Rachael Jordan is a gut health specialist with 10 years of experience working with clients to finally get to the root cause of their pesky symptoms, helping to resolve digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, and skin problems.
Hello beauties, have you ever dreamt of living your best life with vibrant health and perfectly balanced hormones? The secret sauce lies in your gut! That's right, your gut's ecosystem is the foundation of your overall health, especially your hormonal health. Focusing on your gut can be the game-changer you need to tackle hormonal issues like acne, painful periods, PMS, PMDD, fertility challenges, PCOS, endometriosis, and those pesky menopause symptoms. Let's dive deep into this juicy topic and uncover how to nurture your gut for hormonal bliss.
The gut as an endocrine powerhouse
Think your gut is just for digestion? Think again! Your gut is a hormonal superstar. Did you know that about 95% of your body's serotonin, the feel-good hormone, is produced in the gut? Plus, there are over 50 gut hormone genes at play here, making your gut the largest endocrine organ in your body. This fascinating system shows just how deeply intertwined gut health is with your hormonal health.
How gut health impacts hormonal balance
Hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc, showing up as annoying skin issues or more serious reproductive health problems. When your gut is off-kilter, it messes with hormone production and regulation, leading to imbalances that throw your whole body out of whack. So, keeping your gut happy and healthy is key to restoring that much-needed hormonal harmony.
Steps to transform your gut health for hormonal balance
Ready to give your gut the TLC it deserves? Here’s how you can start:
1. Diet and lifestyle overhaul
Fibre-rich foods: Load up on fibre-rich foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains. They’re not just good for digestion; they feed your gut's good bacteria, helping to balance hormones.
Probiotics and prebiotics: Incorporate probiotics (think yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut) and prebiotics (like garlic, onions, carrots, and bananas) into your diet to nurture a thriving gut microbiome.
Cut the junk: Aim to reduce processed foods, excessive sugar, and alcohol. They can disrupt your gut microbiome and, by extension, your hormonal balance.
2. Stress management
Chronic stress is a major gut health disrupter, which then causes havoc with your hormones. Make stress management a priority with techniques like mindfulness, meditation, breathwork and regular exercise. These practices not only soothe your mind but also create a healthier gut environment.
3. Prioritise quality sleep
Sleep is non-negotiable for gut health. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Poor sleep disrupts your gut microbiome and hormone production, so get those Zzz's for a happier gut and balanced hormones.
4. Stay hydrated
Hydration is crucial for digestion and overall gut health. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your body flush out toxins and maintain a healthy gut environment. Ideally, aim for 2-3L daily and more when exercising.
5. Regular exercise
Physical activity is a gut health booster. It reduces inflammation and supports the balance of the gut microbiome. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week to keep your gut (and hormones) in check. However, be mindful of high intensity exercise and over-exercising, this can actually be detrimental to gut health and hormonal health and it raises stress hormones. My best life hack for this is to implement 3 minutes of deep belly breathing after exercise to help lower stress hormones.
Let’s look at hormonal conditions
Acne: Often linked to hormonal fluctuations, acne can be exacerbated by an unhealthy gut. By improving gut health, you can help regulate the hormones that contribute to acne.
Painful periods & PMS: These issues are often tied to inflammation and hormonal imbalances. A healthy gut can help reduce inflammation and regulate the hormones that cause period pain and PMS.
PMDD: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is a severe form of PMS. Gut health can influence the severity of PMDD symptoms by regulating the production and breakdown of hormones.
Fertility challenges: Hormonal imbalances can make conception difficult. A balanced gut microbiome supports hormone regulation, which is crucial for fertility.
PCOS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common hormonal disorder. Improving gut health can help manage insulin resistance and inflammation, key factors in PCOS.
Endometriosis: This painful condition is linked to oestrogen dominance. A healthy gut can help metabolise and eliminate excess oestrogen, alleviating symptoms.
Menopause symptoms: Gut health plays a role in managing menopause symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings by supporting hormone regulation.
Wrapping it up
Ladies, your gut health is the cornerstone of hormonal balance and your overall well-being. By prioritising a healthy gut through mindful eating, lifestyle tweaks, and stress management, you can tackle hormonal imbalances head-on and elevate your quality of life. Remember, it takes good guts to get the life you dream of!
Take action now
Why wait? Start embracing these gut-friendly habits today. Integrate these tips into your daily routine and watch how your hormonal health transforms. For personalised advice, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Book your Free Call with me today and let’s have a chat about your specific struggles and goals, and how I can support you. Your journey to optimal health starts now, and it begins with your gut. Let's get those good guts going!
Read more from Rachael Jordan
Rachael Jordan, Nutritional Therapist & Registered Herbalist
Rachael Jordan is passionate about helping people to connect with their body and gain control over their health. She believes in the body's own healing ability and the power of nutrition and plant medicine to support this healing. She has seen first-hand over the last 10 years, the transformation that can be achieved when the body is given everything that it needs to heal. Her clients often report that she has changed their lives and are commonly in disbelief that their health problems are gone. She specialises in gut health using nutritional therapy, herbal medicine and lifestyle changes to resolve chronic digestive issues, Women's health complications and skin troubles.
