Hormone Health Archives - Page 3 of 10

One of the best foods to help balance hormones – Flax seed.

Written by trish on July 27, 2022. Posted in Hormone Health.

If you are looking to improve your diet and adopt a healthier lifestyle for a happier you, switch your diet to include healthy fats instead of carbs for better, balanced hormones. These include foods that are high short, medium, and long-chain fatty acids, which are essential in managing your hormones, keeping your inflammation levels low, boosting metabolism, and supporting weight loss.

One simple way of realizing our goals of taking better care of our minds and bodies is the addition of a small, shiny seed into our meals.

Flaxseed, also known as linseed, can help you lead a healthier life. It has been shown to improve blood sugar levels in diabetics and reduce cholesterol. It is considered a superfood because of its high dietary fiber and omega 3 fatty acids.

Flaxseed is also a great source of lignans, a form of phytonutrients that offer potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics.

Flaxseeds are versatile and easy to use. Incorporating flax into your meals is a very low maintenance way of reaping exponentially more benefits. Flaxseed contains a wide array of minerals, healthy fats, and vitamin B that can help promote healthier hair and skin, resolving issues of redness and flaky skin and reducing acne, eczema, and rosacea. Flaxseed oil is also a great moisturizer.

Researchers have also found that the lignans present in flaxseed may help reduce the risks of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.

Flax seeds improve metabolism by acting like natural gum. Flaxseed is rich in mucilage gum, which assists in nutrient absorption. It helps by keeping food in the stomach for longer periods of time, allowing for maximum nutrient absorption. The mucilage gum is water-soluble, which also enables better removal of toxins and waste and soothes the stomach lining.

The lignans do not stop there. They can help regulate female hormones in the bloodstreams, act as phytoestrogens, and provide antioxidants. This regulatory effect on the female hormones is helpful because it presents a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy, reduces the risks of osteoporosis, and helps regulate menstruation cycles.

Flax seeds do not only improve life by improving your health, but they serve as healthy substitutes for cooking and baking. Ground flax is a good way to substitute flours that contain gluten. This is particularly beneficial for those who are afflicted by celiac disease or those who may be sensitive to gluten. Flaxseed is a multipurpose ingredient that serves as a powerhouse for better health.

Have a fabulous summer. I am taking some time off to be with my family.

We have a busy summer planned. A mix of yoga, surfing and festivals.

See you at World Yoga Festival, Beautiful Days or Greenbelt Festival.

If you would like to book a call

Clinic is open the following days in August.

12th, 15th, 16th

Let me know if you would like to book a session for these days.

Also, be sure to connect in the FB group as I will keep an eye on any questions and continue to support our growing FB community.

If you would like to learn more about my 8-week Time To Nourish packages email me here trish@trishtuckermay.com The next group programme will be commencing mid-September.

Kind regards

Trish

Top Tips To help you with emotional eating.

Written by trish on July 18, 2022. Posted in Brain Health, Gut Health, Hormone Health.

Do you suddenly feel hungry, stressed and overwhelmed?

Do you crave specifically unhealthy foods? Do you feel guilty or ashamed after eating?
Do you feel as though you have to eat immediately? Is your hunger satisfied when you’re full?

Physical hunger won’t make you feel shame about eating food, whereas emotional hunger is often linked with unpleasant emotions.

How to stop eating emotionally?

It can be difficult to stop emotional eating, especially when it’s become a habit over a long period of time. But don’t worry—it’s absolutely possible to address emotional eating and pay attention to your true hunger cues, allowing you to work through your emotions separately.

This will improve your physical and your mental wellbeing, and will be an important step to healing your gut and balancing your hormones.

If you feel hungry, drink water first.

Sometimes you can be dehydrated and confused about hunger sensations.

Wait five minutes before eating when you feel hungry.

Try to identify your emotions before eating. How are you feeling? How do you want to feel? If you are feeling tired, bored, lonely, angry, sad it can be helpful to find another way to sooth other than food.

Have a list of your tools in your toolkit and post it on the fridge. This could be a short walk, legs up the wall, lying down, calling a friend, or listening to your favourite music.

Keep track of your eating habits to identify your triggers.

My clients find it useful to track daily food in the client app – this helps with accountability.

Keep healthy snacks on hand for when you are physically hungry
Things like carrot sticks and hummus or a handful of nuts will help to satisfy true hunger – and if you don’t want to eat them, it’s a sign that you may not be physically hungry,

Incorporate healthy habits into your daily life

Go for walks – anything to get OUT OF THE KITCHEN!

Eat regular well-balanced meals – DON’T SKIP MEALS. This adds to stress.

Get enough sleep and

Connect with friends and family

All these will help to boost your mental health and help you to address your emotional eating.
Triggers such as boredom, sadness and stress can result in overeating—even positive emotions such as excitement and happiness can be a trigger, as well as using food as a reward.

By working to understand why you’re eating emotionally, you’ll be better able to recognise your trigger emotions and be able to actually work through them instead of reaching for food.

If you are struggling with bloating and emotional eating please download the free eBook.

To get started download the free eBook to beat the belly bloat and balance hormones. https://passion4juice.groovepages.com/

What’s In Your Post-Viral Fatigue Toolkit?

Written by trish on June 28, 2022. Posted in Hormone Health.

Post-viral fatigue is not a new problem, yet now, over two years since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, interest and awareness is at an all-time high.

The term ‘post viral fatigue’ describes a condition that can happen weeks or months after the initial onset of a viral infection.

Post-viral fatigue or post viral fatigue syndrome is completely different to normal tiredness, can affect people of different ages and does not always relate to the severity of the initial viral infection. In addition to fatigue, other symptoms may include brain fog, headaches, joint pain, muscle soreness, sleep problems, depression and even recurring symptoms of viral infections such as sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.

I have still been experiencing brain clag – it feels different to brain fog. Plus, my ears are still blocked at times.

My recommended post-viral fatigue toolkit.

Glutathione – liver support

Mitochondria are often referred to as the energy-producing powerhouse of the cell, yet they are highly vulnerable to damage from oxidative stress. In addition, factors such as infection, oxidative stress and inflammation can negatively impact the blood brain barrier.

Glutathione is often referred to as the body’s master antioxidant and provides essential protection for both mitochondria and the blood brain barrier against oxidative damage.

Our bodies can make glutathione from the amino acids cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid; however, cysteine is often considered to be a rate-limiting step.

Supplementing with N-acetyl cysteine before breakfast supports the body’s production of glutathione.

Alpha lipoic acid

Alpha lipoic acid is also an important antioxidant, is capable of regenerating other key antioxidants such as glutathione, vitamin C and Co-enzyme Q10 and is involved in the activation of key antioxidant signalling pathways.

Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Levels of CoQ10 tend to decline with age. Supplemental CoQ10 has been shown to positively impact markers of inflammation.

Supplementation with CoQ10 may help to improve symptoms such as fatigue and depression.

Magnesium

‘Nature’s tranquiliser’ for the key roles it has to play in supporting calm, relaxation and a balanced stress response, yet magnesium is also essential for energy production and muscle function. It can be a real challenge to consume enough magnesium and levels are rapidly depleted during times of stress.

Curcumin

Is the main active component of turmeric and is best known for powerful and widespread anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

Green tea

A powerful antioxidant, it has been shown to positively influence multiple inflammatory pathways.

Quercetin

Is a bioflavonoid found in plants such as onions, berries, apples and capers. Quercetin may inhibit the release of histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes and protects against oxidative stress and inflammation.

Sulforaphane (active ingredient in broccoli)

Is a bioactive compound derived from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli. it has been widely studied for its incredible ability to activate many different antioxidant pathways in the body. These antioxidant pathways are crucial for protecting mitochondria and the blood brain barrier against oxidative stress, and for keeping inflammation in check.

Omega-3

Our bodies can use omega-3 fatty acids EPA & DHA as building blocks and are essential for switching inflammation off when it is no longer needed.

Yours in health and wellness,
Trish Tucker May

The Best Food to Support Hormones – Blueberries

Written by trish on June 13, 2022. Posted in Hormone Health.

Blueberries are flowering indigo-coloured berries that are sweet, long-lasting, and versatile. They are a great way to jazz up salads, smoothies, yogurt, and gluten-free pancakes, cupcakes, or waffles. Not only are they tasty and easy to snack on, but they are powerhouse superfoods with a wide range of benefits. Here are just a few.

High in nutrition

Blueberries are very nutritious. A cup contains four grams of fiber, 36% of your daily value (DV) of vitamin K, 24% DV of vitamin C, 25% DV of manganese and 15 grams of healthy carbohydrates.

Low in calories

Although they are high in nutrition, they are low in calories. One serving of 148 grams of blueberries only contains 84 calories.

King of anti-oxidants

Blueberries are often referred to as the king of antioxidants. They contain a high number of flavonoids that reduce the risk of various types of diseases and illnesses like cancer and heart problems.

Promote anti-aging

Daily consumption of blueberries reduces the risk of DNA damage and the development of anti-aging symptoms.

Fight various diseases and illnesses

Blueberries can help reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and improve your memory and other brain activities.

Workout partner

Blueberries are great for restoring and repairing muscle damage after hard workout sessions. Add a handful of them to your post-workout protein shake or smoothie.

Help in losing weight

The fiber in blueberries helps you feel full, satiates cravings, and provides you with loads of long-lasting energy. Whip up a smoothie or throw them into some Greek yogurt to help keep your snacking healthy.

Healthy digestion

Having a handful of blueberries as a dessert after your meal will help to improve your digestion and will save your body from disturbing illnesses like constipation.

Promote clear and glowing skin

Blueberries promote clear skin. The high levels of vitamin C help reduce the damages of smoke, pollution and built up makeup. Try a blueberry facemask at home to help your skin regain its glow.

Have luscious locks

The vitamins and nutrients in blueberries can help restore the lustre and shine of your hair. You can even crush a handful of blueberries and add them to your hair oil as a hair mask. Apply, let sit for a few minutes, and rinse. Your hair will feel amazing.

You are strong when your bones are strong

Blueberries contain magnesium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus that promote strong, healthy bones. Daily consumption of a handful of blueberries may help repair damaged bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

If you would like to learn more about my Hormone Balancing Package including DUTCH TEST and Happy Menopause Package click here

Yours in health and wellness,

Trish Tucker May

How to support your adrenals

Written by trish on April 5, 2022. Posted in Brain Health, Hormone Health.

What are adrenal glands and where are they located?

Your adrenal glands play a very important role in maintaining your health. They are incredibly small, about the size and weight of a coin. They are located above your kidneys, just below the muscle tissue of your lower back.

What do adrenal glands do?

Our adrenal glands are responsible for many things that assist in regulating our body and hormones, including thyroid and reproductive hormones. They are also responsible for managing stress, the amount of inflammation in our body, our immune system, our blood sugar levels and the electrolytes in our blood. They influence all the physiological functions processes of the body and help stave off physical fatigue.

Signs your adrenal health needs support

When there is something wrong with our body, it will start to signal us that something needs to be addressed. Here is how your adrenal glands will signal you that something is wrong.

Your blood sugar level will either drop or spike suddenly.
Your hormones will be all over the place. One moment you are happy and the other moment you will find yourself crying over something that does not even bother you that much.
You get sick more often because your immune system will not function properly without healthy adrenal glands.
You will be stressed and it will be hard for you to manage your stress levels.
Your sex drive will decrease.
It will be hard for you to complete your daily tasks because those tasks will require a lot more effort than usual.
You will find it hard to keep yourself awake even if you know that you need to sacrifice sleep for a very important task.
You will constantly crave food, mostly salty and savory foods, and it will be hard you satisfy your cravings. You will find yourself craving them more even if you have just eaten something.
Your body will take longer to heal properly.
You will fail to find happiness or excitement in tasks and hobbies that you enjoyed before.
You may find yourself skipping meals.

How to improve your adrenal health

If you suspect your adrenal glands may need some care and attention, try some of the following tips.

Get your sleep schedule in sync:

Make sure that you get quality sleep for 9 to 10 hours. Sleep and wake up at the same times to get your body in a rhythm. It needs to follow a routine to start to heal.

Daily exercise:

Set aside at least 30 minutes a day for exercise, no matter how busy or tired you may be.

Add these to your diet:

To improve your adrenal health, add proteins, healthy carbs, zinc, calcium, and vitamins (especially C and D) to your diet. Also increase foods like coconuts, avocados, olives, chia seeds, bone broth, nuts, vegetables and fish, but make sure you do all of this in moderation.

If you would like to learn more about my tests to measure adrenal health please get in touch.

Best Foods for Aging Well

Written by trish on March 24, 2022. Posted in Gut Health, Hormone Health.

Early aging has a lot to do with your diet and your lifestyle. Our body is like a machine—good input leads to good output. What you ingest and put in your body has a huge impact on your biological system and your long-term health. A natural lifestyle does not have instant effects, but the long-term benefits are invaluable. Staying active and eating a nutrient-packed balanced diet can help slow the aging process and even prevent numerous diseases. Here are a few foods that can help you live a long and healthy life with great skin and a great body.

1.Olive Oil

Olive oil has many anti-aging benefits. The monounsaturated fats in olive oil are can have a huge impact on the prevention or delay of heart disease and cancer. Olive oil also has polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids and the protein, minerals, and vitamins you need for healthy skin and hair. It has vitamins B and D to prevent the appearance of wrinkles and oleic acid and polyphenols to help smooth skin.

2.Pomegranate

Packed with vitamin C, pomegranates are great for softening skin and guarding it against sun damage. The juice in pomegranate seeds contains punicalagin and ellagic acid, which is a polyphenol compound that combats damage from free radicals. Punicalagin is a super nutrient that improves your body’s ability to preserve collagen, a subdermal connective tissue that makes skin look smooth and plump.

3.Yogurt

Yogurt is rich in calcium, which plays a huge role in staving off osteoporosis, and contains good bacteria that help in the maintenance of gut health. Yogurt contains live bacterial cultures, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, that fight the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria and help restore balance in the intestine. These probiotics result in better health and can help prevent age-related illnesses.

4.Blueberries

Blueberries contain more antioxidants than almost any other food. These give your skin an extra defense against skin-damaging free radicals that result from exposure to sun, over-exercise, and even emotional stress. Half a cup of blueberries every day can help in the prevention of the cell-structure damage that can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. Anthocyanin is also found in blueberries and functions just like an anti-inflammatory and can help maintain healthy brain function.

5.Fish

Fish is an abundant source of omega-3 fats, which helps prevent cholesterol buildup in the arteries and provides protection against abnormal heart rhythms. Fish oil and fish proteins are used in the beauty industry worldwide. They promote healthy looking skin and the omegas found in fish are essential for regulating blood clotting, body temperature, body pressure and the immune system.

If you would like to learn more about my gut healing, hormone balancing support book a call today.

Yours in health and wellness,

Trish Tucker May

Tips to Help You Lose Weight over 40

Written by trish on March 10, 2022. Posted in Gut Health, Hormone Health.

I get asked about diets and weight loss all the time.

My best advice is to eat real food, not too much and balance your hormones by eating plenty of fat and protein at every meal. This helps with appetite control and blood sugar balance.

I often get asked whether a Keto Diet is best for perimenopause and weight loss.

The ketogenic diet involves a combination of food that allows the body to produce ketones in the liver to be used as energy.

It is also referred to as a low carb diet.

Let’s learn about the Keto diet and see how it can be your answer to weight loss.

How exactly does the Keto Diet work?

Since the glucose in your body is being used as a primary energy, your fats are not needed and are therefore stored. Typically, on a normal, higher carbohydrate diet, the body will use glucose as the main form of energy. By lowering the intake of carbs, the body is induced into a state known as ketosis.

Ketosis is a natural process the body initiates to help us survive when food intake is low. During this state, we produce ketones, which are produced from the breakdown of fats in the liver.

The end goal of a properly maintained keto diet is to force your body into this metabolic state. We don’t do this through starvation of calories but starvation of carbohydrates.

Our bodies are incredibly adaptive to what you put into it – when you overload it with fats and take away carbohydrates, it will begin to burn ketones as the primary energy source. Optimal ketone levels offer many health, weight loss, physical and mental performance benefits.

Weight Loss on a Keto Diet?

Before you can use a ketogenic diet for weight loss, it’s a good idea to have an understanding of how it works. Here are some important points about the ketogenic diet:

A ketogenic diet is centered around bringing the body into a state of ketosis.

Ketosis is metabolic process in which the body burns fat for energy instead of its primary fuel, carbohydrates.

When you drastically cut down on the amount of carbohydrates or calories you’re eating, and there aren’t enough carbohydrates from food to burn for energy, the body switches to the state of ketosis.

Once in ketosis, the liver uses the body’s fatty acids to make molecules known as ketones to burn for fuel. Those on a ketogenic diet eat a low amount of carbs to do just this.

Benefits of a Keto Diet for Weight Loss

Increased Fat Burn: When you eat low-carb and your body starts burning fat as its primary source of fuel, you’re essentially in a fasting state where your body is using your fat stores directly for energy. Those experiencing stalls in their weight loss or having trouble getting rid of unwanted fat can benefit from a ketogenic diet for this reason.

Hormone Regulation: Ketosis can help sustain weight loss by regulating hormones that affect weight. After you eat, the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) is released by your intestines. CCK is responsible for stimulating fat and protein digestion and inhibits the emptying of the stomach, which reduces appetite. This makes CCK a great regulator of food intake.

Eating a ketogenic diet can also help you avoid cravings for food after losing weight, reducing the chance of gaining the weight back.

Appetite Suppression: Yep, ketogenic low-carb diets may be helpful in reducing appetite by altering the concentrations of hormones and nutrients that affect hunger. It’s no wonder ketosis is used as a strategy for weight loss; it removes the need to eat more or respond to cravings for unhealthy foods. This means you can better listen to your body’s true hunger signals without worrying about counting calories or going hungry.

Blood Sugar Regulation: When you’re eating a ketogenic diet full of healthy fats and proteins plus an abundance of vegetables, you experience more stabilized blood sugar. This is much better than traditional diet foods that are usually high in refined sugars and other carbohydrates, leading to a spike in blood sugar that leaves you feeling hungry again soon after.

Finally, your answer to weight loss without starvation, but still being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Increase the chance of maintaining weight loss, reducing cravings, and eliminating the need to stress and obsess over every calorie or food portions.

If you are over 40 and struggling with your weight book a free call here https://p.bttr.to/2MZVUKN

How to Have Better Sleep?

Written by trish on February 8, 2022. Posted in Hormone Health.

There is very little worse than when you are exhausted, but your brain is still going a million miles an hour. All you want to do is sleep, but your body refuses to calm down. You lie in bed, eyes closed, and sleep just beyond reach.

Melatonin is a chemical in your body that is responsible for regulating your sleep cycles and making you sleep. Your pineal gland is responsible for producing that melatonin. Each night your body produces approximately 25mcg of melatonin to promote a peaceful and restful sleep. Studies have shown that this amount gradually decreases as we age, which may explain why toddlers and youth require more sleep at night than adults.

You can help regulate your sleep and promote more relaxed, restful sleep by helping your body produce melatonin when you need it. If you are having trouble sleeping, try a few of these tips before you turn to medication.

Say “no” to electronic devices and gadgets:

The blue light produced by our phones, laptops, TVs, and tablets may be counteracting your body’s attempts to produce melatonin. Instead of checking your phone or social media accounts before going to bed, read, journal, or even color. These activities are much less stimulating than electronic devices, allowing your brain to start shutting down and encouraging your body to start producing melatonin for the night ahead.

Drink chamomile tea:

Chamomile tea actually has melatonin in it. Drink a warm cup of it in the evening to help your body relax, de-stress, and prepare for restful sleep.

Shower or take a relaxing bath:

Warm water relaxes tense muscles and refreshes your mind. According to research by Loughborough University in Leicester, the relaxing effect of taking a bath before going to bed helps increase the production of melatonin in your body. This is because taking baths and showers reduces the level of the stress hormone cortisol in your body, allowing your body to produce melatonin instead.

Block all sources of light:

Pull all the curtains, shut all the blinds, turn off all the lights. Make your room completely dark. Even the smallest amount of light can disrupt your sleeping and melatonin production. Blocking out all the sources of light while sleeping will significantly boost the melatonin in your body, help regulate your sleeping patterns and promote deep sleep so that you wake you up happy and well rested.

Focus on your diet:

Your diet plays a huge role in your body’s sleeping habits. Studies have shown that reducing or eliminating caffeine and processed foods has a hugely positive impact on your amount and quality of sleep. It is also helpful to avoid trying to sleep on a very empty or very full stomach; both can leave your body focused on processes other than sleep. A light snack or a warm cup of tea just before bed can help calm hunger pangs without overtaxing your body. What are the best foods to help you sleep? – watch here

Reminder of the key hormones needed for sleep: Melatonin, Cortisol, Serotonin and impact on immune system

VITAL TIPs: Manage stress and support your adrenals.

HOW?

Ways to support your immune system with daily rituals that are easy to do.

Meditation
Journaling
Tapping – EFT at the end of the day to calm the mid and process anything you are still feeling
Cool dew on your feet at night or a cold shower on your feet
Cold water therapy
Supplements such as 5HTP, CBD, Magnesium glycinate – talk to me I can guide you.

Sleep is a 24-hour cycle, not just something that happens when you go to bed.

In the morning, your body makes cortisol to wake you up. In the evening it makes melatonin to make you sleepy

Hormonal factors that influence sleep can include making too much cortisol, making cortisol at the wrong times of day, and not making enough melatonin.

Serotonin also influences sleep. Essential oils can support serotonin. The best essential oils on the planet can be purchased here Vetiver, lavender and roman chamomile are my favourite and I use them every night.

A healthy sleep cycle includes anchoring both cortisol and melatonin, so that you are awake and alert when you should be, and tired when you should be.

Sleep is when we repair cells – the heart of the immune system!

If you would like to learn more about my hormone tests get in touch. When we get to the root cause of why you are not sleeping – your life will change forever!

Yours in health and wellness,

Trish