Hormonally Happy BY CHRISTY BARONI
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At a certain age, hormones start to have a mind of their own. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say that they no longer have your happiness in mind. The aging process sets in and manifests differently for every person, but there are several things you can do to keep your brain and body firing on all cylinders as you move through the different stages of aging. The medical community discusses hormones as if they exist in silo. Testosterone is X, estrogen is Y, progesterone is Z… and while those numbers are technically correct and provide a valid data point, this doesn’t shed light on how hormones behave in your body. It is more accurate to picture a spider web, interconnected in infinite ways, where even the smallest change in one hormone pulls and tugs on each of the others. Your body is a miraculous creation, but also an endless puzzle once you start to manipulate hormone balance on your own. If you are experiencing the onset of hormonal changes, first and foremost you are not alone. And second, there are several things you can do nutritionally to ease the impact of what is taking place in your body*. Add one Brazil Nut to your day. You know the brazil nut stands out due to its large oblong shape and unique buttery taste. But they are also nutrition standouts as well! They contain a high amount of selenium which is a trace mineral that directly impacts your immune system and your thyroid function. They also contain monounsaturated fats and fiber which help ward off heart disease and aid in digestion. Adding one to your day is an easy way to pack a big punch with a small change. Eliminate or greatly reduce dairy. While dairy itself is not bad or good, there are several things to consider about how it impacts your body when seeking to manage hormonal changes. The saturated fat content in most dairy products can increase inflammation in your body. This inflammation can manifest in many different ways from acne and constipation all the way to arthritis and leaky gut syndrome. You can get the healthy fats and B12 from other cleaner sources like mushrooms, spinach, and even celery juice. To start, keep track of your dairy intake for a 3-day period to ground truth exactly how much you are consuming, and work to reduce it over the course of several days. Add an avocado. Perhaps the most delicious way to positively impact your changing body is to toast a slice of Dave’s Killer Bread, and cover it with ½ a mashed avocado plus a dash of pepper and/or garlic. The magic component of the avocado is 22
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the beta-sitosterol which positively impacts your stress hormone cortisol (commonly known as the ‘belly fat hormone’). Betasitosterol can also help increase your levels of healthy cholesterol. You are not alone when battling the changes to your mind and body during hormonal changes. You can thrive during this time by making some small yet mighty changes to your food intake!
*These nutrition recommendations are not meant to replace seeking medical advice when needed. Please do speak to your doctor to understand your own personal journey. Christy Baroni is a Nutrition Specialist, certified small group fitness trainer, and a certified Personal Trainer. She is a military spouse, a mother of two, and is dedicated to helping people cultivate daily habits to build the body and life of their dreams. For more healthy living ideas or to create your own fitness and nutrition plan contact her today at 843-290-5803 or ChristyBaroni@gmail.com.
