Hormones are chemicals that are produced by glands in the endocrine system. They influence everything from mental state to metabolism. Hormones balance is a critical issue in women’s health. Research is constantly being done to determine how hormones work and how to impact them through diet and lifestyle change. Hormone imbalance may be characterized be acne, mood swings, weight gain and hot flashes.

Women experience drastic hormonal changes as they go through the different phases of their menstrual cycle. This goes on until the onset of menopause where both estrogen and progesterone settle into low normal levels. Some of the factors which negatively influence hormonal balance include high stress lifestyles, nutrient-depleted diets, inflammatory foods, endocrine disrupting chemicals and disruption of the circadian rhythm. Adding flax seeds to your diet may be of significant help towards maintaining hormonal balance.

Flaxseed is packed with a high amount of nutrients and essential fatty acids. Our bodies require these nutrients and fats to produce hormones. Here some of the components and ways that flax seeds can help combat hormonal imbalance.

1. Lignans

These are compounds that are rich in antioxidants and behave like phytoestrogens which can modulate the effects of estrogen in the body. Flaxseeds contain lignans which are able to regulate the effects of estrogen in the body based on the need of an individual. Studies have shown that taking flaxseeds can significantly reduce anovulatory circles in menstruating women.It also stabilizes progesterone to estrogen ratio.

2. Fiber

Fiber is essential in regularizing digestion as well as maintaining healthy blood lipid levels. Regular digestion is also important for hormonal balance. This is because excess estrogen is released into the digestive system by the liver for removal in a bowel movement. If there is no regular bowel movement, this estrogen may be reabsorbed through the intestinal tract creating hormonal imbalance. Flaxseeds contain a high amount of fiber which ensures regular bowel movement as well as digestion.

3. Soluble and insoluble fiber.

Constipation is one of the causes of hormonal imbalance in women. It is therefore of great importance to ensure regular bowel movement. Flaxseed contains a rare combination of soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and helps in cleansing the colon off of waste as well as metabolized and harmful hormones. It also bulks up stool.

4. Essential fatty acids

Hormones are largely produced from healthy fats. Flaxseeds have been shown to provide the body with essential fatty acids needed to produce hormones. It also contains anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. A reduction in inflammation is of great benefit to the digestive system. It improves nutrient absorption as well as reduction of undue stress on the body.

5. Lowers risk of estrogenic cancers

Flaxseeds have an adaptogenic quality which enables it to attach itself to an estrogen receptor blocking the growth of cancer cells. Estrogens are responsible for the growth of certain cancers such as breast, uterine, ovarian, thyroid and lung cancer in non-smokers.

Apart from controlling hormonal imbalance, there are countless reasons to add flaxseeds to you daily diet as it is an easy way to boost your general health.