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Healthy eating can balance your hormones

Posted at 11:04 AM, Nov 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-30 11:03:41-05

A balanced diet is more than just good for our waistline, it's needed to keep hormones in our body balanced too.

Nationally recognized menopause specialist Dr. Diana Bitner from Spectrum Health discusses how eating right not only makes you look great, but feel great.

Hormones are bio-chemicals that move around in the body, and can affect our body functions, structure, and how we feel on a daily basis.

So if you're wondering why you're feeling moody, it's probably because your hormones aren't balanced. However before you head to the doctor to get a prescription for estrogen, the cure might be as simple as changing your eating habits.

With women, a healthy diet is the best way to keep hormones in check because the ovaries work best in an environment of low sugar, vitamins and minerals, and good hydration.

Women with diabetes and overweight have a harder time with hormones when they go through perimenopause and menopause, so being prepared is key. So once women are in that stage of their lives, eating well can be more effective.

Dr. Bitner says in a way the process is a big cycle. The ovaries make hormones and work best with low sugar and normal levels of insulin. If the ovary is working well, the women feel normal without symptoms of low estrogen like poor sleep, bad moods, easy weight gain, low energy, and low sex drive.

When we feel good, we are more likely to eat well, which makes the ovaries work well, resulting in balanced hormone levels.

Dr. Bitner's office is located at 3800 Lake Michigan Drive Northwest, Suite A. To schedule an appointment with her, call (616) 267-8225.

All information was provided by Dr. Diana Bitner and her blog. Read more.