Men, women and children are developing symptoms of hormonal imbalance. This is due to many lifestyle and environmental factors today including pollution, toxins, poor diet and the big one we need to know about, xenoestrogens (synthetic, man-made chemicals that act as estrogen in the body), hence having an effect on all humans not just women.
Our diet is one of the main ways we are exposed to these chemicals through refined and processed foods, sugar, non-organic fruits and vegetables, artificial colours and preservatives. Learning what foods to avoid and then learning what foods to add to help the body clear and detox these hormonal health risks is hugely important.
The condition of too much oestrogen is called ‘Oestrogen Dominance’. The symptoms are many but one main one is consistent, ie: weight gain and inability to loose weight. These chemicals have been labeled as OBESEOGENS and we definitely do not want them in our bodies. Other symptoms are many, you may be suffering from fatigue which will make it hard to get motivated to work out! You may also be experiencing digestive issues, cravings, irritability, depression, insomnia, low sex drive, low immunity just to name a few.
FRUSTRATING, ISN’T IT?
The good news is, eating certain foods can help us clear xenoestrogens. Research shows that excretion of oestrogen metabolites via the bowel is improved with a high fibre diet hence (PLANTS) - think dark green and bright colored. These foods help balance your hormones and shrink your waistline!!!
Eat foods with indole-3-carbinol because this substance found in vegetables is believed to prevent many cancers, has oestrogen clearing capabilities and helps balance hormones. Indole-3-carbinol can be found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, collard greens, kale, and turnips.
Also add spinach, carrots, tomatoes, green, yellow, orange and red capsicum, sea vegetables -Dulse and kelp to your diet.
Good fats - consume in moderation - olive oil, coconut oil, hempseed oil, flaxseed oil, nuts and seeds.
Spices to add to your diet - turmeric, cumin, cayenne, ginger, cinnamon.
You may consider supplementing with-
Vitamin C complex
B vitamins especially B6
Magnesium
Acidophilus fiber
Maca Powder
When body your body is given the right nutrients it responds and can do the job of excreting xenoestrogens, allowing you to benefit with better hormonal balance!
Yours in health,
Maria X
