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Hormones that seem to be out of balance: how do you recognise this and what can you do about it?

We’re often told to listen to our bodies. But how do you do that?


Sometimes your body sends signals that are difficult to interpret. This can also happen when your hormones are out of balance. You may experience symptoms that are difficult to trace, or simply feel out of sorts.How do you recognise hormonal imbalance, and how can you restore balance? Read on below.

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance;

An imbalance in your hormones can have a major impact, both physically and mentally. Signs of disrupted hormone balance include:

  • Uncontrollable binge eating.Food has a major influence on your hormones. An ‘undernourished’ body – meaning a body that does not receive enough nutrients despite eating – keeps asking for food. It is your body sending you out in search of food; it needs nutrients.Processed food is so heavily altered with salt, fat and sugar that it can have an addictive effect on our brains. After eating it, you still feel insatiable. Binge eating can also provide temporary comfort, which means you may unconsciously keep the cycle going.
  • Gaining weight without eating more.Too many xenoestrogens in your diet or toxins in your environment can lead to stubborn fat storage. Xenoestrogens come from the many chemicals we come into contact with. Think of creams and hair dye containing unnatural ingredients, but also the plastic you drink from (which is why more and more BPA-free bottles, free from toxins and plasticisers, are thankfully being used) and the colourings, flavourings and preservatives found in processed foods.These xenoestrogens, or pseudo-hormones, disrupt the action of the body's own hormones and may even cause an underactive thyroid, resulting in a lower rate of fat burning;
  • Feeling drained and having little or no energy. You have little desire to do anything and experience fatigue without exerting yourself excessively. Sometimes you may even feel depressed, anxious or restless.
  • PMS symptoms. As a woman, you may experience heavy, painful and/or irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats and sudden mood swings.




How can you rebalance your hormones?

If you suspect your hormones are out of balance, fortunately there is a lot that can be done. The basic rule for healthy hormonal balance:

  • Don’t starve yourself. It’s very important that your body gets enough healthy nutrients. I’ll give you some tips for a healthy hormone balance that you can put into practice right away:
  • Reduce your sugar intake and keep your blood sugar levels stable.
  • Eat fresh, unprocessed, pure foods; choose foods your body recognises as nourishment and can use to rebuild itself. This prevents unwanted additives from entering your body.
  • Support a healthy gut flora; 80% of your immune system is located in your gut. By eating fibre and plenty of vegetables and fruit, you support a healthy gut flora
  • Avoid the hormone disruptors mentioned above: xenoestrogens
  • Take vitamin D as a supplement.Our bodies produce this (hormone) vitamin through exposure to sunlight. Unfortunately, there is not enough sun in the Netherlands to meet the amount your body needs each day
  • Maintain a healthy fatty acid balance. Your body cannot produce omega fatty acids itself, so you need to get enough fatty acids from your diet or supplements
  • Relax regularly. Everyone relaxes in a different way. Find what works for you and consciously make time for it.
  • Get enough exercise. In addition to exercising regularly, maintain an active lifestyle: cycle more often, walk every day (even if only for half an hour) and avoid sitting all day;
  • Sleep. Make sure you get enough sleep—and that it is good-quality sleep. Wind down your day, start relaxing during the final hour before bed and get the hours of sleep you need. This will help you wake up feeling rested.