by Aimee E. Raupp for FocusOnStyle.com
A break out on your chin, emotions swirling, a bloat that wasn’t
there last week and breasts twice the size!
What to do?
Well, these are all clear cut signs that your hormonal system is a
bit out of whack. So, how do we manage these hormones and keep our
skin glowing, our emotions in check and our body from expanding
with water weight when
your period is approaching?
Here are my top 10 favorite recommendations for keeping
your hormones in check:
Eat green veggies!! Green foods like broccoli,
spinach, Brussels sprouts, Bok Choy and kale contain a substance
called indole-3-carbinol which can block the excess buildup of
estrogen that causes raging PMS and hormonal imbalances.
Exercise. Hitting the gym not only helps you work
out your stress (that can really suss up your hormones) but it also
helps keep your weight in check. A woman carrying around excess
weight (especially in her middle) is definitely also carrying
around excess estrogen and will have worse PMS symptoms.
Have a sweet potato or two. Sweet potatoes are
loaded with antioxidants and hormone-balancing vitamins and not to
mention they’re just yummy!
Drink loads of water. Half your body weight in
ounces each day. Add lemon as it is very detoxifying and will not
only be great for your skin, but will help with that bloat and
backed up feeling.
Avoid white flours and refined whole wheats. These
types of foods are not only processed—and TERRIBLE for your
skin—the sugar they contain
can really wreak havoc on your endocrine system (the system
that
regulates the hormones in
your body). Instead eat organic,
nutrient-rich whole grain breads and pastas.
Limit your dairy consumption as it can worsen
menstrual cramps and
digestive disturbances, like that embarrassing bloat, that can
arise
premenstrually. If you go for small amounts of dairy (which is
just
fine) be sure that it’s organic, as non-organic dairy contains
excess
hormones and pesticides that are MAJOR hormonal disrupters.
Hula Hoops… remember those? Well, to keep a
healthy
blood flow to
your lower abdomen, and to help with bloating and cramping, do a
daily
three minute hip rotation (as if you were swirling around a
hula
hoop).
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Aimee E. Raupp is a licensed and National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) certified acupuncturist and herbalist who brings restorative harmony and function to the body through utilizing the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her practice focuses on emotional and psychological disorders, reproductive health, fertility enhancement and gynecology, gastrointestinal disorders, and facial rejuvenation. Aimee's ultimate goal is to empower each of her patients with the ability to achieve optimal health through balance and disease prevention. Chill Out And Get Healthy, her first book, published by NAL, a division of Penguin Group, hits bookshelves August 2009. Aimee is currently in private practice in both Manhattan and Nyack, NY. Please visit www.AimeeRaupp.com.
