Six years ago, the doctor told me I had hypothyroidism. The explanation for my fatigue, mood swings, irregular menstrual cycle… it was all hormones' fault.
Considering myself a "healthy girl," I was in for a rude awakening. I wasn't the type to pop a pill at the slightest headache, so starting allopathic treatment—no way! Well, looking back, and after many hours immersed in the world of hormones, I understand perfectly why my thyroid was suffering and that the "healthy girl" image was just a beautiful illusion…
Today, I know that hormones reflect our health . Back then, I was in the fashion industry: incredibly stressed and addicted to sugar. But stress and a diet high in empty calories are the enemies of our hormones! Our modern lifestyle is an increasingly common trigger for hormonal imbalances, often of an autoimmune nature. The good news: we can naturally modify our hormonal status through our lifestyle! Hormones are only partially determined by genetics; the regulation of hormone secretion is largely influenced by environmental factors, and diet plays a major role.
Here are the keys to a diet that has a positive impact on hormonal balance:
- Think about the quality of the food.
- Favor good fats and proteins, fresh and unprocessed, as this is the basis for hormone synthesis.
- Favor plant-based proteins low in saturated fats, and eat a variety of high-quality oils.
- Reduce portion sizes! Moderate calorie restriction is essential for hormonal balance. Definitely no dieting, just stop overeating.
- Support the liver and the natural detox process with foods like lemon, black radish, artichoke… and drink plenty of water! Our body needs to get rid of waste efficiently.
- Eat plenty of antioxidants – (fresh vegetables and fruits) because hormones are sensitive to oxidative stress.
- Load up on omega-3 (flaxseed oil, rapeseed oil, oily fish, chia) which promote balance by fighting against insulin resistance and inflammation.
- Prioritizing foods with a low glycemic index allows for more homogeneous synthesis (legumes, quinoa, vegetables, oilseeds).
- Eat soluble fibers that regulate hormones and estrogen levels in the blood (oats, legumes, dried fruit, seaweed).
- Consider trace elements such as selenium (Brazil nuts, seafood) and iodine (seafood, seaweed, alliums) for thyroid hormones.
- Use less salt! Excess salt disrupts hormones, notably by decreasing insulin sensitivity = increased risk of diabetes.
- Naturally balance your hormones, for example with phytoestrogens (plant hormones found mainly in soy).
Hormonal health is primarily about prevention , but we can always take action to improve an imbalance. Today, my hormones are happy without medication. Nevertheless, I know they change throughout life. It's a daily balancing act, so a little meditation and a good green juice are now sacred moments in my day.
Note: Always seek advice from a healthcare professional before stopping prescription medication or starting any new treatment.
To learn more:
See the article What to eat to be happy ?
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