Hormones: we can’t see them, but we can certainly feel their effects. They work behind the scenes day after day, doing their part to maintain the delicate balance required for each body system to work as it should.
Things run more smoothly when hormones are in balance, but when your hormones are out of whack—either too low or too high—it can affect everything from gut health to your ability to lose weight. A variety of factors impact hormone levels, which can lead to imbalances:
Diet
Exercise
Other hormones
Stress
Medications
Circadian rhythm
Puberty
Pregnancy
Menopause
Genetics
Autoimmune conditions
In short, there’s no hiding behaviors and health conditions from your hormones. Everything that affects your body affects your hormones, too.
The gut: Your body’s second brain
So what does this mean for gut health? You’ve probably heard about the role probiotics play in maintaining a diverse and healthy environment in the gut. The importance of probiotics can’t be overstated, but they aren’t the only “invisible” allies supporting gut health.
Often referred to as the “second brain,” the gut has a complex network of neurons dedicated to producing and responding to various hormones. These hormones regulate digestion, appetite, and metabolism, making them key players in gut health and overall quality of life.
Signs of hormonal imbalances
If your hormones are unbalanced, you’ll start to notice the impact on your body, even if you don’t realize right away that hormones are part of the problem. Here are a few symptoms to watch out for:
Whether you’re looking to lose weight or feel better overall, getting your hormones back in balance is an important step in getting your gut health back where it needs to be to do its job well.
How to re-balance your hormones
Getting your hormones back on track may take some time and effort, but it’s worth it for the impact it has on your gut health. Take these guidelines into consideration as you get started.
Eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Start with plenty of fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which help support digestion and a healthy gut microbiome. Make sure you’re consuming healthy fats and protein, too. Avoid refined sugars and ultra-processed foods, as these can cause insulin spikes that make your appetite and energy levels fluctuate dramatically.
Manage stress. We may not be able to eliminate stress completely from our lives, but we can manage it by doing relaxing activities, taking breaks throughout the day, or even taking a few moments to take some deep breaths.
Sleep more. Most of us could use more quality sleep in our lives. Shoot for 7–9 hours a night to give your body a chance to do the rest and repair it needs, including hormone regulation.
Exercise regularly. Physical activity helps regulate insulin levels, improve mood, and support a healthy metabolism, all good things for gut health and your overall well-being.
Take probiotics. A probiotic like Probionic Plus or fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut can help to maintain a healthy microbiome, providing a healthy gut environment for hormone regulation, too.
Hormones play a pivotal role in all aspects of health, and the gut runs a lot more smoothly when hormones are in balance. Small changes can make a big difference, so any adjustments you can make to your lifestyle to support healthy hormone levels can go a long way in restoring the healthy balance your body needs to thrive.