Your body in balance : the new science of food, hormones, and health

This book will introduce you to the power of foods to protect and restore your health. It’s easy to put that power to work, and the payoff is huge, as you will soon see! Even so, let me mention two important points: • If you have a health condition or use medications, see your health care provider. Often, people need less medication when they improve their diets. This is common for diabetes or high blood pressure, for example. Sometimes, they can discontinue their drugs altogether. But do not change your medications on your own. Work with your clinician to reduce or discontinue your medicines if and when the time is right. • Get complete nutrition. Plant-based foods are the most nutritious foods there are. Even so, you will want to ensure that you get complete nutrition. To do that, include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes in your routine, and I would suggest a special focus on green leafy vegetables. And be sure to have a reliable source of vitamin B12 daily, such as a simple B12 supplement, fortified cereals, or fortified soymilk. Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nerves and healthy blood. This nationally bestselling book explains the shocking new science of how hormones are wreaking havoc on the body, and the delicious solution that improves health, reduces pain, and even helps to shed weight. Hidden in everyday foods are the causes of a surprising range of health problems: infertility, menstrual cramps, weight gain, hair loss, breast and prostate cancer, hot flashes, and much more. All of these conditions have one thing in common: they are fueled by hormones that are hiding in foods or are influenced by the foods we eat. Your Body in Balance provides step-by-step guidance for understanding what's at the root of your suffering-and what you can do to feel better fast. Few people realize that a simple food prescription can help you tackle all these and more by gently restoring your hormone balance, with benefits rivaling medications. Neal Barnard, MD, a leading authority on nutrition and health, offers insight into how dietary changes can alleviate years of stress, pain, and illness. What's more, he also provides delicious and easy-to-make hormone-balancing recipes, including: Cauliflower Buffalo Chowder Kung Pao Lettuce Wraps Butternut Breakfast Tacos Mediterranean Croquettes Apple Pie Nachos Brownie Batter Hummus Your Body in Balance gives new hope for people struggling with health issues. Thousands of people have already reclaimed their lives and their health through the strategic dietary changes described in this book. Whether you're looking to treat a specific ailment or are in search of better overall health, Dr. Neal Barnard provides an easy pathway toward pain relief, weight control, and a lifetime of good health. Leading medical authority Dr. Neal D. Barnard provides readers with a way to use food to protect against chronic and terminal health problems caused by the excess hormones that are lurking in our diets. Cancer, heart disease, infertility, and diabetes are just a few common health problems plaguing Americans. On some level, these diseases can be considered genetic, or just a stroke of bad luck. But Dr. Neal D. Barnard points to a hidden culprit: Hormones hiding in our foods, making us sick, tired, and uncomfortable. Common foods high in hormones are having a dramatic influence on our overall health, from something as minor as menstrual cramps to serious terminal illness. But it is possible to restore the hormonal balance of the body through strategic eating, and alleviating many of the most pernicious symptoms simply by changing the way we eat. The Hormone Food Fix is loaded with prescriptive advice for developing healthier habits and low-fat,... Contents Cover Title Page Copyright A Note to the Reader Introduction Part I SEX HORMONES: FINDING YOUR BALANCE Chapter 1. Foods for Fertility Chapter 2. Curing Cramps and Premenstrual Syndrome Chapter 3. Tackling Cancer for Women Chapter 4. Tackling Cancer for Men Chapter 5. Reversing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Chapter 6. Tackling Menopause Part II HORMONES, METABOLISM, AND MOOD Chapter 7. Curing Erectile Dysfunction and Saving Your Life Chapter 8. Conquering Diabetes Chapter 9. A Healthy Thyroid Chapter 10. Healthy Skin and Hair Chapter 11. Foods That Fight Moodiness and Stress Part III FEELING BETTER AGAIN Chapter 12. A Healthy Diet Chapter 13. Avoiding Environmental Chemicals Menus Recipes Breakfasts Salads and Starters Soups Sandwiches and Wraps Mains Sides Desserts Acknowledgments Discover More About the Author Also by Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC References