When it comes to Healthy Hormonal Balancing, eating good fats is an absolute must. Eating a variety of foods high in short, medium and long
chain fatty acid is key to keeping your hormones in check. Not only are these
essential fats fundamental building blocks for hormone production, they speed
up your metabolism and promote weight loss. Healthy foods that are packed with
healthy fats that are good for healthy hormonal balance include: flaxseed, chia
seeds, coconut oil, avocados, grass-fed butter and wild caught salmon.
Some people try to eliminate fats from their diet
altogether. But that's not the answer to obtaining optimal health. Our bodies
need nutritious and fatty foods as an essential part of our diet.
To learn why,
let's start with a quick summary of the basic types of fat:
·
Saturated:
These are the fats we love, but should hate. They're found in animal products
including dairy products and eggs. They are also found in some vegetable oils
such as coconut and palm. Saturated fats can make the body produce excess
cholesterol and, as a result, are often associated with an increased risk of
heart disease, cancer and other disorders. These fats are usually solid at room
temperature and get even harder when chilled. In general, we're better off
without them.
·
Monounsaturated:
These fats are a bit better for you. They're found in almond, peanut, sesame,
canola and olive oils and avocados. Monounsaturated fats, especially olive oil,
actually help decrease blood cholesterol levels. These fats usually harden at
cold temperatures or become cloudy when refrigerated.
·
Polyunsaturated:
These fats are good for you in moderation. They're found in corn, safflower,
sunflower and soybean oils as well as in walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts.
Polyunsaturated fats have a long history of being healthy for the heart. These
fats are liquid at room temperature and stay liquid when chilled. But be
careful in storing them: polyunsaturated oils go rancid more easily than other
oils, so keep them refrigerated.
·
Transfatty
acids: These fats, found in products such as margarine, are made through
the process of hydrogenation -- converting polyunsaturated oils into saturated
fat. They are harmful substances that can increase cholesterol levels as much
as saturated fats do. Trans fatty acids are also found in processed foods such
as chips, cookies, prepared salads and anything else made with hydrogenated
oils.
·
Essential
fatty acids: EFAs are the best type of fats -- and since your body doesn't
make them naturally, you must get them from your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are
found in fish and flaxseed oils. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in beans, nuts,
seeds and some vegetable oils including flaxseed, corn, soybean and safflower.
In either case, the benefits are immeasurable: EFAs are important for the
regulation of cholesterol production, hormonal balance and immune function.
They're necessary for healthy skin, hair, nails, mucous membranes, nerves and
arteries. An inadequate amount of EFAs can contribute to skin and menstrual
disorders, diarrhea and weak nails. EFAs have also been proven to guard against
heart disease, cancer and arthritis.
Nutritionally Essential
Quality fats and oils are nutritionally essential. The body
uses fatty acids to store energy. Also, polyunsaturated fats contain fatty
acids that are necessary for synthesizing hormones, making fat-soluble vitamins
available to the body, and maintaining the flexibility of cell membranes.
Stored fat, as much as we want to get rid of it, provides a source of energy
for the body, protects organs and insulates the body to keep it warm.
Nutritionists now know that if you don't get enough good
fats in your diet, your body will store fat in order to perform its daily
functions. So, if you're trying to lose weight, maintaining a low-fat or fat-free
diet can actually defeat the purpose: EFAs are necessary to ensure normal burning
of stored fat by muscle tissue. They also help the body burn calories
more efficiently.
Healthy Fat Choices
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The ideal amount: No more than 30% of your total daily
calories should come from fat, and definitely no more than 10% should come from
saturated fats.
By eating a diet high in vegetables, fruits, grains and
beans, you'll automatically tend toward the healthiest ratio of fats in your
diet. If you're going to eat animal products, eat mostly fish, seafood,
skinless poultry and small portions of beef. Use oils sparingly, stick to the
monounsaturated and polyunsaturated varieties and choose ones that are
unrefined and cold-pressed. To get your EFAs, use flaxseed oil for salad
dressing, or drizzle some lightly on steamed vegetables.
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When it comes to cooking, be aware that different oils
respond better to different temperatures. Some have lower smoking points and
are appropriate for sauteeing. I personally prefer butter or coconut oil if I
am going to heat a fat.
Rule of Thumb:
Be sure to steer clear from oils high in Omega-6s
(safflower, sunflower, corn, cottonseed, canola, soybean and peanut) and load
up on rich sources of natural Omega-3s (wild fish, flaxseed, chia seeds,
walnuts and grass-fed animal products). There is a type of Omega-6 fat you want
to try and get in your diet called GLA.
GLA (gamma-linoleic acid) can be taken in supplement form by using
evening primrose oil or borage oil and it’s also found in hemp seeds. Studies have shown supplementing with GLA can
support healthy progesterone levels.
