What's Messing With The Messenger?

Do you often find yourself in a bad mood, feeling low, or snapping at someone for no reason? It could be that your hormones are all over the place, playing havoc on your mind and body. Joyoti Mahanta speaks to experts about common triggers that cause hormonal imbalances and finds out how you can keep these vital chemical messengers from spiralling out of control

ALL THAT SUGAR

If you have a sweet tooth, you already know the consequences of eating a whole bar of chocolate. “It’s not the cocoa in the chocolate that causes the hormonal breakouts, but the added sugars and milk solids that are the culprits,” explains Dr Sadhna Singhal, obstetrician and gynaecologist at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi. “Excess sugar contributes to weight gain, which can cause the body to become resistant to insulin—the hormone that moves sugar into the bloodstream and thus energises the cells.”

Fix it: Stick to a balanced diet that contains natural sources of high-quality multivitamins and mineral complex (soya, eggs, leafy vegetables) and omega-3 fatty acids (flaxseeds, salmon). When you crave a sugary treat, help yourself, but make sure you also get some protein along with it. “Since protein is the most satiating of all nutrients, including a source of protein will lead you to eat fewer carbohydrates,” says Hyderabad-based gynaecologist Dr Mona Mehra. This will control your blood sugar levels, can greatly reduce your insulin resistance, makeing it easier for you to keep your hormones in check.”

CRASH DIETS

Starvation and crash diets end up lowering oestrogen levels. “During a crash diet, our body starts using the reserved energy stored inside the body, resulting in a reduced metabolic rate and hormonal imbalance,” warns Dr Singhal.