Foods for progesterone deficiency
Progesterone is an essential hormone in fertility health. In terms of menstrual cycle health, it comes into play after ovulation when luteinizing hormone stimulates the corpus luteum, the egg sac in the ovary which remains after ovulation. It is the corpus luteum that produces progesterone.
Causes Of Low Progesterone
Any woman who has been experienced symptoms of low progesterone, they will tell you that asking what causes low progesterone will yield a variety of responses. Stress, nutrition, and an exercise all play a part in progesterone levels, and we will give you some practical suggestions about those in a bit.
Symptoms of progesterone deficiency
- Spotting before periods
- Breast tenderness
- Irregular periods
- Ovarian cysts
- Water retention
- Low body temperature
- Sugar cravings
- Irregular periods
- Miscarriage
Natural Foods to Increase Progesterone Levels
While progesterone is not present in any food, research suggests that certain natural foods can increase your progesterone levels by promoting the whole body’s progesterone production.
Eggs
Eggs generally contain progesterone in plentiful amounts. Egg yolk is the especially very rich source of progesterone. Women who are with progesterone deficiency should definitely eat eggs.
Dairy Products
Dairy products such as cheese, milk, made from cow’s milk which contain high amounts of progesterone. Cow’s milk is especially rich in progesterone.
Chicken
White meats such as chicken also contain progesterone hormone in high quantity. Consumption of chicken on its own is not dangerous.
Yams
Yam or wild yam contains certain phytochemicals which will act like progesterone when inside the body. However, these yams are not to be confused with the sweet potatoes, which are also called yams in some areas. Hence, make sure you read the label carefully before buying yams.
Avocados
The fiber content of avocados varies by depending on the type. In addition to the fiber, avocados are generally packed with healthy fats which help to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart diseases. Avocado plays an important role in increasing the levels of progesterone in the body.
Turmeric
The active agent present in turmeric is curcumin which is well known as anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties. It also aids in increasing more progesterone in the body. It can relieve symptoms of low progesterone levels.
Coconut
By including coconut into your diet, or eating it daily can also increase your progesterone level. Because coconut plays an essential role in increasing your low progesterone level.
Apart from foods vitamins and minerals also helps to increase the progesterone levels in your body.
Vitamin B6 Rich Foods
Foods which are rich in vitamin B6 such as walnuts, whole grains, fortified cereals and soy milk are also good sources of phyto progesterone.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an ascorbic acid which functions as an antioxidant. Antioxidants work as a defense system, disarming free radicals which are unstable molecules and can damage cell structures. The ovaries take in ascorbic acid right before ovulation, which then facilitates a strong ovulation. So, a woman who takes Vitamin C will have a significant increase in progesterone levels and higher pregnancy rate than those who did not. Women who take 750 mg of Vitamin C they can increase their progesterone levels by as much as 77 percent.
Zinc
Zinc acts on multiple organs of the human body implicated in progesterone production including the pituitary gland and ovaries. It increases your levels of the follicle by stimulating hormone by promoting the pituitary gland to release follicle stimulating hormones, which in turn causes anovulation and also stimulating the ovaries to produce an estrogen and also progesterone.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E works by increasing luteal blood flow that can lengthen the luteal phase and increases egg quality. Women are treated with 600 mg of Vitamin E per day not only improves corpus luteum blood flow in 83% of patients but it also improves progesterone in 67% of the women.
The above foods with progesterone in them should be consumed in average amounts only. Excess levels of progesterone may also interrupt hormonal balance in the body. So, menopausal women, women on HRT should eat these types of foods only after consulting their doctor.
These are many natural methods to increase progesterone levels in your body and to maintain a healthy hormonal balance. See your doctor apart from remedies and get your hormonal levels tested regularly. They are essential to maintaining desired levels as well as check up on the effectiveness of what you are doing.
