The body works like a well-oiled machine using different biological processes to keep itself healthy and fit. It is our hormones that work as messengers and ensure that the bodily functions are carried out properly. But what are these hormones? Hormones are chemicals that course through our systems and provide organs with instructions to work efficiently. From controlling various biological functions like hair growth, hunger, weight management, libido to managing our blood pressure and our heart rate, hormones are one of the essential chemicals in the human body.
They are many types of hormones – sex hormones, thyroid hormones, those that control sugar like insulin, those that manage our responses to danger like adrenaline, and those that make us feel happy or sad like dopamine. Each of them has a different function and how a particular hormone works depends a lot on what we eat.
Researchers have found that women with a daily coffee intake of about two cups had higher oestrogen levels. Endometriosis, osteoporosis, and endometrial, breast, and ovarian malignancies are just a few conditions that may have a link to fluctuations in oestrogen levels. Hence, I strongly recommend considering coffee consumption in a moderate amount
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Also Read: Hormonal Belly: Unveiling the Science and Possible Solutions
A wrong lifestyle and dietary patterns can cause havoc to the hormonal balance in the body. The after-effects of this are uncontrolled weight gain, unexplained fatigue, headaches, hair loss, digestive problems, and even insomnia.
Read on to find out more about the bad foods for hormones:
Here is another reason to ditch your cup of coffee. It is for the same reason we should do that for which we consume it- because it snaps us out of our lethargy. Caffeine increases cortisol production in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is in the highest quantities in the mornings and is lowest in the evenings. Caffeine boosts the cortisol levels whenever it is consumed, and that brings the body into a state of high alert. Having too many energy drinks (they are also high in caffeine) or too many cups of coffee can mess with your hormones.
Evidence supports that eating soy and its products may have a link to staving off cancer, that shows as lengthened menstrual cycles and lower oestrogen levels in women above 40 years. Even with such great benefits, I strongly recommend that the consumption of soy and its products should be done in moderation and one should immediately consult their doctor in case of any difficulty.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
This is perhaps one of the worst foods that mess with hormones. Sugar in the body leads to a spike in insulin levels in the body. Insulin is responsible for metabolizing the sugar consumed. Overeating sugary treats over a period lead to suppression of leptin and ghrelin sensitivity. Both these hormones signal satiety and control appetite. So every time you go for that bag of candy or that bar of chocolate, you are heading towards Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Also Read About: 10 Harmful Effects of Sugar
Gluten and sugar are the worst combinations for anyone. They both increase inflammation and stress the adrenal glands and increase susceptibility towards autoimmune diseases. Cookies, crackers, bread are all wrong for your health. They increase the weight, which in itself triggers a severe hormonal imbalance, and reduce testosterone levels. Processed food items also mess with the hormones. Sausages, ready to eat meals, instant food options are full of sodium and preservatives which cause an electrolyte imbalance in the body causing havoc on hormonal health.
Many people cannot digest dairy items easily. Milk is the worst offender amongst daily food items that mess with hormones. It can cause inflammation in the gut and irritate the system. Many people who are lactose intolerant begin to suffer from stomach and digestive problems when they consume dairy products. Drinking too much milk can raise triglycerides levels and even cause diabetes. Milk also has a growth hormone that negatively affects the liver. It even leads to increased sebum production and increases acne in those prone to skin problems.
Also Read: Effective Techniques To Reduce Cortisol Levels: A Comprehensive Guide
Soy milk, tofu and other forms of soy are ok in small quantities, but when consumed over a period in large amounts, they could even lead to unlimited cell growth and even breast cancer. This is because soy is chemically similar to estrogen in its structure. Overeating soy makes the body think it has enough estrogen when it doesn’t and can lead to reduced or even complete stalling of ovulation. It can also lead to thyroid problems. It must be noted here that soy is one of the most heavily toxic crops as it is severely genetically modified. It has too many pesticides, and this also makes it a food that messes with your hormones.
When doctors are trying to rectify the hormonal imbalance, it is alcohol that they rule out first from the diet of the patient. It disrupts the average production of insulin and also hurts the sex hormones in the body. It reduces testosterone production in men and disrupts the menstrual cycle in women. Alcohol has a harmful impact on stress hormones too. Initially, on consumption, alcohol makes one feel good because of the release of serotonin, but the next slump we feel is bad when serotonin is used up. Alcohol affects the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, the most important hormone production areas of the brain. It reduces fertility in both men and women. Regular consumption of alcohol increases the levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. However, if a person stays without consuming alcohol for even a month can bring back hormone levels to normal.
Nightshades vegetables like brinjal, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes are bad for the system as they cause inflammation. The case is the same with cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and kale. Both these veggie groups affect the thyroid health of the individual. You can eat these veggies in moderation but having too much and regularly can lead to hypothyroidism or even iodine deficiency.
In older times, stevia was used to prevent pregnancies. In its new avatar, it is used as a replacement for sugar. Research is ongoing into its health effects, but there is a possibility that it can cause changes in the body’s hormonal health and can be slotted as one of the ‘bad foods for hormones’ that mess up your body functions.
Also Read: Effective Techniques To Reduce Cortisol Levels: A Comprehensive Guide
Eating everything in moderation is good for the body. Try to control your consumption of processed food items and sugary treats to cut down on your intake of bad foods for hormones and avoid harm to your body!
Read More About: 12 Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms to Watch Out For!
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that affects the pancreas. In this, the body is unable to properly process the energy released from the food leading to high sugar levels. When this happens over a period, it causes organ damage and other serious complications. There are no apparent reasons why people get diabetes, but many factors in their genes and lifestyle increase their odds of suffering from this disease. Diabetes mellitus can occur because of two reasons. Either the pancreas does not produce a sufficient amount of insulin, a hormone essential for using sugar in the body (Type 1) or because the body develops resistance to the insulin coursing through the system (Type 2). A third kind is known as Gestational Diabetes which occurs when a pregnant woman without a previous history of diabetes develops high sugar levels.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. It may be due to impaired insulin secretion, resistance to peripheral actions of insulin, or both. Chronic hyperglycemia in synergy with the other metabolic aberrations in patients with diabetes mellitus can cause damage to various organ systems, leading to the development of disabling and life-threatening health complications, most prominent of which are microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) and macrovascular complications leading to a 2-fold to 4-fold increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Following are the most common symptoms:
If you have type 1 diabetes, you need insulin therapy to stay healthy. It replaces the insulin your body doesn’t make. If you have type 2 diabetes, insulin therapy might be part of your treatment. It’s needed when healthy lifestyle changes and other diabetes treatments don’t control your blood sugar well enough.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Diabetes mellitus has no cure. It is a chronic disease that can be best managed by keeping the blood sugar levels under control. However, care must be taken that the sugar levels don’t get too low as that is more harmful and can even be fatal.
Most importantly, this condition requires medical intervention, therefore, do not self-diagnose or take medications without proper consultation.People can live healthy lives with diabetes provided they keep their sugar levels in check. With a proper lifestyle and medications, many live long, quality lives.
Also Read: Desserts For Diabetics: An Expert’s Guide To Enjoying Sweet Treats Safely
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Stomach bloating is a common phenomenon that many of us are experiencing these days. With doctors attributing this condition to stress, improper diet and harmful exposure to various pollutants, the situation gets out of hand when the bloating is accompanied by gastric pain or indigestion.
Stomach bloating is different from fat accumulation around the stomach area; it’s, in fact, the build-up of gas around the stomach area that makes it protrude out uncomfortably. Most of the time, this uncomfortable feeling can be handled by bringing out small modifications to one’s lifestyle and eating habits.
If the bloating occurs along with any of the below-mentioned symptoms then its time you raise some alarm bells:
When the body is affected by an infection, the inflammation levels rise and the white blood cell count goes up to around the urinary, abdominal and pelvic organs. This condition could also give rise to rashes, redness, pain and show signs of fever.
When the body is dehydrated, it causes an electrolyte imbalance. To recover and to prevent the reoccurrence of dehydration, the body starts to hold the excess water. During this time, some people also experience constipation. Now, when you try to up your fluid intake, you start to entirely bulky around your midsection.
Many women experience bloating before, during or after their monthly cycle. During the early stage of the menstrual cycle, the estrogen levels rise. The uterine lining thickens, thus, bloating becomes evident as ovulation occurs and more fluids and blood build-up. Once the lady has her period, the excess fluid, blood and tissue are flushed out and the bloating slowly disappears.
Many times, food allergies also cause bloating. Many food items are known to cause excessive gas in the body such as milk and dairy products, prunes, beans and lentils, starchy foods like potatoes and pasta, etc.
Dyspepsia is a common clinical problem seen both by primary care physicians and gastroenterologists. Initial evaluation should focus on the identification and treatment of potential causes of symptoms such as GERD, PUD, and medication side effects but also on recognizing those at risk of more serious conditions such as gastric cancer.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
There are a handful of good foods that you can incorporate into your diet to prevent bloating. Some of these are:
Probiotics or healthy bacteria don’t need much of an introduction. These gut-friendly bacteria help to kill the harmful bacteria and keep the healthy ones active. So, make it a point to include yoghurt or kefir as a part of your regular diet.
Another effective way to curb stomach bloating is to include healthy proportions of water-rich fruits and veggies in our diet. Thus, try eating lots of melons, cucumber, berries and green leafy vegetables.
A quick way to bid goodbye to bloating is to up the intake of digestion-soothing herbs such as ginger, fennel seeds, parsley and rosemary.
Bloating accompanied by severe abdominal pain in the back, loin or groin and infrequent episodes of nausea and vomiting might be indicative of Kidney stones.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
