Does nutrition affect hormone health?

Improper nutrition may amplify symptoms of certain hormone-related disorders, like PMS and menopausal complaints. Some medications, like oral contraception, may lead to an increased need for certain nutrients. Women also need to consume large amounts of certain nutrients throughout life to avoid health risks associated with age and estrogen-loss, like osteoporosis.

Despite increasing rates of obesity, many Americans are malnourished, in that they eat foods rich in calories but poor in nutrition.

Because hormones influence women’s lives to such a high degree, improper nutrition could amplify hormone imbalance symptoms, as seen in PMS and some menopausal problems.

Oral contraception and hormone replacement therapies, among other medications, increase the risk for nutrient depletions and deficiencies. Women also require large amounts of certain vitamins and minerals throughout life. For example, women who fail to consume enough calcium throughout life may face an increased risk for osteoporosis. Low levels of folic acid before and immediately following conception have been shown to cause neural tube defects in developing babies.

Both men and women require various nutrients for a healthy life. But some nutrients may be especially beneficial for women, including calcium, iron, B-complex vitamins, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E, soy, and acidophilus.