The word endocrine derives from the Greek words “endo,” meaning within, and “crinis”. Our endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, among other things.

The endocrine system is made up of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries (in females) and testicles (in males). Here are some lifestyle and dietary choices to take care of your endocrine system as much as possible.

1. Eat a Balanced Diet – The saying, “Everything in moderation” makes sense. Diet is one of the best ways to influence a healthy balance in your lifestyle. A healthy diet will support your sleep and how well you handle stress. Fresh foods will help support a healthy endocrine system, especially green vegetables and root vegetables.
2. Skip the Junk – Sugar, alcohol, and even excess caffeine all wreak havoc to the endocrine system. They weaken the blood, liver, and the adrenal glands and as a result can lead to unhealthy hormone function. Junk food products only confuse it and your hormones at the same time.
3. Ditch the Dairy – Dairy is a big no-no for taking care of your hormones because dairy contains numerous natural hormones that weren’t meant to be combined with your own. Dairy comes from pregnant cows and we seriously doubt you want any of that in your body, right?
4. Get Your Rest – Rest is absolutely essential for a healthy endocrine system. Without enough sleep, your hormones won’t function naturally and stress, weight gain, and even serious health issues can occur.
5. Find the Right Exercise for You – High intensity training can actually exasperate stress by raising cortisol levels in certain individuals. Therefore, choosing the right exercise for you is also key to taking care of your hormones. For instance, relaxing exercises like yoga and walking is ideal for those prone to stress.

I hope this helped shed some light on the importance of diet, exercise and rest.

Go ahead and do your research on how to take better care of your endocrine system.

Who is Martha?

Dr. Martha Tara Lee is Founder and Clinical Sexologist of Eros Coaching. She is a certified sexologist with a Doctorate in Human Sexuality. She provides sexuality and relationship coaching for individuals and couples, conducts sexual education workshops and speaks at public events. She is the author of the book Love, Sex and Everything In-Between, and the host of the weekly radio show Eros Evolution on OMTimes Radio. For more, visit www.ErosCoaching.com or email info@eroscoaching.com.

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