MyKitchen - Issue 36 - October 2017

health check

PHOTOGRAPHY: HM

images.co.za,

COURTESY IMAGES; ILLUSTRATIONS: CHLOÉ DAMSTRA

PMS, tiredness, a loss of libido,

and depression and anxiety are

all possible signs that you have

too much of this sex hormone.

One way to counteract this is to

look after your liver. If it can not

metabolise oestrogen properly,

it’s absorbed back into the body,

creating a build-up.

Do this: Cut down on alcohol,

check your supplements and

medications (as some can take

a toll on the liver) and lose that

excess weight.

And surprisingly ... drink your

coffee. New research suggests

that the complex concoction of

chemicals in your favourite hot

drink can protect the liver.

Lay off the sugar

‘Cutting down on sugar reduces

the risk for developing Type 2

diabetes, as well as assisting

with the management of poly-

cystic ovary syndrome,’ says

Dr Kinvig. Insulin hormone

from the pancreas helps your

body to make the best use of

glucose. If the pancreas isn’t

producing enough, or if it can’t

access the glucose for energy,

sugar will build up in the blood,

making way for health issues.

‘The WHO (World Health

Organization) recommends less

than 25 g (about 5 tsp) of added

sugar a day for healthy, active

adults,’ says Dr Kinvig. ‘This

doesn’t include natural sugars

in fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy

and wholegrains.’

Do this: Resist the urge to add

sugar to your food; cut out sodas,

juices and sugary hot drinks;

and check the sugar content of

canned goods. Lay off refined

carbs in favour of wholegrains,

as the fibre slows the release of

glucose into the bloodstream.

And try some cinnamon!

Research shows that ingesting

1–6g (½–2½ tsp) a day reduces

the risk of diabetes and helps

to control blood glucose and

cholesterol levels in people

with Type 2 diabetes.

Get your sunshine vitamin

Contrary to the name, vitamin D

is actually a hormone produced

by kidneys. Its role is to absorb

calcium and stabilise your mood

while also keeping your immune

system strong. Low vitamin D

results in depression, infections

and bone weakness. Dr Kinvig

says, ‘Calcium-rich foods such

as dairy are essential for healthy

bones, and vitamin D is vital for

absorbing calcium.’

Do this: To get vitamin D, eat

fish and egg yolks – but this will

only count for about 10% of your

daily intake. The larger portion

is synthesised in the body from

sunlight exposure. Try to get at

least 20 minutes of sunshine

a day.

THE HOLISTIC APPROACH

A final word from Dr Kinvig:

‘Ultimately, modifying your diet

and making lifestyle changes

(including exercise and stress

management) is vital for the

successful management of

hormonal imbalances. The

impact of these interventions

cannot be underestimated.’

SIGNS OF

DISTRESS

‘Pay attention to changes

in skin colour and texture,

and unwanted hair growth

under the chin, between

the breasts and above the

belly button,’ says

Dr Kinvig. ‘Then there’s

hair loss, weight changes,

menstrual irregularities,

fluid retention and altered

mood, all of which may be

indicators of hormonal

imbalance.’ She adds that

Type 2 diabetes, thyroid

disease and polycystic

ovarian syndrome are

among the most common

hormonal problems.

‘However, menopause and

osteoporosis become

significant concerns

as one ages.’

YOU COULD WIN

ONE OF THREE

NUTRIBULLETS

WORTH R1 999

EACH!

Automatic entry for

MyKitchen subscribers.

Ts&Cs ON PAGE 74

CLEAN YOUR

KITCHEN

‘Endocrine disruptors alter

the binding of hormones to

receptors and can result

in endocrine disease,

including altered fertility.

They should therefore be

eliminated from the diet,’

says Dr Kinvig.

There are 12 recognised

disruptors, ranging from

obvious baddies such as

lead, arsenic and mercury

(absorbed by fish, which

we then eat) to everyday

products such as BPA

(which lines many food

cans) and phthalate

(a chemical used in some

plastics, including kids’

toys). Other problematic

chemicals are parabens,

DEA and sodium lauryl

sulphate – all common

ingredients in cosmetics

and cleaning products.

Avoid plastic drinking

bottles and choose only

BPA-free plastic products.

Check your cosmetics bag

and under your kitchen sink,

and go organic as much as

possible. Cut out canned

goods by cooking your own

beans and tomatoes

or buying products

in glass containers.

DR TANYA KINVIG

ENDOCRINOLOGIST

Based in Cape Town, Dr Kinvig is

an endocrinologist (a doctor specialising

in glands and hormones) with an interest

in diabetes, thyroid disease and other

endocrine conditions.

pg20 Health Check Hormones.indd 21 2017/08/25 11:16 AM