetic hormones and obtaining them from plants is crucial. When you consume plant-based hormone precursors, you’re simply ingesting the building blocks. Your body utilizes and converts only what it needs, promoting natural and healthy hormone levels.
Some foods that provide plant hormone precursors include soy, flaxseed, yams, peas, cucumbers, bee pollen, Brazil nuts, seeds, papaya, banana, licorice root, raw fruits, raw vegetable juices, leafy greens, garlic, avocado, grapes, apples, wheat germ, wheatgrass, and cherries. By introducing these foods rich in estrogen and progesterone precursors, your body stimulates its own hormone balance instead of relying on synthetic replacements. Menopausal symptoms, for example, stem from an imbalance rather than a shortage of hormones. The body strives to return to its natural state. Choosing organic produce and hormone-free meat can further assist in hormone balancing. Additionally, there are supplements available that can help regulate hormones.
Recognizing Hormone Imbalance Symptoms
During preteens and teens, common symptoms include menstrual cramping, bloating, acne, mood swings, and heavy blood flow.
In the childbearing years (20s and 30s), symptoms may include PMS, migraines, infertility, bloating, and weight gain. Excess body fat poses a risk factor for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, breast cancer, and stroke.
Weight gain is prevalent in both men and women during their 30s and 40s due to changes in hormone levels affecting fat distribution. Postpartum depression and tender breasts are also common during this stage.
Perimenopause, the transitional phase, can bring erratic menstrual cycles lasting up to 10 years. Other symptoms include loss of sex drive, hair loss, mood swings, weight gain, bloating, night sweats, acne, sleep deprivation, depression, bone loss, cancer, and hot flashes.
Menopause marks the permanent end of menstruation for at least one year. Symptoms include hot flashes, osteoporosis, depression, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. These symptoms gradually decline during post-menopause. It’s important to note that these symptoms may also indicate the presence of candida, an overgrowth of yeast in the body.
If you experience any of these hormone imbalance symptoms and wish to increase your energy levels, improve your sleep quality, or activate your fat-burning hormones, our programs at Club Reduce can help you regain balance and return to a lifestyle you once enjoyed.
To design the right hormone program for you, we will assess your symptoms and conduct an evaluation. Based on the results, we can determine which supplements would be beneficial for your specific needs.
Recognizing Hormone Imbalance Symptoms
Understanding the signs of hormone imbalance can empower you to take control of your well-being. Here are some common symptoms that may indicate an imbalance in your hormones:
- Mood-related Symptoms:
- Depression
- Feelings of panic
- Mood swings
- Sudden anger
- Violence
- Crying and weeping
- Frustration
- Hysteria
- Insomnia
2. Physical Symptoms:
- Leg cramps
- Easy bruising
- Eye irritation/puffiness
- Backaches
- Cold extremities
- Fibroids
- Constipation
- Lack of appetite
- Tender breasts
- Infertility
- Greasy hair
- Boils
- Fainting
- Joint swelling
- Migraines
- Epilepsy
- Dry skin
- Joint pain
- Bloating
- Muscle pain
- Inflammation
- Lethargy
- Gallbladder problems
- Asthma
- Slow digestion
- Runny nose/sore throat
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek proper evaluation and guidance from a healthcare professional. Understanding the underlying hormonal imbalances can help develop a targeted plan to restore balance and improve your overall quality of life.