6 Supplements To Naturally Balance Your Hormones

If you are constantly feeling tired, dealing with unexplained weight gain, or experiencing skin issues, it might be time to check your hormone levels - because these might be just signs of hormonal imbalance.

The good news is you're not alone. Hormonal imbalance affects millions of people around the world, often without them even realising it.

So, what are the best supplements you can take to naturally balance your hormones again?

Overview of Hormonal Imbalance

Naturally, hormones play a very important role in regulating the functions of your body. Think of your growth, metabolism, reproduction, and even respiratory processes - at the base of all these are hormones somewhere in your body.

Thyroid hormones, sex hormones, cortisol, growth hormones, and even insulin - all of these are responsible for the growth, development and normal functioning of the body.

Now imagine if one or more of these hormones isn't functioning as it should. Maybe there's too little or too much production of hormones in the body. Either way, this would cause an imbalance which could have negative effects in your body, since the body functions well when the hormones are in balance.

Signs of Hormonal Imbalance

The signs of hormonal imbalance that come up mostly depend on which hormone is affected, and also whether the hormones are too little or too much.

But there are usually some general signs that people with hormone imbalance show, and they include:

• Weight gain or loss
• Mood swings
• Skin issues e.g acne
• Digestive issues e.g bloating, diarrhoea
• Hair loss
• Reproductive issues e.g infertility
  

Still, hardly anybody just wakes up with an imbalance in their hormonal system. Usually, there are causes which could help in diagnosing, treating, and managing these conditions. Some of these causes include:

• Genetics
• Stress
• Medical conditions such as PCOS, Cushing's syndrome 
• Poor diet
• Medications such as Steroids, Contraceptives
• Aging
• Environmental toxins
  

With so many possible causes of hormonal imbalance, how do you take back control? In most cases, your body can naturally restore its balance after a while.

The only exception is if the hormonal imbalance is caused by genetic factors or deficiencies, which can be managed with good diet plans, certain medications, lifestyle changes, and intake of supplements.

These methods can effectively restore hormonal balance, but our main focus today is on supplements.

Supplements for Hormonal Imbalance

If you're experiencing a lot of these symptoms and you are asking the question, “What are the best supplements for hormonal health”, here are six you should consider.

1. Magnesium - Best For Stress and Sleep Issues

If you're dealing with stress, struggling with sleep or dealing with frequent muscle cramps, Magnesium is your best bet.

This supplement helps to regulate the cortisol hormone which improves sleep quality and thyroid function, so it is usually beneficial for a lot of hormonal imbalances.

As an added bonus, it helps with bone development and it is very useful in patients with osteoarthritis.

To incorporate this in your diet, you'll need to be eating meals that contain spinach, almond nuts and chocolate, but if you're taking this supplement, taking up to 400 mg at night before bed is a great option.

For better results, you can take Magnesium glycinate for better absorption, or pair it with Vitamin C and Calcium.

2. Probiotics - Best for Gut and Urinary Health

The classic signs of hormonal imbalance - acne, bloating and fatigue - can sometimes be linked to gut health, and this is where probiotics can help.

These supplements are known to maintain digestive and immune health, as well as aid in the urinary and reproductive systems.

Probiotics also help to ease stomach discomfort, relieve irritable bowel syndrome, and reduce urinary infection rates in women.

Because of these many benefits, probiotics are useful in the production and maintenance of hormones such as estrogen.

There's no specific dose for this supplement, but it is best to take a daily dose of probiotics containing multiple strains. Probiotic-rich foods including yoghurt and vegetables are also very helpful.

3. Vitamin D3 - Best for Mood, Energy and Bone Health

Low energy? Mood swings? Weak bones? A Vitamin D3 deficiency might be the issue. 

Just like magnesium, Vitamin D is an essential component for hormone and bone health. This vitamin helps to maintain healthy levels of your hormones, control infections and reduce inflammation.

The usual dose of Vitamin D3 is 1000 IU daily after fatty meals, but you can take up to 5000 IU for optimal benefits.

Additionally, you can get this vitamin from food sources like fish, egg yolks, and milk (excluding the one we get naturally from the morning sun).

4. Zinc - Best for Acne and Reproductive Health

For girls suffering from acne and/or irregular periods, this supplement can be a game changer for you.

Zinc is one of the most essential minerals necessary for the human body, and it plays a large role in promoting skin health and reducing breakouts. It also helps with boosting the immune system by working as an antioxidant.

Additionally, it helps to support prostate health for men so in essence, it is beneficial to the growth and sex hormones - particularly estrogen and testosterone.

You should aim to take 20-50mg daily with meals, or eat foods high in zinc content such as beans, beef and chicken.

5. Vitamin Bs – Best for Premenstrual Symptoms and Hormone Regulation

If you experience PMS, mood swings and irregular cycles, Vitamin B complex can also help.

Vitamin B supplements, especially vitamins B6, B12 and folate are very good for supporting hormone functioning.

They also support the liver functioning as well as boost the immune system. You can take between 1-3 tablets per day, and also get it naturally from food sources like eggs, whole grains, and milk.

The most important thing is to ensure that you get enough so it can help boost your hormones.

6. Evening Primrose – Best for Irregular Menstrual Cycles

I know this one is the most famous one, and for good reason, because it helps with fertility health, healthy skin, menopausal symptoms, and hormone regulation. Specifically, it contains a fatty acid that helps to control and support hormone balance.

The usual dose is 500mg 2-3 times daily, but as many as 4g daily can be taken.

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If you have hormonal issues or maybe even just want to take supplements that help your overall health and improve your wellbeing, start with these ones.

The truth is: balancing your hormonal health naturally is possible with the right lifestyle changes and supplements.

Whether you’re struggling with fatigue, skin issues, or irregular cycles, adding these essential nutrients to your daily routine can help restore balance and leave you feeling on top of the world.

Have you tried any of these supplements? What worked for you? Drop a comment below!

N.B: Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder that happens when the cortisol hormone is too high. It can lead to weight gain, purple stretch marks on skin, glucose intolerance, fatigue, high blood pressure, and others.

If you notice any of these symptoms, please speak to a health professional.

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