Balancing Hormones Naturally: A Crucial Element in ME and CFS Support
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Living with ME and CFS can feel like an uphill battle, but there's hope. One key to feeling better lies in understanding and balancing your hormones naturally. As someone who's spent years both living with ME and helping people just like you, I've seen firsthand how small changes can make a big difference.
Understanding Hormonal Imbalance in ME and CFS: Our bodies are like machines, and hormones are the fuel that keeps everything running smoothly. But with ME and CFS, that balance gets thrown off. Here's what that might look like:
Stress overload: When stress piles up it messes with our cortisol levels. This can result in adrenal dysregulation, where the body struggles to maintain appropriate cortisol levels throughout the day, leading to fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment which leaves us feeling drained and foggy-headed
Thyroid troubles: Your thyroid controls your energy levels, and when it's out of whack, you might feel even more tired and struggle to keep off extra weight. Thyroid dysfunction, characterised by low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism) or autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is something I see commonly for my clients with ME and CFS and can contribute to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and cognitive fog.
Hormone rollercoaster: For both men and women, hormone swings can wreak havoc on mood, energy, and even your monthly cycle. Fluctuations and imbalances in oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels can disrupt menstrual cycles, contribute to mood disturbances, and exacerbate fatigue and pain symptoms.
HPA axis confusion: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which governs the body's stress response system can get confused, leading to more hormone chaos and worsening symptoms.
Balancing Hormones Naturally: The good news? You can take steps to get your hormones back in line and start feeling better.
Here's how:
Eat smart: Focus on whole foods packed with nutrients to give your body what it needs to function at its best. Foods rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and phytonutrients can help reduce inflammation and support adrenal function. Think colourful fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Balancing macronutrients and stabilising blood sugar levels through regular, balanced meals can also support hormone regulation.
Chill out: Stress is a hormone havoc-wreaker, so find ways to relax and unwind. Implementing stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, relaxing bubble bath, yoga, and mindfulness practices can help restore balance to the HPA axis and support adrenal health. Find what works for you and make it a regular part of your routine.
Snooze better: Sleep is when your body does a lot of its hormone balancing, so prioritise good sleep habits. Stick to a schedule, create a calming bedtime routine, and make your sleep space as comfy as possible can all support hormone balance and improve symptoms of fatigue and cognitive dysfunction.
Move gently: Exercise can help balance hormones, but with ME and CFS, it's all about finding the right balance. Try gentle low-impact activities like walking, restorative yoga, tai chi, or gentle stretching to help improve circulation, reduce stress, and support adrenal function and will get you moving without overdoing it.
Get support: Sometimes, you might need a little extra help from supplements to fill in any nutrient gaps, deficiencies or support your hormone balance. Working with a Functional Medicine Nutritionist like myself can help identify individualised nutrition protocols tailored to your unique needs. You can book a complimentary 30 min Health Transformation Strategy Call to find out how we can work together.
Balancing your hormones might sound complicated, but it's really just about making small changes to support your body's natural rhythms. By focusing on good nutrition, stress management, quality sleep, gentle movement, and targeted support, you can take back control of your health and start feeling better, one step at a time. I'm here to help you every step of the way. Just hit the button below to book a Health Transformation Strategy Call.
