Key Strategies to Balance Hormones Naturally – by your Burlington Naturopath.

How to rebalance hormones naturally

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If you have been diagnosed with a hormone imbalance, the primary goal of naturopathic treatment is to offer symptom relief with minimal impact on increasing the risk of other diseases. Naturopathic interventions focus on health and wellness education, disease prevention and encouraging the patient to make positive lifestyle changes where needed.

Naturopathic treatment for hormone imbalance typically includes:

  • Diet, exercise and stress management
  • Nutritional supplementation
  • Botanical medicine
  • Homeopathic medicine
  • Natural hormones (bio-identical hormones)

 

Following are some tips and a list of potential treatment approaches for each of these areas. For support with nutritional supplementation, botanical and homeopathic medicines, as well as bio-identical hormones, always consult a qualified integrative healthcare professional.

 

Diet/Nutrition

For optimal nutrition and to support hormone health, aim to reduce or eliminate:

  • Most saturated fats and dairy (e.g, cheese, butter, milk, beef and pork)
  • Trans fatty acids (deep fried foods, margarine, partially hydrogenated oils)
  • Refined grains and flours, sugar and salt
  • High glycemic index carbohydrates
  • Known food sensitivities
  • Food-borne toxins
  • Alcohol (a good guideline is a maximum of 3 alcoholic beverages weekly)

and increase or emphasize consumption of:

  • Organic foods whenever possible
  • Vegetables and fruits (a minimum of 8 servings, including up to 3 fruit servings)
  • Vegetarian and/or lean animal sources of protein
  • Alkaline foods (these should ideally make up 80% of your diet)
  • High-fibre foods (45-60 grams daily)
  • Legumes, nuts and seeds
  • Soy and other phytoestrogens daily (this includes flaxseeds, almonds, chickpeas, fennel, celery, sesame and pumpkin seeds, lentils and broccoli)

Exercise

A total of 40 minutes of physical activity daily is optimal for hormone and overall health. Benefits include improving metabolism to regulate weight, balancing neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood, balancing hormone production and reducing hot flashes.

 Stress Management

In addition to physical activity, incorporate other stress management techniques into your regular routine. Examples include meditation, mindfulness, breath work and restorative yoga.

Nutritional supplementation

To reduce or eliminate hot flashes, your healthcare professional may recommend supplementation with one or more of the following supplements:

  • Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
  • Bioflavonoids (such as Hesperidin, Hesperidin methyl chalcone, or quercitin)
  • Evening Primrose Oil
  • Gamma-oryzanol (ferulic acid)
  • Vitamin C
  • B- complex
  • Vitamin D3
  • Omega 3 Fatty Acids from concentrated fish oil
  • Magnesium glycinate or bisglycinate
  • Probiotics e.g. Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Botanical medicine

Herbal remedies effective in treating hormone imbalance and hot flashes include:

  • Black cohosh (for hot flashes, 40-80 mg for a minimum of 8 to 12 weeks)
  • Chaste tree berry to raise progesterone levels
  • Valerian and passion flower to restore and balance the nervous system
  • Motherwort to lower blood pressure and relieve tension caused by emotional and mental stress
  • Astragalus to improve energy and stamina, reduce excess perspiration, and strengthen the immune system

 

Bio-identical hormones

 Not all types of hormone supplementation are created equal. Many are pharmaceuticals containing fillers, binders, dyes, preservatives and adhesives. If your health professional recommends hormones, ensure they are bio-identical forms, compounded from natural sources (usually plant based).  These overall, have fewer side effects, and allow for unlimited dosing options and individualized treatment.

 

The bottom line

Hormone imbalance causes physical and psychological discomfort and is not ‘normal.’ It is important to monitor, assess and manage your hormone health before symptoms worsen and to prevent chronic conditions later on. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional with a comprehensive perspective on hormone and overall health and wellness, and if hormone therapy is suggested, ensure they are naturally derived, compounded bio-identical hormones.

 

Our NEX Wellness naturopaths in Burlington and Naturopaths in Binbrook offer various services with a focuses in hormone women’s and men’s hormone health, natural remedies for hormone imbalance in perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause, low thyroid, and bio-identical hormones.

Call or email us to book your appointment today. For a consultation with a Naturopath in Burlington call 905-634-5000.  For a Naturopath in Binbrook please call 905-692-9300.

Otherwise email us at info@nexwellness.com.