Eating right, exercising, and drinking water are just the pillars of leading a healthy life. There are many other habits that need to be built on top of this foundation to elevate your health to the next level. Our digestive and hormone health are two vital aspects of our health that require our attention and dedication, and yet, they are often overlooked.
Given the connection between all the different parts of your body, it is crucial to ensure you are in tune with your body and its needs. Hormone instability and gut complications are indicators that something needs to change in order to avoid mental and physical struggles.
Understanding the Hormone and Gut Connection
Similar to the gut-brain connection, the hormone and gut connection means that when one suffers the other is not far behind. Poor gut health can cause a disruption in the body and prohibit certain hormone-producing glands and organs from properly doing their job. This disruption causes the hormones to become imbalanced. A weak gut lining can diminish our body’s ability to absorb nutrients, meaning we become nutrient deficient.
Nutritional deficiencies further impact our hormone production. For example, our bodies need B vitamins such as vitamin B12 to metabolize hormones such as estrogen and thyroid, and because of this connection a deficiency in B vitamins can cause symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, a decline in energy, and mood instability.
Furthermore, our gut is responsible for producing a majority of our serotonin which is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. As a hormone, serotonin is responsible for helping the body achieve optimal digestion and help protect against gastrointestinal disorders. These are just some of the ways that gut health impacts hormone stability. Now let’s dive into how hormones impact your gut.
Hormone instability can affect a variety of different aspects of your health both internally and mentally. Hormone fluctuation can cause us to digest the food we consume in an erratic manner that can lead to constipation, diarrhea, and irregular bowel movements. Unstable hormone levels can also lead to chronic inflammation including in the gastrointestinal tract. Lastly, hormone fluctuation can trigger the muscles in your intestines to tighten and contract in a way that can cause an unpleasant feeling.
While the connection between these two aspects of one’s health can become complicated, there are ways to support both aspects in hopes of avoiding these issues.
Natural Supplements That Help To Balance Out Your Hormones and Reduce Bloating
As mentioned above, B vitamins play a pivotal part in hormone production. While B vitamins can definitely be derived from consuming foods such as eggs, tuna, and salmon, a supplement with vitamin B can also be incredibly helpful. Our supplement, Metaboliz, was created with your hormone health in mind. Metaboliz is a supplement for bloating and energy that contains vitamin B12 and anti-inflammatory ingredients that can help to reduce inflammation caused by hormone instability.
This supplement goes hand in hand with our probiotic for bloating, Probiotic Renu. Probiotics are known to help support a healthy gut, reducing your chances of experiencing unstable hormones due to a weak gut.
If you find that your estrogen and progesterone levels tend to fluctuate at an inconsistent rate, chasteberry might be the solution for you! Chasteberry is a fruit that grows off the chaste tree and is native to Asia. Chasteberry is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce common premenstrual symptoms such as mood swings, breast tenderness, and headaches.
Our hormones can also be triggered by high levels of stress which is why stress-relieving remedies are so crucial! Ashwagandha is a great example of an all-natural ingredient that works hard to bring down your stress and cortisol levels. However, as with any new ingredient or supplement it is important to consult with your physician on your own personal health journey to find what works best for you and your body.
Sometimes, hormone instability can be caused by underlying health diseases so it is important to reach out to your physician to discuss these health issues.
Lifestyle Activities That Will Transform Your Gut and Hormone Health
Now let’s dive into some ways you can support your hormones and gut health on a day-to-day basis!
Our mood, hormones, energy level, and gut health is heavily impacted by our quality of sleep which is why regulating your sleep-wake cycle is so important. Exposing your body and eyes to sunlight first thing in the morning is a great way to tap into hormone production and overall regulation.
Keep that morning productivity going with a high-protein breakfast before tapping into the coffee pot. Mornings are a sacred time and however you choose to build your morning routine just know that it sets you up for the remainder of your day. A high-protein breakfast reduces your chances of experiencing blood sugar issues and reduces cravings in the future.
Throughout your day, try to limit your exposure to activities or areas that might cause stress. For example, if you find yourself feeling stressed from having to answer calls or texts throughout your work day but can’t seem to stay away, consider turning your phone ringer or notification feature off. Take note of how this disconnection can help you focus, feel more productive, and in turn reduce your stress levels.
Let’s not forget about the power of hydration. Feeling properly hydrated significantly reduces your chances of experiencing loads of unpleasant symptoms including digestive issues and hormone fluctuation. However, it is important to note that being properly hydrated means more than drinking water. Hydration requires a sufficient intake of electrolytes which can be derived from coconut water, certain sports drinks, and watermelon – to name a few ingredients. If you choose to drink a sports drink, just be sure to find one with little to no added processed sugars to avoid the inflammatory reaction from consuming refined sugars. Adding a pinch of sea salt to your water bottle is also a great way to stay properly hydrated!