Hormonal problems (like hypothyroid, polycystic ovaries, diabetes etc) are caused by toxins and hormone disrupters. Here are some basic guidelines to reduce your toxin exposure and balance your hormones:

1. Eliminate processed and refined foods. If you do eat packaged foods, make sure to read the labels. Do not put chemicals into your body. You should be able to recognise every ingredient in the packaged item as food. Also, it’s best to make sure that there are no refined products in the food – white flour, sugar, oil, etc.
2. Increase fibre. High fibre food includes whole grains, beans, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Fibre helps bind up and eliminate any unwanted toxins, excess hormones as well as cholesterol.
3. Avoid animal products. Meat, milk and poultry are full of hormones. Not just the hormones pumped into them but also the natural ones. Remember that animals produce hormones just as we do. Don’t be misled by the word ‘organic’ in the case of animal products. Fish are full of plastic because of the pollution of the oceans and plastics are hormone disrupters. Also, now many animals in our food chain are fed dried fish. Because of the accumulation, these become even bigger storehouses of hormone disruptors. Animal foods are dangerous to our health.
4. Avoid plastic. Avoid consuming food/drinks in soft plastic containers. And never heat food in plastic. Plastic contains PVC’s that mimic estrogen in the body leading to increased symptoms of PMS, ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, increased breast growth and more.
5. Reduce or eliminate caffeine and alcohol. Both of these hinder the ability of the liver to eliminate toxins and excess hormones from the body.
6. Always choose organic. Choose organic to reduce exposure to toxic pesticides like DDT, PCB, PCP, chlordane that can mimic hormones in the body. This cannot be emphasised enough!
7. Reduce toxic exposure in your home. Purchase non-toxic cleaning products, dish soap, laundry detergents, carpet cleaner, air-purifying aerosols, etc. Conventional cleaning supplies are incredibly toxic. It’s best to avoid using chemicals around the house.
8. Use natural personal care products. Choose personal care products without a lot of preservatives/dyes/chemicals such as methylparaben. Don’t put on your body what you would be afraid to put in your mouth. Toxins are absorbed through the skin as well.
9. Be selective in choosing cooking utensils and appliances. Avoid using the microwave, aluminium and aluminium foil, non-stick cookware, or heating or freezing in plastics.