4 Foods to Boost Progesterone Levels

Eating more foods that boost progesterone levels in the female body can go a long way in relieving menopause symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was once the most popular treatment of choice, but more women are turning to natural remedies to treat hormonal imbalance, and curb menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue, and mood swings.

Eating foods that naturally increase progesterone levels is a great way to help combat the symptoms of menopause. Read on to discover the 4 foods that will help kick-start progesterone levels during menopause.

4 Foods to Boost Progesterone Levels during Menopause

1. Milk-based products. These are rich in progesterone due in part to the fact that dairy cows have elevated progesterone levels from carrying their calves. Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, kefir, ice cream, and butter are all good additions to help elevate progesterone levels within the body.

2. Beef. Although beef contains much smaller amounts of progesterone, if eaten regularly it may help to increase progesterone levels within the body. It’s becoming more common for animals to be injected with artificial hormones – which can be disadvantageous to consume – so it’s important to choose good quality, and if possible, locally raised meat.

3. Culinary herbs. Incorporating fresh herbs into every day meals can help to stabilize hormone levels, and boost progesterone. The best herbs to naturally increase progesterone levels are turmeric, found in curry, as well as oregano and thyme.

4. Foods containing zinc. These foods are thought to be essential in producing sufficient levels of progesterone. Top on the list of high-zinc foods are as red meat, shellfish, beans, tofu and turkey are the best choices. Zinc is more easily absorbed by the body when consumed with vitamin C, so try to incorporate more of both into your diet.

Foods to Avoid

If you’re suffering from low progesterone, there are certain foods that should be avoided, or eaten in moderation. These include saw palmetto berry, lavender, red clover blossom, rhodiola rosea root, and blue cohosh, because they help to increase estrogen levels, further lowering progesterone levels. In addition, avoid arachidonic acid, which is found in animal fats, because it can impair the functioning of the corpus luteum (the follicle that remains after ovulation, which secretes progesterone).

Many women have successfully overcome risks associated with pregnancy and fertility problems with help from progesterone.

Reviewed on Monday, June 3rd, 2013

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