How Proteins Affect Hormonal Imbalance and the Best Adaptogenic Proteins to Include in Your Diet

When you’re looking to have harmony in terms of hormone balance, the best way to do this is by incorporating protein sources into your diet. As a matter of fact, eating certain protein serve the purpose better than others.

So why is protein key to hormone balance? Well, protein contains amino acids, which are essential in the production of hormones such as the growth hormone and insulin.

Additionally, some proteins contain adaptogenic properties such as steelhead and lentils. That being said, not all proteins react positively to the body. In fact, others such as grain-fed beef serve to overstimulate the immune system resulting in inflammation.

Moreover, there are some proteins that can shift the concentration of microbes in your body in either a negative or positive direction, which in turn causes a major hormone imbalance.

That being said, here are the effects that protein will have on some of the major hormones in the body such as insulin, thyroid, and estrogen.

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Estrogen

This is the hormone that causes the primary difference between a woman’s development and a man. Estrogen effects on the body lead to some particular characteristics such as the growth of curves, hips, breasts and glossy locks.

That being said, when you eat grain-fed protein such as meat, it can cause serious imbalances in your body. First of all, it reduces the speed at which digestion takes place. Hence, you immediately experience the effects of constipation and bloating.

Secondly, it results in an increase of estrogen levels in the bloodstream; further messing with the collective DNA of the trillions of microbes that live in the gut and in other parts of the body.

So here’s how it works.

While meat happens to have the highest fat content than any other protein around, the major issue is what is found in these processed meats.

So the continuous consumption of processed meat leads to an overload of estrogen. Hence, eating less meat will result in the reduction of estrogen.

So one of the most effective ways of ensuring that you maintain healthy estrogen levels is by reducing the amount of red meat and alcohol that you consume. Additionally, you should consume more vegetables and fiber (about 1 to 2 pounds every day).

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Most individuals suffer from hormonal imbalances due to incorporating the wrong protein sources in their diet

Thyroid

The most common protein sources that result in thyroid effects are those from mercury toxic seafood such as fish that contain high concentrations of gluten.

In fact, gluten is strongly associated with the increase of chronic issues such as thyroiditis. Additionally, it is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the world.

The reason why mercury is so dangerous is because it acts as an endocrine disrupter for both thyroid and estrogen. The worst case examples are the likes of swordfish, shark, and tuna.

Mercury normally binds to these thyroid and estrogen receptors resulting in a lesser absorption of important nutrients such as iodine.

That being said, it is advisable that individuals turn to safer sources of seafood such as the mackerel, trout, tilapia and Alaskan salmon etc.

Insulin

For one to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, it is important that they consume fiber to prevent instances of insulin block or resistance.

One of the reasons why avid meat eaters consume nearly half the amount of fiber that vegetarians do is because there is more fiber in plant-based foods rather than in meat. This definitely adds an advantage to the vegetarian who will, in turn, not experience the inflammatory effects of a high meat diet.

Additionally, individuals who eat red meat tend to have a bigger problem when it comes to instances of sugar in the bloodstream, as shown by a recent study carried out on the link between red meat and chronic conditions such as metabolic syndrome and diabetes. However, the study did not confirm that red meat was directly related to increased problems in blood sugar.

Vegan Protein Sources of the Adaptogenic Kind

That being said, one can substitute animal protein sources with vegan sources such as pea protein. In fact, pea protein provides a myriad of amino acids, as well as being protein source with the least allergenic properties. It is possible to purchase pea protein in its powdery form from the grocery store. However, ensure that it is the gluten free kind.

Other great adaptogenic proteins include legumes, lentils, sunflower seeds, and hemp protein.