3 Foods That Support Healthy Hormone Levels in Women

As women age, many find that their hormone levels get out of whack. This can lead to all kinds of unpleasant side effects, like fatigue, anxiety, and sleep issues. Many preventative medicine practitioners, like Dominique Fradin-Read, seek to help women maintain proper hormone levels so that they can continue living a full, energetic life. Learn more about some key foods that can help balance women's hormones.

1. Yams
Yams are enjoyed all over the world, and many cultures teach women to consume yams in larger quantities when they are about to hit menopause. According to Medical News Today, wild yams contain a chemical called diosgenin. Some evidence shows that diosgenin may influence female hormones, such as estrogen, in a helpful way for women who are experiencing unpleasant symptoms from menopause.
Yams provide plenty of helpful nutrients, especially vitamin A, and they can be prepared in several delicious ways.

2. Avocados
If you have been looking for an excuse to eat more guacamole, here is one: avocados may have a positive effect on stress hormones, some of which can mess with a woman's other hormones. Avocados have high levels of a compound called beta-sitosterol, which has been attributed to helping regulate blood cholesterol levels and cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol levels are helpful in rare life-threatening situations, but many of us have high cortisol levels due to excessive stress. Fortunately, there is some evidence that eating avocados can help balance these hormones out.

Avocado toast makes an excellent and filling breakfast, but avocados also make a wonderful addition to tacos, sandwiches, pasta, and even smoothies!

3. Flaxseed
Many people have heard of flaxseeds before, but few consume them on a regular basis. Flaxseeds are tiny seeds that contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are helpful for brain and heart health. They also contain phytoestrogens, a plant compound that mimics estrogen in the body. Many women suffer during menopause, and other periods of life, due to lower estrogen levels. The phytoestrogens from flaxseeds can help counteract low estrogen levels when eaten regularly.

Be sure to purchase ground flaxseed, as it is easier to digest than whole flaxseeds. Ground flaxseeds are also flavorless, so you can add them to anything, especially smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, and even casseroles without affecting the taste.

We all know that eating a nutritious diet can be helpful for balancing our hormone levels, but sometimes it can be difficult to know which foods we should add specifically to our diets for this purpose. These three foods are an excellent place to start!