According to triple board-certified physician Anna Cabeca, MD, you’ll also want to eat alkaline, or higher pH foods. What does that mean, exactly?
“Alkaline and plant foods such as green leafy vegetables and other low-calorie vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower sprouts have a natural detoxifying effect on the body. Choose free-range, wild-caught, and clean protein sources as well as more alkaline fats, such as avocado, nuts and olive oil.” Other alkaline-rich foods include tofu, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes.
Additionally, you may want to take a magnesium supplement and drink a cup of high-quality green tea each day. Green tea can help lower blood sugar levels, which is especially important for someone with insulin issues. Magnesium can also help us respond to stress.
Regular exercise is important when it comes to hormonal imbalance. It isn’t just about weight, either. Exercise can help regulate our metabolism, and it has an effect on how much cortisol is released in our bodies.
Hormonal effects can result in unwanted weight gain. In fact, losing weight has been shown to improve hormonal conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and erectile dysfunction, while studies have found that insulin sensitivity issues improve with regular exercise. Even walking regularly has been shown to make a difference.
But how does exercise benefit us? “Exercise will increase AMPK activity that has significant benefits on gene transcription factors which control metabolism and tissue repair, while stress management and improved sleep will decrease excess cortisol levels,” Dr. Sears says.
“AMPK” stands for “adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase.” This is an enzyme that helps our bodies maintain healthy energy levels—a beneficial boost for anyone feeling sluggish and fatigued from hormone imbalance. (*/est)