Sharon Dominick/istockphoto

DCL

There is just no surefire way to avoid the endless swings in a woman's mood. Though I have begun to use my diet to regulate such fluctuations, before I get my period, I sometimes still think that the world is ending. Hormones are chemicals secreted by glands in the body. Symptoms of hormone imbalance in women tend to increase as a woman ages, especially if ignored in the earlier years. Hormone imbalance symptoms can be any one or more of the following: allergy symptoms, depression, fatigue and anxiety, endometriosis, hair loss and facial hair growth, headaches, dizziness and foggy thinking, low sex drive, osteoporosis, and wrinkly skin to name a few.

Some women are more affected by hormonal surges than other women but the fact remains that it will always be an issue. But you can experiment with your diet and naturally bring your hormones into balance. Also take into account that exercise plays a major role in reducing hormone flux.

Eat phytoestrogenic foods like almonds, strawberries, tofu, soy beans, peas, potatoes, yams, brown rice, and flax seeds. You'll notice that many of these foods are whole foods that are most effective if purchased at the farmers' market because they're still loaded with all the nutrients and enzymes.

Consider sprinkling flax seeds on your salads and stir fries. Snack on almonds and edamame.

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