Hormones are substances produced by our bodies that control almost all of our actions, including our growth, repair, and reproduction. Many people experience hormonal imbalances throughout their lives and struggle to regulate their hormones. Therefore, it is essential to take care of these vital substances.

Fortunately, many studies are underway to discover how we can naturally support our hormones.

Consuming a daily dose of seeds

Seeds contain specific nutrients and fatty acids that are supposed to support hormonal function. Some of my favorites to include in your diet are:

Sunflower seeds: they contain high levels of vitamin E, an important antioxidant for estrogen production. In addition, sunflower seeds also help increase progesterone levels.

Flaxseeds: These magical seeds are, in short, an estrogen adaptogen. This means that they can act as an amplifier or blocker of estrogens, depending on your body’s needs. They are capable of doing so because they are rich in lignans.

Pumpkin seeds: they are an excellent source of magnesium. Magnesium supports the adrenal glands and reduces stress levels in our bodies.

Hemp seeds: they contain good amounts of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid that can also have anti-inflammatory effects, and help relieve premenstrual syndrome symptoms and balance hormone levels.

Consuming mushrooms

Mushrooms have been used for centuries worldwide due to their powerful healing benefits. They can help balance hormones, eliminate toxins, and reduce stress levels in the body. Reishi mushrooms are particularly useful for hormonal issues as they help eliminate harmful toxins from the body and provide vital support to your adrenal glands. Maitake is another great mushroom for balancing hormones, and it has been found useful in improving insulin sensitivity.

Avoiding refined carbohydrates

Food plays a huge role in balancing the body’s hormones. Diets high in refined carbohydrates (I’m talking white bread, chips, etc.) tend to increase insulin resistance. In contrast, consuming a moderate-carbohydrate diet based on whole foods can reduce insulin levels in overweight people and also help insulin resistance conditions such as diabetes. Consuming refined carbohydrates causes an increase in blood sugar, to which the body responds by creating a stress response. As always, be sure to follow a complete diet – that’s the best rule of thumb!

Increasing your healthy fats

Consuming healthy fats is an excellent way to support your natural hormone function. Healthy fats also trigger the release of hormones that help you feel satiated. When we talk about healthy fats, we mean things like avocados, almonds, and olive oil. Known to increase insulin sensitivity, they balance blood sugar levels, support the nervous system, and fight inflammation in the body.

Eating intuitively

Intuitive eating is the guiding principle that works wonders for healing and helping your relationship with food. Don’t believe me? Intuitive eating is supported by over 100 studies. It helps you connect with your body and determine when you’re really hungry. And ultimately, your body knows exactly how much you want to eat and lets you know exactly what you want to eat. Studies have shown that calorie restriction and a regular diet actually cause your body to release cortisol, the stress hormone. Intuitive eating is an excellent way to balance cortisol levels in your body and allow your body to be exactly as it is supposed to be.

Using essential oils

I am an advocate for using essential oils to help support our hormones. There are several ways to do this, and I suggest some specific blends aimed at balancing the body’s hormones. You can also use oils such as Lavender to offer emotional support, once again reducing the risk of cortisol release that causes a stress response in the body.

True Lavender (promotes better concentration, reduces stress, soothes troubled minds, fights anxiety.)

Rosemary with cineole (boosts alertness and promotes concentration. It combats mental fatigue and revitalizes the mind.)

Lemon (boosts concentration, is anti-stress and anti-depressive, and stimulates memory and attention.)

Orange (versatile, this oil boosts concentration, has anti-stress and anti-depressive power, and stimulates memory and attention.)

Including these Magic Foods

3 whole foods that are excellent for supporting your hormones are broccoli, lentils, and sweet potatoes. Broccoli (and the entire family of cruciferous vegetables to which it belongs) is rich in glucosinolates and isothiocyanates – although these words may not mean much to me or you, they can help neutralize carcinogens. Lentils have extremely high levels of soluble fiber, which helps our body in the detoxification process. Sweet potatoes, already a staple in many households, are rich in vitamin B6, another vitamin that helps our liver detoxify.

This liver detoxification is important because it helps us get rid of all the extra hormones that cause an imbalance. If you want to learn more about detoxifying foods, check out my free guide.