This is how a low carb diet improved my hormone balance

Nutritionist and author Pauline Cox explains the low-carb diet benefits – and how this lifestyle can balance your hormones at any age. Here are four ways going low carb supports your hormone health

Words: Pauline Cox | Images: Shutterstock

Balances your blood sugar

High blood sugars can play havoc on your hormonal health at any age. During your thirties, they disrupt the delicate balance between oestrogen and progesterone, leading to heavy periods and increased PMS symptoms. Then in your forties and fifties high blood sugar can worsen symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Brain fog, anxiety, poor sleep, weight gain, increased inflammation, aches and pains and low mood can all exacerbated by high blood sugars leading to poor metabolic function and insulin resistance. A low-carb lifestyle supports blood sugar balance, optimal insulin function and improved hormonal balance.

Improves sleep

Balanced blood sugars can lead to better sleep, which in turn regulates your hormones. High blood sugars deplete your body of essential nutrients including magnesium and zinc, which are both essential for a good night’s sleep. Keeping blood sugars balanced not only means you’ll sleep better, but good sleep support your hormonal balance – it’s all connected!

Staves off belly fat

As your hormones shift, belly fat is more readily laid down, which can be very frustrating! This stubborn belly fat can increase your risk of chronic illness and female cancers. Reducing belly fat improves hormone health reduces inflammatory levels. A low-carb lifestyle increases fat burning and balances blood sugar levels helping to keep fat off your belly. On the other hand, when blood sugars are continuously spiked with insulin from carbs, this blocks fat burning and leads to weight gain. So, low-carb eating is a simple and effective way of supporting fat burning for hormone health.

Crushes cravings

Your brain loves sugar. If you fuel your sugar habit, your hungry brain will just demand more. Staying off the blood sugar rollercoaster helps to abolish sugar cravings for good. The gut microbiome also responds to a low-sugar lifestyle, with good bacteria thriving and bad bacteria being crowded out. This not only supports our hormonal health, but also your cravings, mood and body composition, win-win!

Keto diet: 8 low carb snack ideas, swaps and recipes

3 to try…

Magic Mag

Magnesium bisglycinate is one of my favourite types for hormonal health. It supports blood sugar, sleep, thyroid function, mood and energy production. Many women are low in magnesium, with less of the mineral being absorbed once you are over age 40.

Longevity Box Ultimate8 Magnesium Complex

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Oh-my Omegas

Omega-3 fatty acids not only support brain health, mood and immune function, they can also reduce inflammation that tends to increase at perimenopause. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the symptoms of PMS, so it’s an ideal supplement for women of all ages.

Regenerative Omegas

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Think Zinc

Zinc supports your health in many ways, including improving sleep, supporting hair follicles and supporting the vaginal pathway. Women are often deficient in zinc, due to low dietary intake or a high-sugar diet, which deplete zinc. Zinc bisglycinate or zinc picolinate are best.

Viridian Balanced Zinc Complex

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For more information on low-carb living, follow Pauline on Instagram at instagram.com/paulinejcox. For a wide range of low carb products and high-quality supplements, visit sowandarrow.com.