Your hormones are significantly impacted by many aspects of your lifestyle, including your diet. The nutrients that you consume, as well as your general dietary patterns, play a role in the delicate balance of hormones throughout your body. Unfortunately, certain foods (in excess) and habits can be a detriment to your hormonal health and produce noticeable symptoms.
Read on to learn more about how your diet can alter your hormonal balance.
Nutrition and Hormonal Balance
The human body requires a range of nutrients to carry out various bodily processes. Without these nutrients, or without enough of them, your body won’t be able to produce, metabolize, and detoxify certain hormones.
The following nutrients are considered essential for hormonal balance:
- Selenium
The thyroid gland contains the highest concentration of selenium in the body. Selenium facilitates thyroid hormone production and regulates thyroid hormone levels. Without it, patients may develop thyroid issues (i.e. hypothyroidism). Foods that are naturally high in selenium include seafood, Brazil nuts, poultry, meats, eggs, grains, cereals, and some breads.
- Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 plays an important role in methylation, a bodily process that involves transferring simple molecules to bioactive compounds. Without enough vitamin B12, patients may experience hormonal problems, such as estrogen imbalance. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products, including red meat, fish, eggs, poultry, and dairy.
- Vitamin D
Vitamin D acts as a hormone in the body, though it’s often thought of as a vitamin. Vitamin D deficiency is known to impact insulin secretion and resistance, as well as estrogen levels. Sun exposure is the primary source of vitamin D, though a few foods (fatty fish, seafood, mushrooms, and egg yolks) contain it.
- Iodine
Iodine is a mineral that’s essential for thyroid hormone production. Iodine deficiency is a known risk factor for hormone disorders including underactive thyroid. Iodized table salt is a great source of iodine, along with seaweed, fish, and eggs.
If you’re struggling with symptoms of hormonal imbalance due to nutrient deficiencies, the team at The IV-Suite can help. Contact us today to learn more!