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Pull up TikTok and theres a good chance youll scroll past an influencers favorite hormone-balancinggreens powderorraw carrot salad.
Heres what they told us.
What does hormone-balancing even mean?
board-certified OB/GYN and founder and director ofHolistic Gynecology New York
There are so many different hormones in the body and they all [serve] very different functions.
saysMelissa Groves, RD, a registered dietitian and founder of The Hormone Dietitian.
Are we talking about high estrogen?
Plus, the term hormone imbalance doesnt get athowyour hormones may need to shift to alleviate your symptoms.
If that critical detail isnt mentioned by whoevers promoting it, we have a problem.
How risky are hormone-balancing supplements, really?
For some hormone-balancing products, the greatest risk might simply be lost dollars.
Others could come at a higher cost.
Its not theoretical, Dr. Thangudu warns.
board-certified OB/GYN and founder and director ofHolistic Gynecology New York
These are real complications.
DIM can help the body excrete excess estrogens.
While eating more greens is great, taking a DIM supplement unnecessarily can cause serious side effects.
Another pro tip: Hormone-balancing supplements made from proprietary blends are a red flag.
Most of these proprietary blends contain subtherapeutic amounts of the ingredients that would actually be helpful, Groves says.
Hormone-balancing diet recipes: beneficial or bogus?
Whole foods are less likely to pose health risks compared to supplements.
If youve come across ahormone-balancing green smoothiemade with flax seeds for phytoestrogens, rest assured it isnt complete BS.
In other words, a nutrient-rich kale salad is always welcome.
Influencers promoting it as acure for PCOS?
Here are just a few of them.
Logging adequate shuteye (think: eight hours nightly) is key for keeping cortisol levels in check.
That includes fueling ourselves appropriately.
Stable blood sugar isnt just good for hormones like insulinit also supports steady cortisol.
Because when blood sugar gets too low,cortisol can spike, Groves says.
Also, do your best toeat a wide variety of plant-based foods.
Opt for whole fruits and veggies or smoothies instead of juices which lack that all-important dietary fiber.
Move often
Find ways to move every day that bring you joy.
And remember to prioritize consistency over intensity for your hormones.
You cant loathe yourself into health, Dr. Thangudu says.
Real health changes, both physical and mental, come from loving yourself and treating yourself like a friend.
Blaming ourselves for our [health] shortcomings is not productive.
Real health changes, both physical and mental, come from loving yourself and treating yourself like a friend.
Blaming ourselves for our [health] shortcomings is not productive.
Dr. Thangudu
Being nice to yourself also means seeking out the individualized care you so deeply deserve.
That pro can help guide you towards the evidence-based interventions that will work best for you.
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