Some supplements may help balance hormones if they provide nutrients required for hormone production.
However, taking supplements supports hormone levels only if they fill a need.
Supplements offer limited benefits if your diet provides all the nutrients you need and your endocrine system is healthy.
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That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
Your blood transports hormones to specific receptors on tissues and organs.
Once a hormone has found the right receptor, a reaction occurs.
The reactions sparked by hormones affect several important processes in your body.
These processes include:
Various glands throughout theendocrine systemmake hormones.
Hormones are key regulators of bodily processes throughout the lifecycle.
There are various signs and symptoms of ahormone imbalance.
A healthcare provider can help you determine if an imbalance is present and if treatment is needed.
A balanced diet contains all the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
But, sometimes, supplements are warranted, especially if a hormone imbalance is present.
According to scientific evidence, the following vitamins and minerals may help hormones regain balance.
One of the roles of magnesium is in the production and secretion of thyroid hormones.
Serum magnesium is known to gradually decrease with age, especially in females.
This may lead to disruptions in the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
In one study, low magnesium was also correlated with increased testosterone levels in those with PCOS.
There is also evidence that magnesium levels are affected bystress.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is considered both a vitamin and a steroid hormone.
In some studies, avitamin D deficiencyhas been linked to insulin resistance.
Zinc
Zincis an essential mineral that affects many hormones, including insulin and thyroid hormones.
Problems with growth and reproduction have been associated with zinc deficiency.
Not getting enough zinc may also lead to the development of certain endocrine diseases.
Zinc also appears to play a role in the transport of thyroid hormones.
However, the intricate relationship between zinc and thyroid hormones is not completely understood.
Zinc is also important to the regulation of insulin.
Accordingly,zinc supplementationhas been linked to improved blood sugar control in people withdiabetes.
Increased progesterone levels may normalize irregular periods and promote monthly ovulation.
Although more research is needed, vitamin B12 supplementation may improve thyroid function for some.
In the study, 46% of participants with Hashimoto thyroiditis also had a deficiency in vitamin B12.
Iodine
Iodineis a trace mineral found in certain types of salt and many foods.
It is also an essential component of thyroid hormone synthesis.
Once iodine is in your bloodstream, it is taken up by your thyroid gland.
then go on to affect your metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and more.
Low levels of iodine could lead to low levels of T3 and T4.
This disruption in thyroid hormone synthesis may also causehypothyroidism(an underactive thyroid).
These supplements typically contain one or more herbs thought to provide health benefits.
It has many uses and may help balance hormones like cortisol and testosterone.
Ashwagandha use also led to nonsignificant decreases in the stress hormonecortisol.
According to the study, ashwagandha may act on thehypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axisand reduce the stress response.
Studies have also looked at ashwagandha for help with balancing hormones in women experiencingperimenopause.
One study compared the effects of ashwagandha to a placebo in 91 women in perimenopause.
In one small study, black cohosh root was administered for eight weeks in early postmenopausal women.
Compared to a placebo, black cohosh root improvedhot flashesas well as other physical and psychiatricsymptoms of menopause.
In general, research results on using black cohosh for menopause have been inconsistent.
Results of the review revealed that chasteberry may normalize shortenedluteal phasesby increasing the hormone progesterone.
A different but similar systematic review discussed the potential role of chasteberry in infertility treatment.
While chasteberry is not recommended to treatinfertilityon its own, it may be helpful as a complementary treatment.
However, more research is needed.
Other licorice root compounds have shown an ability to block estrogen.
These findings have led some researchers to consider licorice root to be aselective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM).
SERMs are a key in of hormone therapy.
Examples of SERMs includetamoxifenandraloxifene.
Topical forms of licorice root may help with symptoms of menopause, likevaginal atrophy.
Maca
There is some evidence thatmaca(Lepidium meyenii) has an impact on reproductive hormones.
However, research in this area is fairly limited, and new studies are warranted.
For centuries, maca has been used by indigenous people for infertility and hormone imbalance, mostly in females.
Although the exact mechanism of maca is unknown, some researchers believe it may target testosterone receptors.
Scientific evidence suggests that marjoram may help with hormone imbalances in people with PCOS.
Marjoram tea was also found to decrease fasting insulin levels in the participants, but not significantly.
Very few other studies have looked at marjoram’s potential role in PCOS.
While marjoram may be linked to improved hormone balance in those with PCOS, more research is needed.
This protection may also help restore hormone imbalances.
Laboratory studies have found various potential benefits ofN.
In one study,essential oilfromN.
sativaseeds increased T3 levels in rats with hypothyroidism.
Other laboratory research has shown thatN.
sativamay act as a phytoestrogen, a plant compound that works similarly to estrogen.
Although these results are promising, it is unknown if the same results will occur in humans.
While much can be learned from laboratory studies, human trials are necessary to determine whetherN.
sativaseeds can help with hormone imbalances.
In more recent history,R.
roseahas been labeled as anadaptogen, which is a compound thought to help the body react to stress better.
As an adaptogen,R.
While the exact mechanism for the anti-stress actions ofR.
As with other herbs on this list, more research is needed onR.
roseato fully comprehend its role as an adaptogen and how that plays into hormone imbalances.
This modification may be useful for certain types of cancer.
In studies, DIM has also shown anti-inflammatory effects that may contribute to its purported anticancer effects.
Very few human trials have tested DIM for its role in hormone balance or cancer prevention.
By the end of the study, those who took DIM experienced improved estrogen metabolism.
Large-scale studies should be completed to confirm these findings.
Your body makes DHEA, but its synthesis decreases with age and certain medical conditions.
There is some evidence that DHEA supplements work to improve the balance of certain hormones.
DHEA can be converted to both testosterone and estrogen.
It is also known to help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Although controversial, DHEA has been proposed as a treatment for menopause.
The same review also found evidence that DHEA may improve fertility for some.
However, more research is needed to fully support these findings.
A more recent study assessed omega-3 fatty acid intake in people with PCOS.
Higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with better insulin resistance compared to low intakes.
Omega-3 fatty acids are believed to improve insulin signaling and regulation by acting on transporters and receptors.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also known to have anti-inflammatory properties.These properties may also help improve hormone imbalances by reducinginflammation.
However, there isn’t good data to back this claim up yet.
Probiotics may also help balance hormones.
Research shows that your gut microbiome interacts with your sex hormones, including testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen.
Basically, the healthier your gut microbiome, the healthier your sex hormones.
One review looked at the effects of probiotic supplementation on hormone levels in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Overall, more research is needed on the use of probiotics for hormone balance.
If you are dealing with a hormone imbalance, talk with a healthcare provider about the best treatment option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hormones can be proteins or steroids.
However, most hormones are proteins.
In humans, only sex hormones and hormones from the cortex of theadrenal glandsare steroids.
Some hormones are vital to the metabolic process.
There are many possible causes of a hormone imbalance.
These may include physical or mental stress, certain medications,cancer, and trauma.
Hormone imbalances can also occur during life transitions like puberty and menopause.
If you’re experiencing these or other signs of ahormone imbalance, talk with a healthcare provider.
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